Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

Storm surge is a rapid rise in sea level that is caused by strong wind and changes in air pressure during a storm. Option A, heavy rainfall, may contribute to flooding, but it is not the primary cause of storm surge. Option B, snowmelt, is not a direct cause of storm surge as it does not occur during a storm. Option D, river overflow, can lead to flooding but is not the cause of storm surge which specifically refers to a rapid rise in sea level. Therefore, option C is the correct answer as high wind and changes in air pressure are key factors that lead to the formation of a storm surge.