A storm surge warning is an alert issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). This specific warning informs residents of the “danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 36 hours.” Storm surge is “life-threatening” and can significantly impact lives as well as homes, roads, and entire communities. While coastal Florida residents are the most in danger, storm surges can travel inland. And they can hit rivers and bays connected to the ocean, causing inundation several miles inland.
A storm surge warning is more than a head-up—it’s a crucial part of the Florida framework for public safety, especially during a hurricane. Understanding a storm surge warning can differentiate between a well-informed response and being too late.
Paying attention to warnings about storm surge is critical. Understanding what a storm surge warning is and what you need to do when one is put in place is important.
Why?
Storm surge is often classified as the “greatest threat to life and property from a tropical storm or hurricane.” For instance, in 2021, NHC data showed that more than 80% of hurricane-related deaths were due to flooding from severe storm surges. This highlights how critical it is to listen to warnings, prepare accordingly, and take the recommended actions.
Tools for Tracking and Preparing: Storm Surge and Hurricane Trajectory Maps
There are many types of storm surge risk maps available. When there is an active storm there will be forecasts for storm surge for specified areas. It is best to pay attention to specific surge maps if you are affected by a storm surge warning for a specific storm.
There are also storm surge risk maps, which show depictions of storm surge vulnerability for different areas. You can navigate to and use the NHC’s Storm Surge Risk Map to view your area’s risk for different categories of storms.
Available online, storm surge maps display potential areas at risk for storm surges, often color-coded for more straightforward interpretation. In NHC’s storm surge risk map risk is color coded from blue to red. You can see an example of this risk map for Southwest Florida below.
These go-to guides help you understand how high water may rise and how far inland it may travel during a hurricane. This is critical as it allos Florida residents to prepare and protect their communities in anticipation of the worst. It is also eye-opening as you can visually see that storm surge does not affect only immediate coastlines. As you can see in the map above the risk zone goes inland quite a bit. This means it is not only those on the immediate coastline that should take notice.
The NHC uses information about a hurricane’s category and trajectory to estimate the depth and reach of a storm surge in different locations. These maps show your community’s vulnerability, helping you visualize potential impact and better prepare for damage. The maps are designed with simulations of accurate storm data, meaning they can show you if a surge could reach your basement or, worse, flood your entire property with rising water.
Hurricanes and Storm Surges that Left Their Mark on Florida Through the Years
Florida has a history of notorious hurricanes. And along with those landfalls have come significant storm surges. Here are a few record-setting moments where Mother Nature reminded Floridians how powerful she can be.
- Hurricane Andrew (1992). Andrew’s storm surge reached 17 feet, causing massive flooding and damage.
- Hurricane Opal (1995). Storm surge was recorded as high as 12 feet along the Florida Panhandle.
- Hurricane Katrina (2005). Katrina had a large impact on New Orleans and Mississippi as well as Florida. Katrina’s storm surge reached heights of 28 feet high in Mississippi. In Florida, Katrina’s effect was not as great, but it still brought storm surges as high as 5 feet that caused flood damage to both roads and homes.
- Hurricane Irma (2017). Irma’s storm surge reached 10 feet in some areas. This caused flooding along many water bodies, not just on the coast. As a result, Irma brought significant economic impact.
- Hurricane Michael (2018). Michael’s storm surge reached up to 14 feet. It caused flooding to much of the Florida Panhandle, including areas that were previously considered safe zones. This showed how much damage storm surge could do, and how far inland it could reach.
- Hurricane Ian (2022). Hurricane Ian had storm surges of 12 to 18 feet, which was the highest ever seen in Southwest Florida. The flooding brought significant damage to coastal communities and travelled. Notably, the storm surge traveled as far as 25 miles inland.
Is a Storm Surge the Same as High Tides?
No. They are not the same.
High tides are more predictable and typically do not have the major consequences to coastal communities, unless they happen alongside another event.
Storm surges are less predictable and can cause significant damage. Surge happens during a hurricane.
How You Can Protect Yourself, Your Loved Ones, and Your Home from Storm Surges
- Stay alert and informed. Sign up for local and national weather alerts for your area. Know what a watch vs warning means, and take the appropriate action instructed by your local authorities.
- Map Your Evacuation Route and have an evacuation plan. Don’t wait until the water’s rising! If you are told to evacuate it is for good reason. Know the best evacuation routes like the back of your hand. Get out early to avoid being stuck behind.
- Elevate the Important Stuff. Elevate your belongings and appliances. Move them to higher ground to reduce the chance of water damage.
- Prepare an Emergency Kit. Include the essentials: food, water, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit. Pack essential documents into waterproof bags to keep them safe from damage.
- Double-Check Your Insurance. Flood damage isn’t covered under regular homeowner’s insurance. If you are at risk of storm surge getting a flood insurance policy is a good investment.
- Install flood protection products – flood protection products are becoming more and more important for Florida homeowners. Permanent options are available, such as flood doors and systems. Temporary flood barrier systems for homes are another good choice. They are generally more affordable and easy to install.
Protect Your Home with Eurex Shutters
While hurricanes alone may sound intimidating, data shows that storm surges have caused more significant damage to Florida’s coastline than the wind. They are also a significant cause of life-loss during a hurricane. The lesson here is always to take storm surge warnings seriously and have a plan.
Preparing for hurricanes means understanding the risks; storm surges are among the most dangerous. Investing in top-notch storm protection products in Southwest Florida is essential to protect your home and loved ones. Eurex Shutters offers durable, reliable hurricane shutters that withstand Florida’s fiercest storms. Our shutters are designed to give you peace of mind and protect against the unexpected.
Act now to fortify your home against hurricanes. Contact Eurex Shutters for a consultation or to start your project.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
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