King tides occur when the alignment of the sun and moon combine to add extra gravitational pull on the Earth, causing its oceans to swell. The third and final round of the unseasonably high tides will bring more coastal flooding and hazardous beach conditions to Oregon and Washington.
A man kayaks outside his place of business during coastal king-tide flooding in Nehalem, Ore. on Dec. 14, 2024. (Buttercup Ice Creams & Chowders)
The U.S. Coast Guard warns that king tides are especially dangerous when sneaker waves occur. Sneaker waves can occur at any time on the Oregon Coast without warning.
“Sneaker waves are disproportionately large waves which surge unexpectedly up the beach without warning,” the U.S. Coast Guard website states. “They are characterized by insignificant heights within period groups of small waves, giving the appearance of light sea conditions. The sudden rush of water will immerse the dry shore and send large logs rolling, becoming dangerous projectiles. Other hazards include being swept out to sea and immersion into cold water. Sneaker waves are the deadliest natural hazard on the West Coast.”
The body of a 72-year-old Oregon man who went missing after leaving his home to photograph the king tides on Dec. 15, was found in the Haynes Inlet in Coos County on Jan. 5. Photos and video taken during this year’s king tides show how powerful the seasonal ocean swells can be.
Local areas to view the king tides from a safe distance include:
Oregon
Silver Point Interpretive Overlook
Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center
Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint
Devil’s Punch Bowl
Yachats State Park viewing platform
Thor’s Well
Cape Ferrelo viewpoint north of Brookings
Harris Beach State Park
South Jetty Observation Tower at the north end of Fort Stevens State Park (Closed for construction)
Southwest Washington:
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment
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