West Seattle weather: King tide and north wind indeed make a splash on Alki; ‘coastal flood advisory’ alert; Water Taxi canceled

(SCROLL DOWN for updates – including video, photos added late Tuesday night)

(Added 3:45 pm, WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:42 PM: Thanks to David Hutchinson for photos from Alki showing north-wind-fueled waves against the seawall well before the 2:40 pm high “king” tide (previewed here last night).

He also shows us that Alki Bathhouse has sandbags out just in case:

This isn’t even the highest “king tide” of winter – but of course, without the wind, higher tides can be far more sedate. Updates to come.

2:54 PM: Just back from the totally swamped Alki boardwalk – water over the walkway, and the Bathhouse certainly needs the sandbags. This :15 Instagram video clip is only a taste:

And we do mean “taste” – if you are anywhere within a block of the water, you’ll taste salt spray. Felt like stronger wind/waves than the corresponding “king tide” + north wind event last year. Downloading more images when everything dries out. (Also – We were live on Periscope for about four minutes until conditions shut down our phone; the archived video is visible for 24 hours at this link.)

3:39 PM UPDATE: The National Weather Service has a “coastal flood advisory” in effect through 5 pm because of the overflow in areas like Alki.

4:15 PM: The West Seattle Water Taxi run is “temporarily suspended” until this calms down, according to text/e-mail alerts.

4:42 PM: And if you use Marine View Drive, beware of a tree hanging over 46th SW, according to Meg, who says it’s been reported to 911.

4:55 PM: King County Water Taxi service is canceled for the rest of the night, per the newest alert.

ADDED 10:21 PM: Video from “Diver Laura” James, “up close and personal” with the waves, as she put it:

From Kersti Muul:

And from Long Bach Nguyen, the next three beautiful scenes as blustery day gave way to night:

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Another “king tide” tomorrow – but without the wind.

13 Replies to "West Seattle weather: King tide and north wind indeed make a splash on Alki; 'coastal flood advisory' alert; Water Taxi canceled"

  • Panda November 24, 2015 (4:16 pm)

    Seattle is sinking! run for your lives!

  • Alki mom November 24, 2015 (4:21 pm)

    Just tried to get on 415 west Seattle water taxi from downtown but it was cancelled due to high winds and waves. Dock looked pretty unstable and rocky nearing the boat. Crew person told me it was cancelled for at least an hour.

    • WSB November 24, 2015 (4:32 pm)

      Yes, thanks, we’ve added info thanks first to a texter and then to KCDOT. That’s what they’re telling us at the dock – they’ll try again in an hour or so.

  • WSince86 November 24, 2015 (4:24 pm)

    Truly amazing ! Lived here for nearly 30 years and have never seen the tides and winds combine for such a great show. Saw it from the west end around 1:00, had lunch, came back heading west around 2:45 what a sight! Tide was as high as the bulkhead and the waves were crashing, wind howling. Mother Nature is Awesome!

  • Sadtaco November 24, 2015 (4:48 pm)

    I live there, went down to have a look after I saw waves exploding off the shore way while driving down Admiral (that’s how big they were). I’ve seen this once before but its truly amazing each time.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzSwbhR_SXo

  • Sarah November 24, 2015 (4:53 pm)

    Big tree leaning into the road, dangerously, at about 99th on Marine View Drive, up the hill south of Endolyne Joes.

  • Mary Barber November 24, 2015 (5:38 pm)

    509 through Redondo was in similar condition to Alki, high winds causing deep water on the road.

  • Bestbets November 24, 2015 (6:03 pm)

    Light at Admiral and 47th messed up again, blinking red. Be careful people!

  • Mike L November 24, 2015 (8:55 pm)

    Some photos from the afternoon

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/livdahl/albums/72157661501699481

  • Dcn November 24, 2015 (9:39 pm)

    Great photos, Mike L!

  • Michelle November 25, 2015 (7:34 pm)

    Laura James, whoever you are, you are my HERO!

    My favorite favorite place is that seawall, and my favorite favorite time to be there is when the waves are crashing into it & rolling back out. I sit mesmurized forever, the water moving many directions simultaneous.

    This video is such a precious gift.

    love to you … love, to you ….

  • pupsarebest November 25, 2015 (7:50 pm)

    Thanks, Mike L., your photos really are extraordinary.

  • H November 26, 2015 (1:41 am)

    Mother nature at her best. It was awesome to be there and see :)

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