US Coastal Cities Will Flood More Often and More Severely, Study Warns

"Researchers took a detailed look at the risks as sea level rises. Their conclusion? Get ready now."

"Cities lining the U.S. coasts should brace for a lot more flooding — from 'nuisance' floods that shut down streets during high tides to deluges that take lives and wipe out infrastructure.

In a new study published Wednesday, researchers from Princeton and Rutgers universities warn that the current flooding predictions, including those widely used by policy makers, don't accurately reflect the frequency and types of floods that are likely to challenge American cities in the coming decades as global temperatures and sea levels rise.

Their research found that major coastal flooding—expected to occur only once every 100 years—will inundate coastal cities an average of 40 times more often by 2050, likely overwhelming the cities' abilities to protect themselves."

Georgina Gustin reports for InsideClimate News June 7, 2017.