What is a storm surge and why is it such a danger in low lying coastal communities?

One major cause of hurricane damage is storm surge. Storm surge is the rising of the sea level due to the low pressure, high winds, and high waves associated with a hurricane as it makes landfall. The storm surge can cause significant flooding and cost people their lives if they’re caught unexpected.

What are the consequences of storm surge for coastal communities?

Additional impacts of storm surge include extensive property loss, erosion of beaches, damage to coastal habitats, and undermining the foundations of infrastructure such as roads, railroads, bridges, buildings, and pipelines. Storm surges also pose a serious threat of death by drowning.

What protects coasts from storm surge?

Coral reefs provide a buffer, protecting our coasts from waves, storms, and floods. Corals form barriers to protect the shoreline from waves and storms.

What do you do during a coastal storm surge?

Prepare and bring the following with you: clothes, food and water, first aid kit, flashlight, and battery-operated radio. Evacuate to a more elevated place. Keep at least 500m distance from a flat coast if the storm will pass directly your area which will cause storm surge in your community.

Are all coastal areas prone to storm surges?

(von Storch and Woth, 2008). All coastal regions of the world where strong storms occasionally or regularly pass are affected by storm surges, which comprise most of the world’s coasts (Figure 7.2). There are two major types of storms, tropical and extratropical storms.

What two main factors cause increased height of a storm surge?

A larger storm will produce higher surge. There are two reasons for this. First, the winds in a larger storm are pushing on a larger area of the ocean. Second, the strong winds in a larger storm will tend to affect an area longer than a smaller storm.

What is coastal storm?

1. An atmospheric disturbance manifested in strong winds accompanied by rain, snow, or other precipitation and often by thunder and lightning. 2. A wind with a speed from 48 to 55 knots (55 to 63 miles per hour; 89 to 102 kilometers per hour), according to the Beaufort scale. Also called whole gale.

How do coral reefs protect the coastline?

“Reefs can effectively protect shorelines because of their ability to cause waves to break off offshore, thus limiting the energy impacting the coastline,” Dr.

How do coral reefs help protect coasts from erosion?

Coral reefs effectively serve as a natural breakwater, protecting coasts from erosion and flooding by absorbing wave energy as waves come in contact with and move across the physical structure of the reef. Healthy reefs can provide coastal protection, even during storm events with strong wave conditions.

What is coastal processes?

coastal processes driven by winds, waves and currents began to sculpt the edges of the coastline. Other processes which influence the coastal environment include longshore drift, winds and wave erosion. These coastal processes can produce and expose some interesting features.

Why do cyclones occur in coastal areas?

But why is the eastern coast of the country so prone to cyclones? Surface sea temperatures and humidity are directly related to the formation of cyclones. Since, the Bay of Bengal receives high average rainfall, the possibility of cyclone formation is also high.