Sea-Level Rise Along Southeastern U.S. Accelerates, Increasing Flood Risks

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that sea levels along the Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic Coast of the United States have risen at an alarming rate of 1 centimeter per year since 2010, nearly double the global average.

This equates to almost 5 inches of rise over the last 12 years, posing significant risks to millions of Americans living in coastal cities.

“This is a window into the future,” said Sönke Dangendorf, a co-author of the study and assistant professor at Tulane University.

The accelerated rise is attributed to regional factors like ocean currents and thermal expansion, signaling severe challenges for infrastructure and housing along these vulnerable coasts.

The heightened water levels have also exacerbated the impact of recent hurricanes, as noted in a related study in the Journal of Climate.

Researchers found that higher sea levels intensified storm surges during hurricanes like Michael in 2018 and Ian in 2022. Hurricane Ian, for instance, resulted in record-high water levels, contributing to extensive damage and the loss of 109 lives in Florida.

These findings underscore the urgent need for resilience measures and climate adaptation strategies as coastal communities face increasing threats from rising seas and extreme weather events.