March 2013 Nor'easter by the Numbers

So how bad was the flooding from this week's coastal storm?

The new tide gauge recently installed at the Bayside Center on the bay between Fifth and Sixth streets provides a great resource for determining exactly where the storm falls in comparison to others.

The gauge showed a high reading of 4.49 feet at 4:06 a.m. on Thursday, March 7. That puts tide levels from this week's storm less than a foot below the damaging November 2009 nor'easter but almost three feet below October's record Superstorm Sandy.

The tide readings are based on 1988 datum, which is the first column of the chart below. These readings show tide levels above and below an average mid-tide.

The middle column of the chart is based on 1929 datum and matches the base flood elevation criteria that Ocean City property owners know from their flood insurance elevation certificates.

The third column in the chart above represents tide levels above an average low tide (mean low water). These are typically the readings people hear when weather forecasters talk about storm surge.

Nov. 11-14, 2009 Storm

Matches
Bayside
Center
Gauge 

Six feet above mean low water generally signifies "minor flooding," seven feet "moderate flooding" and eight feet "major flooding."

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See and bookmark the tide gauge here.
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Some other numbers from this week's storm:

• Top wind speed in Ocean City: 61 mph (measured at 59th Street)
• High and low temperatures nearby: 41 and 33 (Atlantic City International)
• Rainfall: .83 inches

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Read more:

Ocean City Weathers Strong Coastal Storm

Wind and Flooding Keeping Firefighters Busy

Video: Nor'easter Begins to Hit Ocean City