Graduate student and research associate Hal Needham is finding a place for 40-foot storm surges on the internet. Under the direction of state climatologist and University professor Barry Keim, Neeham has combined more than 28 federal government sources, 3,000 pages of newspaper and numerous academic publications to create a storm surge database, named SURGEDAT. The database comprises all storm surges greater than four feet. The surges must also be produced by a tropical storm. When users visit the website, they will be presented with a map marked by concentrated, colored dots. The dots vary in size and color to represent surge intensity. Large red dots represent the most severe. Small yellow dots represent the weakest. Users are also able to zoom in on the map to get a closer view of the surges. According to Keim, the database is important, particularly to the United States. “Over the last century, storm surge has caused substantially more deaths in the U.S. and beyond than hurricane winds or flooding rains,” Keim said in a news release. Needham agreed, but said he believes SURGEDAT is particularly important to the Gulf Coast. “There are lots of businesses and homes on the coast,” Needham explained. “If someone is considering building a house, they need to know how high up to build it so it isn’t hurt by floods. But more than that, it is important to Louisiana because it is right in our backyard.” After analyzing 132 years of data, he said there are many patterns. One in particular is that Pass Christian, Miss., holds the record for the two highest storm surges on the Gulf Coast. Katrina holds the record for highest surge at 27.8 feet. Hurricane Camillie comes in second at 24.6 feet. Those aren’t even the largest surges in the database. Bangladesh holds the record for largest surge at 44.9 feet in 1876. Needham ranked the Bay of Bengal area, including India and Bangladesh, as number one in surge intensity. The Gulf of Mexico ranked second, and eastern Australia ranked third. Needham also maintains a blog as part of SURGEDAT. His most recent posts concerned the movements of Hurricane Debby. But the database wasn’t created overnight. He said the whole process began in Nome, Alaska. “I was living in Alaska for three years and was out in Nome the day after a storm surge,” he said. “There was debris all over the place. That was the first time I had ever seen anything like that. When I got here I asked Dr. Keim about researching that topic. Fortunately, he had previously had someone approach him about creating a database, so he agreed.” After more than six years, he said there is still plenty of work to do. The database currently holds extensive data from the Gulf, East Coast and Eastern Asia. However, Keim wants to extend the database’s international presence. “We’re currently seeking international partners to assist us in building the database in places other than the U.S.” he said. The pair are also working on improving the data already available. “Currently, we are working on zones of inundation,” Needham said. “That will allow people to see what a storm surge is in their particular town for a storm. We would also like people to be able to click on their town and see a history of storm surges.”
 
____ Contact Josh Bergeron at [email protected]