Residents of Siesta Key take stock of flooded homes and businesses just hours after up to seven feet of storm surge washed through the island.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you hear the words hurricane or tropical storm you probably think of damaging winds, heavy rain, the eyewall, and flash flooding. However, storm surge is often overlooked as the most dangerous impact in a tropical system.

Hurricane Helene's staggering storm surge inundated neighborhoods on Siesta Key, leaving businesses and residents with a long road to recovery.