Top 9 States Most Vulnerable to Flooding
Many scientists have predicted a sea level rise of at least one foot within the next century. This would leave nearly 3.9 million American homes at risk of flooding. While you would expect New Orleans, southern Florida and the Manhattan section of New York City to have a great risk of flooding, some other states on this list might be a little more surprising. These states have large populations living less than a meter above sea level. Over the next 100 years the following states are most at risk of devastating floods:
No one knows more about coastal flooding than those living in Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. More than 888,000 people live less than a meter above sea level. By far, this is the largest vulnerable area in the United States.
More than 1.6 million people live less than one meter above sea level on Florida's coast. In the coming years, Florida will most likely have to migrate to higher ground to avoid major flooding issues. The bedrock off the coast of Miami makes it nearly impossible to build a sea wall.
When you think of coastal flooding, southern California isn't really at the top of the list. Storms there often push the high tide line 3 feet above sea level, but it rarely goes any higher. Once the predicted one foot rise of sea level occurs however, a lot of development will be at risk for devastating flooding. Areas such as Huntington Beach and Long Beach are at the most risk.
Storm swells could easily devastate Manhattan in the next 100 years, especially since the city escaped Hurricane Irene by one-inch. While Manhattan does have sea walls, those 300,000 people living less than a meter above sea level are still at risk.
While New Jersey only has about 67 square miles of dry land at risk, more than 154,000 people live in that area. This puts the Garden State towards the top of the list of states most at risk for flooding.
About 75,000 people live in Virginia's 120 square miles of low-lying dry land. The city of Norfolk is most at risk.
Hurricane Hugo hit downtown Charleston in 1989. Five-foot high walls of water damaged 3/4 of the homes located in the historic district. Therefore, this area is extremely vulnerable to flooding, especially if the sea level rises anymore. About 60,000 residents live in dangerous low-lying areas.
Although North Carolina has largely avoided major damage in recent years, the state is still prone to hurricanes. With 58,000 people living in the risky area, the danger of flooding makes the list of top places in the US most vulnerable to flooding.
While only about 32 square miles of Massachusetts is vulnerable to flooding, its a dense area with about 52,400 people at risk.
While all coastal areas are at a slight risk, some areas are more prone to flooding than others. Big Bags USA is here to help all areas, coastal or other, be prepared for an emergency flooding situation. By having our innovative flood barrier systems on hand, you have an easy and effective flood mitigation solution right at your fingertips. Contact us today at 800-337-0537 for more information.
Source: http://www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/10-states-most-at-risk-of-flooding
1. Louisiana
No one knows more about coastal flooding than those living in Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. More than 888,000 people live less than a meter above sea level. By far, this is the largest vulnerable area in the United States.
2. Florida
More than 1.6 million people live less than one meter above sea level on Florida's coast. In the coming years, Florida will most likely have to migrate to higher ground to avoid major flooding issues. The bedrock off the coast of Miami makes it nearly impossible to build a sea wall.
3. California
When you think of coastal flooding, southern California isn't really at the top of the list. Storms there often push the high tide line 3 feet above sea level, but it rarely goes any higher. Once the predicted one foot rise of sea level occurs however, a lot of development will be at risk for devastating flooding. Areas such as Huntington Beach and Long Beach are at the most risk.
4. New York
Storm swells could easily devastate Manhattan in the next 100 years, especially since the city escaped Hurricane Irene by one-inch. While Manhattan does have sea walls, those 300,000 people living less than a meter above sea level are still at risk.
5. New Jersey
While New Jersey only has about 67 square miles of dry land at risk, more than 154,000 people live in that area. This puts the Garden State towards the top of the list of states most at risk for flooding.
6. Virginia
About 75,000 people live in Virginia's 120 square miles of low-lying dry land. The city of Norfolk is most at risk.
7. South Carolina
Hurricane Hugo hit downtown Charleston in 1989. Five-foot high walls of water damaged 3/4 of the homes located in the historic district. Therefore, this area is extremely vulnerable to flooding, especially if the sea level rises anymore. About 60,000 residents live in dangerous low-lying areas.
8. North Carolina
Although North Carolina has largely avoided major damage in recent years, the state is still prone to hurricanes. With 58,000 people living in the risky area, the danger of flooding makes the list of top places in the US most vulnerable to flooding.
9. Massachusetts
While only about 32 square miles of Massachusetts is vulnerable to flooding, its a dense area with about 52,400 people at risk.
While all coastal areas are at a slight risk, some areas are more prone to flooding than others. Big Bags USA is here to help all areas, coastal or other, be prepared for an emergency flooding situation. By having our innovative flood barrier systems on hand, you have an easy and effective flood mitigation solution right at your fingertips. Contact us today at 800-337-0537 for more information.
Source: http://www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/10-states-most-at-risk-of-flooding
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
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