The highest storm surge along the west coast was 5 feet. As I understand, peak forecast surge is default to be the worst case scenario that is unlikely to be the most likely outcome.
Storm surge is enhanced by a number of factors: Lower central pressure of a storm, larger size of a storm, a track perpendicular to the coast, high-tide. So look for these factors to estimate the potential for significant surge.
Milton was not a large storm and its central pressure has risen rapidly due to weakening. The landfall time did not coincide with high tide. These factors have led to a much lower surge height than most people in the general public were told to expect. Terrain might have also played a part.
And it is true that the Category of a hurricane does not necessarily correlate with surge height. Sandy 2012 was a very large Cat 1 storm that brought more than 12 foot of surge to the East Coast.
LakieGD
GET OUTTA HERE AS FAST AS YOU CAN!