Hurricane Delta brings fears of dangerous strong storm surge: What you need to know Hurricane Delta is forecast to slam into the Gulf Coast on Friday. October 8, 2020, 12:18 PM
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Share to Facebook Email this article Hurricane Delta, forecast to make landfall in Louisiana on Friday, is expected to bring a dangerous storm surge of up to 11 feet to the Gulf Coast.
A storm surge warning is in effect for Louisiana and Mississippi.
Here's how storm surge works:
As pressure falls in the hurricane 's center, water levels rise. The water accumulates while the storm is still over the open ocean.
An aerial view from a drone shows boats and vehicles along the side of route 46 as people try to put them on higher ground before the possible arrival of Hurricane Sally on Sept. 14, 2020, in Shell Beach, La.
An aerial view from a drone shows boats and vehicles along the side of route 46 as people try to put them on higher ground before the possible arrival of Hurricane Sally on Sept. 14, 2020, in Shell Beach, La. When the hurricane closes in on land, its strong winds push that water toward the coast and up onto land, creating walls of water sometimes as high as 20 feet.
A cross honoring those killed by Hurricane Katrina stands in the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet before the possible arrival of Hurricane Sally on Sept. 14, 2020, in Shell Beach, La.
A cross honoring those killed by Hurricane Katrina stands in the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet before the possible arrival of Hurricane Sally on Sept. 14, 2020, in Shell Beach, La.
This RAMMB/NOAA satellite image shows Hurricane Sally off the Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 14, 2020.
This RAMMB/NOAA satellite image shows Hurricane Sally off the Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 14, 2020. The danger to people inside houses on the coast is the deluge of water that can flood homes and overpower walls rapidly.
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, at least 1,500 people died "directly, or indirectly, as a result of storm surge," the National Hurricane Center said. When Hurricane Sandy hit New York and New Jersey in 2012, many homes filled quickly with water that reached levels of 8 to 9 feet.
Bay St. Louis residents, from left, John Dixon, his wife Sabrina Young, and Erika Crain, talk about their experiences while at the Hancock County Evacuation Shelter in Kiln, Miss., in preparation for Hurricane Sally as it approaches the Gulf Coast, Sept. 14, 2020.
Bay St. Louis residents, from left, John Dixon, his wife Sabrina Young, and Erika Crain, talk about their experiences while at the Hancock County Evacuation Shelter in Kiln, Miss., in preparation for Hurricane Sally as it approaches the Gulf Coast, Sept. 14, 2020. The risks can be even greater if storm surge combines with high tide, creating a devastating, rapid rise in water levels.
