Of all the hazards that hurricanes bring, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property along the coast. It can sweep homes off their foundations, flood riverside communities miles inland, ...

Laura strengthened Wednesday into a menacing Category 4 hurricane, raising fears of a 20-foot storm surge that forecasters said would be "unsurvivable” and capable of sinking entire communities.

Sean Varenkamp, right, checks out what’s left of his capsized 26-foot Ranger tugboat, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in the Santa Cruz Harbor. The boat was among those damaged in the Dec. 23 storm.

Hurricane Katrina’s surge in 2005 broke levees and flooded New Orleans. Hurricane Ike’s 15- to 17-foot storm surge and waves swept hundreds of homes off Texas’ Bolivar Peninsula in 2008.

Hurricane Helene’s 14-foot storm surge topped the building’s roof. With seven miles to the next closest corner store and 20 more to the supermarket, the town lost a key fixture.