December 17, 2023 Nor'easter
A low pressure system brought coastal flooding, beach erosion, flash flooding, and dangerous marine conditions to Southeast SC and GA.
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, SC (CXM), and North Charleston, SC (KCHS) broke daily rainfall records. Major coastal flooding was seen along the southeast South Carolina coast on December 17, with the Charleston Harbor Tide Gage reaching the 4th highest tide on record. Additionally, moderate coastal flooding was seen along the southeast Georgia coast, where the Fort Pulaski Tide Gage was the 18th highest tide on record.
Coastal Flooding
Coastal flooding on Folly Road heading towards Folly Beach, SC. Picture is taken looking towards Folly Beach from Little Oak Island Drive.
One of the greatest impacts from the December 17 Nor'easter was the flooding that occurred. The timing of the low pressure passage and heavy rainfall coincided with high tide, exacerbating flooding. The Charleston Harbor Tide Gage observed its 4th highest tide on record as well as the highest non-tropical tide on record. Records date back to 1922.
Flooding across the barrier islands of southeast South Carolina was extensive, with many roads to and from the islands flooded, cutting off access, as seen in the image on the left.
Coastal flooding on Sullivan's Island, SC.
Coastal flooding on Kiawah Island, SC.
East Battery Street at Atlantic Street in Downtown Charleston.
Coastal flooding was also prevalent across the Downtown Charleston Peninsula. Road closures across the peninsula were widespread and areas that are usually immune to nuisance tidal flooding saw significant impacts from the December 17th Nor'easter.
Additional images from Downtown Charleston. From left to right: 1) & 2) East Battery Street between South Battery Street and Atlantic Street. 3) Intersection of East Battery Street and Murray Blvd. 4) Wentworth St.
The Charleston City Market at the intersection of South Market Street and Church Street. Darker bricks along the bottom of the building denote the high water mark from the coastal flooding.
The Charleston City Market in Downtown Charleston saw significant flooding, with some businesses reporting water inside their buildings. In the image to the left the high water mark is easily visible on the brick exterior. In addition to the coastal flooding, heavy rainfall at the time of high tide exacerbated the flooding.
Flooding on South Market Street posted onto X.
Left Image: Flooding along Church Street at the intersection of Linguard Street in Downtown Charleston. Middle Image: Flooding inside of Gingerline along South Market Street. Right Image: Flooding along South Market Street between Church Street and State Street.
In addition to coastal flooding in Downtown Charleston, there was also flooding issues in the West Ashley region of Charleston, SC. The images below are within the 2000 block of Ashley River Road, where Bulls Creek flooded into the roadway.
Flooding along the 2200 block of Ashley River Road in the West Ashley region of Charleston, SC.
Flooding on the West Ashley side of the Highway 17 bridge into Downtown Charleston.
While the South Carolina coast definitely saw the worst impacts, the Georgia coast was not completely spared from coastal flooding impacts, with flood waters blocking Fort Pulaski Road at the Fort Pulaski National Monument.
Coastal flooding on Fort Pulaski Road towards Fort Pulaski National Monument.
Flooding along Fort Pulaski Road at the entrance of Fort Pulaski National Monument.
Beach Erosion
High surf and coastal flooding along the southeastern coastline contributed to significant beach erosion across area beaches.
Rough surf on Folly Beach, SC as well as damage to the beach.
Images from Folly Beach, SC showing the significant beach erosion.
Images from Isle of Palms, SC. Top images: Damage to the Isle of Palms Pier. Bottom left image: Damage to the Isle of Palms Pier. Additional bottom images: Damage to homes between 3rd Ave and Breach Inlet.
Flash Flooding
Outline of the Flash Flood Warnings issued by NWS Charleston.
Heavy rainfall prompted the issuance of Flash Flood Warnings across Charleston County. In northern Charleston County a nearly stationary rain band produced 14 inches of rainfall in about 6 hours! This heavy rain resulted in Old Cemetery Road, just before the bridge over Jeremy Creek in McClellanville, SC washing out.
Old Cemetery Road in McClellenville, SC just before the bridge over Jeremy Creek.
0.9 degree reflectivity radar imagery over the Charleston area from 10:05 AM until 4:06 PM on December 17. Notice the stationary band of rainfall over McClellenville and Awendaw, SC. This rain band is what produced 14 inches of rain in about 6 hours.
Flash flooding also occurred in the South Windermere area of West Ashley in Charleston.
Left Image: High water mark on the doorway of a building at the South Windermere Shopping Center. Right Image: Remnants of flooding outside of the Charleston County Library, where a restoration company was already on scene to clean up the water that entered the building.
Marine Impacts
Observed wave heights at buoy 41004 offshore of SC.
With the deepening low pressure over the local coastal waters marine conditions across southeast SC and southeast GA quickly turned dangerous. Buoy 41004 offshore of Charleston County gusted to 65 mph. Wave heights at Buoy 41004 peaked around 27 ft on December 17.
Pilot boat heading for a cargo ship offshore of Charleston on the morning of December 17.
Additional Information
Collection of storm reports from across southeast Georgia and South Carolina. View the text product here .
December 2023 Coastal Storm - South Carolina State Climatology Office
