"If we don't change, the world left behind will be unrecognizable."
- Craig Ramseyer, PhD, professor of Tropical Meteorology, Climate Change, Climate Modeling, Salisbury University
How will climate change impact Salisbury?
Though it may not appear that a warming global climate would impact infrastructure, indirect effects of climate change will greatly affect multiple sectors of infrastructure, such as road systems, buildings, bridges, and planning. Primarily, "infrastructure, such as roads, buildings, urban drainage, and water lines are at risk from unprecedented severe weather and sea level rise" [1]. With 4,360 miles of coastline, Maryland's infrastructure is going to be impacted greatly by rising seas, as more than 6% of this coastline is projected to be inundated by 2100 [2]. Not only will people living near the coast be forced either to move or adapt to encroaching water, but businesses and transportation systems also face threats of increased flood risk and water damage. Essentially, infrastructure is what connects people and places. It encompasses the physical structures that exist to enable society to function efficiently. Without it, we would live in a drastically different world, and with impending climate change risks, several infrastructural changes and improvements will have to be made.
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Click below to find out more information about how climate change will impact housing!
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The pictures below are from March 7, 2018 showing the flooding from Wicomico River in Salisbury, MD.
News coverage of the floods
News coverage of the floods
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Local Infrastructure Impacts
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Maryland at a Glance
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Hightide In Dorchester
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Local Infrastructure Impacts
As a county that already faces high-impact flooding events, Wicomico County can expect to experience increased flood risks in the future as a result of warming temperatures. For every degree the air is warmed, it can hold 7% more water vapor [6]. More water vapor in the air means heavier rainfall, and more flooding. In a county that already deals with major flooding concerns, this will greatly impact infrastructure in the area. A lot of climate change research talks about this area being "Ground Zero" for climate change because of sea-level rise, as this part of the Eastern Shore has naturally wet soils that exacerbate flooding events [6]. Even in just the last two years, Wicomico County has seen pretty high impact flood events, and floods are now reaching places they have not been before [6]. This means that an increased number of roads and buildings are vulnerable to flood events that once were not. And, the sewer and stormwater drainage systems in the county just aren't built to drain this amount of water, which will require restructuring and rebuilding of water drainage systems throughout the county. In looking into the future of Wicomico County in relation to climate change, it can be argued that flooding will be the biggest issue to deal with in terms of impacts on infrastructure.
Flood Prone Areas in Salisbury
One of the most flood-prone areas in this local area is Fitzgerald Street in Downtown Salisbury. As the water table rises with rising seas, the city must regrade the land and roadways to address flooding. It has been stated that an estimated $5 million has been invested to address flooding concerns in this area of town [6]. As the city plans to invest more money downtown, it will also have to invest more money to address these flooding issues. Water is highly erosive to roads, thus the increase in the frequency of flood events means that more money will have to be put into maintaining road systems. An article published this past February also noted the increase in extreme flood events seen in the county. It noted severe flooding along Pratt Road, in addition to past flood events that have impacted the Canal Woods housing complex, North West Road, Bell Island Trail, and the intersection of Northwood and Kiley Drives [7]. Apparently, $35,000 has already been invested to survey Pratt Road alone [7]. As flooding continues to increase, more and more money will have to be allotted to address both damage to roadways and reconstruction to mitigate future flood impacts.
Damage to Bridges
In addition to road networks, bridges will also be impacted by climate change and flooding. As flooding events get bigger and more widespread, they have the potential to damage the many bridges within Wicomico County and the wider Eastern Shore. Rising tides that encroach on bridge bottoms mean that these bridges must be raised so they are not either inundated or washed away by flood events. Increased temperatures and precipitation rates also take a toll on bridges, further deteriorating and aging their structure [6]. Though initially it may not seem that these impacts on local infrastructure are a result of climate change, the domino effect of rising temperatures and increased precipitation patterns will have a direct impact on these physical structures integral to everyday life.
As a county that already faces high-impact flooding events, Wicomico County can expect to experience increased flood risks in the future as a result of warming temperatures. For every degree the air is warmed, it can hold 7% more water vapor [6]. More water vapor in the air means heavier rainfall, and more flooding. In a county that already deals with major flooding concerns, this will greatly impact infrastructure in the area. A lot of climate change research talks about this area being "Ground Zero" for climate change because of sea-level rise, as this part of the Eastern Shore has naturally wet soils that exacerbate flooding events [6]. Even in just the last two years, Wicomico County has seen pretty high impact flood events, and floods are now reaching places they have not been before [6]. This means that an increased number of roads and buildings are vulnerable to flood events that once were not. And, the sewer and stormwater drainage systems in the county just aren't built to drain this amount of water, which will require restructuring and rebuilding of water drainage systems throughout the county. In looking into the future of Wicomico County in relation to climate change, it can be argued that flooding will be the biggest issue to deal with in terms of impacts on infrastructure.
