In 30 Years, 10 U.S. Cities May Lose $34 Billion in Housing From Flooding
By 2050, more than 386,000 coastal homes in the U.S. will be at risk for chronic flooding or 'permanent submersion' because of climate change, according to new research.
March 15, 2019
Photo: Unsplash/Desmond Simon
By 2050, more than 386,000 coastal homes in the U.S. will be at risk for chronic flooding or "permanent submersion" because of climate change, according to new research.
The study by Zillow and nonprofit Climate Central finds that 40 percent of Americans may be affected in some way by these conditions; the homes affected are worth roughly $210 billion in 2018 dollars collectively. In the 10 cities that will be affected most, housing losses may total $34 billion. By 2100, 2.5 million American homes may be at risk if the data and modeling are correct, amounting to $1.3 trillion in losses together, CNBC reports.
Moderate emissions cuts, roughly in line with the Paris agreement on climate, could reduce the number to a little more than 348,000, according to a new analysis and maps that pair Zillow’s housing data with Climate Central’s climate-science expertise. (A companion report focuses on new construction in the riskiest areas.)
