Hurricane storm surges, driven by counterclockwise rotation and influenced by size, wind speed, and coastal geography, cause most hurricane fatalities.

Storm surges are the leading cause of fatalities during hurricanes, driven by the storm's counterclockwise rotation that pushes water toward coastlines, especially on the right side. Surge height is influenced by factors like hurricane size, wind speed, and the coastal geography, including bays and inlets. When a storm surge coincides with high tide, its impact is intensified, with extreme surges reaching up to 28 feet above normal levels, excluding wave height.