Why a storm surge can be the deadliest part of a hurricane

It can start before a hurricane even makes landfall.

Storm surge, or coastal flooding, tends to be the deadliest aspect of hurricanes. As wind from the storm pushes water onshore several feet above the normal tide, it can trap people in their homes, wash away entire houses, and make rescue missions harrowing and slow.

In the US, the Eastern and Southeastern coastlines are among the most vulnerable areas for storm surges. Along the East Coast, hurricane Sandy produced a massive storm surge in 2012. On the Gulf Coast, places like Galveston, Texas and New Orleans have seen multiple hurricanes so they've built some infrastructure to help defend against excessive flooding. Levees, canals and seawalls are designed to stop or redirect rising water away from cities. But even those can be inadequate, when faced with an especially strong hurricane.

What really concerns experts, though, are places that don’t experience a lot of hurricanes but are still vulnerable to storm surge, like the coast of Georgia and Northern Florida. These areas have shallow water, which means sea level can rise faster and water can reach further inland making the flooding worse. But they’ve seen fewer hurricanes than the Gulf Coast and they are likely to be less prepared.

So when a major hurricane like Irma hits low-lying areas like these, the storm surge can be the first and deadliest thing headed their way.

[maxemilion]

Anyone watching this while Hurricane Florence heads for the American Southeast ? Wishing them the best .

[cjaee]

Love how Vox pumps out these relevant topics so quickly.

[FlyntofRWBY]

This is why I'm glad I live in California. I don't have to worry about getting hit by hurricanes every single ye- *_Ground starts shaking violently_*

[itisjambo]

This is true, thanks Katrina, Ike, Harvey, Irma.

[iamme]

North and South Carolina is about to get hit with Hurricane Florence. I hope people start sharing this video. People who aren't used to hurricanes, don't consider how dangerous all of the flooding is.

[mtm]

Our hearts are with you USA, greeting from Iran 🌹❤💙

[crazydrummer]

Wow, Mississippi doesn’t even get a mention despite it’s entire coast being destroyed by Katrina and it claiming the 28 foot surge record. The entire coast of Mississippi was destroyed and it’s so very rarely mentioned in any video.

[aliahmukz]

Thanks for the eye-opening video. I wish nothing but safety and love to those who are affected by the Hurricane Irma.

[TheOrganicChemistryTutor]

Flooding is the worse. The wind is bad too if it takes your roof away.

[ShellBAtoms]

Looks like that could mean trouble for folks later this week with Florence. I'll be teaching my students about this tomorrow, and using this video. Well done!

[GuiiBrazil]

I am so glad I live in Brazil, and there is no such thing down here.
But, I believe Katrina, Harvey and Irma all together makes less damage than this corrupt politicians.

[CassidySoloff]

How can anyone deny climate change after the strength and frequency of these storms increase?

[warramin]

i had to evacuate due to a flood warning/ storm surge warning, everything is going on so fast and the wind is so powerful that i can hear things breaking and rain hitting against the ground and shutters, this is honestly very frightening please stay safe everyone.

[Adrian-kuqy]

2:10 last time I checked a cat 3 has winds less than 130 mph

[cswess]

Now these are the quality Vox videos that I am subscribed for.

[rc]

Americans don't have to worry about Hurricane Jose because Trump won't let him in.

[JasonBrayUltraSports]

I went to Tacloban City, Philippines after Yolanda in 2013. Stil dead bodies in the main street. Even though it was called Typhoon Alley, they never had a storm that big and never even had a word in the local dialect for Storm surge. yet it was the main reason over 6, 000 people died. Some of the stories I heard there were truly tragic. This is becoming more and moe common in this age we live in.

[josef]

Your definition of storm surge is a not complete. Storm surges tend to happen mostly becuase of low pressure from the hurricane causing the water to rise due to less pressure pushing down on the water.

[TejaKarlapudi]

We have personally experienced a Category 4 hurricane in the south eastern India and it was monstrous. A 6 storeyed building built with solid concrete shook. We thought it was an earthquake but no, its the power of the winds. Imagine how a category 5 hurricane could be.

[bonibon]

Why do you name this hurricanes with silly names like :
Kathy, Betty, Gary etc (granny names, don't sound dangerous).
Name them like :
Death-maker, the destroyer, megatron 300 etc.
Than you would see how people would get scared and run for their lives before it's to late.