Within 30 years, coastal flooding from the Gulf of Mexico to the Northeast could occur every few days,according to new research.
By 2045, cities along the mid-Atlantic coastline including Washington D.C. and Annapolis, Md., would experience more than 120 high-tide floods annually, says a study published recently in the journal PLOS ONE. This region of the country is subject to seas rising faster than nearly anywhere else, and its lands are sagging under the weight of geological changes, the report says.
The region now experiences floods that block roads and damage homes about once a month. The new analysis stood out in part because of its focus on impacts that are expected within a generation instead of longer periods.
High-tide flooding will occur less often along the northeastern and Gulf coasts, but is projected to occur more frequently in the decades ahead than is currently the case in some coastal mid-Atlantic cities and towns. Cities including Boston, New York, andNorfolk, Va., are mulling proposals to protect their shorelines and make their communities more resilient.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 19, 2017
Economic impacts of climate change will jump over next two decades
Average annual cost to buildings and infrastructure from eastern storms to rise by $7.3 billion.
Codes and Standards | Jul 18, 2017
Energy modeling yields accuracy within 4%, says new study
Results of the study support the usefulness of the practice.
Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2017
Net Zero Energy rebranded as ‘Zero Energy’
ILF aims to make new certification the sole standard for highest performing buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2017
New York City creates $10 million fund to help women- and minority-owned firms win construction contracts
The money is earmarked for up to $500,000 surety bonds per contract.
Codes and Standards | Jul 12, 2017
New International Building Code allows weather-resistive barriers above 40 feet
Danger of propagating flames now deemed negligible.
Codes and Standards | Jul 10, 2017
New mass plywood panel project moves ahead with federal grant
New material is substitute for concrete and steel in multi-story projects.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2017
Trump ups ante on apprenticeships, gives private sector more room to design them
Initiative aimed at alleviating construction industry worker shortage.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2017
Flawed modeling to blame for green buildings failure to live up to hype on energy efficiency
Explains energy performance gap from expected savings to actual savings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 5, 2017
Research study examines tall timber buildings worldwide
Industry group developing criteria for categorizing wide range of construction approaches to tall timber buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2017
AAMA releases new document on aluminum fenestration and energy efficiency
The free download addresses entrances, storefront framing, curtain walls, windows and skylight fenestration systems.