Many South Carolina Homes at Severe Risk for Flooding
May 24, 2010
Thanks to global warming and the fact that South Carolina receives more than its fair share of inclement weather, many homes situated along the coast in low-lying, formerly swampy areas are at high risk for future flooding.
During the 1960s, land situated near a South Carolina southern marsh was very cheap to buy as it was considered to be very flood-prone. By the 1970s with the availability of new federal flood insurance, many people suddenly were not so worried about the threat of floods and had homes built. Today, salt march property along the ocean can cost just as much as beachfront property. During the last few years, barrier islands along the coastline have been developed bringing with it the construction of single family dwellings, condos and restaurants.
During the latest series of hurricanes that moved into the area, these coastal residents were reminded that living on the coast brought real risks. The rise of the sea level is already pushing some of the marches inward which exposes homes and businesses to an increased risk of flooding. Those homeowners who are taking the time and effort to construct walls to slow erosion are actually increasing erosion in areas situated downstream. A typical, older house that is located next to a South Carolina salt march consists of a first floor that is less than ten feet above mean high tide. Many of these houses are on sea islands and other very vulnerable locations which puts them in dubious danger. It is predicted by weather experts that sooner or later, a storm surge will sweep through the area and cause mass devastation in the way of flooding.
The only real solution to this dilemma facing South Carolina is to cut the emission of greenhouse gas by enforcing stricter standards of auto efficiency and the usage of wind and solar power. In short, the United States must address this growing urgency for better control of green gas emissions. However, no matter how quickly Washington responds to cutting emissions, the residents of South Carolina’s coastal communities will be facing the grave and definite danger of flooding which could totally devastate the region and force hundreds of thousands to evacuate.
So South Carolina residents not only have to deal with and face the harsh reality of the effects of global warming, but the also have to cope with the all-too-real threat that large, tropical storm fronts that gather momentum as they leave the Gulf of Mexico bring with them. Couple that with the yearly deluge of hurricanes, residents do have a lot to worry about when it comes to flooding.
