Sea Level Rise is one of the most feared potential outcomes of climate change. As the Earth’s climate continues to change, ocean levels may rise and flooding may become more severe. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) estimates that seas are rising at approximately 1/8″ per year.
The two major causes of global sea-level rise are thermal expansion caused by warming of the ocean (since water expands as it warms) and increased melting of land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets. Higher sea levels mean that storm surges can push even further inland, while nuisance flooding – like those caused by king tides – can increase in frequency.
Property owners and municipalities both need to be aware of how Sea Level Rise Affects them so they can prepare and plan accordingly.
HazardHub’s Sea Level Rise database provides the impact for between 1 foot and 10 feet of Sea Level Rise.
