The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is giving the state of North Carolina a $5 million to study the potential impacts of climate change-induced sea level rise.
FEMA said it will use results of the statewide risk assessment to assess the long-term fiscal implications of climate change in regards to natural disasters. The study will also include mitigation strategies, and the information will be shared with other states for use in planning.
"North Carolina has been very proactive in implementing and improving upon coastal zone management activities and policies," FEMA Regional Administrator Phil May said. "Although the study is focused on just the state of North Carolina, the results of the study should be applicable to other coastal states as well. In addition, the study will compliment an existing study currently being performed by FEMA which focuses on the effect of climate change on the National Flood Insurance Program."
FEMA's Mitigation Directorate administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is an insurance, mapping and land use program that provides the availability of federally backed flood insurance to home and business owners located in communities that participate in the NFIP.
North Carolina's Office of Geospatial and Technology Management (GTM), part of the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, will manage the three-year study. GTM oversees the state's floodplain mapping and management programs.
Research indicates hurricanes are beconing more numerous and severe as planet temperatures warm. In addition, coastal communities will be affected by rising sea levels as the ocean expands from warming and from melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.
