STATEWIDE - The greatest potential for loss of life related to a
hurricane is from the storm surge! Storm surge is simply water
that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds
swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with
the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can
increase the mean water level to heights impacting roads, homes
and other critical infrastructure. In addition, wind driven
waves are superimposed on the storm tide. This rise in water
level can cause severe flooding in coastal areas, particularly
when the storm tide coincides with the normal high tides.
Because much of the United States' densely populated Atlantic
and Gulf Coast coastlines lie less than 10 feet above mean sea
level, the danger from storm tides is tremendous. The storm
surge combined with wave action can cause extensive damage,
severely erode beaches and coastal highways. With major storm
like Katrina, Camille, and Hugo, complete devastation of coastal
communities occurred. Many building