Hurricane Idalia Explained: What is a storm surge and why is it deadly?

Amidst the relentless fury of Hurricane Idalia, its Category 3 power ravaged Keaton Beach, Florida's Big Bend, wielding winds of 125 mph. As the storm's devastating force looms, the region braces for a monstrous surge, with its potential to reshape coastlines, damage structures, and endanger lives looming ominously

Outlook International Desk

Updated on: 30 August 2023 12:58 pm

Category 3 Hurricane Idalia makes landfall in Florida

Hurricane Idalia struck the neighborhood of Keaton Beach along Florida's Big Bend, arriving as a potent Category 3 tempest with top continual winds reaching 125 mph, accompanied by even more forceful gusts.

This occurrence marks Idalia as the most formidable storm to hit the Big Bend area in over a century and a quarter.

Idalia stands as the third hurricane to reach Florida's shores within the past year's span, trailing behind Hurricane Ian in September 2022 and Hurricane Nicole in October 2022.

What is a storm surge
A storm surge denotes a fluctuation in sea level triggered by a storm. Vigorous winds have the capacity to create sizable waves, propelling substantial volumes of water towards coastal areas.

This phenomenon holds the potential to give rise to widespread inundation, marked by waves of such intensity that they possess the ability to gradually wear away coastlines and roads, while also demolishing structures. Moreover, it has the capability to induce flooding in lakes and rivers situated further inland.

The water possesses considerable mass, as it is in motion, it produces a substantial amount of force on various structures. These structures encounter significant forces that exceed their design capacities, which could potentially result in their collapse or even pose a danger to individuals.

The National Weather Service (NWS) announced on Monday that nearly the entire western coast of Florida will experience an increasing tide within the next 36 hours. However, the impact will vary across different regions.

The tide's peak is anticipated to occur between the Ochlockonee River, located southwest of Tallahassee, and the Chassahowitzka River, approximately 66 miles (106 km) to the north of Tampa.

The region comprises the town of Steinhatchee, with a population of about 500 residents, as well as the city of Cedar Key, where almost 700 individuals reside.

Portions of Tampa proper - ranking as the third most populous city in Florida with an approximate population of 400,000 residents - are similarly subject to storm surge alerts. However, the effects are expected to be somewhat less severe, as water levels are anticipated to increase by up to 7 feet in that vicinity .