GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Storm surge
A storm surge occurs when storm or hurricane winds push large volumes of seawater toward the coast, raising sea levels temporarily well above the normal tidal range—sometimes by several metres.
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Source: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/stormsurge.html
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A storm surge occurs when storm or hurricane winds push large volumes of seawater toward the coast, raising sea levels temporarily well above the normal tidal range—sometimes by several metres. For ports and coastal logistics facilities, the consequences are immediate: quays flood, container yards are inundated, and road access is cut. Shipowners, freight forwarders, and shippers face terminal shutdowns, cargo damage, and insurance claims. Modern port authorities use surge forecasting models alongside physical flood barriers and pump systems to limit exposure. Storm surge differs from a regular high tide or spring tide in that it is driven by meteorological rather than astronomical forces.
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