The National Weather Service provides the following definition: “a storm surge is an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tide.”
Did you know a storm surge is one of the most dangerous parts of a hurricane? In 1970, nearly half a million people were killed in the Bay of Bengal after the worst storm surge in history. In the U.S., Hurricane Katrina developed one of the worst storm surges with water levels of more than 25 feet throughout impacted communities – 41.5 feet in Waveland, Mississippi.
CoreLogic, a leader in property data analysis, estimates that over 6 million residential properties are at risk of a storm surge caused by hurricanes in 2015 on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, which could account for $1.5 trillion in Reconstruction Cost Value.
Nineteen states are at risk. Over three quarters of the 6.6 million homes at risk of storm surge are located in only six states:
1. Florida (2.5 million at-risk homes)
2. Louisiana (760k at-risk homes)
3. New York (464k at-risk homes)
4. New Jersey (446k at-risk homes)
5. Texas (441k at-risk homes)
6. Virginia (420k at-risk homes)
Since Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana 15 years ago, the most recent Category 5 hurricane in the United States, only one quarter of Louisiana’s at-risk homes are considered in the extreme storm surge category due to the levee upgrades since Katrina hit.
Cities that rank highest in the amount of homes at risk, as well as total Reconstruction Cost Value, include:
1. New York – Newark, NY-NJ-PA
2. Miami – Fort Lauderdale – West Palm Beach, FL
3. Tampa – St. Petersburg – Clearwater, FL
4. Virginia Beach – Norfolk – Newport News, VA-NC
5. New Orleans – Metairie, LA
Although these are grave statistics, many industry professionals predict a quiet 2015 storm season. However, it’s always best to be prepared and keep your family safe in the event of a hurricane.
Helpful Tips
– Learn if you are located in a hurricane evacuation zone and get to know your zone.
– During a storm, do not use generators indoors, do not go down to your basement where floods occur first, do not drive through heavy water, and leave your home once an evacuation is released.
– Prior to a storm, assemble an Emergency Preparedness Kit:
• Use a clear portable container
• 3-day supply of water and non-perishable food
• Can opener and utility knife
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered weather radio
• Cellphone charger
• Extra batteries
• Copies of insurance policies, identification and bank records
• Prescriptions, medical supplies
• First-Aid Kit
We hope these few tips will help keep you safe during hurricane season. Please remember that if you experience any property damage from fire, water, mold or storms to Call Paul. We’re available 24/7 to help you!