A uniform asymptotic analysis of unsteady storm surges due to surface winds of the formS(r)exp(—iωt)H(t),,H(t) = Heaviside unit function], near a circular islandr=ais carried out for large times and distances. Assuming that the undisturbed depth ish1(r/a)α forr>a, with α ≥ 0 andh1= constant, some interesting features of the motion are described. These include, amongst others, several characteristics along with a graphical illustration of the asymptotic envelope of the dominant progressive long wave generated.