How is storm surge forecast ?
Storm surge, the abnormal rise of ocean water on land due primarily to strong onshore winds, is dependent on the strength and size of the tropical cyclone and the bathymetry near the area of landfall. In the Pacific, particularly in Hawaii, the bathymetry of the islands prevents the storm surge from reaching the levels seen in the Gulf of Mexico and along the east coast of the US mainland. Storm surges can still be significant. In hurricane Iniki, the storm surge reached 3 to 4 feet with surf as high as 35 feet. In the Atlantic Basin, storm surge is primarily forecast with the SLOSH computer model.
