Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide. Why evacuate, see THIS PAGE.
Storm Tide: The actual level of sea water resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the storm surge. To see the current tide timetable for a particular area, go to this site.
Collier County Storm Surge Map
Based on the National Hurricane Center's Sea, Lake and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) model.
This map indicates the areas of Collier County that are subject to flood from storm surge from hurricanes. It shows the worst of the worst cases, that would be generated by a storm making landfall in the county from the southwest. It does not show the surge from any particular track, or from all tracks. It does show the worst possible case for any part of the County for each category of tropical storm or hurricane. Exiting and paralleling storms will not generate the surges shown in this map.
It also does not show water depths, which vary depending on the storm strength, site elevation and distance from the coast. In a worst case category three for example, the water would be several feet deep at the category 2-3 boundary, but the ground would only be wet at the category 3-4/5 boundary.
Detailed (street level) surge atlas maps are available at the County EOC. Note that Golden Gate city (indicated by the G on the map) is located entirely within the category three area, meaning it would take a land falling category three hurricane, just north of Naples to push the Gulf of Mexico into that area. A storm making landfall near Everglades City (indicated by the E) would not generate the worst case surge to the north of landfall. In fact a storm making landfall in Gullivan Bay would generate a strong surge at Everglades City (E), but could push the water out at Marco Island (M).
In recorded history, we know of no storm which has flooded the red (category 4/5) area, however that remains a possibility.
For more more information about your risk from storm surge, check your property documentation for site elevation information, then call Collier County Emergency Management at (239) 252-8000 or your local Emergency Management office. Again, storm surge is the added sea water on top of the astronomical tide and does not account for wave action.
More Storm Surge Information.