what is storm surge and why is it so dangerous
Friday 31 January 2025
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

What is storm surge and why is it so dangerous?

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleWhat is storm surge and why is it so dangerous?

A sailing boat is beached in the cemetery of Marigot
Miami - AFP

The biggest threat to human life during a hurricane is often the storm surge, which occurs when sea level rises dramatically during a storm, sending a wall of water gushing over land.

Forecasters warn that the storm surge from Hurricane Irma could reach 15 feet (4.5 meters) along parts of the Florida coast in the coming hours.

 

Here are some facts about storm surge and what makes it so dangerous.

- How does it start? -

Storm surge does not come from rainfall or flooding, but occurs when powerful winds from a hurricane push ocean water higher than usual over the shore.

Storm surge is an "abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tides," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

- Why is it so deadly? -

Storm surge begins before the hurricane makes landfall, making it harder for people to evacuate in time.

Most of the 1,800 deaths from Hurricane Katrina, which struck Louisiana in 2005, are attributed to storm surge, NOAA said.

Storm surge can extend for dozens of miles inland, filling buildings with water quickly, making roads impassable and causing people to drown in their cars or homes.

Also, the accumulated weight of water -- some 1,700 pounds per cubic yard -- can demolish any structure not specifically designed to withstand such force.

- Factors that shape surge -

Storm surge is shaped by a number of different factors, including storm intensity, forward speed, the size of a storm and the angle of approach to the coast.

The underlying features of the land at the coast, including bays and estuaries, are also at play.

"A shallow slope will potentially produce a greater storm surge than a steep shelf," said NOAA.

The Louisiana coastline has a wide and shallow continental shelf, which can produce a 20-foot storm surge in a Category 4 hurricane.

Miami Beach, on the other hand, has a steep dropoff to its continental shelf, which could limit the storm surge to about eight or nine feet under a Category 4 hurricane.

Even as Irma takes aim at Florida's west coast, both coasts of the peninsula can expect storm surge.

On the west coast, storm surge could reach as far as seven miles (11 kilometers) inland, meteorologists say.

- Unknowns -

Rising seas and warming oceans due to climate change are also expected to amplify the effects of storm surge in the coming decades.

Numerous studies have predicted that storm surges will become more frequent and deadly as the planet warms.

source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

what is storm surge and why is it so dangerous what is storm surge and why is it so dangerous

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 13:23 2012 Thursday ,10 May

Lawlessness and militancy rule south Yemen

GMT 09:37 2017 Monday ,18 December

Menna Fadali reveals her health problem

GMT 10:19 2017 Monday ,27 March

France — an election full of surprises

GMT 13:57 2010 Thursday ,30 September

The Ahram \"photo\" and the Western media\'s reaction

GMT 18:13 2012 Saturday ,24 March

Sudan increases exports

GMT 23:35 2015 Wednesday ,22 July

Jordan king greets Sisi on July 23rd Revolution

GMT 11:21 2014 Sunday ,01 June

Sellal presents government’s action plan

GMT 21:09 2012 Wednesday ,05 September

New Algeria govt faces \'massive\' challenges

GMT 17:40 2012 Wednesday ,11 April

Miami\'s Fontainebleau resort

GMT 07:54 2017 Monday ,10 April

First-ever auction on Thursday

GMT 18:39 2011 Tuesday ,12 July

China\'s new high-speed trains halted again

GMT 09:17 2012 Saturday ,14 January

Guatemala ratifies U.N. nuclear test ban treaty

GMT 14:50 2011 Saturday ,02 July

Western Sahara: US$61 million to finance minurso

GMT 00:56 2011 Wednesday ,30 November

UN marks \'day of solidarity\' with Palestinian people

GMT 09:27 2011 Saturday ,16 July

UN: Horn of Africa drought \'set to worsen\'

GMT 08:55 2017 Saturday ,01 July

Hana Shiha happy for “President’s Shadow”

GMT 08:44 2016 Wednesday ,21 December

Girl's death takes Egypt church bombing toll to 26

GMT 09:06 2012 Wednesday ,21 November

Hamada Helal surprises fans with new album

GMT 21:34 2016 Tuesday ,28 June

Ben Alawi Meets UN Envoy to Libya

GMT 05:33 2012 Saturday ,21 January

Traditions obstacle to Iraqi women

GMT 22:38 2011 Saturday ,09 April

Six shot dead at Dutch shopping centre

GMT 13:54 2015 Saturday ,27 June

What to eat for evening meal during ramadan

GMT 17:34 2017 Sunday ,24 December

Dense fog disrupts UAE flights ahead of Christmas

GMT 11:26 2017 Monday ,03 April

Cubs open baseball's new season with defeat
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle