High Tide Flooding Predictions for May 2024

Posted April 25, 2024
Last Updated April 22, 2024 @ 1:19pm

Coastal Flooding Outlook for May 2024

Per NOAA, mean sea level is typically higher in the late spring due to changing weather patterns and increasing water temperatures. That said, the outlook for tidal flooding this May is pretty contained, and is certainly less than we saw a few months ago.

May’s highest predicted tides will coincide with the new moon starting on May 7th (except for in Hawaii when it starts on May 8th). We may also see high tide flooding with the full moon at the end of the month, around May 23rd. The higher-than-normal tides that happen with the new and full moon each month are called ‘spring’ tides (not “king” tides), which is a bit confusing as they happen throughout the year, not just in the spring season.

Important for Boaters: Please be aware that lower than normal tides are also forecast for May. Don’t forget to print the tide chart for your location!

Many of the same locations that frequently see high-tide flooding could possibly see the same this month. We’re highlighting some location-specific outliers below, with details for all locations for which NOAA has provided data further down:

Eagle Point in Galveston Bay, TX is expected to see flooding for the entire month of May, EXCEPT May 17-19 and May 31.
Fernandina Beach, FL is (again!) the only location in Florida predicted to see flooding this month on May 7 & 8.
Bay St. Louis, MS may see flooding again this month between May 8-12 and 23-28.
California and Hawaii, spared last month, are predicted to see very limited high tide flooding: just North Spit in Northern CA, and locations on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Washington and Oregon, are being spare this month, which hasn’t happened in a while!

QUICK LINKS to possible flood days by region: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Gulf Coast, Pacific Coast, Hawaii.

About these Predictions: “These flooding likelihoods are derived from a probabilistic model that incorporates tide predictions, sea level rise trends, and seasonal changes in coastal sea level to predict the potential that a higher than normal high tide may exceed established National Ocean Service flood thresholds. During these periods, high tide flooding may occur in flood-prone areas.” NOAA

Northeast: Possible Flood Days

Maine:

Bar Harbor, ME — May 6-7 and 9-10
Portland, ME — May 7-10

Massachusetts:

Boston, MA — May 6-10

Rhode Island:

Providence, RI — May 7-8
Newport, RI — May 7

Connecticut:

Bridgeport, CT — May 6 and 8

Mid-Atlantic: Possible Flood Days

New York:

New York City, The Battery, NY — May 6-8
Kings Point, Long Island, NY — May 5-9
Bergen Point, West Reach, NY — May 6-8

New Jersey:

Sandy Hook, NJ — May 6-8
Atlantic City, NJ — May 7-8
Cape May, NJ — May 7-9

Delaware:

Lewes, DE — May 7-9

Virginia:

Sewalls Point, Norfolk, VA — May 6-9
Wachapreague, VA — May 6-9

Southeast: Possible Flood Days

North Carolina:

Duck, NC — May 6-8

South Carolina:

Springmaid Pier, SC — May 6-8
Charleston, SC — May 7-8

Georgia:

Fort Pulaski, GA — May 6-9

Florida:

Fernandina Beach, FL — May 7-8

Gulf Coast: Possible Flood Days

Mississippi:

Bay St. Louis, MS — May 8-12 and 23-28

Texas:

Morgans Point, Barbours Cut, Galveston, TX — May 8-11 and 24-28
Eagle Point, Galveston Bay, TX — The entire month of May, EXCEPT May 17-19 and May 31 predicted to see possible flooding!
Galveston Pier 21, TX — May 7-12 and 23-26

Pacific Coast: Likely & Possible Flood Days

Hawaii: Likely & Possible Flood Days

Hawaii, Big Island:

Hilo, Hilo Bay, Kuhio Bay, HI — May 8
Kawaihae, HI — May 7-9

Coastal News