Flood Prone Areas in Salisbury
One of the most flood-prone areas in this local area is Fitzgerald Street in Downtown Salisbury. As the water table rises with rising seas, the city must regrade the land and roadways to address flooding. It has been stated that an estimated $5 million has been invested to address flooding concerns in this area of town [6]. As the city plans to invest more money downtown, it will also have to invest more money to address these flooding issues. Water is highly erosive to roads, thus the increase in the frequency of flood events means that more money will have to be put into maintaining road systems. An article published this past February also noted the increase in extreme flood events seen in the county. It noted severe flooding along Pratt Road, in addition to past flood events that have impacted the Canal Woods housing complex, North West Road, Bell Island Trail, and the intersection of Northwood and Kiley Drives [7]. Apparently, $35,000 has already been invested to survey Pratt Road alone [7]. As flooding continues to increase, more and more money will have to be allotted to address both damage to roadways and reconstruction to mitigate future flood impacts.
Damage to Bridges
In addition to road networks, bridges will also be impacted by climate change and flooding. As flooding events get bigger and more widespread, they have the potential to damage the many bridges within Wicomico County and the wider Eastern Shore. Rising tides that encroach on bridge bottoms mean that these bridges must be raised so they are not either inundated or washed away by flood events. Increased temperatures and precipitation rates also take a toll on bridges, further deteriorating and aging their structure [6]. Though initially it may not seem that these impacts on local infrastructure are a result of climate change, the domino effect of rising temperatures and increased precipitation patterns will have a direct impact on these physical structures integral to everyday life.
Maryland at a Glance
As a state with large amounts of coastline, Maryland's infrastructure is most at risk of flooding and rising seas. This is an impact of climate change that will directly affect the livelihoods of people in coastal areas of the state. In 2012, an executive order issued by Governor O'Malley, "Climate Change and 'Coast Smart' Construction", was enacted to improve the state's resiliency to storm-related flooding and sea level rise [3]. This directed all state agencies to consider the risk of sea-level rise, flooding and extreme weather in the construction or reconstruction of state buildings and facilities. This included mandating that "all new and substantially reconstructed or rehabilitated permanent state structures located in Special Flood Hazard Areas shall be planned with two feet of free board above the 100-year based flood elevation" [3]. These adjustments and precautions take into account effects of climate change on the state's infrastructure, and attempt to apply a precautionary approach for future state building projects. Coastal properties face some of the highest economic losses as a result of sea level rise, thus much of the focus has been placed on these areas to mitigate these negative impacts [4]. One adaptation includes a free board ordinance, which requires the floor of structures to be lifted one foot above the 100-year flood height projections [4]. This will help to protect these buildings from increased and more intense flooding events.
What does this mean for roads and highways?
Another aspect of Maryland's infrastructure that will be impacted is roadway and highway systems. The state has approximately 7,920 linear miles of roadways, of which "2 percent are expected to be impacted by sea-level rise in 2050, and 4.5 percent by 2100" [5]. In conjunction with projected population growth trends, flooded roadways have the potential to affect the lives of thousands of people. The Maryland Department of Planning stated that population rose by 33% from 1980 to 2005, and it estimates population will increase by another 20% from 2005 to 2030 [2]. As infrastructure continues to age and these physical structures face risk of damage and inundation from sea level rise, the lifestyles of people living in the state will be altered greatly.
As a state with large amounts of coastline, Maryland's infrastructure is most at risk of flooding and rising seas. This is an impact of climate change that will directly affect the livelihoods of people in coastal areas of the state. In 2012, an executive order issued by Governor O'Malley, "Climate Change and 'Coast Smart' Construction", was enacted to improve the state's resiliency to storm-related flooding and sea level rise [3]. This directed all state agencies to consider the risk of sea-level rise, flooding and extreme weather in the construction or reconstruction of state buildings and facilities. This included mandating that "all new and substantially reconstructed or rehabilitated permanent state structures located in Special Flood Hazard Areas shall be planned with two feet of free board above the 100-year based flood elevation" [3]. These adjustments and precautions take into account effects of climate change on the state's infrastructure, and attempt to apply a precautionary approach for future state building projects. Coastal properties face some of the highest economic losses as a result of sea level rise, thus much of the focus has been placed on these areas to mitigate these negative impacts [4]. One adaptation includes a free board ordinance, which requires the floor of structures to be lifted one foot above the 100-year flood height projections [4]. This will help to protect these buildings from increased and more intense flooding events.
What does this mean for roads and highways?
Another aspect of Maryland's infrastructure that will be impacted is roadway and highway systems. The state has approximately 7,920 linear miles of roadways, of which "2 percent are expected to be impacted by sea-level rise in 2050, and 4.5 percent by 2100" [5]. In conjunction with projected population growth trends, flooded roadways have the potential to affect the lives of thousands of people. The Maryland Department of Planning stated that population rose by 33% from 1980 to 2005, and it estimates population will increase by another 20% from 2005 to 2030 [2]. As infrastructure continues to age and these physical structures face risk of damage and inundation from sea level rise, the lifestyles of people living in the state will be altered greatly.
