Do You live in Miami? I hope you can swim!
Flooding events in Miami and its surrounding metropolitan areas have drastically increased over the past decade, according to a recent study by the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The increases in flooding events appear to be a result of sea level rise and the weakening of the Gulf Stream (a powerful current in the Atlantic Ocean). The UM report looked at several factors such as tide and rain gauge records, but also analyzed insurance claims and news reports in the area. The study showed that the average increase in flooding before 2006 was 3mm per year, but that number has tripled to 9mm per year since then. That could result in a six-foot rise in sea levels by the year 2100. While that may be a distant future, keep in mind that some experts view those projections hugely flawed and estimate we could see those sea levels rise much sooner.
What does this mean to you? It means that if you are part of the one million people who live, visit, work, or play along the waterfront in Miami you will have to adapt and be ready for a worst case scenario.
A 2015 flood map released by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, shows Miami at the top of the list with the largest concentration of people — as many as 7 million residents — impacted, and $69 billion worth of property affected by 2030. It also means that if the flooding estimates are correct, the current plan used by most South Florida municipalities of using pumps to minimize localized flooding and raising the roads to combat the rise in sea levels will likely be ineffective. The threat affects much more than property and loss of prized possessions. The predicted flooding could threaten our local infrastructure. The flooding could affect the way we deliver power and secure, clean potable water for our residents.
A huge potential issue related to sea level rise is the Turkey Point nuclear-generating station, which is that is located just 23 miles south of Miami and sits less than 1000 feet from the coastline. The two nuclear reactors were built significantly higher than the surrounding areas to account for the Hurricane surge that is common in the South Florida area. Despite its higher elevation, a six-foot rise could have catastrophic consequences similar to those seen in the Japanese nuclear power plant at Fukushima in March 2011.
Florida must assess its approval process for future building permits in high-risk flood-prone areas to limit growth. Approving permits in these areas put residents at higher risk and increases the governmental liability by impacting our ability to keep our residents safe. Can we overcome the sea level rise with physical barriers? Will building a levee system keep the rising tide at bay? South Florida sits on a bed of porous limestone that would make any physical barrier futile as saltwater can percolate through the ground with ease.
So what are our options? Relocation to higher ground can solve many of the issues that could impact property, but would not address the potential impact that salt water intrusion would have on our aquifer, where nearly 7 million Floridians get their potable water. The Miami-Dade County Office of Sustainability along with the NOAA Office for Coastal Management have offered some strategies that could help in the fight against sea level rise:
- Creating a centralized location for recording and sharing data representing hazards, climate, and vulnerabilities
- Developing outreach and education programs on the value of natural areas and their connection to adapting to climate change
- Developing and implementing climate-adaptive zoning and building codes and permit process modifications
- Accelerating existing restoration efforts to help protect the community against rising sea level
Some experts believe that only a comprehensive strategy that brings physical modifications, the use of pumps, restricted construction in the low-lying areas, and a renewed respect for our environment is the only way to mitigate the flooding threat to South Florida. In any case, if you live in Miami you might want to learn how to swim.
As you see a potential ecological disaster, WeSEE a threat to homeland security.
WeSeeHSE: Seeing, Sharing, Informing
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article65948497.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article70145652.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article41146359.html
