Cedar Key is struggling to recover after an 8-foot storm surge submerged much of the coastal town, leaving widespread devastation. One resident kept an eye on her home through a surveillance camera during the storm.

Strong winds around the eye of a hurricane cause ocean water to circulate. As a storm arrives in shallower waters along the coast, the ocean bottom disrupts that circulation and forces water upward and inland. Other influencing factors are the timing of high tide, shape of the sea floor and coast and the angle of the storm's approach.

Hurricane Helene, now a Category 2 storm, is expected to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend area, bringing catastrophic storm surge, damaging winds, and potential severe flooding.

Storm chaser Brandon Clement reported live from Cedar Key, Florida, on the night of Sept. 26 after landfall of Hurricane Helene, showing extreme flooding conditions from storm surge that have surpassed the effects of Idalia.