Coastal Flooding and the Effects of Wind

Coastal Flooding and the Effects of Wind

By: Bill Hitchcock

One of the most common questions I am asked about an area or property along the coast of North Carolina is, "Has it ever flooded here?".

The short answer is "Yes!". At some point in time, since the beginning of time anywhere coastal North Carolina has been underwater. But that's not what this article is about.

One of the main causes for flooding is wind. What area gets flooded will depend on the direction of the wind and its strength. Unfortunately, most folks just think in terms of wind strength and not wind direction.

Here's why the direction of the wind is so important. The coast of North Carolina, including the inner banks and outer banks has beaches and rivers and sounds that face all directions. If, for example we have a strong northerly wind this will help to push water from the north towards the southand up on and in to beaches, rivers and creeks facing north. The map below highlights my point.

Now if the wind is coming hard out of the south then the opposing (on the north side) beaches and rivers would have waters pushed in.

If the wind is in your face and you are facing water then the water is being pushed towards you. But-If you have the wind at your back and you are facing water then the waters will be pushed away from you.

I once owned a piece of waterfront property on Bogue Sound that faced south. One year we had a hurricane that brough 100mph winds out of the north. I was left high and dry while across the sound on Bogue Banks had severe flooding.

Storms and hurricanes come from all different directions. The coast of North Carolina faces all different directions. Each storm is different and will create a different effect. This is one of the reasons that makes responding to the question about flooding so difficult.

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