Flooding is one of the most frequent natural disasters in the United States, with all states having experienced it in recent years. Storm surge flooding, mostly in coastal regions due to tropical storms’ offshore winds, can significantly impact personal safety and property. Although both events involve water intrusion on dry land, their unique characteristics distinguish them.
Flooding occurs when water overflows from rivers, lakes, or other water bodies, while storm surge is a temporary rise in sea level during severe storms. While flooding can be caused by excessive rainfall, snowmelt, and urbanization, storm surge is primarily associated with tropical cyclones and severe storms.
This article highlights the key differences between flooding and storm surges, including their causes and reasons for their formation.
- Formation of Floods And Storm Surges
While both flooding and storm surges are dangerous in their ways, their formation differs a lot.
Formation Of Floods
Flooding can occur when topography and drainage patterns cannot efficiently move and store water away from development or other undesired areas. Although flooding often occurs near bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and streams.
It can also occur in low-lying areas with no year-round body of water present. Heavy rainfall can contribute to flooding, which can surprise residents of areas with no immediate water source.
Formation Of Storm Surge
A storm surge occurs in coastal areas near large bodies of water such as oceans, bays, and gulfs. Storm surge waves, characterized by wave action, can cause damage to structures and pose a danger to people in their path.
While they may not be any larger than typical tidal and high wind waves offshore, they can produce sustained, repetitive, and damaging force as they move farther inland. Buildings designed to resist this force are less likely to sustain damage.
Watch this video to learn more about a storm surge:
- Causes Of Floods And Storm Surges
Several factors cause floods and storm surges.
Causes Of Floods
Heavy Rainfall
Heavy rainfall is the primary cause of flooding, and infrastructure and systems designed to transfer rainwater into basins and reservoirs surround us, regardless of where we live. Typically, the infrastructure works efficiently, and there is no need to worry about where the rain goes when it rains.
Overflowing Rivers
Flooding in a neighborhood can be caused by more than just heavy rainfall. Living close to a river with heavy rainfall upstream can cause significant overflow in the neighborhood. Government bodies regulate most river systems, and larger rivers usually have dams to control heavy rainfall.
However, authorities must make challenging decisions about how to operate dams, which can regulate water and prevent flooding but not always.
Urban Drainage Basins
Urban drainage basins, made mostly of impermeable materials such as concrete, can cause flooding when they fill up with water in low-lying areas. This case is prevalent in large urban areas where heavy rainfall can exceed the basins’ drainage capacity. The absence of permeable surfaces in urban areas means no ground for water to seep into, exacerbating the problem.
Causes Of Storm Surge
Tropical Cyclones
Tropical cyclones can cause a storm surge due to the intense winds and low atmospheric pressure associated with these weather events. The strong winds push water toward the shore, causing the sea level to rise.
Meanwhile, the low pressure in the eye of the storm allows the water to bulge upward. These factors can result in a rapid and significant increase in sea level, leading to a potentially devastating storm surge.
Severe Storms
Severe storms can cause a storm surge by creating a rise in sea level due to strong winds and atmospheric pressure changes. The wind pushes water toward the shore, and the low pressure in the storm’s center allows the water to rise. This combination of factors can result in a storm surge that can cause significant damage to coastal areas.
Typography
The typography of an area can cause a storm surge when sloping land or narrow inlets funnel water into a concentrated area, causing it to rise rapidly. The shape of the coastline can also cause the surge to be amplified or redirected, depending on the angle of the storm’s approach.
The interaction between the storm and the landscape can result in a storm surge that can cause significant damage to coastal areas.
- Effects Of Flooding And Storm Surge
Flooding and storm surges have wide-ranging impacts. A few of them a listed below.
Effects Of Flooding
Flooding can have numerous adverse effects, including the loss of human life and property damage, such as the destruction of buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Agricultural areas can experience severe losses due to inundation, leading to crop failure, soil degradation, and the loss of livestock.
Furthermore, floods can also disrupt ecosystems by changing the physical and chemical characteristics of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which can significantly impact aquatic habitats and ecosystems.
Moreover, the direct and indirect costs of flood damage, recovery, and reconstruction can significantly strain local and national economies.
Effects Of Storm Surge
Storm surges can have several detrimental effects, such as coastal erosion, which can lead to the loss of habitats, property damage, and increased vulnerability to future storms. Low-lying areas can experience inundation, flooding, property damage, and even loss of life.
Coastal infrastructure can also suffer significant damage, including buildings, roads, bridges, and utilities, disrupting transportation and communication networks. Additionally, storm surges can cause saltwater to infiltrate freshwater sources, leading to contamination and potential health risks.
Conclusion
While flooding and storm surges involve water intrusion on dry land, their unique characteristics distinguish them. Understanding the causes and formation of these natural disasters is crucial for developing effective management strategies and mitigating their impact on personal safety, property, and the environment.