Forecasters predict historic flooding along US east coast this weekend

The US east coast could be faced with historic flooding as a major storm coincides with the highest tides of the month this weekend.

The National Weather Service in the USA has advised people along parts of the US Atlantic coast to take precautions and prepare for a major storm, with wind gusts slightly below hurricane level of around 50 mph possible.

With observations and model predictions indicating a slow-moving storm, together with the high spring tides, this means that prolonged flooding could be possible, particularly around the Chesapeake Bay and parts of New Jersey and Long Island. The National Weather Service Mount Holly, N.J. office, which covers the Jersey Shore and Philadelphia, is already anticipating a top 5 coastal flood event.

Prediction center Meteorologist Rich Otto says that large metropolitan areas including Baltimore and Washington may experience flooding “close to Sandy” in terms of severity (in reference to Hurricane Sandy in 2012). In addition, there are concerns over 1 to 2 feet of snow, with ice and freezing rain expected in other parts of the east coast. Wave heights are predicted to reach 15 to 20 feet, which could also result in significant beach erosion.

Up-to-date information on the storm and flood warnings can found on the National Weather Service website available here.