Connecticut’s Sea Level Is Rising

The sea level around Connecticut is up to 5 inches higher than it was in 1964.¹ This increase is mostly due to ice melting into the ocean and Connecticut’s sinking land, and it’s causing major issues. Solutions in Connecticut can be complicated, because evaluation of coastal community needs and preservation of wetland habitats must both be taken into consideration when solving for sea level rise.² There are already over 7,000 properties at risk from frequent tidal flooding in Connecticut.³ The state is planning over $2 billion in sea level rise solutions, which include restoration projects, catastrophic flood prevention, and building seawalls.

Sea level rise is speeding up

The sea level around Bridgeport, Connecticut, has risen by 5 inches since 1964 and its speed of rise is accelerating.¹ Scientists know this because the sea level is measured every 6 minutes using equipment like satellites, floating buoys off the coast, and tidal gauges to accurately measure the local sea level as it accelerates and changes.⁴

While there are four causes of sea level rise in Connecticut, ice melt⁵ and land sinkage⁶ are the largest contributors. Because the land is getting lower each year, due to a process called subsidence, Connecticut is particularly vulnerable to an increased rate of sea level rise in the future. Click here to learn more about these causes.

Most flooding happens in the winter

The highest tides in Connecticut occur during nor’easters. These wintertime storms push more water to the coast, raising high tides even higher, especially when combined with an increased gravitational pull from the moon. In places like Bridgeport, these tides are typically over a foot and a half higher than normal high tides.¹ Add that to the 5 inches of sea level rise since 1964 and you end up with flooding even on sunny days.

Solutions aren’t simple

In Connecticut the sea level is rising more rapidly than some coastal areas because as the ocean water is rising, the land is sinking. What complicates finding solutions is that many coastal properties and critical infrastructure in the state are only inches above the existing sea level, which continues to rise and pose and even greater threat.² Solving for sea level rise in Connecticut will require not only finding solutions that suit coastal residents and businesses, but that take into account sea level rise induced shifts in vegetation within coastal wetlands and possible green solutions that will preserve the ecosystem and existing habitats.⁷

When the ocean rises high enough, high tides cause flooding even on sunny days. Even though the sea level has only risen by around 3 inches, tidal flooding has increased by 320% in some areas of Connecticut since 2000.¹⁰

Flooding even when there’s no rain

Drainage systems are designed to channel excess rainwater from the streets and drain it into the sea. But with the pressure from rising sea levels and higher tides, seawater can get pushed into these pipes and spill out into the streets. This causes flooding even on days without rain.

Increased storm surge flooding

Unfortunately, slightly higher sea levels make hurricanes even more damaging. Just a few more inches of sea level rise allow a hurricane to push more water onto the land, even if the hurricane itself doesn’t make landfall.

There’s a lot at risk from sea level rise and flooding in Connecticut, including billions of dollars of investments and business, which are situated only inches above sea level. Also at great risk are natural infrastructure, such as coastal wetlands, beaches and dunes, and river floodplains, which provide important defenses against storms for people and property.²

In Milford there are 982 residential properties already at risk from repeated tidal flooding, by 2033 that number will increase to 1,128 as sea levels rise. In Norwalk, 349 properties at risk will turn into 583 within 15 years. In Westport there are 410 properties at risk, which will become 510. And in East Haven, there are 355 properties at risk, which will increase to 435 by 2033. Click here to explore other coastal communities in Connecticut that are at risk at FloodiQ.com.

What can you do?

Individuals, mayors, legislators, governors, and Congress can work together to build protections before flooding, to build back stronger after flooding, and to create plans that future-proof our communities. Click here to see what solutions can help protect your home or what your community can do.