Strong winds around the eye of a hurricane cause ocean water to circulate. As a storm arrives in shallower waters along the coast, the ocean bottom disrupts that circulation and forces water upward and inland. Other influencing factors are the timing of high tide, shape of the sea floor and coast and the angle of the storm's approach.

What determines how high storm surge gets? Storm surge begins over the open ocean. The strong winds of a hurricane push the ocean waters around and cause water to pile up under th

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place as Florida officials warn residents that time is quickly running out.