Larger storm surge is more likely along coasts that bow inward than those that bow outward . Places with bays are especially vulnerable because the mound of water can get funneled into a small area.
Why are coastal areas prone to storm surges?
The storms produce strong winds that push the water into shore , which can lead to flooding. This makes storm surges very dangerous for coastal regions. ... A storm surge is primarily caused by the relationship between the winds and the ocean's surface. The water level rises where the winds are strongest.
What causes storm surge flooding?
Storm surge is caused primarily by the strong winds in a hurricane or tropical storm . The low pressure of the storm has minimal contribution! The wind circulation around the eye of a hurricane (left above) blows on the ocean surface and produces a vertical circulation in the ocean (right above).
What factors affect a storm surge?
- the size, intensity, speed, and angle of approach of the storm itself;
- the width and slope of the offshore shelf and the slope of shoreline itself;
- the shape of the shoreline and coastal features present.
Why is the Gulf of Mexico prone to hurricanes?
Along the East Coast, the Gulf Stream provides a source of warm (above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 26.5 degrees Celsius) waters, which helps to maintain the hurricane. ... Such relatively cool temperatures do not provide enough thermal energy to sustain a hurricane's strength.
What should you do during a storm surge?
- Stay inside where you are protected from the water. ...
- Monitor the storm's progress and listen for warnings or instructions from local officials.
- Before driving anywhere, listen carefully to rescue officials who will be coordinating evacuation plans.
- Do not drive through flood waters.
What do you do during a coastal storm surge?
Prepare and bring the following with you: clothes, food and water, first aid kit, flashlight, and battery-operated radio . Evacuate to a more elevated place. Keep at least 500m distance from a flat coast if the storm will pass directly your area which will cause storm surge in your community.
What happens on land when a storm surge strikes?
Additional impacts of storm surge include extensive property loss, erosion of beaches , damage to coastal habitats, and undermining the foundations of infrastructure such as roads, railroads, bridges, buildings, and pipelines. Storm surges also pose a serious threat of death by drowning.
How far inland does a 15 foot storm surge go?
The depth of a storm surge is relative to the elevation of the land affected by the flooding. If Hurricane Skittlebip pushes a 15-foot storm surge inland, the water will be 15 feet deep where the coastline is at sea level .
What is the highest storm surge ever recorded?
The all-time record for highest U.S. storm surge is Hurricane Katrina's 27.8 feet in Pass Christian, Mississippi in 2005 (measured from a “still water” mark found inside a building where waves couldn't reach).
Which area will be greatly affected by a storm surge?
Coastal areas where the adjacent seafloor is shallow are more likely to be affected by large storm surge as compared with coastal areas where the nearby seafloor is deep. A coastal area next to a shallow sea (left) is more affected by storm surge than a coastal area next to a deep sea (right).
How far does storm surge go inland?
Generally speaking, storm surges can push water tens of miles inland , causing flooding of 30 feet or more far from the coast. Storm surges can create walls of water similar to those associated with tsunamis, but they are not the same phenomenon.
What was storm surge for Katrina?
Known for its storm surge, Katrina's highest surge was found in a zone from just east of the eye near Bay St. Louis, MS east to the northern reaches of Mobile Bay. The Mobile State Docks measured the highest storm surge of 11.45 feet , while the lowest was 4.1 feet in the Santa Rosa Sound in northwest Florida.
Where is the safest place in Florida from hurricanes?
- Winter Springs. ...
- Doctor Phillips. ...
- St. ...
- Wekiwa Springs. ...
- Minneola. ...
- Sanford. ...
- Orlando. ...
- Kissimmee.
What month has the most hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico?
That's because August begins a typically active 3-month stretch with hurricane season peaking right around September 10th, on average. August has brought plenty of tropical storms and hurricanes to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and East Coast of the United States in years past.
Which side of Florida has more hurricanes?
1. Southeast Florida (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach) Southeast Florida is very susceptible to hurricanes, given its location at the tip of the state. Most large hurricanes affect Southeast Florida with storm surges and plentiful rain – and those that make direct landfall can cause severe damage.
