HILO — Beach-goers and oceanfront residents should keep an eye out over the holiday weekend for tides that could rise more than foot higher than normal.
Starting today, the National Weather Service in Honolulu says that unusually high tides, known as “king tides,” may cause standing water on roadways and intermittent coastal flooding along all shores of the island, particularly in low-lying areas.
NWS also is predicting a large south swell will build starting Friday and continue through Memorial Day. The swell is expected to further exacerbate the coastal flooding.
South-facing shores of the island will feel the most direct impact, said NWS meteorologist Ian Morrison, and there’s a “really good chance” for a high surf advisory to be issued for those areas over the weekend. Impact along remaining shores could vary.
“A lot of the Big Island coastline is elevated, so it’s got to be places close to sea levels,” Morrison said. “Those are the places impacted by the tide. There will definitely be localized inundation.”
King tides are predictable weather events that occur when a new or full moon coincides with when the moon is closest to the Earth. They happen a couple times per year, Morrison said. The last king tide in Hawaii was observed in late-April, when the highest tides on record were reported in Honolulu.
Hawaii County Civil Defense spokeswoman Kanani Aton said Wednesday no county park or beach closures are planned, though that could change if warranted.
The county isn’t planning to increase lifeguard staffing, either, but is making sure its guards on duty are prepared, said Gerald Kosaki, battalion chief of special operations for Hawaii County Fire Department.
Kosaki said beach closures are unlikely, unless tides come with high surf and debris “or other hazards on the beach or in the parking area that may need to be addressed.”
“We are well aware of the king tides, which happen every so often,” Kosaki said. “We’re having our lifeguards be more proactive in preventative measures.”