Surge tsunami was a term used on September 12, 2008 by a member of the Texas state emergency management team in reference to the approach of Hurricane Ike towards the Texas coast. Forecasters predicted waves could reach up to 50 ft and swamp low lying beachfront areas as the Category 3 storm continued to gather strength. Residents of areas that faced the Gulf of Mexico, such as those who live on Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula, were told to evacuate or "face certain death.Mail Online: Hurricane Ike Bearing Down on Texas (September 12)
Quotes
- "This is a surge tsunami. This is not rising water. People have to leave."—Jack Colley, the Texas state emergency management teamMail Online: Hurricane Ike Bearing Down on Texas (September 12)
- "It's a big storm. I cannot overemphasize the danger that is facing us. It's going to do some substantial damage. It's going to knock out power. It's going to cause massive flooding."— Texas Governor Rick PerryMail Online: Hurricane Ike Bearing Down on Texas (September 12)
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References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
A tsunami is a series of traveling ocean waves of extremely long length usually generated by earthquakes below or near the ocean floorNOAA: Tsunami: the Great Waves
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Fact:
Tsunamis may also be caused by underwater volcanic eruptions and underwater landslidesNOAA: Tsunami: the Great Waves
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Fact:
Small tsunamis are generally 10 to 20 feel high, while large tsunamis can rise over 100 feetNOAA: Tsunami: the Great Waves
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Fact:
A storm surge is when sea or lake water rushes onshoreNOAA.gov: FAQ-Hurricane Research Division
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Fact:
Storm surges are usually caused by the high winds associated with a cyclone or a hurricane that has landed onshore along with the low pressure of the stormNOAA.gov: FAQ-Hurricane Research Division
