Podcast Summary: Off the Radar – "Top 10 Storm Surges in American History with Hurricane Hal"

Podcast Information

• Title: Off the Radar
• Host: Emily Gracey, Meteorologist at The National Weather Desk
• Episode: Top 10 Storm Surges in American History with Hurricane Hal
• Release Date: June 17, 2025
• Description: Join National Weather Desk Meteorologist Emily Gracey every week as she explores a diverse range of topics related to weather, climate, space, and beyond, featuring exclusive interviews with leading experts.

Introduction to Storm Surge

Emily Gracey opens the episode by highlighting the devastating impact of storm surges, using the infamous Galveston Hurricane of 1900 as a poignant example. She explains storm surge as a phenomenon where powerful winds from a hurricane push ocean water toward the shore, creating dangerously high walls of water that lead to severe coastal flooding.

Emily Gracey [00:00]: "The deadliest natural disaster in American history wasn't an earthquake. It wasn't a tornado or a wildfire. It was water."

As the Atlantic hurricane season begins, Gracey emphasizes the critical need to understand storm surge, which often proves more lethal than the hurricane's winds.

Introducing Dr. Hal Needham (Hurricane Hal)

Emily introduces her guest, Dr. Hal Needham, affectionately known as Hurricane Hal. Dr. Needham is the lead scientist for Flood Information Systems and Geotech, a science communication platform. His work involves forensic meteorology, which reconstructs historic weather events to aid communities and the insurance sector in understanding and mitigating flood risks.

Emily Gracey [02:31]: "At well over 6ft tall, he's usually wearing a cowboy hat."

Dr. Needham shares his extensive experience, including storm chasing and conducting severe weather research, which underpins his creation of a comprehensive storm surge database.

Building the Storm Surge Database

Dr. Needham recounts the inception of Usurge, a comprehensive storm surge database that began in 2008. He meticulously gathered data from numerous sources, including National Hurricane Center reports, historical maps, FEMA records, and newspaper archives, dating back to 1880.

Dr. Hal Needham [05:20]: "I started building Usurge, the comprehensive storm surge database, way back in 2008."

This database allows for detailed analysis of storm surges across different communities, providing invaluable insights into historical patterns and future risks.

The Top 10 Storm Surges in American History

Dr. Needham presents a countdown of the top 10 storm surges in American history, focusing solely on the height of the water surge, independent of storm category, casualties, or economic damage.

10. Hurricane Rita (2005)

• Location: Texas-Louisiana border
• Surge Height: 17.25 feet
• Occurred just weeks after Hurricane Katrina, highlighting the region's vulnerability during active hurricane seasons.

9. Hurricane Hugo (1989)

• Location: South Carolina
• Surge Height: 17.55 feet (after removing 2.5 feet from high tide)
• Misconceptions about surge impact often stem from tide-related variations.

Dr. Hal Needham [09:05]: "A lot of times people think it didn't happen."

8. Hurricane Ike (2008)

• Location: Southeast Texas
• Surge Height: 17.79 feet
• Despite being a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, Ike's vast geographic size and shallow offshore bathymetry led to an unexpectedly high storm surge.

Dr. Hal Needham [10:24]: "The geographic size of the hurricane is tremendously important."

7. Hurricane Beulah (1967)

• Location: South Texas
• Surge Height: 18 feet
• A significant surge in a region that had seen relatively little impact in recent decades.

6. The Labor Day Storm (1935)

• Location: Florida Keys
• Surge Height: Over 18 feet
• A pre-naming era hurricane that caused substantial damage and fatalities due to its compact size and intense surge.

Dr. Hal Needham [12:08]: "These surges are pushing trillions of gallons of water and we can see them knock over trains, scour the landscape."

5. The Long Island Express (1938)

• Location: Rhode Island and New England
• Surge Height: 19 feet
• Demonstrates that even northern coastal regions are susceptible to severe storm surges.

4. Hurricane Laura (2020)

• Location: Louisiana coastal prairie
• Surge Height: 19 feet
• Despite missing major metro areas, Laura produced one of the highest surges, illustrating the danger in more remote regions.

