Unnamed Storm and King Tides Cause Coastal Flooding in the Carolinas

Fri Oct 10 2025 17:45:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Unusual weather patterns and tropical storms lead to flooding in Charleston and the Outer Banks, with additional threats posed by ongoing storms in the Atlantic and Pacific.

Early Friday, a significant unnamed storm and king tides affected the Carolina coast, leading to flooding in Charleston, South Carolina. The city has implemented free parking measures in response to the situation. Forecasts predicted further coastal flooding along the Outer Banks of North Carolina due to a combination of high tides and strong winds. Meanwhile, tropical storms in the Pacific threaten to cause flash flooding across the U.S. Southwest.

MIAMI (AP) — A storm without a name and unusual king tides were causing some flooding on the Carolina coast early Friday as tropical storms churned in the Atlantic and along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

About a dozen streets were already flooded in Charleston, South Carolina, prompting the city to offer free parking in some garages. A high tide of 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) was forecasted, making it one of the highest levels recorded in Charleston Harbor.

The unnamed coastal storm, alongside unusually high king tides that occur when the moon is in close proximity to the Earth, presents the risk of heavy winds leading to coastal flooding, particularly impacting the vulnerable Outer Banks of North Carolina and areas around Charleston.

Forecasters indicated that the worst weather effects would occur from Friday through the weekend along the Outer Banks, raising concerns about possible shut down of Highway N.C. 12 on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands due to ocean overwash.

In the Pacific, Tropical Storms Priscilla and Raymond threaten heavy rainfall along the Mexican coast, which may result in flash flooding across the U.S. Southwest. Flood watches have been issued for parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada.

Priscilla was centered about 190 miles (300 kilometers) west-northwest of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico, moving north at 6 mph (9 kph) with maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph (85 kph).

A tropical storm warning associated with Raymond was issued for areas from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes, with forecasts indicating it could remain off the southwestern coast of Mexico before beginning to approach Baja California Sur this weekend.

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Jerry threatened the northern Leeward Islands with warnings of heavy rainfall and potential power outages. Similar weather patterns have raised alerts across various regions, with tropical storm warnings in place for several Caribbean islands.

As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season continues, meteorologists caution that the cooling pattern in the Pacific, known as La Nina, may have significant impacts, including increased heavy rains and drought conditions worldwide.