PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — People around the Pacific Northwest are marveling at the active king tides, which continue to flood low-lying neighborhoods and bring powerful waves crashing into oceanfront lookouts.
Photos and videos provided by viewers in Oregon and Washington this weekend show flooded streets and people experiencing close calls with surging waves. Washington Resident Tony Valente told KOIN 6 News that he photographed a wave that nearly hit a group of onlookers at Nelscott Beach during high tide in Lincoln City Saturday.
“Everyone made sure to stay back at a safe distance,” Valente said. “I saw this wave coming in fast and I was lucky enough to have the trusty point-and-shoot camera on rapid fire. Best part, aside from the photos, is I was bone dry afterwards. Never mess with King tides.”
Various other photos taken from around the Pacific Northwest show coastal flooding in Cutler City, Nehalem and Tokeland Wash. Buttercup Ice Creams & Chowders in Nehalem shared a lighthearted video with KOIN 6 News showing one employee kayaking through the flooded streets.
“We are open today,” the company shared on social media Saturday. “Make sure to bring your boots!”
Seasonal king tides occur when the sun and moon align and add extra gravitational pull on the Earth. The gravitational pull causes the Earth's oceans to swell. During a king tide, ocean tides can surpass their highest daily averages by six inches or more.
Climate scientists study these tidal changes to assess the future effects of climate change. Regions of the West Coast most as risk for coastal flooding include Friday Harbor, Wash., Port Angeles, Wash., Toke Point, Wash., South Beach, Ore. and Humboldt Bay, Calif.
The current round of king tides will end on Dec. 15 and the final seasonal round will last from Jan. 11 to Jan. 13. KOIN 6 News has included a variety of photos and video of the king tides seen from around the Pacific Northwest this weekend.
