Author(s): Mary Beth Oshnack; Kent A. Harries

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Abstract: While some coastal hydrologic hazards such as flooding occur over short, intense, periods of hours or days, long-term changes in sea level can also be assessed as a coastal hazard. These changes in water level are the result of long-term global climate changes. Because this change can be seen within a century, or even decades, predictions of significant sea level rise (SLR) should be accounted for in the design of coastal infrastructure. While FEMA's Multi Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Manual provides information on hazard assessment and mitigation approaches for most coastal hazards, it does not include an assessment for sea level rise. This paper discusses sea level rise as an engineering hazard to be considered in design of coastal infrastructure. Design measures to protect coastal infrastructure range from revetments to protect entire cities to simply elevating individual structures above the base flood elevation (BFE) and controlling development within Coastal Zones A and V. Nonetheless, any approach requires improved coastal flood mapping and community involvement. Therefore, the first step in successfully protecting cities against sea level rise is increasing public awareness through recognition of sea level rise as a designed-for hazard and a serious threat to coastal communities.

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Year: 2009