Initial Estimate Shows Hurricane Milton’s Storm Surge Reached 5-10 Feet

On Thursday, the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) Storm Surge Unit released a preliminary assessment of Hurricane Milton’s storm surge impact on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Their findings revealed a significant storm surge of 5 to 10 feet that affected the region from Siesta Key to Fort Myers Beach.

Initial Surge Findings

The surge, which also covered the hard-hit Charlotte Harbor area, had been forecasted to peak between 8 and 12 feet as the hurricane made landfall. While these early estimates provide an overview of the surge’s impact, further surveys are expected to confirm the forecasted range. The initial surge assessment was based on data collected from local tidal gauges and photographic evidence of the damage, which has provided a clearer picture of the widespread effects of the storm surge.

Devastation in Coastal Communities

The hardest-hit areas included several Gulf Coast communities already vulnerable to storm surge. Photos gathered by NBC6’s Laura Rodriguez from residents of Little Hickory Island, located just south of Fort Myers Beach, depict massive amounts of sand washed ashore and deposited beneath waterfront homes. This area, still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022, was once again inundated by Milton’s powerful storm surge. The recurrence of such devastation highlights the ongoing vulnerability of these coastal regions to major storms and their associated surges. In many cases, communities had yet to fully recover from previous hurricanes, making Milton’s impact particularly difficult to bear. Alongside the structural damage, the surge has drastically reshaped the coastline in certain areas, further complicating recovery efforts.

Future Surveys and Final Assessment

To determine the full extent of Hurricane Milton’s storm surge, in-person damage surveys will be conducted over the coming weeks. Experts will measure high water marks and collect other relevant data points along the Gulf Coast to verify the final surge heights. These surveys are critical to understanding the true scale of the storm’s impact, as they provide the most accurate assessment of how much water inundated coastal areas.

The NHC has emphasized that these surveys will be comprehensive, involving numerous data points across the affected coastline. The information gathered will not only help confirm initial estimates but also contribute to a better understanding of storm surge dynamics in future storms.

The NHC’s work in assessing Hurricane Milton’s surge will play a key role in guiding future preparedness efforts in coastal communities. While the Gulf Coast is no stranger to storm surge events, each hurricane provides new insights that can improve future forecasting and mitigation strategies, potentially saving lives and reducing property damage in future storms.