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Study: Parts Of Md. Could Flood At Least 30 Times A Year

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A new study adds to the growing number of warnings about flooding in Maryland.

Alex DeMetrick reports this one's from NOAA researchers, who say parts of Maryland could flood at least 30 times a year.

If it floods now in Maryland during a storm, within a few decades those same low spots could see flooding even in sunny weather. As climate change warms oceans, they expand and sea levels rise.

According to a new NOAA study, there's more nuisance flooding now, and much more to come.

"They're growing quite rapidly. Upwards five to ten times more today than we had 50 years ago," said one NOAA researcher.

Earlier research found Maryland has some of the most vulnerable coastline in the country, especially shoreline around the Chesapeake Bay.

"When you talk about sea level rise, it's not only the sea rising from warmer temperatures, but it's also the land sinking," said Kate Skaggs, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Maps have been compiled by Climate Central to show the risk, like Baltimore, where areas in red have the most to lose--up to $100 million in damage. In Ocean City, the red zone stretches north to Delaware. Yellow zones represent $100,000 in property damage to Dorchester County. That could add up.

And it won't take hurricanes to happen. Far smaller storms will cause damage, and NOAA estimates at least 30 flood events a year within three decades.

The study says it will get more frequent, with low coastal areas flooding daily during high tides by the end of the century.

The NOAA report projects coastal cities like Baltimore and Annapolis will have to plan sooner than expected to deal with a rapid increase in flooding.

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