How tonight’s Super Blue Moon could make Hurricane Idalia even WORSE: Rare lunar phenomenon will make tides higher in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina – intensifying flooding from the storm, experts warn
- Tonight’s Super Blue Moon is the biggest and brightest of the year
- But it could raise tides above normal just as Hurricane Idalia hits Florida
- READ MORE: Idalia is now ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 4 Hurricane
Tonight, skygazers around the world will be treated to a rare astronomical phenonmenon in the form of a Super Blue Moon.
The event will mark the point at which the moon is the biggest and brightest it’s been all year.
However, experts have warned that it could have dangerous repercussions here on Earth.
The supermoon could raise tides above normal – just as Hurricane Idalia takes aim at Florida’s west coast.
‘I would say the timing is pretty bad for this one,’ said Brian Haines, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service office in Charleston, South Carolina.
Tonight, skygazers around the world will be treated to a rare astronomical phenonmenon in the form of a Super Blue Moon. The event will mark the point at which the moon is the biggest and brightest it’s been all year. However, experts have warned that it could have dangerous repercussions here on Earth
The supermoon could raise tides above normal – just as Hurricane Idalia takes aim at Florida’s west coast
READ MORE: Hurricane Idalia is now ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 4 Hurricane
The moon will be closest to the Earth at 21:35pm ET tonight – the same day Idalia is expected to make landfall in Florida.
While a supermoon can make for a spectacular backdrop in photos of landmarks around the world, its intensified gravitational pull also makes tides higher.
It’s expected to make tidal flooding worse not only in Florida, but in states such as Georgia and South Carolina, where Haines’ office has been warning residents that parts of Charleston could be underwater by Wednesday night.
When the moon is full, the sun and the moon are pulling in the same direction, which has the effect of increasing tides above normal ranges, according to Kerry Emanuel, professor emeritus of atmospheric science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The moon’s gravitational pulls are even stronger when it’s closer to Earth, so the tides are even higher.
The storm surge is often the greatest killer when hurricanes strike.
When the moon is full, the sun and the moon are pulling in the same direction, which has the effect of increasing tides above normal ranges. The moon’s gravitational pulls are even stronger when it’s closer to Earth, so the tides are even higher
The part of northwest Florida that could be hit by Idalia is especially vulnerable to storm surge because of the region’s geography. Pictured: Water coming onshore in Madeira Beach, Florida
How does the moon affect the tides?
High and low tides are caused by the moon.
The moon’s gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force.
The tidal force causes Earth – and its water – to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon.
These bulges of water are high tides.
Source: NOAA
The ocean water pouring onto land could be up to 15 feet (4.6 metres) along parts of Florida’s west coast, the National Hurricane Centre projected in its latest briefings yesterday.
Further south, up to seven feet (2.1 metres) of storm surge is expected in the Tampa Bay area.
Storm surge that can be taller than a person is a concern with any major hurricane.
The tides and the influence of a supermoon can increase that somewhat.
‘There’s a saying that you hide from the wind and run from the water, and hopefully people are heeding that advice,’ said Brian Tang, associate professor of atmospheric science at University at Albany in New York.
The part of northwest Florida that could be hit by Idalia is especially vulnerable to storm surge because of the region’s geography.
The continental shelf extends so far out from the coast and has a gradual slope, allowing the ocean to grow higher as hurricane winds drive the water onto land, Tang said.
The shape of the coast in that region – known as Florida’s Big Bend area – is also curved inward, which can focus the storm surge to make it even more dangerous, he said.
In South Carolina, there’s concern that Idalia’s path will take it near the historic city of Charleston and the surrounding area known as the Low Country.
That would add water to the high tide that´s in the forecast, Haines said.
‘Wednesday evening looks really nasty for coastal flooding here,’ he said.
The weather service is forecasting an 8.2-foot (2.5 metre) tide in Charleston Wednesday evening, which could produce widespread flooding in downtown Charleston, Haines said.
Even with a 7.5 foot tide (2.3 metres), some roads in the city flood and become impassible, he said.
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR FLOODING?
Flooding can occur anywhere in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security says it is particularly important to be prepared for flooding if you live in an area that is close to water, including in regions close to a stream, river, culvert or ocean, or if you live downstream from a levee or dam.
Flooding can happen during any season, but coastal US territories are more likely to experience it during hurricane season.
Midwestern territories are more likely to experience flooding during spring and periods of heavy summer rain.
The following are basic tips for surviving flooding:
- Do not walk or drive through flooded areas.
- Do not drive across bridges spanning floodwaters that are fast moving. Floodwaters can destabilize bridges.
- Move to higher ground when a risk of flash flooding is announced.
- During periods of heavy rainfall do not camp or park close to streams, creeks or rivers.
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