Massachusetts Coast

The counties along Massachusetts' 192-mile-long coastline are home to 4.8 million people—75 percent of the state’s population. From critical infrastructure to waterfront homes to salt marshes, much of this coastline is exceptionally vulnerable to the effects of sea-level rise–from inundation to increased erosion to more damaging storm surge and flooding. The image above shows the current 100-year flood zone (hatched darker blue) as well as the extent of the projected 100-year flood zone in 2100 (lighter blue) under the higher-emissions scenario for the waterfront/Government Center area of Boston. Important Boston landmarks, such as Faneuil Hall, and transportation infrastructure currently not at great risk of flooding could witness repeated flooding in the future unless protected from such events. Massachusetts 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 image of the flood area, see the Massachusetts state summary (pdf).