When the ocean rises higher than normal, the damage does not always start with a giant wave. It often starts quietly. A low coastal road goes under. A parking lot near the water fills. A path beside a tidal channel turns into a shallow pool that hides holes and slick mud. These are the moments a coastal flood advisory is meant to warn you about: water reaching places it usually doesn't, and shoreline conditions turning risky fast. High Tides, Real Risks is a simple guide for people who live near the coast, drive near the coast, or visit the coast. It explains what a coastal flood advisory means, why high tides can stack with storm surge, and why "minor flooding" can still lead to road closures, car damage, and dangerous decisions. Storm surge is the extra rise of water caused by a storm on top of the predicted tide, and when it lines up with very high tides, water levels can climb higher than expected. This book also covers the part many people underestimate: hazardous shoreline conditions. Strong rip currents, large breaking waves, and sudden sneaker waves can make beaches, rocks, jetties, and piers unsafe even if you never plan to swim. One calm-looking moment can change, and it only takes one wrong step near the waterline to turn a quick outing into an emergency. You will learn how to read the warning language without fear, how to plan around peak tides, and how to make safer choices that protect your family, your car, and your property. The plan is not complicated. Avoid the lowest coastal areas near peak tides. Never drive through water on the road. Stay back from surf, rocks, and waterside structures when conditions are rough. Treat advisory days as "watch from afar" days, and you remove the most common ways people get hurt. Inside you'll also find a print-friendly action checklist, a plain-English glossary, a mini-guide to reading storm headlines without panic, and a short list of official sources to check for real-time updates from the National Weather Service. Author: Bernard J. Pendergraft