Featured Image Credit: Michael Holahan/The Augusta Chronicle via AP
There are so many wonderful aspects to living in the Lowcountry, however, we can all agree that flooding is not one of them.
Unfortunately, this issue is only going to become exacerbated over the next couple of decades. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that nearly 8,000 homes in Charleston County would flood at least 26 times a year if the sea level rises by just 2 feet.
The key takeaways from Governor McMaster’s statement highlight a very serious – and ever-growing – concern for the Holy City: “I know water’s coming up in Charleston … It’s a real threat to us. We’ve got to be very careful with the coast and got to protect our economic engine.”
South Carolina ranks fifth in the nation for most homes at risk in 2045, with properties such as 29928, Hilton Head, and 29455, Johns island being among the top zip codes threatened by frequent flooding. At this rate, roughly around 24,000 people living there today could be displaced and with sink property values decreasing, this would cause large-scale problems for the housing market and the tourism economy.
What used to be known as a nuisance to any Charleston local, flooding is no longer just a minor annoyance but a major issue that needs to be addressed before it’s ‘too little, too late.’ We’re hoping that Governor McMaster follows up his rhetoric with decisive action that makes the issue of sea level rise a top priority.