US Tsunami-Prone Areas: Map Shows Rising Sea Levels 'Hazard Zones'

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has revealed a US map that shows areas in the country that have the highest risk of tsunamis and flooding as rising sea levels persist.

Rising Sea Levels

With ocean and temperatures all over the world increasing due to climate change, the waters are also creeping higher due to the melting of glaciers and polar ice caps.

Across the US, sea levels by the coasts are thought to go up by around 10 to 12 inches on average in the next three decades. A potential worst-case scenario would be worth seven feet in 2100, which could happen if high emissions persist. With rising sea levels, coastal flooding severity and frequency could also go up. This is especially during surges of storms linked to hurricanes and severe weather events. This could trigger flooding that is more extensive.

Rises in sea levels could lead to a grave coastal flooding shift in the coming three decades by causing the heights of tide and storm surges to go up and to go further inland. In 2050, moderate and typically damaging flooding could occur over 10 times as frequent as today. Local factors could further intensify this.

Hazard Zones in the US

The map shows the US areas that are at risk of flooding due to different hazards. These range from tsunamis and storm surges to sea level rise and high tide flooding.

In the map, red areas pertain to those with higher presence of flood hazard zones, while yellow areas have fewer of these zones.

David Betenbaugh, a senior geospatial analysis from the Office for Coastal Management at NOAA, explains that the Coastal Flood Hazard Composite layer was devised through combining flood zones based on various flood hazard datasets, such as FEMA flood zones, sea level rises, hurricane storm surges, and tsunamis. There are also different variables that affect flood risk, such as elevation, location, shoreline shape, and nearshore characteristics, among others.

The coastline of Louisiana and eastern Texas is particularly at risk, as massive areas of yellow and red regions stretch further inland. Between New Orleans and Houston, the US map reveals that the coast has a large risk of high tide flooding, storm surges due to hurricanes, and sea level rise equivalent to three feet.

Moreover, Florida's Northeastern, South, and West coasts also appear to contain huge areas of red zones, with yellow areas that stretch inland. Floria and the Keys' southernmost tip is notably red, having several flood hazards, such as hurricane storm surges and sea level rises that could go as high as three feet.

The Carolinas also appear to be at risk, as there are wide patches in their coastline that are covered in red in the map. This covers areas that especially surround Charlestown and that are close to Pamlico Sound and Albermarle.

There are also large stretches in Long Island, especially on its southern coast, that are coated with yellow and red. The same is the case for Los Angeles, with red areas found along its coastline. The Bay Area also has vast dark orange amounts and a huge yellow chunk that goes up to Sacramento.

These areas are directly threatened by flooding and rising sea levels. This could potentially result in property damages, large population displacement, and straining resources and social services. It could also yield vast economic impacts, such as insurance costs, infrastructure damage, and lost revenue. Coastal tourism could also be hit quite badly.

Rising sea levels could also lead to the submergence of wetlands and other areas that lie, resulting in crucial ecosystem loss. Such ecosystems typically have important roles in supporting various wildlife.

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