Why is a Storm Surge a Big Deal?

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It's hurricane season. It's like the Holiday Season, but completely opposite.

There are basically three reasons for evacuating: you're in danger from wind, you're in danger from water, or you just want peace of mind.
If you've been watching the news, one of the catchphrases used this time around is that "storm surge" is the deadliest part of a hurricane. This isn't anything new, but everyone on the television is hoping that by saying it, they will get people who wouldn't evacuate to do so. People still have their own plans, thinking they'll just hunker down and withstand the hurricane. I saw on the news that some are going to ride out the storm in their boats. When storm surge is brought up, people who stay on land say they'll go upstairs or higher in a high-rise building. If it gets too bad, they know they can just go on the roof to avoid the water, right?

What is Storm Surge?

In essence, storm surge is the temporary rise of the sea level due to the wind and atmospheric pressure changes. Hurricane Irma, which is about to hit Florida, is expected to have up to 10 ft. of storm surge. Here's where people get confused. Some think that 10 feet means a 10-foot wave; that the water will come up in a wave and kind of recede quickly, or that it won't be able to sustain itself very well as it moves inland. It would be more accurate to relate a storm surge to a high tide. You know what it's like at high tide. If the tide comes in an extra ten feet, continually pushed by the wind, you get some idea of how much water will surge inland, creating a flood problem. The waters will be pushed in as long as the wind and atmospheric conditions last. The water will stay in low-lying areas until it drains, like a regular flood. Many areas could deal with floodwater for a while if there is not adequate drainage.

So it's just a flood?

Well, yes-ish. The surge itself is basically a flood. To say "just" a flood implies that floods aren't very hazardous. However, while the "surge" is a flood, you can't forget about the "storm" half of the term. Imagine you are in your home and the floodwater starts coming in:

As a last resort, you'll just go on the roof, yeah? Problem is, the storm is still happening:

If the storm is still occurring, there is no way you'll want to expose yourself to that. Storm Surge is different than flooding from rain or broken levees because it occurs during the worst of the storm. If you are stuck in your home, and it starts flooding, that is where the problem is.

Get out of Dodge

  Evacuation is best. If you are not in an evacuation zone and are staying, and flooding is not a major concern, then batten down the hatches. Many buildings in Florida are tougher than other places in the country. If you are in a hazard area, do what you should always do: understand the facts, assess the risk, know your resources, and make a decision. Good luck to you all down there. Stay safe.