NOAA Predicts Decrease in High-Tide Flooding for U.S. Coastal Regions in 2024-2025

NOAA Predicts Decrease in High-Tide Flooding for U.S. Coastal Regions in 2024-2025

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its 2024-25 Annual High Tide Flooding Outlook, forecasting a slight reduction in high-tide flooding events across the United States over the next year. The report, which covers data from May 2023 to April 2024 and provides projections through April 2025, indicates that U.S. coastal regions may see between 4 to 8 high-tide flood days on average, a decrease from the previous year's 4 to 9 days.

NOAA's prediction comes as a relief to coastal communities that have been increasingly impacted by high-tide floods, often referred to as "nuisance" or "sunny day" flooding, which occur when tides reach 1 to 2 feet above the normal high tide levels. This type of flooding has become more frequent due to long-term sea level rise driven by climate change.

The decrease in predicted flooding days is attributed to the transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions, which is expected to bring more stable weather patterns to certain regions. However, NOAA has also warned that long-term projections remain concerning, with the U.S. expected to experience a significant increase in high-tide flood days by 2050, potentially averaging 45 to 85 days per year.

NOAA's data is drawn from 97 tide gauges along the U.S. coast, and their predictions are crucial for coastal communities, many of which are home to nearly 40% of the U.S. population and support over 54 million jobs. The 2024-25 outlook serves as an essential tool for these communities to plan for and mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels.

Jainey Bavishi, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Deputy Administrator, emphasized the importance of this forecast in helping coastal areas build resilience against climate-related threats, particularly in underserved regions that are often disproportionately affected.

For more detailed information and to access the full report, visit NOAA's official website.