Toilet flush....

Record storm surge forecast for Tampa Bay

From CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar

Just two weeks after Hurricane Helene broke records for storm surge in Tampa, Milton is forecast to produce even higher surge levels.

Helene’s eye never got within 100 miles of Tampa Bay, but all Tampa area tide gauges rose several feet to record levels never before observed – 5 to 6 feet. Now those same gauges are forecast to hit levels twice as high – 10 to 15 feet – as Milton makes landfall.

Several factors are likely to exacerbate the storm surge flooding. Both the storm’s size and forward speed are expected to increase before landfall, which tends to increase the maximum storm surge.

Exactly when and where the storm tracks as it nears landfall will also affect storm surge levels in Tampa.