An abnormal rise in sea level during a storm, caused by strong winds pushing ocean water toward shore. This temporary flooding can reach heights of 20 feet or more above normal tide levels.
From Old Norse 'stormr' (violent weather) and Old French 'sourge' (to rise up). The compound term emerged in the 20th century as coastal meteorology developed to describe this specific oceanographic phenomenon.
Storm surges are nature's most powerful coastal bulldozers, capable of moving entire beaches inland and reshaping coastlines in hours! The 2005 Hurricane Katrina surge reached 28 feet high, demonstrating how these walls of water can travel miles inland through river systems.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.