Sea Levels Rising Along East Coast
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - There is a new phenomenon occurring which could have a profound impact on life in the Tri-State Area, and climate change is suspected to be behind it, reported WCBS 880's Jim Smith.
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There is a 600-mile-long so-called "hot spot" along the east coast stretching from North Carolina up to Boston where sea levels are rising at an accelerated pace.
"It's a unique thing," said Dr. Asbury Sallenger, the lead author of the study at the U.S. Geological Survey.
He said that, since 1990 along the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean has risen is three to four times faster than the rest of the world.
As the trend continues, he said storms could produce more damage.
"Raise the storm surge that much higher, raise the reach of the waves that much higher at the beach," he told Smith.
The gradual increase could take 100 years to play out, but as towns redraw flood zones based on increasing water levels, your flood insurance cost could go up as well.
Are you afraid of the rising sea levels? Sound off in the comments section below.
