Coastal Weather
Coastal Flood Advisory vs Warning: Tides, Surge, and Shoreline Impacts
The difference between coastal flood advisories and warnings, why tides and wind matter, and how coastal flooding differs from storm surge.
Quick answer: Coastal flood products alert people to water levels that can affect roads, shorelines, property, and travel. A warning is more serious than an advisory.
What causes it
Coastal flooding can come from onshore wind, high tides, storm surge, large waves, and low pressure.
It does not always require a landfalling hurricane. Nor’easters and strong coastal lows can cause major flooding.
Advisory vs warning
An advisory usually means minor flooding or travel issues are expected. A warning means more significant flooding is expected or occurring.
Local thresholds vary because shorelines and infrastructure differ.
What to do
Avoid flooded coastal roads, move vehicles from low lots, and follow local closures.
Saltwater can damage vehicles and electrical systems even when water looks shallow.