Boston flooded by spring tide

A The “spring tide” made itself felt Friday afternoon, as ocean water rushed onto streets, docks and parking lots, causing flooding in Boston and other parts of the New England coast. A full moon and increasing gusty winds from an offshore low-pressure system further intensified the tide at 1:27 p.m. — sending water levels in Boston Harbor up to 12.91 feet, more than 2 feet higher than normal tide.

Although people were wading through foot-deep floodwater, rising water levels in the harbor were still near the low high-tide mark, including at Long Wharf, where floodwaters were lapping onto sidewalks and streets and even flooding parking lots. In Boston Harbor, the highest high-tide mark was 15 feet. Coastal flooding also inundated the North and South shores and Cape Cod.

A strong flood, known as "spring tide," Parts of Boston's Long Wharf were at their highest levels of flooding just after 1 p.m. Friday. But nothing could stop friends Joe Hebert, Greg Prall and Rick Paoni (left to right) from eating lunch on the Chart House's outdoor patio. And even though the patio was under more than a foot of water, waiter Milan Grbovic improvised and walked to the table with a garbage bag. — A powerful flood, known as a “king tide,” inundated parts of Boston's Long Wharf at its peak just after 1 p.m. Friday. But nothing could stop friends Joe Hebert, Greg Prall and Rick Paoni (left to right) from eating lunch on the Chart House's outdoor patio. And even though the patio was flooded more than a foot deep, waiter Milan Grbovic improvised and walked to the table with a garbage bag.John Tlumacki/Globe staff writer

The wind increased throughout the day, reaching gusts of up to 30 miles per hour, and strengthened the tide by pushing water inland from the northeast. Spring tides occur three to four times a year when the Earth, moon and sun line up in a way that increases the gravitational pull on the oceans. Essentially, the sun and moon pull on the Earth in unison.

Another spring tide at 2:17 p.m. Saturday is expected to create a second wave of tidal flooding along the coast, resulting in the flood warning for Boston being extended into the late afternoon. Highs of 12 to 13 feet are expected.

“What we're witnessing today is one of the most dramatic changes we're seeing on Boston's waterfront, now and in the future,” said Rebecca Shoer, senior program manager at Stone Living Lab, a climate change adaptation research group. Shoer was at Long Wharf on Friday, talking to tourists and passersby about how sea level rise is already affecting the city.

Megan Leesha of Boston throws a ball while playing with her dog Lola on a flooded walkway at Long Wharf overlooking rising sea levels. John Tlumacki/Globe staff writer

Brad Holt holds onto his capsized boat during a regatta in Marblehead.David L. Ryan/Globe staff

Brian Neville jumped from a quay into his jeep as the sea flooded the Long Wharf car park.John Tlumacki/Globe staff writer

During the spring tide on Friday afternoon, the surf is high along the seawall in Lynn.David L. Ryan/Globe staff

Chris B. and Becky S. of Boston walk along a flooded sidewalk at Long Wharf and look at the rising sea water. John Tlumacki/Globe staff writer

A strong tide, known as a spring tide, flooded parts of Long Wharf in Boston at its peak around 1:30 p.m.John Tlumacki/Globe staff writer

People watch the sea pouring onto the sidewalk next to the cruise ships anchored at Long Wharf.John Tlumacki/Globe staff writer

Ken Mahan can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman. Marianne Mizera can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @MareMizera.

Boston flooded by spring tide

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