Climate change and rising seas will mean higher flood risks for cities. But when exactly will impactful flooding become a regular occurrence? New analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists says that time is fast approaching.
Planners working on resilience against flooding take heed. A report, released this month by the Union of Concerned Scientists, says tidal flooding may soon affect urban areas, especially on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Forecasts of hurricane and storm risks are plentiful in the wake of Sandy and Katrina, but research into higher tides is harder to come by.
Melanie Fitzpatrick, one of the researchers who compiled the report, remarked, “The shock for us was that tidal flooding could become the new normal in the next 15 years; we didn’t think it would be so soon.”
The team used sea-level data from the recent National Climate Assessment and from Climate Central to determine that “in the absence of flood-deflecting marshes, seawalls or levees, two-thirds of the 52 communities studied can expect a tripling in the frequency of high-tide flooding during the next 15 years.”
The researchers conclude that tidal “nuisance flooding,” though not as dramatic as a major storm, is a real and apparent resilience challenge. They advocate communication between affected cities to coordinate best responses. The article includes an interactive map that displays the report’s flooding predictions for U.S. cities based on a number of parameters.
FULL STORY: Sea Level Rise Making Floods Routine for Coastal Cities

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service