Before sea level rise can permanently claim land its presence will be felt through higher and more frequent coastal floods caused by storm surges. Climate Central's September report, Washington, D.C. and the Surging Seas, makes predictions for potential record flooding along the Potomac River in the coming years based on local sea level rise projections of up to 4.0 feet by 2100 (based on sea level rise in 2012).
Currently, the region's record observed flood is 7.9 feet above the local high tide line. By 2100 floods exceeding today's record, up to 10 feet above the current local high tide line, may become annual events.
1,350 acres of land, $4.6 billion in property value, and 1,400 people reside less than 6 feet above the high tide line in Washington D.C. These figures increase to
2,500 acres of land, $9 billion in property value, and 4,833 people residing less than 10 feet above the high tide line. In addition, 46 miles of road, 4 military facilities, 1 hospital, 3 museums, and 1 power plant are on land less than 10 feet above the high tide line.
Check out the Surging Seas Risk Finder, it offers easy navigation and visualization of analysis results from Climate Central's report. It includes, an interactive map of sea level and flood risk zones, projected forecasts, analysis of exposed population, assets, and infrastructure, and more.
Read Climate Central's full report: Washington, D.C. and the Surging Sea
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