Rhode Island is expecting a higher-than-normal high tide (or “king tide”) May 15 around 8 p.m.  Perigean spring tides like this one occur when the moon is either new or full and closest to earth. These king tides can potentially cause flooding in low-lying coastal areas, and URI-based MyCoast Rhode Island has put out a call for photos, suggesting “anywhere and everywhere” in Warwick provides opportunities.

“Join other MyCoast Rhode Island volunteers and share your photos of coastal flooding and erosion to help us better understand the impact of this high tide along the south shore and throughout Narragansett Bay communities. You can post your photos to the MyCoast website or upload them to the app right from your phone,” reads a press release.

 Tips for photos are:

1. Download the free MyCoast App: Visit the App Store or Get it on Google Play.
2. Take your picture, open the app, and click “Add Report.”
3. Select “King Tide”
4. Select photo from library, add comments about the location and any details or damages you observe.
5. Click the map to set your location, and click Submit!

For assistance contact the URI Coastal Resources Center/Rhode Island Sea Grant; Pam Rubinoff at rubinoff@uri.edu or Sue Kennedy at sbkennedy@uri.edu. State, municipal, and nonprofit resources managers and planners use these images to help demonstrate how high tide flooding impacts coastal areas to help communities plan what to do to protect infrastructure and keep people safe.