With reverse storm surge, especially in larger storms, the opposite happens, explained AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok in 2022, after Ian hit. “It can pull the water out because the wind flow is coming from land to ocean, and it pushes the water,” he said. “The power of the wind is incredible.”

Storm surge is primarily caused by strong winds that push water onto the shore. Those sustained wind speeds, which may exceed 150 miles per hour, will push ocean water onto land, significantly elevating the normal sea level. Current forecasts indicate that these winds could drive over 12 feet of water ashore in the coming days.

A new storm is approaching the west coast of the Florida, threatening to inflict heavy rain, strong winds and flash flooding in the already-storm battered state.