Recent news is flooded with reports of devastating storm surges caused by Hurricane Milton. While many are familiar with the destructive power of hurricanes and tornadoes, storm surges remain less understood despite their lethal potential.
Screengrab: The Weather Channel
A storm surge is the abnormal rise in seawater level during a storm, driven by high winds and low pressure. This surge can push large volumes of water onto land, flooding coastal areas and causing widespread destruction. Storm surges are particularly deadly because they can occur rapidly, overwhelming communities with little warning.
It is important to note the difference between a storm surge and a tsunami. While both involve powerful ocean flooding, a storm surge is driven by weather events like hurricanes or cyclones, where strong winds push seawater inland. In contrast, a tsunami is typically triggered by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, resulting in waves that travel across the ocean and crash ashore, often without warning. Although different in origin, both can cause catastrophic flooding and loss of life.
Authorities in affected areas urge travelers to heed evacuation orders and safety advisories to minimize the risk of injury or death. If you are travelling to hurricane-prone regions, following these recommendations is crucial, as storm surges often cause more fatalities than the storm's winds.
In the face of such disasters, it is vital to recognize the role of climate change. While hurricanes and storm surges are natural phenomena, rising global temperatures are making these events more intense and frequent. Reducing carbon emissions, supporting sustainable practices, and raising awareness can help mitigate the long-term effects of climate change. Each individual effort contributes to reducing the future severity of extreme weather events like Hurricane Milton.
