If I'm not mistaken, the surge is more comparable to a fast-rising of water up not a horizontal effect like a wave. LIke the Bay of Fundy where the tide has a variance of about 50 ft between high and low tides. Tourists can get caught and wind up as casualties.
The surge is high water that surrounds the entire 'cane. Once the cane hit's shore and the winds vector points inland, the water and waves follow that path. The surge was 20-22' and the wave height was 40-45' beefore it hit land. What was left of one beachfront hotel in Biloxi had signs of being hit with wave action 40 +'up.
IOWs, tides happen w/o huge waves coming in and 125-1400MPH winds.