The Hipboot Tour: Maps of Coastal Inundation

Based on research recently conducted in Greenland and the Antarctic, scientists now think global sea levels could rise up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) -- or more -- this century, with sea level continuing to rise thereafter, should warming trends continue. This revised estimate is due mainly to the observed increased rate of ice sheet discharge into the oceans. It is possible the east coast of the U.S. will experience even more sea level rise (8-16 inches) due to the build up of water from Cape Cod to the Chesapeake caused by the slowing of the Gulf Stream. The map sets below show areas vulnerable to a rise in sea level in the cities of Portland (Maine), Philadelphia, Tampa and Miami. If you would like print-quality pdf files of any of the maps, please write to bburtis@cleanair-coolplanet.org.  

More about the Hipboot Tour here.

Download a summary of Phase 1 (pdf).

Philadelphia  |  Portland  |  Tampa  |  Miami

Wilmington  | Norfolk  |  Hampton  |  Chesapeake

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Philadelphia.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Philadelphia.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Philadelphia.

 

 

PORTLAND, MAINE

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Portland, Maine.

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Portland with 2.6-foot storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Portland.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Portland with 2.6-foot storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Portland with 2.6-foot storm surge.

TAMPA, FLORIDA

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Tampa.

Area at risk of inundation from a 1-meter (3.3 feet) sea level rise in Tampa with a 3-foot storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Tampa.

Area at risk of inundation from a 2-meter (6.6 feet) sea level rise in Tampa with a 3-foot storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from a 50cm (20 inches) sea level rise in Tampa.

Area at risk of inundation from a 50cm (20 inches) sea level rise in Tampa with a 3-foot storm surge.

MIAMI, FLORIDA

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Miami.

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Miami with a 17-inch storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Miami.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Miami with a 17-inch storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Miami.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Miami with a 17-inch storm surge.

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Wilmington, NC.

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Wilmington with 2.8-foot storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Wilmington, NC.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Wilmington with 2.8-foot storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Wilmington, NC.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Wilmington with 2.8-foot storm surge.

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Norfolk, VA.

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Norfolk, VA with 1.6-meter (5.2 feet) storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Norfolk, VA.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Norfolk, VA with 1.6-meter (5.2 feet) storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Norfolk, VA.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Norfolk, VA with 1.6-meter (5.2 feet) storm surge.

HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Hampton, NH.

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level in Hampton, NH with 1.2-foot storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Hampton, NH.

Area at risk of inundation from 2-meter (6.6 feet) rise in sea level in Hampton, NH with 1.2-foot storm surge.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Hampton, NH.

Area at risk of inundation from 50cm (20 inches) rise in sea level in Hampton, NH with 1.2-foot storm surge.

CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION

Area at risk of inundation from 1-meter (3.3 feet) rise in sea level with a storm surge in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

 

 

 

 

Information Basis for Coastal Inundation Maps

Stratus Consulting Inc. of Boulder, Colorado* prepared the inundation maps for several scenarios (e.g., 50 centimeters, 1 meter, 2 meters). The maps depict the vulnerability to sea level rise for each scenario shown on the map relative to the average spring high water elevation over the tidal epoch (1983-2001).

The sea level rise scenarios shown reflect areas at risk of inundation based on modeled elevation alone. They do not take into account adaptation measures such as shoreline armoring that could, in some cases, prevent specific low-lying areas from being flooded. Additionally, the maps do not depict isolated inland areas below modeled sea level, which could become inundated as the water table rises.

Elevation data used in this analysis are from the highest quality data sets that are publicly available from the U.S. Geologic Survey (Gesch, 2007; Gesch et. al., 2002) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Titus and Wang, 2008; Jones and Wang, 2008).

See the entire statement here.

*Stratus Consulting Inc. of Boulder, CO, is an environmental consulting firm that does work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency among many other government and academic clients (see www.stratusconsulting.com).