Tropical cyclone Nargis (Cat. 4) made landfall on May 2, 2008, causing the worst natural disaster in Myanmar's recorded history. Cyclone Nargis struck low-lying coastal plains particularly vulnerable to storm surge flooding. The first independent international reconnaissance team surveyed maximum high water marks, inland inundation, coastal erosion, fatality rates and damage to infrastructure and vegetation by boat and helicopter. The importance of cyclone awareness, education and evacuation plans is highlighted for an area where a successful evacuation is only possible many hours before cyclone landfall. The multi-hazard aspect is analyzed by comparing observations from Cyclone Nargis with the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.