LONG BEACH, Calif. - The U.S. Geological Survey did a study that found damage due to rising sea levels could be far worse than the state’s worst wildfires or earthquakes.
The study published last month is the first time researchers looked at sea level rise and storms. By 2100, the USGS says the combo of sea level rise and storms (along with other coastal threats like erosion) could cause $150 billion in property damage due to flooding.
The number of people exposed to flooding is three times greater than what previous models showed that only considered sea level rise.
Here in Alamitos, researchers say sea level rise combined with what’s called a 100-year storm or one that has a one percent chance of happening every year, could cause major flooding in the area.
Researchers like Cal State Long Beach’s Christine Whitcraft are working on finding potential solutions now – like an oyster bed. But Whitcraft says oysters can’t fight flooding alone. Watch the video to see how oysters could help mitigate potential flooding.