3. Hurricane Carla (1961)

• Location: Central Texas and Houston
• Surge Height: Over 22 feet
• Showcased the impact of a large and intense hurricane on highly industrialized and developed areas.

Dr. Hal Needham [15:46]: "You don't need a direct strike from an eye wall... you could push a tremendous amount of water all the way there."

2. Hurricane Camille (1969)

• Location: Coastal Mississippi
• Surge Height: 24.6 feet
• Second-highest storm surge in the Western Hemisphere, demonstrating extreme vulnerability.

1. Hurricane Katrina (2005)

• Location: Coastal Mississippi (Past Christian)
• Surge Height: 27.8 feet
• The highest recorded storm surge in the Western Hemisphere, infamous for its extensive devastation and loss of life.

Dr. Hal Needham [16:17]: "Hurricane Katrina surge... reached around 27.8ft above mean sea level."

Honorable Mentions

Dr. Needham acknowledges other significant storm surges that, while not in the top 10, had substantial impacts:

• Hurricane Sandy (2012): 12-14 feet surge in New Jersey and New England.
• Hurricane Michael (2018) & Hurricane Ian (2022): Both produced surges between 14-16 feet, causing severe fatalities and damage.

Dr. Hal Needham [17:00]: "Some of these surges... are really not survivable if you get caught in them."

Lessons Learned and Preparation Tips

Dr. Needham emphasizes the importance of understanding historical storm surge data to better prepare for future events. Key takeaways include:

1. Deep Historical Knowledge: Communities should look beyond recent experiences to historical data to understand their true vulnerability.

   Dr. Hal Needham [18:29]: "There's a great value in knowing your deeper history."

2. Geographic Awareness: Recognize how coastline shapes and offshore bathymetry can influence surge heights. Areas like coastal Georgia and Appalachia Bay have high potential despite infrequent strikes.

3. Use of Technology: Leverage tools like the National Hurricane Center's surge potential maps to visualize worst-case scenarios.

4. Home Preparation:

   • Long-Term: Elevate structures where possible and document property with photographs or videos for insurance purposes.
   • Short-Term: Protect valuables by storing them in waterproof bags and be prepared for the physical impacts of surgewater.

   Dr. Hal Needham [23:53]: "You can't prevent your house from flooding... but there are things you can do."

5. Evacuation Priority: Always prioritize personal safety over property, as no material possession is worth risking lives.

Dr. Hal Needham’s Projects and Initiatives

Post-discussion, Dr. Needham shares his ongoing projects aimed at educating and preparing communities:

• Galveston Hurricane Tour: Founded in 2017, this tour guides participants through Galveston's rich hurricane history, visiting significant sites and sharing stories of both devastation and resilience.

  Dr. Hal Needham [25:45]: "We tell those stories about destruction, but also about our resiliency and how we've overcome hurricanes through time."

• Geo Track Podcast: A platform dedicated to sharing stories of extreme weather and natural disasters, featuring professionals, survivors, and experts.

• Community Collaboration: Offering comprehensive storm surge histories and impact mapping for flood-prone areas, encouraging communities to engage in proactive planning and resilience building.

  Dr. Hal Needham [26:18]: "If your community wants to know your storm surge history... we'd love to collaborate."

Conclusion

Emily Gracey wraps up the episode by thanking Dr. Hal Needham for his invaluable insights and promoting his hurricane tours and podcast. She underscores the importance of understanding and preparing for storm surges, urging listeners to utilize available resources to safeguard their communities.

Emily Gracey [26:55]: "If you find yourself in Galveston, make sure you check out his hurricane tour."

Key Takeaways:

• Storm surges can be more deadly than the hurricane winds themselves.
• Comprehensive historical data is crucial for accurate risk assessment and preparedness.
• Geographic factors significantly influence storm surge heights.
• Community education and proactive planning are essential in mitigating storm surge impacts.

Resources Mentioned:

• Galveston Hurricane Tour: galvestonhurricanetour.com
• Geo Track Podcast: Available on major podcast platforms.

Stay informed and prepared by following "Off the Radar" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Follow the show on Instagram for episode snippets and updates.

Produced by: The National Weather Desk
Supporters: National Weather Desk and Sinclair Broadcast Group
Producer: Brian Petras