2023 - December 17 Nor'easter Impacts: Flash Flooding, Wind, Coastal Flooding, and High Surf

Overview

A low pressure system developed over the Gulf of Mexico and tracked northeast across the
Florida Peninsula in the early morning hours of December 17. As it tracked northeastward it
continued to strengthen, impacting the southeast coast with coastal flooding, dangerous marine
conditions, flash flooding, and gusty winds. The climate sites at the Savannah, GA (KSAV),
Downtown Charleston, and North Charleston (KCHS) broke daily rainfall records.

Charleston, South Carolina fire department trucking through the flood waters on Huger Street, *moving* a car with their wake. Folks, turn around don't drown, but if you have to drive through water please be mindful of your wake! pic.twitter.com/zdO4IIXOaK
— Bryce Shelton (@BryceShelton01) December 17, 2023

Storm Total Rainfall (click image to enlarge)

List of the storm total rainfall reports: Link

Observed Peak Wind Gusts (click image to enlarge)

List of the highest wind gusts: Link

Collection of Storm Reports (click image to enlarge)

Collection of storm reports from across southeast Georgia and South Carolina: Link

Coastal Flooding (click image to enlarge)


Major coastal flooding was seen along the southeast South Carolina coast on December 17th, with the Charleston Harbor Tide Gage reaching a preliminary value of 9.86 ft MLLW, the 4th highest tide on record. This tide also broke the record for the highest non-tropical high tide value.	Moderate coastal flooding along the southeast Georgia coast on December 17th. The Fort Pulaski tide gage peaked at 10.07 ft MLLW, which is the 15th highest tide on record.

Additional Information

SIGNIFICANT FLOODING ongoing in Charleston, SC. Up to 6 cars now stranded as flow from the river increases the depth of floodwaters. Live On @RadarOmega @foxweather and YouTube: https://t.co/E7DVxuYOBh pic.twitter.com/rbArEAnRS5
— Brandon Copic (@BrandonCopicWx) December 17, 2023

Very rough surf Folly Beach, SC this afternoon.

Here are a few shots from around the Folly Pier via Surfline cams…. #chswx #SCwx pic.twitter.com/Wk99rjZKWL
— Jed Christoph (@JedChristophWX) December 17, 2023

Vehicles travel through flood waters in the 2200 block of Ashley River Road near Magwood Drive in West Ashley. Creeks and ponds are swollen after torrential rain this morning. â¦@FOX24Charlestonâ© â¦@NWSCharlestonSCâ© #chsnews #chswx #scwx pic.twitter.com/h2If6FftsT
— Bill Burr (@BBonTV) December 17, 2023