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Hurricane Storm Surge Simulations Comparing Three-Dimensional With Two-Dimensional Formulations Based On An Ivan-Like Storm Over The Tampa Bay, Florida Region, Robert H. Weisberg, Lianyuan Zheng

Marine Science Faculty Publications

We provide a dynamics‐based comparison on the results from three‐dimensional and two‐dimensional simulations of hurricane storm surge. We begin with the question, What may have occurred in the Tampa Bay, Florida vicinity had Hurricane Ivan made landfall there instead of at the border between Alabama and Florida? This question is explored using a three‐dimensional, primitive equation, finite volume coastal ocean model. The results show that storm surges are potentially disastrous for the Tampa Bay area, especially for landfalls located to the north of the bay mouth. The worst case among the simulations considered is for landfall at Tarpon Springs, such …