Most Dangerous Threat: Storm Surge

In general, the more intense the storm, and the closer a community is to the right-front quadrant of a hurricane, the larger the area that must be evacuated. The problem always is the uncertainty about how intense the storm will be when it finally makes landfall.

Wave action associated with the tide also causes extensive damage. Water weighs approximately 1,700 pounds per cubic yard; extended pounding by frequent waves can demolish any structure not specifically designed to withstand such forces. The currents created by the tide combine with the action of the waves to severely erode beaches and coastal highways. Many buildings withstand hurricane-force winds until their foundations, undermined by erosion, are weakened and fail.

Storm Surge Safety Actions

Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location; the further you drive, the higher the likelihood of encountering traffic congestion and other problems on the road.

Use the evacuation routes designated by authorities and, if possible, become familiar with your route by driving it before an evacuation order is issued.

Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information regarding anyone in your household who may require special assistance in order to evacuate.

Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside a designated evacuation zone and discuss your plan before hurricane season. You also may choose a hotel/motel outside the vulnerable area. If neither of these options is available, consider the closest possible public shelter, preferably within your local area.

Prepare a separate pet plan; most public shelters do not accept pets.

Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects, and turning off all utilities.

Before leaving, fill your car with gas and withdraw extra money from the ATM.

Take all prescription medicines with you.

If your family evacuation plan includes a recreational vehicle, boat or trailer, leave early. Do not wait until the evacuation order or exodus is well underway to start your trip.

If you live in an evacuation zone and are ordered to evacuate by state or local officials, do so as quickly as possible. Do not wait or delay your departure; to do so only will increase your chances of being stuck in traffic, or even worse, not being able to get out at all.

Expect traffic congestion and delays during evacuations. Expect and plan for significantly longer than normal travel times to reach your family’s intended destination.

Stay tuned to a local radio or television station, and listen carefully for any advisories or specific instructions from local officials. Monitor your NOAA Weather Radio.

Storm Surge Misconceptions

Storm surge usually is the most dangerous threat of a hurricane.

Misconception: Call 911 and you can be rescued while the water is pouring into your home.

How? No one will be able to get to you. Water rises quickly --- sometimes 6-10 feet within minutes; cars can’t drive in it, and it usually is unnavigable by boats when it is coming ashore.

Misconception: Just stuff towels under the door jambs. Then rush around to start picking up things that are close to floor level, so you can save them.

Bad idea. In a minute or so, the surge will burst open the door, and instead of standing in a room with four inches of water, you’ll be knocked off your feet and into the closest piece of furniture. Suddenly, you’ll be in three or four feet of moving water.

Misconception: You’ll be able to maneuver around into rushing water.

Probably not. Some people who drowned were not even able to get out of the room they were in when the water started pouring into the home.

Misconception: You’ll know in time.

The surge usually is not a wall of water, as is often assumed, but rather a rapid rise of water several feet over a period of minutes, meaning it can sneak in unexpectedly.

Misconception: You can outrun the storm surge in your car.

If you wait until the water is an inch high before trying to outrun the surge, the odds are that the surge will rise to over a foot high before you get your car out of the driveway. If the water is a foot high, the typical 10-15 mph speed of the storm surge’s current has enough force to sweep away a car. In many places along the coast, such as the Florida Keys, there only is one road out of a low-lying region prone to storm surges. In such cases, the storm surge likely will be moving perpendicular to the road, cutting off the only escape route.

How to Survive a Storm Surge

It is common in many flood-prone regions to keep an axe fastened to the wall of the attic. Then, if water comes in unexpectedly, you can get into the attic and chop a hole through the roof to escape. Don’t forget to keep a length of rope that you can use to tie yourself to a sturdy part of the house (just don’t tie yourself to the steel beams as these will sink).

The best way to survive a storm surge is to heed evacuation orders and leave before the surge arrives!