HURRICANE IANS FORMS IN CARIBBEAN, PROMPTING HURRICANE WATCH FOR FLORIDA'S GULF COAST, INCLUDING TAMPA BAYThe size of a tropical cyclone’s storm surge is closely connected to a system’s ranking on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.A Category 1 hurricane is capable of producing a storm surge of around 4 or 5 feet, while Category 5 storm could lead to a water rise of 18 feet or more.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property and accounts for nearly half of the deaths associated with a landfalling tropical cyclone.KNOW YOUR ZONE: FLORIDA EVACUATION MAP SHOWS WHO WILL HAVE TO LEAVE BEFORE A HURRICANE STRIKESDue to the significant threats posed by storm surge, the National Hurricane Center began issuing storm surge alerts for the U.S.
coastline in 2017.Depending on predicted inundation levels, the NHC can issue either issue a Storm Surge Watch or a Storm Surge Warning.A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation within 48 hours.