sea level rise
Newsletter
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Hurricanes like Francine are more dangerous as the Gulf Coast sinks
Hurricane Francine slammed southern Louisiana with 100 mph winds and an intense storm surge, made worse by climate change and subsidence along the Gulf Coast.
In short:
- Hurricane Francine struck Louisiana as a Category 2 storm, pushing a massive storm surge inland.
- Rising sea levels from climate change and subsidence make future hurricanes more dangerous.
- Scientists found some areas of the Gulf Coast are sinking by more than half an inch annually, exacerbating storm surge risks.
Key quote:
“Once that land surface is lost...that actually loses some of the protective barriers, so the storm surge can move further inland.”
— Ann Jingyi Chen, geophysicist at the University of Texas at Austin
Why this matters:
As subsidence and rising sea levels worsen, Gulf Coast communities face higher risks of flooding and storm surges during hurricanes. Better planning and data collection are critical to mitigate future damage.
Related: LISTEN: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier
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Newsletter
Federal grant requirements overwhelm coastal tribes trying to adapt to climate change
Coastal tribes in the Northwest are struggling to secure federal grants essential for climate adaptation, often bogged down by excessive paperwork and misaligned funding priorities.
In short:
- Northwest coastal tribes must relocate due to rising sea levels but face obstacles in securing federal funding.
- A new report highlights that grant applications are burdensome, diverting critical tribal resources from climate adaptation.
- Tribal leaders emphasize that while funding is available for planning, there’s little for infrastructure needed to implement those plans.
Key quote:
“There’s so many lessons there for other kinds of communities who are going to have to face these same issues in the coming years, and the tribes are doing it first.”
— Meade Krosby, senior scientist at UW
Why this matters:
Coastal tribes are among the first to face the harsh realities of climate change. Their struggle to secure necessary funding not only endangers their communities but also offers vital lessons for future climate adaptation efforts.
Read more:
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Credit: Deborah L Carlson/Unsplash
Alexandria, Va., tackles sewage overflow with massive tunnel project
A $615 million tunnel project in Alexandria, Virginia, is nearing completion, designed to address sewage overflows exacerbated by climate change.
In short:
- Alexandria's new 2.2-mile tunnel will help prevent sewage from overflowing into the Potomac River during storms.
- The project, driven by climate concerns, aims to reduce the current 37-70 annual overflows to less than three by 2026.
- Similar outdated sewer systems exist in 700 other U.S. municipalities, many of which are also working on expensive upgrades.
Key quote:
“This project is a contributor to cleaning up the river and making it swimmable and fishable for future generations of Alexandrians.”
— Matt Robertson, AlexRenew
Why this matters:
Increasing rainfall due to climate change is making sewage overflows more common, threatening water quality and public health. Addressing these issues requires significant investment and planning to adapt infrastructure to new environmental realities.
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Newsletter
Boston and New York take different approaches to stormwater management
Boston and New York City are addressing increasing sewer overflows caused by climate change with contrasting strategies: Boston is separating stormwater from sewage, while New York is investing in green infrastructure.
In short:
- Boston is separating its stormwater and sewage systems to reduce overflow into waterways.
- New York City is implementing green infrastructure like rain gardens and storage tanks to manage stormwater.
- Both cities face high costs and complex logistics in upgrading their aging infrastructure.
Key quote:
“You need the infrastructure to move that 5 inches of water out. And that isn't done by any green infrastructure, that is pipes.”
— John Sullivan, chief engineer, Boston Water and Sewer Commission
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels and intense rainfall due to climate change are overwhelming urban sewer systems, leading to pollution and public health risks. As cities struggle to fund infrastructure improvements, outdated systems pose increasing threats to communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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Coastal erosion in the Outer Banks leads to more homes collapsing into the ocean
A house in Rodanthe, North Carolina, collapsed into the ocean on Friday, highlighting the increasing threat of rising sea levels and erosion caused by climate change.
In short:
- Crashing waves from Hurricane Ernesto accelerated the collapse of an already at-risk home in Rodanthe.
- Rodanthe has lost seven homes to the ocean in the past four years due to erosion and rising sea levels.
- Officials warn that more homes may collapse as storm conditions persist along the Outer Banks.
Key quote:
"The house just sat down in the surf and floated off."
— Robert Outten, Dare County manager
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels and more intense storms are increasingly threatening coastal communities like Rodanthe. Without viable solutions, more homes and ecosystems could face severe damage.
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Credit: Omri D. Cohen/Unsplash
Charleston battles frequent flooding as climate change worsens
Charleston, South Carolina, faces increasing flooding from storms like Tropical Storm Debby, highlighting the city's struggle with climate change's impact on coastal communities.
In short:
- Residents of Charleston, S.C., are experiencing more frequent and severe flooding due to storms exacerbated by climate change.
- The city is implementing infrastructure improvements like tunnels and pump stations to combat rising sea levels and protect against future floods.
- Charleston's average sea level has risen by seven inches since 2010, significantly increasing the frequency of flooding events compared to past decades.
Key quote:
“It's no longer a question of if these storms can happen; we've seen them happen now again and again and again.”
— Jessica Whitehead, executive director of the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience at Old Dominion University
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies, coastal communities like Charleston face heightened flood risks, threatening homes and infrastructure. Understanding and addressing these challenges is vital for resilience and sustainable urban planning in vulnerable areas.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
People are moving to risky areas despite climate dangers
Despite growing climate threats, over 300,000 Americans relocated to flood or fire-prone areas last year, driven by affordability and housing availability in states like Florida and Texas.
In short:
- A Redfin report shows that U.S. counties most vulnerable to floods and fires saw a population increase from July 2022 to July 2023, though some fire-prone areas in California saw a net outflow.
- Rising insurance costs due to increased climate-related disasters are making some areas unaffordable, prompting moves away from places like California's Ventura County.
- Despite risks, affordability and low taxes in Texas and Florida continue to attract residents to these vulnerable areas.
Key quote:
"In this new world, this new regime that we live in, maybe people are changing their behavior a bit."
— Elijah de la Campa, Redfin senior economist
Why this matters:
As climate change exacerbates extreme weather, more Americans face increased risks and financial burdens by moving to vulnerable areas. Understanding these migration patterns helps address the need for improved infrastructure and resilience planning in at-risk communities.
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