Storm Surge "Brainstorm"

[brunota2003]

The NHC's Storm Surge Unit is having a Storm Surge "Brainstorm", where they are looking for comments and suggestions from the public about surge products and graphics.

Throw your ideas into the fray today!

https://nhcsurge.ideascale.com/

Mine:

Give NWS lead on surge forecasts

I think, when it comes to storm surge, the local NWS offices should be given the lead on forecasting the surge events. This can be done with coordination and help from the NHC, but the local forecast offices are the ones who best know what could happen with their local areas, especially if they have dealt with similar scenarios in the past. Likewise, going with another idea, a separate watch/warning system could be designed regarding surge for the local offices to use, with local criteria. Some areas are more vulnerable to smaller amounts of surge than others, thus needs to be reflected in some way locally. Plus, I believe this would help with outreach through the local media and such.

[CrazyC83]

One thought: a Storm Surge Potential level. It would be based on the potential storm surge based on the projected track, intensity, angle of approach and high tide times. This does not have to be hurricane-specific though.

Using roman numerals to reduce confusion with the SSHS category, it could be as follows:

SSP Level I - Below warning level (such as up to 4 feet where 4 feet is enough to cause buildings and communities to start flooding to a low level, although the criteria would vary by body of water and setting) - a Storm Surge Advisory would be issued there

SSP Level II - 100 to 200% of the warning level (in that case, 4 to 8 feet) - a Storm Surge Warning would be issued starting there.

SSP Level III - 200 to 300% of the warning level (in that case, 8 to 12 feet)

SSP Level IV - 300 to 500% of the warning level (in that case, 12 to 20 feet)

SSP Level V - More than 500% of the warning level (in that case, over 20 feet)

Evacuation zones should be set based on those criteria.

[vbhoutex]

Please make sure that you are sending your ideas to NHC through the link provided and not just posting them here on the site.