The South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, S.C. has an online map that helps residents visualize the Holy City’s persistent flooding issues.
And provide their own flooding feedback …
The aquarium’s tool “allows people to see which areas are likely to flood as seas rise,” while also letting them “document flooding that’s happening now.”
The tool – which was featured recently by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – also provides estimates as to the number of people, homes and businesses likely to be impacted by steadily escalating sea rise scenarios.
The higher the water … the bigger the impact.
How serious is Charleston’s flooding situation? According to a city report published in February, local sea levels have risen by 1.07 feet since measurements were first taken in 1921.
(Click to view)
(Via: U.S. Coast Guard)
Exacerbating the impact of these rising tides? Storms like Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence, or the 2015 “Floodmageddon.”
“Since October 2015, three major events have caused historic flooding in our streets, businesses, and homes,” the report noted. “If Charleston is to be resilient to future flooding, we must commit to understanding the multi-faceted problem. We know the issue is not only related to sea level rise. The amalgam of causes also includes geography, frequent extreme weather-related events, increased precipitation, higher groundwater tables, antiquated infrastructure, subsidence and more.”
Projections for the coming years are dire, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) predicting another six inches in sea level rise over the coming decade.
“Sea level rise can be difficult to see,” the report noted. “Nonetheless, even a small increase in sea level can exacerbate extreme wet-weather events, tidal flooding, and drainage issues. The combination of these factors is a recipe for significant flooding in our low-lying city, and Charleston has been repeatedly stormed with this reality in the last few years.”
Addressing these flooding issues has emerged as a central issue in the 2019 Charleston mayoral race, in which first-term incumbent John Tecklenburg is facing a host of challengers – including three sitting members of city council.
To check out the aquarium’s flooding tool, CLICK HERE …
-FITSNews
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