The city of Portland could experience five times as many coastal floods in the future, if sea levels keep rising. That's according toa new report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
"We may need to get used to the ocean, periodically, being right on our doorstep," says Melanie Fitzpatrick, a co-author on the report.
Fitzpatrick says the study analyzed tidal data from 52 locations monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stretching from Freeport, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico, to Portland's position on Casco Bay.
The study predicted what would happen if sea levels continue to rise at the same rate over the next 30 years. "Many places that aren't seeing regular flooding now, will, and the places that are getting flooded now will likely be flooded more often," Fitzpatrick said.
Currently, Portland experiences about 12 episodes of coastal flooding each year; according to the report, that number is predicted to jump to about 60 per year, or 5 per month, in the next three decades.
