Storm Surge
A storm surge occurs when a storm's strong winds press against a body of water's surface, which forces the water to raise higher than it's normal height above sea level. When the storm reaches land, the accumulated water pours over the shore, sometimes causing flooding. If wind speeds are sustained and gust in one direction, the results of a storm surge increase in severity as the surge height grows. Storm surges are one of the deadliest factors of major hurricanes.
Fast Facts
- High winds create pressure on water surface, creating wall of water1
- When storm reaches land, accumulated water pours out onto land1
- Can cause devastating damage, flooding when reaches land1
- Storm surge caused major flooding in New Orleans in 2006 from Hurricane Katrina1
- Hurricane Ike expected to have between 15 and 20 foot storm surge1
Related Pages on Mahalo
Lightning | Hurricane Ike | Hurricane Katrina | New Orleans
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