storm surge
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storm surge
An unusually high flood at sea coasts caused by strong wind. The water is pushed toward the coast, which can lead to severe flooding in coastal areas.
Die Deiche an der Nordseeküste müssen einer schweren Sturmflut standhalten können.
The dikes on the North Sea coast must be able to withstand a severe storm surge.
'Sturmflut' (storm surge) is made up of 'der Sturm' (storm) and 'die Flut' (flood/tide). So it literally describes a flood caused by a storm.
Eine Sturmflut entsteht, wenn starker Wind das Meerwasser gegen die Küste drückt.
A storm surge occurs when strong wind pushes seawater toward the coast.
This noun is often combined with adjectives such as 'schwer' (severe), 'leicht' (minor), or 'historisch' (historic). Typical verbs are 'vor einer Sturmflut warnen' (to warn of a storm surge) or 'eine Sturmflut erwarten' (to expect a storm surge).
Die Nachrichten warnen vor einer schweren Sturmflut an der gesamten Küste.
The news is warning of a severe storm surge along the entire coast.
The word 'Sturmflut' (storm surge) is used almost exclusively in connection with sea coasts, in Germany especially for the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
In Hamburg und an der Nordseeküste sind die Menschen auf Sturmfluten vorbereitet.
In Hamburg and on the North Sea coast, people are prepared for storm surges.
tide / flood
'die Flut' and 'die Sturmflut' can both have to do with high water on the coast. 'Flut' is the general word: it can mean the normal tide, when the sea rises, or also a flood. 'Sturmflut' is more specific. It is caused by strong wind that pushes the sea toward the coast, and it can cause dangerous flooding. The words are easily confused because both sound like a lot of water. If you only mean the normal change between 'Ebbe und Flut' (low tide and high tide), you say 'Flut'. If a storm is the cause, 'Sturmflut' is more precise.
Wegen der Sturmflut mussten viele Menschen die Häuser an der Küste verlassen.
Because of the storm surge, many people had to leave the houses on the coast.
Vor dem Spaziergang am Strand prüfen wir, wann die Flut kommt.
Before our walk on the beach, we check when high tide comes in.