The destruction of the Causeway in Hurricane Fabian in 2003 was caused by the most destructive storm surge Bermuda has experienced in the last 50 years. The combination of storm surge and dangerous battering waves ultimately led to the deaths of four people as they tried to cross the causeway during the storm.

The Royal Gazette spoke to Kimberley Zuill, the deputy director and meteorologist at the Bermuda Weather Service, about the destructive nature of storm surges and what you can do to prevent loss of life and property because of this.

As to what a storm surge is, Ms Zuill explains that a storm surge is caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea level. Low pressure at the centre of a weather system also has a small secondary effect, as can the depth of the water — as was evident in Hurricane Fabian as the causeway is at sea level.

She adds that it's this combined effect of low pressure and persistent wind over a shallow water body which is the most common cause of storm surge flooding problems.

The potential impact of storm surge in Bermuda includes:

* Flooding of low lying areas

* Dangerous waves battering coast line above the normal high tide mark

* Dangerous seas with very strong undercurrents or riptides

* Erosion of ocean front property/sand on beaches

* Boats breaking their moorings

Ms Zuill explains that the degree to which the water will rise during a storm surge also depends on numerous factors. For instance when the tides occur during the time of storm surge, the intensity and direction of movement of the tropical system and which quadrant of the storm passes over your area.

"The clearest telltale sign (of potential storm surges) is the Bermuda Weather Service forecasting a tropical system to be in, or passing by, our area," she also warns. "Remember that storm surge can affect us even though the tropical system centre is hundreds of miles away from Bermuda."

"Physical signs (of storm surge) include higher tides and a foam or froth on sea surface," she explains. "As the system nears battering waves will join the higher seas. The Bermuda Weather Services' Meteorologists reference ocean buoys that record wave and sea heights in a few places in the Atlantic Ocean as to which areas will be affected.

"Each system is different thus I highly advise the public to keep on top of the weather updates," she advises. "And to prepare their property as best as they can then before the storm and arrange to stay with friends or family at an inland location until it is safe to return to their property."

Given Bermuda's proximity to open ocean the island is almost constantly at threat to storm surge but Ms Zuill says it is hurricane activity that poses the greatest danger.

"Winter gales and storms that peak during high tide can also have an effect on waterfront property, depending on the wind strength and direction. The lower the pressure at the centre of the system, the greater the storm surge," she explains. "By definition it only has to be a 'low pressure system' that causes storm surge, but in order to experience the effects we normally associate with storm surge the pressure would need to be very deep, and that difference would be most commonly seen when experiencing the effects of a tropical system."

As was evident by Hurricane Fabian in 2003, storm surges can be dangerous and Ms Zuill suggests paying close attention to watches and warnings and preparing your home and boat well before a warning period and the onset of the weather and sea action associated with a storm. "Please do not be complacent — preparing in advance just makes sense and saves time and worry later!" Ms Zuill warns.

"When Bermuda is in under a Warning for a Hurricane or Tropical Storm stay at home until the all clear is given on the Emergency Broadcast Facility radio station FM 100.1 MHz!" she insists.

During this hurricane season be sure to log onto www.weather.bm, watch the local weather channels on WOW and CableVision or Phone 9773 for the latest tropical information, as well as active watches and warnings.