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
| Sep 29, 2011
Illinois Grapples With Definition of ‘Clean’ Construction Debris
The Illinois Pollution Control Board holds hearings this week about construction debris rules proposed by the state Environmental Protection Agency.
| Sep 15, 2011
Alabama Prepares First Statewide Residential Building Code
Following a series of devastating tornadoes that ripped through Alabama on April 27th, the state is preparing to implement the first statewide building code for residential structures.
| Sep 15, 2011
New Label Established For Energy Efficient Doors in UK
The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) has established a labelling program for all types of domestic pedestrian doors.
| Sep 15, 2011
EPA Releases New High-Rise Residential Energy Star Rating
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced an Energy Star rating for multi-family high-rise buildings.
| Sep 15, 2011
Bill Seeks To Spur Stronger Building Codes Nationwide
The Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2011 would provide strong financial incentives for states to adopt and enforce strong building codes.
| Sep 15, 2011
New Federal Law Limits Amount of Formaldehyde in Wood
President Obama signed into law legislation that limits the amount of formaldehyde in wood. The new measure will impact particle board and other composite wood products .
| Sep 12, 2011
Living Buildings: Are AEC Firms up to the Challenge?
Modular Architecture > You’ve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.
| Sep 8, 2011
OSHA issues alert on incorrectly rebuilt circuit breakers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a hazard alert, warning workers and employers of certain Eaton/Cutler-Hammer molded-case circuit breakers that were incorrectly rebuilt.
| Sep 8, 2011
USGBC Streamlines LEED EB: O&M
The Council has reorganized the prerequisite and credit structure of LEED EB: O&M.
| Sep 8, 2011
USGBC: 30 Legislative ‘Wins For Green Building’ So Far In 2011
A mid-year report by the U.S. Green Building Council says that there have been “30 legislative wins for green building” across 22 states in 2011.
