Response of Florida Atlantic shelf waters to Hurricane David

Water level data, bottom pressures and temperature, and current records are used to document the response to Hurricane David of inner and middle shelf waters along the Atlantic coast of Florida. Available data records extend from well before the storm to well after its passage on September 3, 1979, to put hurricane effects in proper perspective. Highest water levels recorded in the Fort Pierce Inlet nearby indicate values about 60 cm above normal high water levels. Bottoms pressure fluctuations corrected for atmospheric pressure variations suggest a storm surge over the inner shelf of approximately 100 cm above the normal high water mark. Long shore current components over both the inner and the middle shelf rise briefly to about twice the normal maximum speeds.