Rising tides are closing in on Sullivan’s Island, and town leaders are racing to stay ahead of the water. WCBD News 2 shared the latest update on the island’s long-term flood mitigation plan.
What’s happening?
Sea levels in Charleston, South Carolina, have been rising by about 3.51 millimeters every year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This means water levels around Sullivan’s Island are rising faster than the global average of 3.3 mm per year, a figure reported by NASA.
In fact, researchers at NOAA estimate that by 2050, sea levels in the area could rise by roughly 14 to 18 inches. Local factors, such as land subsidence — the gradual sinking of land — also contribute to this rise.
As sea levels continue to rise, the region could face up to 115 days of high-tide flooding per year by 2050, compared with approximately 12 days this year, as projected by NOAA.
Why is this issue concerning?
What’s happening on Sullivan’s Island shows what other low-lying areas may face next — rising seas and stronger storms reshaping entire communities…