Local Tide & Water Level Information

Flooding

While precipitation can significantly contribute to flooding in the area, tide levels greatly contribute to flooding in coastal counties such as Gloucester, pushing more water into the area and preventing rain water from draining away.

Tracking Water Levels

Water levels and flood conditions can be tracked via several relevant tide gages and resources. Tracking water levels can not only provide historical benchmarks of flood events, but also help predict rising water levels during flood events as well.

Flooded pier with a closed temporarily sign

Storm Flooding

In recent years Gloucester County has been affected by storm events that have caused significant flooding:

  • Hurricane Isabel in 2003 created a tidal surge of 6.4 feet at Gloucester Point. 
  • Tropical Storm Ernesto in 2006 brought 5 to 8 inches of rainfall, and tides 4 to 5 feet above normal. Hurricane Irene in 2011 caused flooding in parts of Gloucester County. 

In addition to these local resources, records from the nearby Sewell's Point station extend back to 1927, capturing historical events such as the 1933 Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane and Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 with water levels respectively 5 to 6 feet and 4 to 5 feet there above average higher high tide conditions