Issue Area

Coastal Resilience

Overview

Sea level rise and the increasing frequency and strength of severe weather events have become major challenges for coastal communities, where flooding has caused billions of dollars in damage to both natural and built infrastructure.

Building off of federal programs like NOAA’s Coastal Zone Management Act, which provides matching funds to states and local governments to develop coastal protection programs, many state legislatures have instituted task forces focused specifically on creating resilient coastlines. These projects include flood and storm-resilient infrastructure, impeding coastal erosion, and rebuilding, protecting, and preserving natural flooding buffers like wetlands.

NCEL Point of Contact
Alissa Weinman

Ocean Program Manager

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Key Facts

As sea levels rise, it increases the intensity and impacts of storm surges, which is flooding caused by extreme weather events like hurricanes.

The coast is home to 40% of the U.S. population with more than $1 trillion worth of property located within 700 feet of the ocean.

Coastal ecosystems can also provide cheaper and more effective shoreline protection than sea walls. Each year, coral reefs provide an estimated $10.9 billion of flood protection, and mangrove forests provide an average of $65 billion of flood protection.

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Resources

NCEL Resources

Online Resources

New Hampshire’s Coastal Risks and Hazards Commission

Includes recommendations and other useful resources.

Go to resource
NOAA’s Climate Change Indicators: Coastal Flooding

Highlights the increase in flooding incidents over the past 50 years, especially in the mid-Atlantic.

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EPA’s Coastal Wetlands

Provides detailed information about the rate of wetlands loss and the value of these ecosystems.

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NOAA’s Sea-Level Rise Modeling Tool

Simulates sea level rise up to six feet above current levels.

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