Translation guide
A storm surge is a rise in sea level caused by a storm, especially a typhoon or hurricane. In Japanese, it is most commonly expressed with the word 高潮 (たかしお), but related terms exist for different contexts.
The rise in sea water level caused by a storm, often leading to flooding.
A sudden, large wave or surge of water, sometimes used metaphorically.
Literally 'tsunami', but can be used in a figurative sense for a sudden surge. Not the standard term for meteorological storm surge.
高潮 (たかしお) is a storm surge—a rise in overall sea level. 高波 (たかなみ) means high waves. They are different phenomena, though both can occur during a storm.
高潮と高波に注意。
Watch out for storm surge and high waves.
In English, 'storm surge' is sometimes loosely called 'flooding', but in Japanese, 洪水 (こうずい) refers to river flooding or inland flooding, not the coastal surge itself. Use 高潮 for the surge and 浸水 (しんすい) for the resulting inundation.
Please be on alert for storm surges caused by the typhoon.
高潮で沿岸部が浸水した。
Coastal areas were flooded by the storm surge.
Refers to damage caused by a storm surge. Often used in news reports.
高潮被害が拡大しています。
Storm surge damage is spreading.
Do not use 津波 for a meteorological storm surge; it specifically means a seismic sea wave.
そのニュースは津波のような衝撃を与えた。
The news hit like a storm surge.