General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: How will YOU survive global warming? [View all]meaculpa2011
(918 posts)about four miles outside of NYC. The house is nine feet above mean high water. During severe storms and hurricanes it's not uncommon for the funnel effect to cause the water to rise six or seven feet above normal. Last year during Irene we had four feet of water in the street, but not a drop in the house. We evacuated and stayed with friends inland, 700 feet above sea level. We had to fire up the generator to keep the sump pumps going because a near bye stream overflowed its banks. . The effects inland were much worse than near the shore as the heavy rains caused rivers to overflow. Inland towns in New Jersey, Connecticut--even as far north as Vermont--were completely inundated.
There are places in the world where an 18 inch rise could be disastrous. Even near us, there are places where the streets are flooded during full and new moons. These places would become unlivable with a water table 18 inches higher.