What is the primary cause of coastal flooding?

The primary cause of coastal flooding is indeed storm surge. Storm surge occurs when strong winds from a storm, particularly hurricanes and tropical storms, push ocean water onto the land. This phenomenon is often exacerbated by low atmospheric pressure during storms, resulting in water levels rising significantly beyond normal tidal levels. Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to storm surges because they are situated directly adjacent to large bodies of water, allowing the surge to inundate land quickly and with considerable force.

While heavy rainfall can contribute to flooding, particularly in inland regions, it is the combination of wind-driven waves and elevated water levels during storms that primarily results in coastal flooding. Snowmelt and river overflow are also significant in their respective contexts but are not the leading causes in coastal areas. Coastlines experience unique hydrological dynamics that make storm surge the most critical factor for flooding during storm events. Understanding this is essential for effective floodplain management and disaster preparedness in vulnerable coastal regions.