Coastal flooding

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1950- High tide flooding, by year - NOAA tide gauges (U.S.)

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Hurricane Carol Storm Surge in color 1954

October 17 2016 sunny day tidal flooding at Brickell Bay Drive and 12 Street downtown Miami, 4.34 MLLW high tide am

Holland Island house

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Coastal flooding is a natural disaster that occurs when water from the ocean inundates land areas near the coast. This phenomenon is typically caused by a combination of factors including storm surges, high tides, and sea level rise due to climate change. Coastal flooding can lead to significant damage to infrastructure, loss of habitats, and can adversely affect human populations living in coastal regions.

Causes

The primary causes of coastal flooding are:

• Storm Surge: An abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tides. Storm surges are caused by the strong winds of a storm pushing water towards the shore, which can lead to severe flooding in coastal areas.

• High Tides: Also known as king tides, these are exceptionally high tides that occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are aligned, and their combined gravitational pull on the Earth's oceans is the strongest. High tides can exacerbate the effects of storm surges and lead to flooding.

• Sea Level Rise: A long-term increase in the average level of the world's oceans. Sea level rise is primarily caused by two factors related to global warming: the added water from melting ice caps and glaciers, and the expansion of seawater as it warms. The gradual increase in sea levels increases the risk of coastal flooding, particularly during high tides and storm events.

Impacts

The impacts of coastal flooding are wide-ranging and can include:

• Damage to Infrastructure: Flooding can damage buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, leading to costly repairs and reconstruction efforts.

• Economic Losses: The economic impact of coastal flooding can be significant, affecting local economies, disrupting businesses, and leading to loss of income for affected communities.

• Environmental Damage: Coastal flooding can lead to the loss of coastal habitats, such as mangroves and wetlands, which are crucial for biodiversity and act as natural barriers against flooding.

• Human Displacement: In severe cases, coastal flooding can lead to the displacement of populations, as homes are destroyed and areas become uninhabitable.

Mitigation and Adaptation

Efforts to mitigate and adapt to coastal flooding include:

• Flood Barriers and Sea Walls: Structures designed to prevent ocean waters from inundating coastal areas.

• Beach Nourishment: The process of adding sand or sediment to beaches to combat erosion and provide additional protection against storm surges and rising sea levels.

• Wetland Restoration: Restoring wetlands can provide natural barriers against coastal flooding and help absorb storm surges.

• Climate Change Mitigation: Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can help slow sea level rise and reduce the long-term risk of coastal flooding.

• Emergency Preparedness: Developing and implementing emergency response plans can help communities respond more effectively to flooding events.

See Also

• Climate Change
• Natural Disasters
• Storm Surge
• Sea Level Rise