Explore How Isaac's Storm Surge Could Affect Mobile

By Climate Central

Isaac, now a full-fledged hurricane, is forecast to make landfall sometime Tuesday night in the Gulf. The storm’s projected track is taking it in the general direction of New Orleans, which will expose Mobile’s 194,000 residents to a glancing blow. Even so, the city is likely to experience tropical-storm-force winds and drenching rains, along with a storm surge that could reach 3-to-6 feet.

But Isaac’s projected track is somewhat uncertain, and if the hurricane veers more to the north before making landfall, it could score a direct hit on Mobile. If that happens, the storm surge could swell to the 6-12 feet currently forecast for New Orleans.

To explore how different amounts of storm surge could affect Mobile, click on the interactive map above and use the slider to show land exposed below different elevations. It’s important to note that the map, based on Climate Central’s research, shows storm surge on top of high tide; if the surge comes along at a different time, the total inundation will be lower.

The risk for Mobile and other coastal cities all over the nation — and all over the world as well — will keep growing in the future, as climate change continues to drive sea level up as much as 2-6 feet by the end of the century.