Community Environment

King tides cause little flooding in area

This week’s highest predicted tides of the year brought water to the top of bulkheads, but little flooding.

The National Weather Service in Seattle issued a tidal flood advisory for Wednesday morning, Jan. 17. The high predicted tide for Gig Harbor was 13.53 feet at 9:45 a.m. The maximum ever reached here is 14.1.

Minor flooding in Purdy. Photo by Ed Friedrich

Shallow water spilled into much of the Bridgeway Market shopping center in Purdy, but nothing like the calf-deep flooding of Dec. 27, 2022. Gig Harbor Bay reached the top of the bulkhead at Skansie Park, but didn’t encroach onto the lawn.

The highest predicted tide was actually on Monday, at 13.72 feet, followed by 13.69 on Tuesday. Without rain, wind or low atmospheric pressure, they didn’t cause any problems. High tides now are cycling downward.

Burley Lagoon at base of shopping center wall in Purdy. Photo by Ed Friedrich

The forecast for Thursday is for rain and snow with a high near 37 degrees. Then it’s nothing but rain at least through next Tuesday with temperatures inching back up to near 50 degrees.

Geese enjoying high tide at Skansie Park. Photo by Ed Friedrich

High tide reaching toward Harbor History Museum. Photo by Ed Friedrich

Water reaches bottom of netshed at Skansie Park. Photo by Ed Friedrich