Question about Rita's storm surge

#1 Postby **LAwxrgal** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:42 am

One of my local meteorologists says Rita's surge was in the neighborhood of fifteen feet.

Looking at some of the pictures from Holly Beach and Cameron and other places, there's no way in my mind that her surge was that low. I think it was in the neighborhood of 20-25 feet, I fear a really high number when it's all said and done.

Do you guys (and gals) think it was that high? Or is my local met right when he says 15 feet?

SamSagnella · #2 Postby **SamSagnella** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:59 am

I would say no lower than 20 feet, with equally high waves on top of that.

#3 Postby **curtadams** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:48 am

Probably all 1 story buildings. 10 feet of surge would put them entirely underwater and hurricane waves would have taken them out. So, that pic doesn't prove particularly fearsome conditions. I don't think the surge was 20 feet because inland areas nearby would have gotten almost the same surge and 2-story buildings in Cameron were not flooded to the rafters.

jax · #4 Postby **jax** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:25 pm

you don't include the size of the waves on top of the surge...
15 foot surge with battering waves on top looks much larger

f5 · #5 Postby f5 » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:19 pm

after all she was a historic CAT 5 much like Katrina was

djtil · #6 Postby **djtil** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:28 pm

10-15ft.

Weatherfreak14 · #7 Postby **Weatherfreak14** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:43 pm

CNN said 10ft

Recurve · #8 Postby **Recurve** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:41 pm

6-10 feet of flooding, even less, with waves from Cat 3 winds, could wash away a town.

I bet some waves went 25 feet high, breakers rolled over Cameron, but the actual rise in sea level was maybe 8-10 feet (maybe more, but didn't need to be); water level would rise higher in some bays, bayous and beaches because of topography and wind piling up water in constricted areas.

It's hard to connect storm surge and damage, since surge is just the sea level during the storm, but the water with the wind does a lot more than sit quietly at that "surge" level.

Imagine your house sitting in the middle of a large, smooth lake, with five feet of water in your yard. No problem, except your furniture is floating. Now add 100 mph winds, and great big waves running through that water all around your house. Big problem. Waves break over the roof and tear your house apart. IMO, this is what confuses the public about storm surge.

Question about Rita's storm surge

Question about Rita's storm surge

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