Global warming has raised global sea level about 8 inches since 1880 while rising seas dramatically increase the odds of damaging floods from storm surges. In fact, a Climate Central analysis found that the odds of worse floods occurring by 2030 are on track to double or more for widespread areas of the U.S.
In conjunction with this year's Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit at the Broward County Convention Center on Nov. 7, research organization Climate Central will unveil its new sea-level rise tool for Florida. As the official media sponsor for the event, WLRN has been given exclusive permission to release it a day early in order for the public to try out its robust features.
RELATED: WLRN Special Report: Sea-Level Rise In South Florida
The Surging Seas Risk Finder tool allows anyone to search the state of Florida by zip code and determine sea-level rise threats to population, property, schools, churches and sewage plants, to name just a few. The tool was created for planners and policy makers, showing the risk that Florida towns face by rising seas and flooding.
Using the tool, Climate Central found that $76 billion of Florida property sits on land less than two feet above the high tide line.
“Within less than the term of a 30-year mortgage, sea-level rise could cause floods this high to occur once every five years, or even every year, depending where you are in the state,” according to Benjamin Strauss, Climate Central’s vice president for Climate Impacts and director of the Program on Sea Level Rise.
Click here to use the Surging Seas Risk Finder.
Climate Central surveys and conducts scientific research on climate change and informs the public of key findings.
