Alternative Text Description for Moderate High Tide Flooding (NOAA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays areas vulnerable to moderate high tide flooding according to NOAA data across Florida and portions of the Gulf Coast. The map shows coastal zones where moderate flooding occurs during high tide events, highlighting the geographic extent of tidal inundation risk. The thematic layer focuses specifically on the spatial distribution of moderate high tide flooding hazard areas along Florida's extensive coastline and adjacent Gulf Coast communities.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the state of Florida and extends westward along the Gulf Coast to include Pensacola and portions of the Florida Panhandle. Major cities labeled on the map include Miami, Cape Coral, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Valdosta, Albany, and Dothan. The map also shows Palm Coast, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Lakeland, Port St. Lucie, Coral Springs, and other coastal communities. The geographic coverage extends from the Atlantic Coast on the east, along the entire Florida Peninsula, around the southern tip including the Florida Keys, and northward along the Gulf of America coast into the Panhandle region. Portions of Georgia and Alabama are visible in the northern extent of the map.

KEY INSIGHTS

Moderate high tide flooding areas are concentrated along the immediate coastline throughout Florida, with the most extensive vulnerable zones appearing along the southwestern Gulf of America coast, the southeastern Atlantic coast near Miami, the northeastern coast near Jacksonville, and scattered locations in the Panhandle near Pensacola and Tallahassee. A notable continuous corridor of flooding vulnerability extends along the Big Bend region of Florida's Gulf coast, running from the Tampa area northward through the less developed coastal areas. The eastern coast shows concentrated flooding zones around major population centers including Jacksonville and the Miami metropolitan area. The Florida Keys demonstrate moderate vulnerability with flooding areas appearing along the island chain. Interior areas of Florida show no moderate high tide flooding risk, with vulnerable zones strictly confined to coastal margins and immediately adjacent low-lying areas.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Moderate High Tide Flooding Layer

This layer represents geographic areas subject to moderate high tide flooding based on NOAA flood hazard data.

Extent of Moderate High Tide Flooding (bright cyan/turquoise areas)

Appearance:

Features are displayed in bright cyan or turquoise color against a light gray background, creating strong visual contrast that clearly delineates flood-prone areas from non-vulnerable zones.

Distribution:

Flooding areas appear exclusively along coastal boundaries, following the shoreline configuration of Florida and the Gulf Coast. Features are distributed continuously in some sections and appear as discrete patches in others, depending on coastal topography and development patterns.

Notable locations:

Spatial patterns:

The flooding areas follow coastal geomorphology closely, with wider inland penetration occurring in low-lying estuarine areas and narrow strips along elevated shorelines. Linear patterns follow barrier islands and coastal waterways. Clustering occurs around major metropolitan coastal areas and in regions with extensive wetland and marsh systems. The distribution pattern reflects the intersection of tidal elevation, coastal elevation, and shoreline configuration.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map focuses exclusively on moderate high tide flooding hazards and does not display minor or major flooding categories that may exist in NOAA's complete high tide flooding dataset. The visible flooding extents represent areas experiencing moderate-level tidal inundation and may not capture all coastal flood risks including storm surge, rainfall flooding, or other coastal hazards. Users should interpret this map as showing one specific category of tidal flooding vulnerability. Base map features including city locations and state boundaries are provided for geographic reference and orientation but are not part of the thematic flood hazard layer.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data originates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which develops high tide flooding vulnerability assessments based on coastal elevation data, tidal gauge observations, and hydrodynamic modeling. The data source layer name is NOAA_HTF_MODERATE.

Definition Query:

No definition query or data filtering was applied to this layer. The map displays the complete extent of moderate high tide flooding areas as provided in the source dataset.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a regional scale appropriate for showing the entire state of Florida and adjacent Gulf Coast areas. This scale level is suitable for understanding broad patterns of moderate high tide flooding distribution and identifying vulnerable coastal regions, but may not provide parcel-level detail for site-specific assessment.

Coordinate System:

The map uses the NAD 1983 HARN Florida GDL Albers projection (WKID 3087), an equal-area projection optimized for representing the state of Florida with minimal distortion.

Time Period of Content:

The time period of data collection and validity is not specified in the available information.

Limitations:

Specific limitations regarding data accuracy, vertical datum, tidal benchmark periods, or methodological considerations are not available in the provided information. Users should consult NOAA documentation for detailed information about data collection methods, accuracy standards, and appropriate use cases.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers the complete state of Florida from the Alabama and Georgia borders southward through the Florida Keys, and extends westward along the Gulf of America coast to include Pensacola and the western Panhandle. Portions of southern Georgia and southeastern Alabama are shown for geographic context.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.