It is in this portion of the hurricane where tornadoes are most likely to be spawn. The surge of high water topped by waves can be devastating. The stronger the hurricane and the shallower the offshore water, the higher the surge will be. The storm tide is the combination of the storm surge and the normal astronomical tide. Along the immediate coast, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property.
Widespread flooding is caused by heavy torrential rains.
This often exceeds 6 inches of rain in a 4 hour period. Sometimes more than 30 inches of rain fall during a storm's passing. This is the major threat to areas well inland. This rain can produce deadly and destructive floods. Normally small streams and rivers will run backward, pushed back by the flooding of lower ground.