What happened, forecasters say, is that Charley shrank to a remarkably small inner core of winds that generate the bulk of surge. It also sped up to almost 25 mph, giving the storm less time to push water ashore.

Sooo...should I be concerned with surge, or not? Should I not have recieved even a little surge? Does it matter how large the core is if you get hit by it? I am still confused. I know that charley was extremly small and fast, but that cannot possibly account for the overall lack of surge. And what of the sharp decline in water level? Not that it matters --I am just glad that we diddnt have to worry about surge. However, what about the future. I mentioned a concern with back door hurricanes and tropical storms. When TS Gabrielle (sp?) made landfall a few miles north of here, the water came over the sea wall. The area in which I live floods very easily. Surge scares me more than any aspect of a hurricane --now more than ever. What will it take for a significant surge in my area:
I will be specific
My exact location :
I live in the fourth canal from the far top left. (the image is huge)
http://www.digitalglobe.com/images/charley/punta_gorda_fl_aug14_2004_dg.jpg