Atlantic Coast at Sunset Beach
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 7.5 ft; minor flooding begins at 8.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 9.0 ft; major flooding begins at 11.0 ft.
| Action stage | 7.5 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 8.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 9.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 11.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 18.0 ft on Oct 15, 1954 (historic crest)
- 7.5 ft on Oct 9, 2006 (historic crest)
- 7.4 ft on Oct 8, 2006 (historic crest)
- 7.4 ft on Nov 7, 2006 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 7.5 ft | Minor flooding of the prone low-lying coastal locations possible if accompanied by other factors, such as persistent onshore wind and wave action. |
|---|---|
| 8.0 ft | Minor coastal flooding affects the southern shore of Bald Head Island along Bald Head Road, and the east end of Ocean Isle Beach. Minor flooding can also occur on roadways near tidal marshes and creeks. |
| 9.0 ft | On the Brunswick County coast, vulnerable areas include several neighborhoods off of Bald Head Rd, portions of Ocean Dr. in the Old Yaupon area, portions of East and West Beach Dr. in Long Beach, and portions of Dolphin Drive east of Middleton Ave in Long Beach. High astronomical tides along with heavy rainfall can create flooding along Ocean Blvd. in Holden Beach. In Sunset Beach, one mile inland on Clubhouse Rd. near Calabash Creek Bridge can flood with high astronomical tides and heavy rain. |
| 11.0 ft | Life threatening, and widespread coastal flooding is expected with significant damage to coastal structures and roadways. Water may enter beachfront structures not elevated on pilings. Nearly all waterfront and coastal access roads will be closed, possibly for an extended period of time. Significant inundation of coastal, bayside, sound-side tributaries and tidal creeks is likely. |
Forecast office: NWS Wilmington · River Forecast Center: Southeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Sunset Beach Pier NOAA tide station · 0.0 mi
- Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at Sunset Blvd Bridge NWS gauge · 1.2 mi
- Sunset Beach Bridge NOAA tide station · 1.2 mi
- Calabash River at Calabash NWS gauge · 3.0 mi
- Dunn Sound NOAA tide station · 3.7 mi
- Little River Neck NOAA tide station · 3.8 mi