King Tides Hit Washington: Flooding Warnings and Ferry Delays Expected

King Tides Cause Flooding Concerns in Seattle

As king tides arrive in western Washington, residents must prepare for potential flooding and ferry delays. The National Weather Service warns of moderate to major flooding along shorelines and low-lying areas, affecting roads and parks.

The Washington State Department of Transportation cautions ferry users about possible delays on certain routes due to low tides. Low tides may create steep loading ramps that affect trucks, RVs with low ground clearance, and vehicles towing trailers.

The department has identified routes with potential delays:

• Saturday, Nov. 16: 9:24 p.m. to 12:42 a.m., tide at -3.6 feet
• Sunday, Nov. 17: 10:07 p.m. to 1:24 a.m., tide at -3.5 feet
• Monday, Nov. 18: 11:04 p.m. to 1:58 a.m., tide at -2.9 feet
• Wednesday, Nov. 20: 12:17 to 2:19 a.m., tide at -2.0 feet
• Saturday, Nov. 30: 9:35 to 11:03 p.m., tide at -1.6 feet

KOMO Meteorologist Shannon O’Donnell explains that king tides typically occur this time of year. They do not often cause issues unless they coincide with significant low pressure, like in December 2022. Coastal areas may experience severe flooding up to three feet above ground level.

In Seattle’s South Park neighborhood, residents are taking precautions against flooding. Orange sandbags and concrete blocks are placed along the Duwamish River, marking areas predicted to flood between November 14-19, December 10-19, January 1-8, and January 13-16. City crews anticipate water levels may reach 10.5 feet by mid-November, with concerns around the 11-foot mark.

Seattle Public Utilities has warned of high tides through Tuesday and during the upcoming December and January periods. They ask anyone facing urgent but non-life-threatening flooding to contact their 24/7 response center at 206-386-1800.