In the United States, approximately 53% of the population lives near the coast. Thermal expansion of the oceans and mountain glacier melting are the greatest contributors to present sea level rise. Continued global climate change could increase the intensity and frequency of storms along the East Coast, causing serious flooding. Damages to coastlines and infrastructure found there, in addition to fatalities, could increase.
New York City has over 600 miles of coastline3. Its infrastructure is closely connected to the coastal areas — highways, subways, tunnels, sewage, sanitation facilities, power plants and factories are all located adjacent to waterways. Severe flooding with increased frequency could flood the FDR Drive, the West Side Highway, West Street, Battery Park, sections of East Harlem, Coney Island and entire neighborhoods in Staten Island. Almost the entire subway system in NYC is underground and is potentially vulnerable to flooding as well.
Hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to public works and private property in NYC have been caused by storms and storm surges. In addition, already-fragile ecosystems have been stressed drastically by these storms. Nor’easters do the most damage to the metropolitan area — striking on average 1 – 2 times per year, with severe storms causing major flooding every 40-50 year4. Hurricanes strike less frequently, but often leave greater damage in their wake. Responses funded at the public level have included beach re-nourishment, rebuilding coastal infrastructure (boardwalks, parks, docks, residential and commercial buildings, and groins off local beaches) and repairing or replacing public works (highways, tunnels, sanitation systems, and public transit).
REad more at the GISS Institue on Climate and Planets
