What is hurricane storm surge? Why can it be catastrophic?
2 years, 5 months ago

What is hurricane storm surge? Why can it be catastrophic?

The Hindu  

Of all the hazards that hurricanes bring, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property along the coast. If a coastal area has a sea floor that gently slopes away from the coastline, it’s more likely to see a higher storm surge than an area with a steeper drop-off. If landfall happens at high tide, the storm surge will cause even higher water levels and bring more water further inland. Isaias brought a storm surge of about 4 feet at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but the water level was more than 10 feet above normal. When a hurricane arrives, the higher ocean means storm surge can bring water further inland, to a more dangerous and widespread effect.

Water Ocean Storm Hurricane High Sea Level Surge Storm Surge High Tide  tide  ocean  catastrophic  sea  height  surge  storm  hurricane  level  high  water

History of this topic

Storm surge: How hurricanes turn oceans into deadly walls of water
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Storm surge: How hurricanes turn oceans into deadly walls of water

India Today  

Storm surges often are the most deadly and destructive phenomena to accompany a hurricane or tropical cyclone. A powerful storm surge can cause long-term damage by sweeping away roads, eroding beaches and contaminating land with salt water, harming wildlife and agriculture. The maximum high water mark observation of storm surge was 27.8 feet at Pass Christian in Mississippi, according to …

What makes a storm a hurricane? The five categories explained
5 months, 2 weeks ago

What makes a storm a hurricane? The five categories explained

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Severe weather can hit any …

Hurricane Milton's Storm Surge Threatens Tampa Bay Region, a Year After Hurricane Helene
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Hurricane Milton's Storm Surge Threatens Tampa Bay Region, a Year After Hurricane Helene

Associated Press  

Hurricane Milton poses a significant threat to Florida's west coast, with storm surge being a major concern for the Tampa Bay region. The storm surge forecast is particularly concerning, with up to 15 feet (5 meters) of surge expected in some areas, potentially causing catastrophic flooding and damage to property and infrastructure. The storm's potential impact extends far beyond the …

What to know about Hurricane Helene and widespread flooding the storm left across the Southeast US
5 months, 3 weeks ago

What to know about Hurricane Helene and widespread flooding the storm left across the Southeast US

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

What is a storm surge? Destructive weather event described as more deadly than wind intensifies as Hurricane Helene hits the US
5 months, 3 weeks ago

What is a storm surge? Destructive weather event described as more deadly than wind intensifies as Hurricane Helene hits the US

Daily Mail  

As Hurricane Helene hits southeast America, US authorities have warned that people could drown in their homes if they don't heed evacuation alerts. Parts of Florida face 'unsurvivable' conditions when Hurricane Helene hits later Thursday, the US weather service said, warning that howling wind will drive destructive waves and storm surge as high as 20 feet onto the low-lying coast …

Hurricane Ian strikes Cuba, Florida braces for winds, floods
2 years, 5 months ago

Hurricane Ian strikes Cuba, Florida braces for winds, floods

Associated Press  

HAVANA — Hurricane Ian tore into western Cuba as a major hurricane Tuesday, knocking out power to the entire country and leaving 11 million people without electricity, before churning on a collision course with Florida over warm Gulf waters amid expectations it would strengthen into a catastrophic Category 4 storm. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Cuba suffered “significant wind …

Flooding, power cuts as Hurricane Ian crashes ashore in Florida
2 years, 5 months ago

Flooding, power cuts as Hurricane Ian crashes ashore in Florida

Al Jazeera  

One of the most powerful storms to hit the US in years makes landfall in heavily-populated Gulf Coast region. The “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm made landfall shortly after 3pm local time on Wednesday near Cayo Costa, the US National Hurricane Center said, bringing sustained winds of about 240 kilometres per hour. 305 PM EDT 28 Sep — Hurricane #Ian …

After knocking out Cuba's power grid, Hurricane Ian takes aim at Florida
2 years, 5 months ago

After knocking out Cuba's power grid, Hurricane Ian takes aim at Florida

NPR  

After knocking out Cuba's power grid, Hurricane Ian takes aim at Florida Nearing the Florida Gulf Coast, Hurricane Ian is now a Category 4 storm. RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: Hurricane Ian has not yet made landfall on Florida's west coast, but already, some people are without power. LEILA FADEL, HOST: The hurricane is now a Category 4, and it's on track …

Hurricane Laura Brings 'Catastrophic Storm Surge' And Fearsome Winds To Gulf Coast
4 years, 6 months ago

Hurricane Laura Brings 'Catastrophic Storm Surge' And Fearsome Winds To Gulf Coast

NPR  

Hurricane Laura Brings 'Catastrophic Storm Surge' And Fearsome Winds To Gulf Coast Enlarge this image toggle caption NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East Hurricane Laura is destroying buildings, sparking flash floods and bringing a "catastrophic" storm surge to southwestern Louisiana on Thursday morning, remaining a fearsome hurricane more than seven hours after making landfall. Laura rapidly intensified into an extremely dangerous storm …

