High tides and 30-foot tall waves expected throughout the day Thursday have led the National Weather Service to issue a coastal flood warning for much of the Oregon Coast and parts of Washington.

The warning is in effect from midnight Thursday to midnight Friday for the north and central coasts of Oregon and for Washington's southern coast.

Coastal residents can expect to see swells up to 32 feet high and higher-than-normal tides, which will reach their high point midday Thursday.

Interested in just how high the waves will get on the Coast in the next few days? You can see charts of the winds and waves here (works better on a computer than on mobile): https://t.co/bFnD7MTOOQ pic.twitter.com/cjnMkLQAj4 — NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) January 17, 2018

Meteorologists believe these conditions will cause erosion and flooding in low-elevation areas along the coast, and expect Willapa Bay, Seaside, Nehalem, Tillamook and Florence to be among the areas at risk.

The weather service is urging residents to be on alert for rising water, and to take the appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their property. However, rivers are well below flood stage, possibly mitigating flooding impacts.

Beach-goers should also watch for sneaker waves, which often wash over jetties and farther up the beach than usual. These waves have killed people along the Pacific Northwest coast in similar weather events, the service said.

-- Anna Marum