The coastal zone is critical to the economic, social and ecological vitality and security of our Nation.  This region is threatened by flooding that is not observed nor predicted well.  Coastal areas are among the most developed in the Nation, with over half of our population living on less than one-fifth of the land in the contiguous United States. 

 

Coastal counties, including those along the Great Lakes, are growing three times faster than counties elsewhere, adding more than 3,600 people a day to their populations.  The coastal and adjacent marine waters support over 28 million jobs, add more than $115 billion to the national economy, and provide a tourism destination for 180 million Americans every year; and these numbers are growing rapidly.  

 

Recent storms, both tropical and nor�easter, have caused significant property damage along shorelines of both the Tidal Potomac River and the northern Chesapeake Bay. In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel caused over $2 billion in damage to the Maryland-Washington DC-Virginia region.  With the juxtaposition of important local and regional maritime commerce, growing coastal population density and increasing vulnerability to coastal flood events and a strong desire by a long-time client to take action, the timing to act to benefit the interest of so many in our community is compelling and urgent.

 

Noblis has developed a model to help predict the effects of weather events on coastal flooding in the region.