Hurricane Irene: Storm Surge Will Hit Brooklyn - UPDATED Saturday p.m.

The odds of Brooklyn waterfront experiencing storm surged has increased to 100 percent.

FEMA warns that the greatest potential for loss of life related to a hurricane is from the storm surge.

Storm surge is water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of a strong storm or hurricane, such as the rapidly-approaching Hurricane Irene. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to flood roads, homes and critical infrastructure.

Compare the National Hurricane Center's storm surge probability map above, calculated Saturday at 4 p.m., with the one below, calculated Thursday.

The areas that are now in the purple zone -- Bay Ridge, Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach, Coney Island, parts of Red Hook and Gowanus, (lower) Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Vinegar Hill, the Navy Yard, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Brighton Beach  -- have a 100 percent probability of getting at least two feet of storm surge. They have a 40 -50 percent chance of four feet of storm surge. This is double the amount of storm surge calculated Thursday.

The reddish-purple areas -- Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach and most of the Rockaways -- have an 80 - 90 percent probability of at least two feet of storm surge.They have a 30 -50 percent probability of at least four feet of storm surge.

The small green areas near Gowanus and part of Red Hook have a 10 - 30 percent chance of at least two feet of storm surge.

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Storm Surge Probabilities Calculated Thursday, August 25

The map above shows the storm surge probabilities for the area as calculated at 5 p.m. Thursday evening.

Check with NOAA's storm surge calculator as the Hurricane Irene approaches to see if your neighborhood is in danger from storm surge.

More here:

Things You Need to Buy Before the Hurricane Hits

Hurricane Irene Prompts Hazardous Weather Outlook in Brooklyn, New York City

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