Tidal flooding in calm weather has moved beyond being an occasional nuisance to a common occurrence in several communities along the East and Gulf Coasts.
Among the areas coping with flooding due to sea level rise are Norfolk, Va., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Charleston, S.C., and Tybee Island, Georgia. Flooding ranges from a few inches to several feet deep, but these events have significant impacts including halting traffic, preventing drainage runoff, submerging lawns, cars, and basements, and fouling fresh water wells with salt and other contaminants. A recent New York Times article notes that land in Norfolk, Va., is slowly sinking, worsening floods there.
Local officials have turned to state and federal governments for guidance and help. Some have asked for billions to pay for flood walls, pumps, and road improvements. To date, Congress has done little to aid vulnerable communities.
The article notes that leading scientists have repeatedly updated their projections on the amount of sea level rise stemming from global warming. In 2013, there was consensus that three feet was the highest plausible rise by the year 2100, but now some researchers say that six or seven feet may be possible.
Related Stories
University Buildings | May 30, 2015
Texas senate approves $3 billion in bonds for university construction
For the first time in nearly a decade, Texas universities could soon have some state money for construction.
Multifamily Housing | May 30, 2015
Energy Department releases resources to assess building energy benchmarking policies, programs
The new handbook demonstrates methodologies using real data from New York City.
Codes and Standards | May 27, 2015
Construction industry concerns with ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule remain
EPA and Corps of Engineers rule may lead to a longer, more expensive permitting process
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
Rapid growth for environmental insurance in construction industry
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is paying closer attention to intrusion of potentially harmful vapors into commercial and residential buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
Roof collapse at Minnesota water park highlights failure to enforce codes
Rural areas say they can’t afford to enforce state-adopted building code.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
U.S. House scuttles EPA plan to expand definition of waters in Clean Water Act
Construction industry officials said the rule would hamper developers, cost jobs.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
First EPD covering PVC water and wastewater piping published
Benchmarks impacts of seven PVC pipe products across their life cycles.
Office Buildings | May 18, 2015
New ASHRAE standard offers test method to determine heat gain of office equipment
The standard will aid engineers in configuring cooling systems in office buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Widespread damage from Nepal earthquake due to poor implementation of building code
Nepal’s code author says destruction was ‘inevitable.’
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Lavish residential skyscrapers prompt concern over shadows
New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston among cities grappling with height regulations.