External Links to Storm Surge Information

By Jeffrey Masters, Ph.D. — Director of Meteorology, Weather Underground, Inc.

General

The National Hurricane Center Storm Surge Overview web pages, created in 2010, have the single best source of storm surge information on the Internet.
The NOAA Hurricane Preparedness web site has an excellent storm surge section.
Hal Needham of Louisiana State University has created a fantastic historical interactive storm surge maps of the world. He runs a blog there, too, analyzing the surge potential of current storms.
Western Carolina University also has an excellent interactive storm surge viewer of the U.S. coast, showing historical surge events.
Storm surge simulator for Miami-Dade County in Florida from miamidade.gov
USGS has an interactive map showing probability of erosion, caused by waves and storm surge, along the U.S. Gulf Coast. They also have a report titled, National Assessment of Hurricane-Induced Coastal Erosion Hazards: Gulf of Mexico

Videos

The most remarkable storm surge video ever taken is probably the Hurricane Katrina video caught by Mike Theiss of Ultimatechase.com. His floating "Theiss device" (WMV File) video and the video shot from a hotel lobby in Gulfport, MS (WMV File) are simply amazing.
Another spectacular Katrina storm surge video (anonymous) was taken in the parking garage of the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi.
Jim Edds' extremestorms.com (WMV File) website has a Katrina storm surge clip (13Mb) that is impressive, though not as ridiculous as the two videos mentioned above.

Educational

Forecasts

Storm surge info and evacuation maps from FEMA and state emergency management agencies

Weather Underground Storm Surge Articles

Storm Surge Safety Actions

Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location; the further you drive the higher the likelihood of encountering traffic congestion and other problems on the roadways.

Select the nearest possible evacuation destination, preferably within your local area, and map out your route. Do not get on the road without a planned route, or a place to go.

Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside a designated evacuation zone and discuss your plan with them before hurricane season.

If neither of these options is available, consider the closest possible public shelter, preferably within your local area.

Use the evacuation routes designated by authorities and, if possible, become familiar with your route by driving it before an evacuation order is issued.

Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information regarding anyone in your household whom may require special assistance in order to evacuate.

Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects, and turning off all utilities.

Take all prescription medicines and special medical items, such as glasses and diapers.

If your family evacuation plan includes an RV, boat or trailer, leave early. Do not wait until the evacuation order or exodus is well underway to start your trip.

If you live in an evacuation zone and are ordered to evacuate by state or local officials, do so as quickly as possible. Do not wait or delay your departure, to do so will only increase your chances of being stuck in traffic, or even worse, not being able to get out at all.

Expect traffic congestion and delays during evacuations. Expect and plan for significantly longer travel times than normal to reach your family's intended destination.

Stay tuned to a local radio or television station and listen carefully for any advisories or specific instructions from local officials. Monitor your NOAA Weather Radio.