ENDORSEMENT OF NOOSA LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN 2023 · 2023-10-10 S&O Attachment 1 to the Minutes - Get Ready Packs

Storm Surge
A storm surge is a rise above
the normal water level along
a shore resulting from strong
onshore winds and / or reduced
atmospheric pressure.

The combination of storm surge and normal
(astronomical) tide is known as a ‘storm tide’.
The worst impacts occur when the storm surge arrives
on top of a high tide and when this happens, the storm
tide can reach areas that might otherwise have been
safe. Additionally there are pounding waves generated
by the powerful winds.
The combined effects of the storm tide and waves
can destroy buildings, wash away roads and run
ships aground.
The paths of cyclones are often unpredictable, which
makes it hard to forecast exactly when and where a
cyclone will cross the coast. This makes it difficult to
predict how high the astronomical tide will be when
the storm surge impacts, since the time difference
between high and low tide is only a few hours.
The Bureau of Meteorology issues warnings to the
public that are based on the ‘worst case’ assumption
that the cyclone will cross the coast at high tide.




28 Noosa Council                                           Emergency Action Guide