Estimating hurricane storm surge amplitudes for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coastlines of the United States

Whenever a hurricane threatens to strike a coast, it is desirable to have an estimate of the height of the peak storm surge. Jelesnianski combined empirical data from Conner, et al., and Harris with his theoretical calculations to produce a set of nomograms that permit the estimation of peak surge for any geographical location when a few parameters characterizing a storm are known. Russo has used these nomograms to develop a simple formula for estimating the potential storm surge. The data from 52 storms that entered land during the period from 1893 to 1957 are used to develop the formula. Consideration is given to such factors as: (1) radius to maximum winds; (2) hurricane forward speed; (3) angle of approach to the coastline; (4) bathymetry (bottom topography); and (5) central pressure. Predictions using the formula are compared to measured data for numerous storms. A table is presented depicting worst case scenarios for selected coastal cities.