Assessing population exposure to coastal flooding due to sea level rise

Sea-level rise (SLR) exposure assessments often narrowly define the spatial zone of flooding, leading to differential exposure estimates. This study integrates across spatial zones to assess the annual probability of population exposure using a spatio-temporal flood-modeling approach. Applied to the coastal United States, the model demonstrates a more robust assessment of population exposure to SLR flooding. Results highlight the importance of explicit decisions regarding spatial zones for improved adaptation planning and policies.

Mathew E. Hauer, Dean Hardy, Scott A. Kulp, Valerie Mueller, David J. Wrathall, Peter U. Clark