Perhaps you could include some technical information such as: how soon does the surge appear before the storm, what is the power (volume[weight]xvelocity) within a 100 yard section, how far does a Cat 4 surge flow inland at sea level, when does it recede, etc.
The prediction of when and how much is a science way beyond my mathematical ability:
As far as destructive power, moving water is one of the most pwerful forces in nature and each liter of water weighs 2.2 pounds. That come out roughly to 8 pounds per gallon. Plug that in to acre-feet moving at X mph and the force is gargantuan.
As far as when it recedes, that is after the hurricane passes, except in a "flood bowl" such as New Oreleans surrounded by lakes. In such a case, the lakes are "topped off" putting much strain on the levies long after the hurricane has passed.