The power of storm surge and flooding, Hurricane Helene’s destruction

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Hurricane Helene has caused a record number of fatalities and massive amounts of damage, from the wind but mainly from the storm surge and inland flooding.

Storm surge occurs when onshore winds push sea water inland, this occurs on the right side of the hurricane compared to the direction it is moving. The stronger the wind, the higher the storm surge.

Also, storm surge height is the height above normal sea level. For example, a storm surge of 3 feet will start to push water

When the storm surge height reaches 6 feet, this starts to cause moderate flooding inland, filling up basements and pushing into the first story of homes.

A storm surge up to 12 feet covers the first story of most homes and can even start to move into the second story.

Hurricane Helene’s maximum storm surge was even higher, up to 15 feet in areas within the Big Bend region of Florida near Keaton Beach, Steinhatchee, and Horseshoe Beach.

However, Hurricane Helene isn’t setting any records for the storm surge. The top 3 highest storm surges ever recorded in the United States were nearly double the amount. Hurricane Camille in 1969 had a storm surge of 24 feet, same for Hurricane Opal in 1995. The number one highest storm surge was 28 feet from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The power of this water is immense. Just one cubic yard of storm surge water weighs about 1,700 lbs. The weight of this fast-moving water can push heavy objects as it moves inland.

For example, it only takes 1-3 feet of moving water to sweep away people and stall cars.

Most cars can be swept away from 3-6 feet of moving water from storm surge or even flash flooding.

Even homes can be swept away by the power of this water. One story building can be moved by a 6-foot storm surge, up to 12 feet can move two story buildings and houses.

The power of this water from Hurricane Helene’s storm surge along with massive flash flooding further inland across the southeastern states has caused mass casualties. Helene is in the top 10 deadliest hurricanes of all time in the United States.