USGS Storm Words: Storm surge

The USGS has many missions before, during and after a major storm. Here is an explanation of a word we commonly use with our science.

Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in water above normal sea level caused primarily by low atmospheric pressure related to the high-speed winds swirling around and accompanying a hurricane. As this rise in water moves across the sea with the hurricane and encounters land, the forward momentum of the water and the onshore winds can pile water onto coastal lands, flooding areas that are normally above sea level.