Five Homes Collapse Into The Ocean, Climate Threatens
Beach erosion, storms, and rising seas have caused homes in California, Nantucket, and North Caroline to crash into the ocean. Yesterday, violent seas caused another five homes in North Carolina to fall into the Atlantic. USAToday reports, “Huge waves and rough surf from two long-distance hurricanes have washed away five houses on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the National Park Service said, with further destruction possible as the ocean batters the coast.” No one was in the homes.
There is no accurate estimate of how many homes are actually located on the shores of oceans, gulfs, and the largest lakes. However, the Census says that 36 million homes are in coastal counties. Most are not on the shore.Â
Three factors increase the likelihood of these collapses. The first is that sea levels have risen several inches along most coasts over the course of this century. According to the research, melting of the polar caps and Greenland will cause the sea level to rise by several inches more by 2050.
High Tide
Second, storms have become more violent, especially hurricanes. Part of this is global warming. Ocean temperatures have risen, and in the South Atlantic, where many of these storms strengthen, temperatures have reached 80 degrees on the surface. This hot water feeds the storms.Â
Finally, people have tempted fate. Those who live along these coasts have not moved, at least based on any studies. And, homes along water are highly popular, despite the risks
In North Carolina and elsewhere, the threat to homes on the coasts is not over.
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