Extreme Water Levels During Hurricane Ian

Satellite image of Hurricane Ian on 9/27/22 after it moved over the northwest coast of Cuba.

Hurricane Ian brought significant storm surge and heavy rain to Florida and the southeastern U.S., resulting in extensive flooding and catastrophic damage.  NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services  (CO-OPS) tracked water levels during the storm in real-time through the CO-OPS’  Coastal Inundation Dashboard  web mapping application. This tool allows users to monitor elevated water level conditions along the coast when a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is issued. CO-OPS’ network of water level stations along the coast captured significant water levels at many locations, providing insight into the devastating impacts that Hurricane Ian had on the communities in its path. The water level observations are also critical for National Weather Service (NWS) hurricane specialists at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) who use the data for storm surge forecast validation in real-time.

Note: The water level data presented here are preliminary and may be subject to change following review.

On September 19, NOAA’s NHC began tracking a tropical wave, designated Invest-98L, east of the Windward Islands. The wave developed into Tropical Depression Nine early on September 23rd and 18 hours later intensified into Tropical Storm Ian. Over the next several days, the disturbance moved westward into the southeast Caribbean becoming increasingly organized. Ian reached hurricane strength early on September 26 and after a period of rapid intensification, made landfall in western Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane the next day. Although Ian weakened slightly as it traveled over land, the hurricane continued strengthening as it traveled over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida.

NOAA's National Hurricane Center on Twitter

The morning of September 28, as Hurricane Ian was approaching the western coast of Florida, the NHC estimated that the hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extended outward up to 175 miles – an indicator of the size of the storm and the extent of coastline that would soon be impacted. At 19:05 UTC, Ian made landfall along the southwestern coast of Florida near Cayo Costa as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained wind speeds of 150 mph. It was tied for the 5th strongest storm to make a U.S. landfall based on wind speed.

Satellite image of Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022 by NOAA's GOES-16.

Preliminary peak observed water levels above MHHW (ft) during Hurricane Ian.  MHHW  (mean higher high water) represents the average highest tides observed each tidal day over a specific period at a location.

Hurricane Ian resulted in both record high and low water levels. To the south of the hurricane’s eye along the west coast of Florida, significant preliminary peak water levels were measured including:

  •  8725520 Fort Myers, FL  (est. 1965) - 7.26 feet above MHHW. This was a new station record surpassing the previous record during Hurricane Gabrielle (2001).
  •  8725110 Naples, Gulf of Mexico, FL  (est. 1965) - ≥ 6.18 feet above MHHW. Naples Pier, where the station is located, was severely damaged during the hurricane and communication was lost with the station so it is likely the water levels were higher. The last measured height was a new record for the station surpassing the previously held record during Hurricane Irma (2017).
  •  8724580 Key West, FL  (est. 1913) - 2.46 feet above MHHW. This was the 3rd highest at this station, behind Hurricane Wilma (2005) and Hurricane Irma (2017).
  •  8723970 Vaca Key, Florida Bay, FL  (est. 1971) - 2.31 feet above MHHW. This was the 3rd highest at this station, behind Hurricane Wilma (2005) and Hurricane Irma (2017).

Observed water level during Hurricane Ian

Storm surge in Ft. Myers Beach during Hurricane Ian. Credit: Max Olson / Live Storms Media

CO-OPS lost connection with the water level station on Naples Pier during Hurricane Ian. The pier was severely damaged during the storm as can be seen in this aerial imagery collected by NOAA's National Geodetic Survey on September 30, 2022.

Credit: Travis Delashmet

Preliminary minimum water levels below MLLW (ft) during Hurricane Ian.  MLLW  (mean lower low water) represents the average lowest tides observed each tidal day over a specific period at a location.

North of the center, the circulation of Hurricane Ian pushed water out of Tampa Bay resulting in preliminary low water level records in the region including:

  •  8726674 East Bay, FL  (est. 2019) - 5.67 feet below MLLW. This was a new record minimum water level at this location surpassing one set during Hurricane Irma on Sep 11, 2017 at the station this one replaced.
  •  8726520 St. Petersburg, FL  (est. 1948) - 3.94 feet below MLLW. This was a new record minimum water level surpassing one set during Hurricane Irma on Sep 11, 2017.
  •  8726607 Old Port Tampa, FL  (est. 1999) - ≤ 2.88 feet below MLLW. The actual water level was lower, but the station equipment ran dry. This observation was a new record minimum water level surpassing one measured on Dec 15, 2004.
  •  8726384 Port Manatee, FL  (est. 1999) - 2.39 feet below MLLW. New record minimum water level surpassing one measured on Jan 3, 2008.
  •  8726724 Clearwater Beach, FL  (est. 1973) - 2.38 feet below MLLW.

Observed water level during Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian weakened as it moved across the Florida peninsula, but as it emerged off the northeastern Florida coast on September 29 it was still at tropical storm strength.

A few hours later, Ian strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it moved north.

On September 30 at 18:00 UTC, Ian made landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina.

NOAA's National Hurricane Center on Twitter

On September 30 at 18:00 UTC, Ian made landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina.

Notable preliminary water level records from north to south include:

Observed water level during Hurricane Ian

More Information about CO-OPS

NOAA's  Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services  is the authoritative source for accurate, reliable, and timely tides, water levels, currents and other oceanographic information. For more information, please see below or  contact us .

Satellite image of Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022 by NOAA's GOES-16.

Preliminary peak observed water levels above MHHW (ft) during Hurricane Ian.  MHHW  (mean higher high water) represents the average highest tides observed each tidal day over a specific period at a location.

Observed water level during Hurricane Ian

Credit: Travis Delashmet

Preliminary minimum water levels below MLLW (ft) during Hurricane Ian.  MLLW  (mean lower low water) represents the average lowest tides observed each tidal day over a specific period at a location.

Observed water level during Hurricane Ian

Observed water level during Hurricane Ian