How many miles can storm surge extend?
Storm surge can reach heights of more than 12 m (40 ft) near the center of a Category 5 hurricane, and fan out across several hundred miles of coastline, gradually diminishing away from the hurricane's center. Coastal flooding can reach far inland, tens of miles from the shoreline.
How far inland does a 15 foot storm surge go?
If Hurricane Skittlebip pushes a 15-foot storm surge inland, the water will be 15 feet deep where the coastline is at sea level. If a parking lot a few thousand feet from the coast is 5 feet above sea level, that 15-foot storm surge would only (“only”) be about 10 feet deep at that point.
How far inland does storm surge go for Katrina?
6 miles Katrina's powerful right-front quadrant passed over the west and central Mississippi coast, causing a powerful 27-foot (8.2 m) storm surge, which penetrated 6 miles (10 km) inland in many areas and up to 12 miles (19 km) inland along bays and rivers; in some areas, the surge crossed Interstate 10 for several miles.
How high is a 5 foot storm surge?
Storm Surge
| Category | Wind Speed | Projected Storm Surge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 111 to 130 mph (179 to 209 km/h) | Possible storm surge 9 to 12 ft (2.7 to 3.6 m) above normal |
| 4 | 131 to 155 mph (211 to 249 km/h) | Storm surge 13 to 18 ft (4 to 5.5 m) above normal |
| 5 | > 155 mph (249 km/h) | Storm surge greater than 18 ft (5.5 m) above normal |
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).
How can we survive a storm surge?
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.
How far inland is safe from storm surge?
Complacency and delayed action could result in needless loss of life and damage to property. Plan a safe evacuation route that will take you 20-50 miles inland.
How do you survive a storm surge?
Stay inside where you are protected from the water. It's best to be on the downwind side of the house, away from windows. Monitor the storm's progress and listen for warnings or instructions from local officials.
Where is storm surge the worst?
steeply sloping shelves. Areas along the Gulf Coast, especially Louisiana and Mississippi, are particularly vulnerable to storm surge because the ocean floor gradually deepens offshore.
How long does a storm surge last?
Depending on the size and track of the hurricane, storm surge flooding can last for several hours. It then recedes after the storm passes. Water level heights during a hurricane can reach 20 feet or more above normal sea level. With powerful waves on top of it, a hurricane's storm surge can cause catastrophic damage.
What will you do before and during a storm surge?
Be ready for the possibility of evacuating to a more elevated area or evacuation center even before the storm surge happens. Always be calm and composed. 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.
How far inland can a Category 5 hurricane go?
Hurricanes can travel up to 100 – 200 miles inland. However, once a hurricane moves inland, it can no longer draw on heat energy from the ocean and weakens rapidly to a tropical storm (39 to 73 mph winds) or tropical depression.
What happens on land when a storm surge strikes?
Storm Surge Along the Coast The water piles up with nowhere to go but onto land when it gets to the coast. The rising water, called storm surge, can submerge low-lying areas and towns along the coast. Combined with the crashing waves of the storm, storm surge can demolish docks, houses, and roads, and erode beaches.
What is the largest storm surge ever recorded?
27.8 feet 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).