Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tide. • It’s the change in the water level that is due to the presence of the storm • Since storm surge is a difference between water levels, it does not have a reference level Storm tide is the water level rise during a storm due to the combination of storm surge and the astronomical tide. • Since storm tide is the combination of surge and tide, it does require a reference level • A 15 ft. storm surge on top of a high tide that is 2 ft. above mean sea level produces a 17 ft. storm tide.
