US Coastal Flooding More Frequent Due To Sea Level Rise, Sinking Land

"Flooding is increasing in frequency along much of the U.S. coast, and the rate of increase is accelerating along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts, a team of federal government scientists found in a study released Monday.

The study examined how often 45 tide gauges along the country's shore exceeded National Weather Service flood thresholds across several decades. The researchers found that the frequency of flooding increased at 41 locations. Moreover, they found that the rate of increase was accelerating at 28 of those locations. The highest rates of increase were concentrated along the mid-Atlantic coast.

"We stress that in many areas, the frequency of nuisance flooding is already on an accelerating trajectory, and many other locations will soon follow" if trends in rising sea levels continue, the scientists wrote."

Ryan McNeill reports for Reuters July 28, 2014.