What to expect in Ocean City as Humberto Passes this Week
Hurricane Humberto is churning far out in the Atlantic, and a weather event is not expected; there is still potential for a coastal event with the coming high tides and surf.
The good news is we don’t expect the peak tide to be as high with Hurricane Erin this summer. Erin’s peak high tide was forecasted at 6.9 feet and reached a height of 7.06 feet. For Humberto, the current forecast puts the peak high tide at 5.6 feet. There are also a few other factors working in our favor.
One factor is the current phase of the moon. Erin arrived during a new moon, which naturally creates a higher-than-average tide. Humberto is going to hit during a period between moon phases, meaning the natural tide won’t be as high to begin with. This gives us a little breathing room.
However, Humberto’s peak high tide will be accompanied by strong Northeast (NE) winds. These NE winds tend to hold the water in once it comes ashore. This is a critical factor to watch.
In terms of raw ocean power, the swell from Humberto is not as powerful as what we saw with Erin.
- Erin’s swell measured over 7 feet with a powerful period of 18 seconds.
- Humberto’s current forecasted swell is 6.4 feet with a period of 16 seconds.
Remember, swell height indicates the energy, and the swell period indicates the power and the potential for water to move inland. The lower period and height suggest less widespread damage compared to Erin.
Based on all the data, our prediction is for minor flooding with Wednesday afternoon’s high tide. If you’re in a low-lying area, be prepared for water in the streets during the afternoon high tide on Wednesday.
The beach will be impacted on Tuesday at the peak of the swell from the storm. Expect significant wave action and a high risk of beach erosion, as well as dangerous rip currents.
Be sure to follow OCNJ Local on social media to stay updated with the latest changes. For now, take the necessary steps to protect your persons and property.
Stay safe, Ocean City.