WASHINGTON — Rising sea levels are gradually claiming geography from coastlines worldwide.
Now, a nonprofit group that studies the impact of climate change has released a report specifically detailing how soon, and to what degree the D.C. metro area could be dramatically impacted.
Climate Central predicts that by 2100 periodic storm surges from the Chesapeake Bay into the Tidal Potomac River could raise water levels by at least eight feet. The severe storms are expected to occur about every ten years.
The report detailed by The Washington Post says eight feet of flood waters would endanger The Jefferson, Martin Luther King and Lincoln Memorials.
Flood waters that high also would surge into the Washington Navy Yard, Fort McNair and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.
Climate Central predicts that by the turn of the century routine tides in the area will be two to four feet higher than they are currently, The Washington Post reports.
By the time a child born this year turns 86, Climate Central predicts flooding could routinely endanger Ocean City, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, portions of Annapolis, Md. and locations along the Potomac such as Old Town Alexandria, Va.
While the District has had strategies for fighting historic flooding, this year D.C. hired a consulting firm to assess the city’s future risks, not only from higher ocean tides but also from other effects of climate change.
