For the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, the
National Hurricane Center (NHC) will issue
Potential Storm Surge Flooding Maps for areas
along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts that are at
risk of storm surge from a hurricane.
The experimental maps will show
geographical areas where inundation from
storm surge could occur and how high above
ground the water could reach in those
areas. The map will represent a "reasonable
worst-case scenario" for any given location,
according to NHC, and will be subject to
change every six hours. The maps will be
experimental for at least two years, during
which time comments from users will be
solicited and gathered.
NOAA reminds those in coastal areas of
the difference between storm surge and
storm tide.
Storm Tide is the total observed seawater
level during a storm, resulting from
the combination of storm
surge and the astronomical
tide. Astronomical tides are
caused by the gravitational pull
of the sun and the moon and
have their greatest effects on
seawater level during new and
full moons. The highest storm
tides are often observed during
storms that coincide with a new
or full moon.
Storm Surge is the abnormal
rise in seawater level during a
storm, measured as the height
of the water above the normal
astronomical tide. The surge is
caused primarily by a storm's
winds pushing water onshore.
A sample of NHC's potential storm surge map for Hurricane X off the coast of
Tampa Bay, FL.
FORECAST 2014 / STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION 13
NEW Storm Surge MAPS
The amplitude of the storm surge at any given
location depends on the orientation of the
coastline with the storm track and the intensity,
size, and speed of the storm.
