WaPost Report: Sea level rise causing turbocharged flooding in Mobile and Gulf.  Why it matters

Last week, the Washington Post published an in-depth analysis about sea level rise in the Gulf of Mexico and how it is turbocharging flooding in Mobile County and throughout the Gulf Coast.

The national publication teamed up with University of South Alabama researcher and coastal engineer Dr. Bret Webb to examine the latest data. They also gathered stories from residents and community leaders around Fowl River and Mobile about the real-life costs and consequences more prevalent flooding is having on our coastal neighbors.

In this story, read on about the Washington Post’s findings. The Bama Buzz also interviewed  Webb and Casi Callaway, Mobile’s Chief Resilience Officer to learn how we can address this emerging issue.

Washington Post findings – Fowl River sea level increased 4 times faster

The Post story, which is filled with graphs and data produced the following key findings:

• The ocean off the U.S. Gulf and Southern Atlantic coasts has, since 2010, risen at about triple the rate experienced during the previous 30 years. In just the Gulf of Mexico, sea levels rose at twice the global rate over the past 14 years. 
• There are now more dangerous rain-driven and flash floods reported within 10 miles of the coast in the region. Their numbers increased by 42 percent from 2007 to 2022 — a total of 2,800 events, according to a Post analysis of National Weather Service data.

• The 2023 Fowl River flood which was reported on in the story, was caused by intense but not record-breaking thunderstorms that collided with high tides, according to Webb’s analysis. The Post’s analysis found that sea levels at a tide gauge near the Fowl River rose four times faster from 2010 to 2023 than over the previous four decades.
• Dauphin Island’s sea level has risen 6.7 inches since 2010. Mobile has risen 5.9 inches.

The findings can be found at:

The Drowning South: The new face of flooding

The Drowning South: Where seas are rising at alarming speed

“If you’re living on Dog River or Fowl River, Fish River or Magnolia River, whatever it is, you likely have what we called a bulkhead or a seawall protecting your property or maybe you have a dock from your boat. People probably notice that the water is higher.

If they’ve got a natural shoreline, more of their property is underwater than it used to be or trees are drowning and dying. They experience floods more often than they used to in the past. All these things are signals — our water levels in the Gulf and in the Bay. All the connected river systems are  higher than they used to be, especially over the past 10 to 15 years.”

Bret Webb, researcher and coastal engineer University of South Alabama

Webb provided compelling reasons why we should care about sea level rise even if we believe in climate change or not. His primary reason we should be concerned is because coastal population and growth continue to climb.

“We want to make sure that the coast remains intact because so much of our economy and our national defense is tied up in our resources along the coast.

The coastal areas of the United States are the fastest growing areas of any part of the country, and about 40% of the US population lives along the coast. We are investing more money and putting more people in an area that’s prone to hazards. The consequences of something bad happening continue to rise over time as we put more people on the coast and give them more infrastructure to exist there.”

Bret Webb, researcher and coastal engineer University of South Alabama

Mobile is tackling sea-level rise head-on

The city of Mobile is tackling the sea-level rise issue directly via its Office of Resilience.

Casi Callaway, Mobile’s Chief Resilience Officer told The Bama Buzz the Port City is developing a Resilience Plan to match their Resilience Assessment. 

Some of her agency’s biggest efforts include:  

• Planning to address stormwater upgrades that will ensure water has a place to go other than into people’s homes or businesses.
• Ensuring that when Mobilians develop and build, projects are resilient to new and changing weather patterns, changes to sea level, and other social and community changes
• Ensuring that Mobile is planning for the future when it takes on major projects today.

She also encourages Community members to know their flood level and plan for them. If they have the financial opportunity to raise their homes, buy flood insurance, or upgrade to meet changing weather and sea levels, they should. 

When we asked Callaway what would you say to people who are worried about the Washington Post report?  She said

“Make sure that you’re prepared and aware. Flooding may happen more regularly due to rising sea levels. Most Mobilians have also dealt with flooding for a long time. Being informed and emergency-ready is essential – especially when storms are projected. We may see as much as 6 inches of sea level rise by 2030, and that’s concerning. 

However, it does give us some time to prepare and mitigate against future storms. The City of Mobile is working to do that in the projects we’re taking on today and, in the future, and the Office of Resilience is a big part of that work.”

Casi Callaway, Mobile’s Chief Resilience Officer

A good place to start?

Visit the City of Mobile’s neighborhood development and Office Resilience websites. 

Are you concerned about sea level rise in Mobile Bay and on the coast? Let us know your concerns by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn