King tides are the highest tides of the year. They occur when the moon is closest to the Earth and the sun is aligned with the Earth and moon. This alignment creates a stronger gravitational pull on the ocean, which results in higher tides. King tides can cause flooding in low-lying areas, and they can also damage coastal infrastructure. In Oregon, king tides are expected to be particularly high in 2024 and 2025.
The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has developed a schedule of king tides for 2024 and 2025. The schedule is available on the DLCD website. The schedule can be used to plan for king tides and to avoid potential flooding and damage.
