As global warming continues at an unprecedented pace, scientists around the world are being forced to adjust their forecasts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its latest report on rising sea levels, and states that by 2050, sea levels across the USA may have risen by an average of 10 to 12 inches.
Which is pretty worrying stuff. For context, that’s roughly the same sea-level rise that has occurred over the past 100 years, but squeezed into the next 30. The increase won’t affect all of the US coast equally because of different land heights, but for the areas it does affect, it could be devastating. Higher sea levels are dangerous because they increase the likelihood and severity of coastal flooding, especially during rainfall and heavy storms.
Of course, when it comes to this kind of data, it’s worth noting a few things. First, that climate change science is inexact and constantly changing. The outcome could be worse or better than expected. Second, that sea-level rise doesn’t necessarily cause places to become submerged. Landforms and flood defenses can prevent that – plus, obviously, humans can build more protection.
Using the NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer, we plugged in the report’s current sea-level rise estimates (10 to 12 inches) by 2050, and selected the ‘vulnerability’ setting. Here were six areas deemed particularly at risk:
Louisiana seaboard
While New Orleans is well protected by a system of levees and flood defenses, the NOAA’s maps show that communities right across the Louisiana seafront could find themselves facing difficulties due to rising sea levels. Areas like Cameron, Garden City, Morgan City and Houma are all highlighted as being at risk.
Washington state
Many of the cities along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and Olympia, could see increased flooding from storms and rainfall. Much of the famously rainy state’s biggest settlements sit either on the seafront or on rivers, which makes them particularly vulnerable to extreme weather.
Southern Florida
People who live across southern Florida, from Miami and Homestead to Key West, Naples and the Everglades: the NOAA report brings worrying news. Much of the coast is low-lying and already prone to hurricanes, storms and other severe weather events. This will worsen over the next 30 years.
Western Oregon
From wildfires to droughts, Oregon is expected to be greatly affected by climate change. With its vast rivers and sea-facing communities, that impact will likely be felt on the western side of the state, too. The map shows that low-lying areas around Florence, Siltcoos Lake, Coos Bay and the Coquille River could be worst affected.
The south-eastern coast
The NOAA report says sea levels on the eastern US coast could rise much more than in the west, posing a threat to the region’s many cities. The likes of Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington and Norfolk, in the southern half of the country, could see huge changes to their seafronts and communities.
Southern California
As the droughts and wildfires of recent years have shown, plenty of southern California is already vulnerable to adverse weather brought on by climate change. And that’s not all. Should no action be taken to defend the coast, severe flooding could also affect communities in and around San Diego like Carlsbad, Mission Bay Park and the San Elijo Lagoon.
Interested in finding out more? Read the full NOAA report here.
In certain parts of the world, the risks are even greater: here are nine cities that could be underwater by 2030.