Will Miami Be Underwater?
Will Miami Ever Flood?
If you're wondering whether or not Miami will be under water, you've come to the right place. We'll discuss the dangers of the King Tide and how the Florida coastline is being eroded.
King Tide floods becoming larger and more damaging
In the United States, flooding from routine tides has gotten worse as global sea levels rise. But in Florida, the effects are already visible. A study found that the number of king tides soared by 400 percent between 2006 and 2016.
King Tides are a natural phenomenon, but they can be more dramatic when there is a storm brewing. Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause an extra influx of water that can flood streets and homes. This is known as a "storm surge" and can be especially damaging when it occurs during a king tide.
Scientists say that when the moon and sun are aligned in the right way, it can generate a king tide. These events occur when the moon is closer to the earth, causing a tidal wave to travel further inland.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, high-tide flooding will become more common in the future. NOAA estimates that by 2050, high-tide flooding will be a regular occurrence in at least 45 to 70 locations across the nation.
Coastal communities like Miami and Jacksonville are taking action to prepare for these events. They are spending tens of millions of dollars to build bigger pipes and install pumps to slow down the flow of water.
Those living along the coast have already been affected by king tides. However, the real damage will come when the hurricanes, tropical storms and other extreme weather events coincide with unusually high tides.
The term "king tides" is often used to describe extremely high tides that can flood low-lying areas of the east and Gulf coasts. It is not a new concept, but one that has been largely overlooked by the research community.
Unlike normal tides, king tides are predictable, and they can be measured in advance by scientists. When the tidal wave is at its greatest, the seas can climb by up to a foot.
Several coastal communities in Florida experienced record levels of high-tide flooding in 2013. Several towns are currently spending millions of dollars on new infrastructure to prevent floods. Some cities are even asking residents to prepare for the disasters that might follow.
Florida coastline from Miami to Cape Canaveral is "critically eroded"
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reports that almost half of the state's beaches are "critically eroded." Having a coastline that is eroded means that structures that are built on the shoreline are at risk. There are many reasons why these areas are vulnerable to erosion.
These include storms, hurricanes, and sea level rise. Increasing sea levels make Florida's beaches more susceptible to flooding. However, there are ways to mitigate the effects of erosion.
To identify eroding beaches, DEP survey crews measure the width of the beach from the high tide line to range monuments. In addition, experts propose transferring sand from inlet dredging to the proximal section of the beach.
Beach nourishment is a common approach to minimizing long-term erosion. For example, the Florida department of environmental protection (DEP) has helped replenish 227 miles of critically eroded beaches. However, 184 miles of critically eroded beaches are still not receiving state assistance.
While Florida does have many beaches that are safe for recreation, there are also some that require re-filling and restoration. When these beaches are damaged, property owners often request emergency permits to protect their property from storms.
The Florida department of environmental protection (DEP) uses the smallest of its three sand-loss surveys to identify areas where damage is imminent. Typically, restoration involves re-filling and dune-restoration projects.
Another source of data is the University of Florida's Beaches and Shores Research Center. It has compiled data on coastal erosion from the 1800s to present. One example of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's most recent report on critical erosion includes tables on the state's erosion areas.
In the 1990s, the length of Florida's eroding shoreline increased from 332 to 356 miles. Despite this growth, there has been little change in the supply of sediment. This has made it hard to determine the rate at which sand is being eroded.
As a result of the 2004 hurricane season, Florida's coastline was among the worst hit in decades. Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew, and Charlie caused widespread damage. Thousands of seaside buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged. Countless homes were lost and millions of dollars worth of beach rebuilding were erased.
Cities in high-risk zone
New York is the most at risk city in the world for flooding, but Seattle and San Francisco are also among the most vulnerable cities. With more than 300 million people in coastal cities by 2050, nearly one billion people will be exposed to greater risks of flooding.
The coastal zones that are most vulnerable to sea level rise (SLR) are those located in the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. These regions are climate-sensitive and have high asset density. This combination makes them a significant target for climate change.
In addition to high societal exposure, these coastal areas have a significant marine-dependent small-scale economy. Furthermore, they face a variety of hazards, including storm surges, groundwater pumping, and sediment starvation. Additionally, settlement trends are causing detrimental impacts on coastal natural resources and ecosystem services. Moreover, inadequate land use planning and building codes have led to a rise in coastal vulnerability.
While the current risk level is estimated to be Moderate, it is not without serious consequences. For example, it has the potential to result in a permanent loss of habitat for human settlements. Similarly, it can cause irreversible damage to the coping capacity of socioecological systems.
Sea level rise may result in an increase in the intensity and frequency of severe weather events. It also increases the likelihood that coastal land will be eroded. Coastal societies have responded to the threat by improving their coastal defenses. However, population growth and the rural exodus have played a part in increasing the vulnerability of coastal populations.
A key factor determining the current risk level is the number of homes at risk. There are currently about 300,000 homes in the United States in high-risk flood zones. Residential construction in these areas is far outpacing new construction in safer areas.
However, the risk will increase over this century in all low-lying coastal areas. This will result in an additional 44 and 39% of the total population at risk of SLR in the Undetectable-Extremely High and Very High risk categories, respectively.
The risk to Resource-Rich Cities is expected to double today's risk level, and could even increase in the upper likely range of RCP8.5. This will lead to substantial damages and economic loss.
