Transcript:
When the flood hits, you may hear news describing it as a 100-year flood.
But with the change of climate, the term may not be as accurate as before.
“100-year flooding” means 1% of flooding occurs every year, which means that, on average, flooding will occur once a year in 100 years.
The same goes for 500 or 1,000 years of flooding.
These possibilities are calculated using history.
However, with climate change bringing extreme weather and increasing sea levels in many areas, the likelihood of severe flooding may be higher than these terms.
Moftakhari: “The 100-year activity calculated based on historical records is arguably the 1950s or 1960s, and is no longer the 100-year activity.”
Hamed Moftakhari is an engineer at the University of Alabama.
His research found that by the end of this century, many coastal areas may see 100 years of flooding each year due to rising sea levels.
Moftakhari: “We will experience this destructive water level more often.”
Therefore, it is important for those who hear these terms to understand that the likelihood of severe flooding may be higher than the language suggests.
Report Credit: Ethan Freedman/Chavobart Digital Media
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