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surge
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
An illustration explaining storm surge, showing a house with water level lines marking surge heights from Hurricane Katrina at 28 feet, Hurricane Ian at 13.25 feet, and Hurricane Irma at 8 feet, alongside a diagram of how a cyclone's winds and rain create elevated water levels along the coast. Floodwaters from Hurricane Gustav submerge a railroad crossing, traffic signs, and power poles on an industrial street in New Orleans, with only sign tops visible above the water. destruction caused by a storm surge Choppy, high water from storm surge covers the shoreline at Sandgate in Brisbane, Australia, with overcast skies and trees visible along the coast after Cyclone Marcia. A line graph compares types of surface waves by energy and wave frequency, showing ordinary tide waves, long-period waves, wind waves, and capillary waves, with causes such as wind, storms, and earthquakes labeled above each category.
Quizzes
Lightning over a farm field. Weather electricity thunderstorm light energy tree
Facts You Should Know: Weather Quiz
Umbrella colored like a rainbow sticking out above a sea of black umbrellas while it rains. (storm, weather)
Weather Words Vocabulary Quiz
rain. Child in the rain, wearing a rain coat, under a yellow umbrella. April Showers weather climate rain storm water drops
April Showers to March’s Lions and Lambs

surge: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Added illustration. May 12, 2025
Media added. Sep 28, 2022
Article revised and updated to include a description of storm surge. Sep 14, 2020
Added a surface wave diagram and a photograph of a storm surge associated with Cyclone Marcia. Sep 14, 2020
Add new Web site: NOAA - National Hurricane Center - Storm Surge Overview. Oct 25, 2018
Add new Web site: Australian Government - Bureau of Meteorology - Storm Surge preparedness and safety. Oct 25, 2018
Add new Web site: Met Office - Storm surge. Oct 25, 2018
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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