It Begins: Increased flooding, accelerated sea-level rise in Miami since 2006

By The Watcher | – –

A new study found that Miami Beach flood events have significantly increased over the last decade due to an acceleration of sea-level rise in South Florida.

The study, made by researchers from the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, analyzed tide and rain-gauge records, media reports, insurance claims, and photos of flooding events on Miami Beach and in Miami since 2006. 

The results showed that the flooding frequency in Miami Beach has significantly increased after 2006 mainly due to increasing number of high-tide flooding events. The increased flooding frequency coincides with acceleration in the rate of sea-level rise in South Florida. The average rate of sea-level rise increased by 6 millimeters per year over the last decade – from 3 millimeters per year before 2006 to 9 millimeters per year after 2006.

The study also provides new evidence that connects the weakening of the Gulf Stream with sea-level rise along the US Atlantic coast.

Annual flooding occurrence in Miami Beach between 1998-2013 indicating a significant increase in tide flooding events (green) since 2006. Credit: Shimon Wdowinski, Ph.D.

Florida is one of the most vulnerable areas to sea-level rise in the US due to its low elevation, large population concentrations, and economic importance. Accelerated rates of sea-level rise have caused a significant increase in flooding frequency in several coastal communities in Florida.

Researchers suggest that regional sea-level projections should be used in place of global projections to better prepare for future flood hazards in the region.

Source: UM/RSMAS

Reference:

  • "Increasing flooding hazard in coastal communities due to rising sea level: Case study of Miami Beach, Florida" – Shimon Wdowinskia, Ronald Braya, Ben P. Kirtmana, Zhaohua Wub – June 2016 issue, Vol. 126 – Ocean and Coastal Management – doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2016.03.002

Via The Watchers

Republished under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

—-

Related video added by Juan Cole:

The Atlantic: “Is Miami Beach Doomed?”

5 Responses

  1. Obviously it’s a plot. Concocted by those elitists in their scientific ivory towers to make the deniers look more foolish.

  2. The irony of global climate collapse is those who actively forestalled mitigation of this certainty for at least three decades will not be the first to lose their property and forced into the MIGRATIONS to come.

    The massive multi-decade conspiracy of misinformation and lie of omission aka DUPED INTO DENIAL, may be the greatest crime in Earth’s history.

    Only dangerous criminal psychopaths would endeavor this outcome.

    • The initial casualties will be among the people of Bangladesh and the Pacific Islanders, but shortly thereafter the water will begin lapping at the back doors of the wealthy in Malibu, Florida Keyes and the islands of Cape Cod. My guess is that there will be a lot more interest in doing something about it then. Hopefully it won’t be too late. I’m not optimistic.

Your thoughts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

?Some HTML is OK