On Wednesday morning, a combination of high tide and heavy rainstorm caused significant flooding in coastal New Hampshire, leading to a popular beach town declaring a state of emergency. The situation prompted local authorities to take swift action to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

Hampton, New Hampshire, one of the affected towns, saw the police department declaring an emergency due to the unprecedented high seas and flooding. The authorities took to Facebook, urging people to avoid the Ocean Boulevard area and recommending temporary evacuation to higher ground. In response to the emergency, an evacuation shelter was set up at the Hampton Academy gymnasium to provide a safe haven for those affected.

Drone footage shared by Henry Swensen depicted the extent of the flooding at Hampton Beach, with homes and roads submerged in water. Swensen's social media post described the scene as "unbelievable," capturing the severity of the storm's impact on the area.

In another striking video shared by Swensen, a vehicle was seen struggling to navigate through dense piles of sea foam that had accumulated on the road, as turbulent seawater crashed over the ocean barrier.

Residents were also seen dealing with the aftermath of the flooding. Tony Rocco, who lives near the flooded section of Pearl Street, expressed his surprise at the frigid water, which reached up to his knees.

Further evidence of the destructive power of the storm was captured by Mike Roche, who documented images of the powerful waves slamming into the seawall.

Rebecca Clocher shared a photo of a man maneuvering through the floodwaters using a canoe, illustrating the challenges faced by locals in their day-to-day activities.

Hampton's Police Chief, Alex Reno, explained to Boston 25 News that the morning tides surpassed expectations, causing the situation to worsen. Initial estimates predicted water levels of 11.7 feet, but they escalated to 13.8 feet, resulting in more substantial flooding than anticipated. However, authorities remain hopeful, as lower sea levels are expected during the next high tide.

Neighboring town Seabrook, New Hampshire, also faced significant challenges during the flooding. Cross Beach Road, River Street, Route 286, and Blackwater Bridge all experienced extremely high water levels. Police warned those traveling to Seabrook Beach to exercise caution and avoid flooded roads.

Additionally, parts of Massachusetts' North Shore were severely affected by flooding. Newbury announced the temporary closure of Plum Island Turnpike due to excessive flooding, while Salisbury reported impassable road conditions on Beach Road, as well as Ferry and March roads. Authorities issued a reminder to motorists to steer clear of flooded areas and avoid driving around barricades, as they can be deceivingly deeper than they appear.

As coastal New Hampshire and its neighboring communities grapple with the aftermath of this extreme flooding event, local authorities continue their efforts to mitigate the impact on residents and restore normalcy to the affected areas.