Winston Salem, NC

..this week has been declared North Carolina's hurricane
preparedness week for 2012...

All week long the National Weather Service will issue informative
messages to help you prepare for hurricane season. Each day we will
cover a different topic. Today we will talk about storm surge.

The greatest potential for loss of life related to a hurricane is
from the storm surge! Storm surge is simply water that is pushed
toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the
storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create
the hurricane storm tide which can increase the mean water level to
heights impacting roads... homes... and other critical infrastructure.
In addition... wind driven waves are superimposed on the storm tide.
This rise in water level can cause severe flooding in coastal
areas... particularly when the storm tide coincides with the normal
high tides. Because much of the United states' densely populated
Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastlines lie less than 10 feet above mean
sea level... the danger from storm tides is tremendous.

The storm surge combined with wave action can cause extensive
damage... severely eroding beaches and coastal highways. With major
storms like Katrina... Camille... and Hugo... complete devastation of
coastal communities occurred. Many buildings withstand hurricane
force winds until their foundations... undermined by erosion... are
weakened and fail. Storm surge can travel several miles inland and
can also span hundreds of miles of coastline.

Some notable North Carolina storm surge events include Hurricane
Isabel in 2003. Major ocean overwash and beach erosion due to storm
surge and battering wave action occurred across the Outer Banks of
North Carolina. Piers were destroyed or sustained heavy damage in
Nags Head... Rodanthe... and Frisco. Numerous motels and homes in
Hatteras Village were moved off their foundations... and a New Inlet
was carved between Frisco and Hatteras Village along Highway 12.
Significant water level rises due to storm surge also occurred on
the Neuse and Pamlico rivers and resulted in flooding of many homes
across Craven... eastern Carteret... and eastern Pamlico counties.

In 2011... Hurricane Irene produced storm surge values that ranged
from 9 to 11 feet on the sound-side... to a maximum Oceanside surge
of 9.5 feet which was recorded at Hatteras Village. The storm surge
combined with wave action resulted in extensive damage and flooding
of structures along the coast with many dune breaches and damage to
Highway 12.

It is important to keep in mind that storm surge is not a factor in
the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Know that even a tropical storm
or category 1 hurricane can have a devastating storm surge if the
proper conditions exist. In other words... don't assume that a
tropical storm or a hurricane on the low end of the Saffir-Simpson
scale will not have a large or significant storm surge. Be sure to
stay informed and pay close attention to storm surge forecast
details regardless of the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale rating.

Here are some storm surge safety actions. Know the types of hazards
that could affect your family and know your home's vulnerability to
storm surge... floods... and wind. Find out if you live in an
evacuation zone and keep track of which zone it is. If you live
close to the floodplain... consider flood insurance. Make plans for
where you'll go... preferably outside the vulnerable area... or
consider the closest possible public shelter. Have a single Point of
contact for your family members to keep in touch. Make a plan now
for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate. Stock
non-perishable emergency supplies and keep a disaster supply kit
within reach.

Prepare your home prior to leaving. Board up doors and windows.
Secure or move all yard objects indoors and turn off all utilities.
Fill your car with gas... withdraw extra Money from the atm... and be
sure to take all prescription medicines and special medical items
such as glasses and diapers. 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 attempt to cross flowing water. As
little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your
vehicle. 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. Remember to
replace The Battery every six months... as you do with your smoke
detectors.

For more information about hurricane preparedness, please visit the
following web sites:
- http://www.NHC.NOAA.Gov/prepare
- http://www.Ready.Gov/hurricanes