Coastal flood threat, dangerous beach conditions linger across mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Florida

Protecting Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA from tidal flooding and tropical systems

Charleston's proposed seawall is an evolving project by the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the peninsula from storm surge and rising sea levels, though concerns remain about its cost, impact on views and marshland, and potential to worsen other flooding. The original Army Corps plan proposed an 8-mile concrete wall and has evolved to a Battery extension concept, with city-led designs emphasizing a more integrated and aesthetically sensitive approach that includes walking paths and public spaces. Though the 8 mile wall is not off the table in full. The project, which also includes pump stations and living shorelines, aims to safeguard the city's historic peninsula by raising the seawall height. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray has the story.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A flood threat to low-lying East Coast communities and dangerous beach conditions remain through Thursday, as a sprawling front that was parked for days just off the Eastern Seaboard will finally begin to move farther into the Atlantic Ocean as we head into the weekend.

The strong high pressure over New England has brought strong winds from the northeast pushing water onto and over East Coast beaches. This flooding was enhanced by a nearly full Moon, which brought peak flooding during high tides.

Flooding creeps into Charleston, South Carolina after high tide

Flooding creeps into Charleston market after high tide, as a stalled front off the East Coast will bring a coastal flood threat through Wednesday morning.

FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray reported Tuesday morning that some flooding had crept into Charleston Market in Charleston, South Carolina, after high tide.

On Tuesday evening, spotters reported that the Highway 17 and Highway 65 split was closed due to saltwater flooding. Tidal gauges reported water levels reaching about a half-foot over where tidal flooding usually occurs. 

WHAT IS A KING TIDE OR PERIGEAN SPRING TIDE?

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Coastal Flood Warnings remain posted from the south shore of New York's Long Island through the mid-Atlantic, the Southeast and into northern Florida's coast through Thursday evening.

Those in the region should check their local high-tide cycle to determine when the greatest potential flooding impacts may occur.

SEPTEMBER SKYGAZING GUIDE: SATURN SHINES BRIGHT, CORN MOON AND AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

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Many of these same beach communities lost several prime days of beach tourism due to swells and flooding caused by Hurricane Erin last month.

Live cameras at beaches from Virginia to South Carolina Tuesday morning showed rough surf and rolling waves shortly after high tide.

ERIN FADES FROM US BUT DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS, ROUGH SEAS FOR SWIMMING TO LAST THROUGH WEEKEND

Stalled front off East Coast brings rough surf and coastal flood concerns

Live cameras at beaches from Virginia to South Carolina Tuesday morning showed rough surf and rolling waves shortly after high tide. Hazardous beach conditions and coastal flood watches remain for most of the Eastern Seaboard Wednesday.

High rip current risks, dangerous beach conditions extend from New York to Florida

High rip current risks have been issued for the south shore of New York's Long Island, extending along the Jersey Shore and most of the mid-Atlantic coast, as well as the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida.

Some of the smaller inlets and protected shorelines of North Carolina have a moderate rip current risk.

According to the NWS, at least 75 people have died in rough surf zones this year.

FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin noted Tuesday morning that many Atlantic beaches are unguarded at this point during September.

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