Rhode Island’s Sea Level Is Rising

The sea level off Rhode Island’s coast is up to 5 inches higher than it was in 1956.¹ This increase is mostly due to Rhode Island’s sinking land, and it’s causing major issues.² Solutions in Rhode Island can be complicated because the state has hundreds of miles of shoreline and salt marshes to protect from sea level rise.³ There are already over 7,000 properties at risk from from tidal flooding in RhodeIsland.⁴ The state is planning over $100 million 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 Providence, Rhode Island, has risen by 5 inches since 1956. Its speed of rise has accelerated over the last ten years and it’s now rising by over an inch every 8 years.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 Rhode Island, ice melt⁶ and land sinkage are the largest contributors.⁶ Because the land is getting lower each year, due to a process called subsidence, Rhode Island 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 during the winter

The highest tides in Rhode Island 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 Providence, these tides are typically over a foot and a half higher than normal hightides.¹ Add that to the 5 inches of sea level rise since 1956 and you end up with flooding even on sunny days.

Solutions aren’t simple

In Rhode Island the sea level is rising more rapidly than some coastal areas because as the ocean water is rising, the land is sinking. Solutions can be complicated because with 21 coastal communities located along the Atlantic Ocean,³ Rhode Island has many towns and cities to solve sea level rise and flooding issues for. In addition, the state must preserve and protect the wildlife that rely on coastal 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 and a half inches, tidal flooding has increased by 380% in some areas of Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island, especially because the state has 384 miles of shoreline that is host to not only cities and towns, but home to many species of wildlife.¹³ As sea levels continue to rise, some species are losing their habitats and face declining numbers. In addition to the oceanfront beaches that face the threat of erosion from increased ocean water levels, Rhode Island’s salt marshes are experiencing creek widening, ponding, vegetation dieback, and drowning.¹⁴

In Warwick there are 415 residential properties already at risk from repeated tidal flooding, by 2033 that number will increase to 548 as sea levels rise. In Charlestown, 244 properties at risk will turn into 271 within 15 years. In East Providence there are 199 properties at risk, which will become 234. Click here to explore other coastal areas in Virginia 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.