Is the storm surge of a hurricane more destructive than the winds?

Question

Is the storm surge of a hurricane more destructive than the winds?

Answer 1

Yes;The most destructive element associated with an intense hurricane is storm surge.Past history(particularly cyclones formed in Indian ocean) indicates that loss of life is significant when surge magnitude is 3 metres and above and catastrophic when 5 metres and above.Storm surge is mainly responsible for the heavy loss of life and property in the recent 'Nargis' cyclone which hit the Myanmar coast.

Storm surge heights depend on the intensity of the hurricane,i.e.,very high pressure gradient and consequent very strong winds and the topography of sea-bed near the point where

the hurricane crosses the coast.If the area happens to be a delta area of a river,water enters inland and inundates a very large area .The cyclone'Nargis' also entered the delta area of the biggest river in the Myanmar.

Further elevation of the total sea level increases when peak storm surge occurs at the time of high tide.

Answer 2

Yes if you live on the coast or close to it.  No if you live inland the winds usually do the damage inland..