Coastal Flooding Advisory: Prepare for Rising Waters and Coastal Hazards

Introduction

A coastal flood advisory is issued when there is a threat of coastal flooding above normally dry land areas within the next 24 hours. Coastal flooding can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• High tides: When the tide is unusually high, it can overflow onto land, causing flooding.
• Storm surges: Storm surges are walls of water that can be generated by hurricanes, tropical storms, and other strong storms. They can cause extensive flooding and damage to coastal areas.
• Coastal erosion: Coastal erosion is the wearing away of land by the action of waves and currents. It can lead to flooding by reducing the amount of land that is available to absorb water.

Impacts of Coastal Flooding

Coastal flooding can have a significant impact on coastal communities. It can cause:

• Property damage: Flooding can damage homes, businesses, and other structures.
• Infrastructure damage: Flooding can damage roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
• Economic losses: Flooding can disrupt businesses and lead to lost productivity.
• Health and safety risks: Flooding can contaminate drinking water, spread diseases, and create other health hazards.

Preparing for Coastal Flooding

There are a number of things that you can do to prepare for coastal flooding:

• Stay informed: Monitor weather forecasts and listen to local news for updates on coastal flooding threats.
• Have an evacuation plan: In the event of a coastal flood warning, be prepared to evacuate your home and go to a safe location.
• Protect your property: Elevate your belongings and seal off doors and windows to prevent water from entering your home.
• Stock up on supplies: Have a supply of food, water, and other essential items on hand in case of a flood.
• Be prepared to evacuate: If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.

Recovery from Coastal Flooding

If your home or business has been flooded, it is important to take steps to recover and prevent further damage. These steps include:

• Cleaning up: Remove any floodwater and debris from your home or business.
• Drying out: Open windows and doors to allow your home or business to dry out.
• Inspecting for damage: Inspect your home or business for any damage caused by the flood.
• Making repairs: Make any necessary repairs to your home or business as soon as possible.
• Preventing future flooding: Take steps to prevent future flooding, such as elevating your home or business, installing flood barriers, and planting vegetation to help absorb water.

Additional Resources

• National Hurricane Center
• National Weather Service
• Federal Emergency Management Agency

Coastal Flooding Hazards: Understanding the Risks

Introduction

Coastal flooding is one of the most serious hazards that coastal communities face. It can cause widespread damage and disruption, and even pose a threat to life. In order to protect yourself and your property, it is important to understand the risks of coastal flooding and what you can do to prepare for it.

Types of Coastal Flooding

There are three main types of coastal flooding:

• Tidal flooding: This type of flooding is caused by high tides. It is most common during spring tides, which occur when the moon is full or new.
• Storm surge flooding: This type of flooding is caused by strong winds and low pressure associated with tropical storms and hurricanes. Storm surge flooding can be very destructive, and it can cause significant damage to coastal areas.
• Coastal erosion flooding: This type of flooding is caused by the gradual erosion of coastal land. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including wave action, currents, and sea level rise.

Impacts of Coastal Flooding

Coastal flooding can have a devastating impact on coastal communities. It can cause:

• Property damage: Coastal flooding can damage homes, businesses, and other structures. The damage can be caused by water, wind, and debris.
• Infrastructure damage: Coastal flooding can damage roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. This can disrupt transportation and communication, and it can also make it difficult to evacuate coastal areas during an emergency.
• Economic losses: Coastal flooding can disrupt businesses and lead to lost productivity. This can have a significant impact on the local economy.
• Health and safety risks: Coastal flooding can contaminate drinking water, spread diseases, and create other health hazards. It can also pose a threat to life, particularly for people who are living in low-lying areas.

Preparing for Coastal Flooding

There are a number of things that you can do to prepare for coastal flooding:

• Stay informed: Monitor weather forecasts and listen to local news for updates on coastal flooding threats.
• Have an evacuation plan: In the event of a coastal flood warning, be prepared to evacuate your home and go to a safe location.
• Protect your property: Elevate your belongings and seal off doors and windows to prevent water from entering your home.
• Stock up on supplies: Have a supply of food, water, and other essential items on hand in case of a flood.
• Be prepared to evacuate: If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.

Recovery from Coastal Flooding

If your home or business has been flooded, it is important to take steps to recover and prevent further damage. These steps include:

• Cleaning up: Remove any floodwater and debris from your home or business.
• Drying out: Open windows and doors to allow your home or business to dry out.
• Inspecting for damage: Inspect your home or business for any damage caused by the flood.
• Making repairs: Make any necessary repairs to your home or business as soon as possible.
• Preventing future flooding: Take steps to prevent future flooding, such as elevating your home or business, installing flood barriers, and planting vegetation to help absorb water.

Coastal Flooding Statistics: The Magnitude of the Threat

Introduction

Coastal flooding is a major threat to coastal communities around the world. The number of people living in coastal areas is growing, and this is increasing the risk of flooding. In the United States, for example, the population of coastal counties is projected to grow by 8% by 2020.

Coastal Flooding Frequency

The frequency of coastal flooding is increasing due to a number of factors, including:

• Sea level rise: Sea level rise is causing the ocean to encroach on coastal land, making it more vulnerable to flooding.
• Climate change: Climate change is leading to more frequent and intense storms, which can cause coastal flooding.
• Land use changes: Development in coastal areas is reducing the amount of land available to absorb floodwaters.

Economic Impact of Coastal Flooding

Coastal flooding can have a significant economic impact on coastal communities. The damage caused by coastal flooding can include:

• Property damage: Coastal flooding can damage homes, businesses, and other structures. The damage can be caused by water, wind, and debris.
• Infrastructure damage: Coastal flooding can damage roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. This can disrupt transportation and communication, and it can also make it difficult to evacuate coastal areas during an emergency.
• Business disruption: Coastal flooding can disrupt businesses and lead to lost productivity. This can have a significant impact on the local economy.

Health and Safety Risks of Coastal Flooding

Coastal flooding can pose a threat to health and safety, particularly for people who are living in low-lying areas. Coastal flooding can:

• Contaminate drinking water: Coastal flooding can contaminate drinking water with bacteria and other pollutants. This can lead to waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid fever.
• Spread diseases: Coastal flooding can spread diseases, such as mosquito-borne diseases and respiratory infections.
• Create other health hazards: Coastal flooding can create other health hazards, such as mold and mildew. These can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.

Coastal Flooding Stories: Real-Life Impacts

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina was a Category 5 hurricane that made landfall in Louisiana in 2005. The storm caused widespread flooding in New Orleans and other coastal areas. The flooding caused billions of dollars in damage and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Superstorm Sandy

Superstorm Sandy was a hybrid storm that made landfall in New Jersey in 2012. The storm caused widespread flooding in New York City and other coastal areas. The flooding caused billions of dollars in damage and disrupted the lives of millions of people.

Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Texas in 2017. The storm caused widespread flooding in Houston and other coastal areas. The flooding caused billions of dollars in damage and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Lessons Learned from Coastal Flooding

The stories above are just a few examples of the devastating impact that coastal flooding can have on coastal communities. These stories teach us a number of important lessons, including:

• The importance of being prepared: Coastal flooding can happen at any time, so it is important to be prepared. This includes having an evacuation plan, stocking up on supplies, and protecting your property.
• The need for investments in coastal resilience: Coastal flooding is a threat that is only going to get worse in the future. It is important for coastal communities to invest in coastal resilience measures, such as seawalls, levees, and floodgates.
• The importance of community: Coastal flooding can have a devastating impact on a community, but it can also bring people together. In the aftermath