High Tide in Dorchester
In this documentary, Tom Horton, Sandy Cannon-Brown, and Dave Harp, aim to ignite a conservation about climate change and its harsh impacts on the Delmarva community and ecosystem. From sea-level rise and erosion to damage to homes and infrastructure, this haunting documentary validates the growing issue of climate change in our own backyards.
Although the focus of this film is in Dorchester County, the effects are still evident here in Wicomico County along with other coastal regions. According to Dr. Michael Scott, professor of Geography and Geosciences at Salisbury University and director of the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative, the impacts of climate change can still be reduced if we act soon. He stated in an interview with Sandy Cannon-Brown,“If we can get ahold of this in the next five to seven years, we have time to fix it that way. If we wait, then we will be in crisis mode and things are going to have to happen in a very shocking and upsetting way. . .” [8].
He continues, “What we usually try to encourage folks that live in the lowest-lying, erosion-prone areas is, ‘don’t look at the depth of the water. Just start keeping track of the number of days a year you’re getting nuisance flooding, flooding in the streets. . . it won’t take long to figure out. Two or three years, you’ll see an increased number of days where you have nuisance flooding. We track this sort of thing and we have seen it increasing for the past two decades” [8].
In this documentary, Tom Horton, Sandy Cannon-Brown, and Dave Harp, aim to ignite a conservation about climate change and its harsh impacts on the Delmarva community and ecosystem. From sea-level rise and erosion to damage to homes and infrastructure, this haunting documentary validates the growing issue of climate change in our own backyards.
Although the focus of this film is in Dorchester County, the effects are still evident here in Wicomico County along with other coastal regions. According to Dr. Michael Scott, professor of Geography and Geosciences at Salisbury University and director of the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative, the impacts of climate change can still be reduced if we act soon. He stated in an interview with Sandy Cannon-Brown,“If we can get ahold of this in the next five to seven years, we have time to fix it that way. If we wait, then we will be in crisis mode and things are going to have to happen in a very shocking and upsetting way. . .” [8].
He continues, “What we usually try to encourage folks that live in the lowest-lying, erosion-prone areas is, ‘don’t look at the depth of the water. Just start keeping track of the number of days a year you’re getting nuisance flooding, flooding in the streets. . . it won’t take long to figure out. Two or three years, you’ll see an increased number of days where you have nuisance flooding. We track this sort of thing and we have seen it increasing for the past two decades” [8].
View the trailer below:
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Plan bicycle trips down some of the Mid-Atlantic’s most scenic country roads—by consulting a tide-chart.
- TOM HORTON
Check out the following links to see news coverage of previous flood events in Wicomico County:
Check out the following links to see news coverage of other past floods in Wicomico County:
August 2017:
August 2017:
- WMDT- Salisbury crews respond to flooding areas
- Delmarva Now- Flooding washes out roads, forces evacuations in Salisbury
To learn more about the impacts of climate change, check out the pages below:
References
- Spratley, M. (2015, December). Climate Change, Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.allianceforthebay.org/2015/12/climate-change-maryland-and-the-chesapeake-bay/
- Williamson, S., Horin, C., Ruth, M., Weston, R., Ross, K., and Irani, D. (2008). Climate Change Impacts on Maryland and the Cost of Inaction. A Review and Assessment by the Center for Integrative Environmental Research (CIER) at The University of Maryland. Maryland Commission on Climate Change. Retrieved April 16, 2018, from http://cier.umd.edu/climateadaptation/Chapter3.pdf
- Climate Change and “Coast Smart” Construction (Maryland Executive Order 01.01.2012.29). (2012, December 28). State of Maryland, on behalf of Governor Martin O’Malley. Retrieved from http://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/climate-change-and-coast-smart-construction-maryland-executive-order-01-01-2012-29.html
- Moss, R., Malone Sangamitra Ramachander, E., and Perez, R. (2002). Climate Change Impacts: Maryland Resources at Risk. Maryland Energy Administration. Retrieved April 16, 2018, from http://www.globalchange.umd.edu/data/publications/Maryland_at_risk_complete_2July02.pdf
- 2016 Annual Report. (2016). Maryland Commission on Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Air/ClimateChange/MCCC/Documents/MCCC_2016_final.pdf
- Personal communication, Craig Ramseyer, PhD, professor of Geography and Geosciences at Salisbury University, 10 April 2018, Salisbury University.
- Holland, L. (2018). Chronic flooding: Learn what Wicomico’s doing about the problem. Delmarvanow.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018, from https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2018/02/26/chronic-flooding-learn-what-wicomicos-doing-problem/363791002/
- Cannon-Brown, S. (2017, November 08). RISING TIDES ON THE CHESAPEAKE by Tom Horton. Retrieved from http://hightidedorchester.org/rising-tides-on-the-chesapeake-by-tom-horton/