This study investigates the increasing threat of compound coastal flooding in San Francisco Bay due to climate change, highlighting the frequency of flooding events that could shift from occurrences of several hundred years to annual events as sea levels rise. It also notes the changing influences on water levels, marking a critical need for proactive solutions to manage future risks.
This study examines the implications of climate change-induced sea-level rise and elevated river discharge on the intensity and frequency of flooding incidents in the San Francisco Bay Area. The research highlights a troubling trend; while current flooding is relatively rare, the frequency of these flooding events is anticipated to escalate significantly due to climate change, particularly under scenarios of pronounced sea-level rise. For instance, flooding events projected for present-day occurrences, estimated at intervals of several hundred years, could transform into annual events as sea levels rise to between one to one and a half meters. Furthermore, the study indicates that the current principal influence on extreme water levels—tides—will increasingly be supplanted by rising sea levels across most areas within the Bay. In the North Bay, the impact of river discharge on water levels, which presently does not predominantly drive fluctuations, is expected to extend seaward by approximately fifteen kilometers under extreme climate scenarios.
The topic of compound coastal flooding is particularly significant in the context of the San Francisco Bay, where the confluence of rising sea levels and increased river discharge creates unique flooding vulnerabilities. As climate change continues to exert its influence, it is critical to understand how these factors interplay to maximize flood risk, thereby necessitating comprehensive studies to gauge future hazards. This research aims to fill an existing knowledge gap regarding the evolving dynamics of flooding events in one of the United States’ most vulnerable coastal areas.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the escalating risks associated with compound coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay as a consequence of climate change. With an increase in the frequency of flooding events projected under higher sea-level rise scenarios, it is vital to recognize the shifting dynamics of influences such as tides and river discharge on water levels. Urgent attention must be directed towards assessing and mitigating these risks to safeguard the Bay Area’s communities and ecosystems.
Original Source: www.preventionweb.net
