Community News
King tide causes flooding along waterfront; windstorm coming next
A king tide flooded low-lying parts of Gig Harbor and the surrounding area on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
Tuesday’s tide peaked just before 9 a.m. at 13 feet, 6 inches. A similar tide — 13-5 — is anticipated on Wednesday around 9:40 a.m. A King tide is a “non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides that occur during a new or full moon,” according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
It isn’t just the king tide. The area also received nearly an inch of rain in the 24-hour period between 4 a.m. Dec. 26 and 4 a.m. Dec. 27. Runoff from last week’s snow storm may also be contributing.
A king tide floods part of Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Ed Friedrich
Flood emergencies
Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One reported on Twitter that firefighters responded to “many flooding-related emergencies within the district, some including electrical fires.”
Flooding started a small electrical fire at a restaurant in the Bridgeway Market building in Purdy, which firefighters quickly knocked down.
The flooding displaced two adults and two children who live in houses behind the Bridgeway building. The American Red Cross is working on finding emergency housing for them, according to Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One public information officer Tina Curran.
The flooding caused “sporadic outages” for some Peninsula Light customers, the utility Tweeted around noon Tuesday.
Sporadic outages are impacting some PenLight members due to tide levels. These outages are for the safety of our members & personnel, & protection of homes & equipment. Current outages will remain until the water subsides. Your patience is appreciated! https://t.co/ekoOp7L2IV pic.twitter.com/CLtn53yVFD
— Peninsula Light Co. (@PenLightCo) December 27, 2022
Wind warning
The weather emergency won’t necessarily end when the floodwaters recede.
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for between 1 p.m. Dec. 27 and 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28. Winds could reach 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph.
The storm could cause power outages across the region. For local outage information, check Peninsula Light’s outage map here.
Our crews are responding to many flooding-related emergencies within the district, some including electrical fires. pic.twitter.com/zJe8N53LvD
— GigHarborFire (@GigHarborFire) December 27, 2022