MIAMI, Fla. (WTXL) -- Development of ways to better emphasize the threat and hazards associated with a tropical system's storm surge will be displayed in 2015 with new watch and warning information.
The National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center, based in Miami, announced the availability of the new advisory products Thursday. The new storm surge watch and warning products will be issued when tropical storms or hurricanes create a higher risk of coastal impacts from the abnormal rise in water levels created the the storm.
A storm surge watch means areas within the watch zone may experience life-threatening water inundation within 48 hours. A warning indicates such conditions may occur within 36 hours. The information would be accompanied by a graphic, outlining coastal areas which are forecast to receive storm surge impacts.
The emphasis on separate advisories for storm surge started from lessons learned from non-major hurricanes over the past few years. Hurricane Ike struck near Galveston Island in 2008 as a Category Two storm, but triggered a devastating storm surge which caused massive damage along the Bolivar Peninsula. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone while just offshore of New Jersey and New York, but still created higher water levels which flooded nearby coastal zones.
The watch/warning system will be in an experimental phase for a couple of years, when feedback will be solicited and adjustments made when necessary.
NHC officials believe having this new set of information will give residents, emergency managers, and local meteorologists improved guidance on specific hazards that may be encountered in a storm surge situation.
