The East Coast boasts a number of picturesque coastal towns. Rising sea levels could cause frequent tidal flooding for those cities within the next 15 years.
A new report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (USC) studied 52 coastal cities and found higher tides could prove detrimental for at least 30 cities along the Eastern seaboard over the next 15 to 30 years. Higher sea levels, caused by global warming, have led to higher tides, which raises the concern for more tidal flooding.
"High tides matter more today than in decades past because our shores are more highly developed, and because these tides are occurring on top of elevated and rising sea levels," the study's authors wrote.
The study projects those 30 communities will experience tidal flooding more than two dozen times a year by 2030. The greatest frequency of flooding will occur in mid-Atlantic locations. Several New Jersey cities will average 80 to 130 tidal floods a year, while Annapolis and Washington D.C. can expect to average 150 to 200 tidal floods a year.
The numbers jump extensively by 2045. The sea level for many coastal cities will rise by one foot and more than half could see 10 times the amount of tidal floods than they do now.
Many of the coastal communities represent popular tourist destinations. The National Mall in Washington D.C. could be completely underwater by the end of the century, according to a report by Climate Central.
The global sea level rose eight inches from 1880 to 2009. Some cities have seen even greater sea level increases over the last 100 years or so. The sea level at the Battery in New York City rose more than 17 inches since 1856. Baltimore saw its sea level rise by more than 13 inches since 1902 and Boston's rose by more than 10 inches since 1921, according to the USC.
Tidal flooding can wash out city streets and low-lying properties. The saltwater can causes damage to vehicles, homes and other infrastructure. Flooded areas can make transportation almost impossible and leave residents trapped in their homes.
