What is the storm surge? Wouldn't any waves have already got there by now?
Storm surge is how much the sea level rises. The winds push the water up against the shore. That rise is the average rise not including waves. Waves break higher.
DB: The storm surge is a "dome" of water that is pushed ahead by the storm's power and spinning wind force - it's not a "wave" at all - however waves do ride on top of the building surge as it reaches the coast - thus the actual impact is even greater - and more damaging than any wind effects
Storm surge is the water that's being pushed by the high winds, and like any wall of water, when it hits the shallower water of the coastline it gets bigger.