Make a rough storm surge planning estimate from hurricane category, wind speed, coastal exposure, tide level, wave setup, and local elevation. This calculator estimates surge height, total water level, and possible water above ground.
Wind speed:
Enter sustained wind speed to estimate a rough base surge range.
Coastal exposure:
Select the shoreline type. Bays and funnel-shaped coastlines may amplify water levels.
Tide and wave setup:
Add tide level and wave setup to estimate total water level.
Ground elevation:
Enter local ground elevation to estimate possible water depth above ground.
A storm surge estimate calculator is useful for basic coastal planning, emergency preparation, comparing hurricane scenarios, understanding flood potential, and learning how tide, waves, and elevation affect water levels.
This is only a rough educational estimate. Storm surge is complex and must be forecast with official storm surge models, local elevation data, evacuation maps, and emergency management guidance.
Your result estimates storm surge height, total water level, and possible water above ground level. The total water level combines storm surge, tide level, and wave setup. Water above ground is the amount by which total water level exceeds local ground elevation.
Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water pushed onto land by a storm, usually above the normal tide level.
Not by itself. Storm size, track, angle, pressure, tide, coastline shape, and seafloor shape can strongly affect surge.
Total water level is the combined height of storm surge, tide, wave setup, and other water-level effects.
No. Use official evacuation orders, local emergency management maps, and National Weather Service or hurricane center guidance.