Storm surge is the rise of water higher than tides, usually caused by hurricanes, and can cause catastrophic flooding.
In 2024, all storm surge fatalities from Hurricane Helene were in the Tampa Bay area; that’s why it’s essential to learn from the past and prepare for the future.
I sat down with the director of the National Hurricane Center, Michael Brennan, to talk about storm surge and what we learned from last year's storms.
Watch interview with NOAA's Michael Brennan
As sea levels continue to warm and rise, higher storm surges could be the new norm if impacted rapidly. Additionally, as we continue to recover and rebuild from last year's storms, it's important to understand and respect the power of water.
WATCH: Stormwatch 2025 Special
5 dead in Sarasota shooting ID'd, linked to Ft. Lauderdale double homicide
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said five people are dead after a shooting in a Sarasota neighborhood, including a suspect authorities say may be connected to a double homicide in Fort Lauderdale.