New York Coast

Millions of people live along the New York coastline, making it the most populated coastal area in the U.S. with more than $1.9 trillion in insured coastal property. This coastline is exceptionally vulnerable to sea-level rise and related impacts including severe coastal flooding, erosion, and loss of wetlands. The light blue area in the map above depicts today's 100-year flood zone (i.e. the area that is expected to be flooded once every 100 years). Under the higher-emissions scenario, that area is projected to flood once every 10 years on average by late-century. Under the lower-emissions scenario, today's 100-year flood is projected to occur once every 22 years on average by late-century. New York's policy makers will need to take steps to protect the state's coasts, including public education, updating and enforcing building codes and land-use regulation, and working with the insurance industry to protect property and people. For a larger area of the flood zone, see the New York state summary (pdf).