‘Unsurvivable’ storm surge feared as Hurricane Laura strengthens to Category 4
4 years, 6 months ago

‘Unsurvivable’ storm surge feared as Hurricane Laura strengthens to Category 4

Hindustan Times  

Hurricane Laura strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, prompting warnings of “unsurvivable” storm surge of up to 20 feet and evacuation orders for hundreds of thousands of coastal residents of Louisiana and Texas. As an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 hurricane -- the second-highest on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale -- Laura could pummel …

Hurricane Laura Comes Ashore Threatening 'Unsurvivable' Storm Surge
4 years, 6 months ago

Hurricane Laura Comes Ashore Threatening 'Unsurvivable' Storm Surge

NPR  

Hurricane Laura Comes Ashore Threatening 'Unsurvivable' Storm Surge Enlarge this image toggle caption National Hurricane Center National Hurricane Center Updated at 1:30 a.m. ET Thursday with extreme winds and an expected "catastrophic" storm surge in parts of Texas and Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center. The National Hurricane Center said storm surge — the rise in seawater caused by …

Why Hurricane Dorian is so dangerous
5 years, 6 months ago

Why Hurricane Dorian is so dangerous

CNN  

CNN — Hurricane Dorian is scary for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that it’s expected to be a monstrous Category 4 storm by the time it gets to Florida early next week. With the caveat that forecasts often change as the storm approaches, here are the risks Dorian seems poised to pose: It could be …

Why Hurricane Michael's Storm Surge Is So High
55 years, 2 months ago

Why Hurricane Michael's Storm Surge Is So High

Wired  

After gathering strength from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico overnight, Hurricane Michael blasted across the Florida Panhandle Wednesday afternoon, pummeling the area with winds up to 155 miles per hour. Earlier today, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center warned that in addition to the destructive winds and heavy rains, Michael could bring a storm surge of up to 14 …

AP Explains: How storm surges build up, destroy and kill
6 years, 6 months ago

AP Explains: How storm surges build up, destroy and kill

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Behold the awesome power of water. That’s why it’s so scary.” Florence’s storm surge will probably be 7 to 11 feet above ground in parts of North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. Even if a house is elevated 10 feet, with that kind of storm surge, “there’s a good chance there’s going to be water inside …

Storm surge warnings: Life-threatening, will cover a house
7 years, 6 months ago

Storm surge warnings: Life-threatening, will cover a house

Associated Press  

MIAMI — The storm surge is called dangerous and life-threatening, but what exactly is it? Large hurricanes tend to create greater storm surge over a broader area, and coastal features such as bays can act like funnels and back water up into rivers and canals, said Jamie Rhome, head of the U.S. National Hurricane Center’s storm surge unit. The hurricane …

Hurricane damage as measured by Saffir-Simpson scale
7 years, 6 months ago

Hurricane damage as measured by Saffir-Simpson scale

Associated Press  

The Saffir-Simpson scale of a hurricane’s intensity is used to estimate potential property damage and coastal flooding caused by storm surge. Flooding from storm surge depends on many factors, such as the track, intensity, size, and forward speed of the storm and the characteristics of the coastline where it comes ashore or passes nearby. Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster …

Devastating floods might be more common than we thought, study says
9 years, 7 months ago

Devastating floods might be more common than we thought, study says

LA Times  

The chances of heavy rainfall and high storm surges occuring in tandem is increasing, which puts U.S. cities at greater risk of flooding, researchers say. In the past, engineers usually determined flood risk for coastal areas by looking at the separate probabilities of intense rainfall and the especially high seas caused by raging wind, called storm surges. But some of …

Risks Rise With Hurricane Sandy's Surge
12 years, 4 months ago

Risks Rise With Hurricane Sandy's Surge

NPR  

Risks Rise With Hurricane Sandy's Surge toggle caption Darren McCollester/Getty Images Hurricane Sandy may be grinding closer to the East Coast with 90 mph winds and torrential rains, but the most devastating aspect is likely to be storm surge. A number of factors can make storm surge worse: a massive storm with high winds headed straight for a region full …

Texas Coast Evacuated Ahead Of Hurricane Ike
16 years, 6 months ago

Texas Coast Evacuated Ahead Of Hurricane Ike

NPR  

Texas Coast Evacuated Ahead Of Hurricane Ike NPR's Scott Horsley reports on gasoline price spikes due to Ike on 'Morning Edition' Listen Track The Storm National Hurricane Center Enlarge this image toggle caption Dave Einsel/Getty Images Dave Einsel/Getty Images Massive waves crashed over the seawall in Galveston, Texas, on Friday, as Hurricane Ike bore down on the upper coast threatening …

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