When will Florida be underwater? Here’s what to know

As more attention is being given to melting ice caps and rising sea levels more people are asking when parts of Florida could be left underwater.

So News 6 Chief Meteorologist Tom Sorrells asked an expert.

Professor Emeritus of Planetary Sciences Dr. Joseph Donoghue with the University of Central Florida said sea levels are rising about 4 millimeters per year, but he expects that number to increase quickly.

“The global climate models — which are the only insight we have into future climate — all project that global sea level will continue to accelerate in the rate of rise and that sea levels by 2100, the end of this century, will be over one meter above present, so 3.1 feet, and could be much more if parts of West Antarctica collapse. That’s the worst-case scenario. If that happens, it could be 2 meters or more. Some of the worst-case projections say that it could be 2 meters by 2100 and certainly by another century.”

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Dr. Donoghue said 1 meter used to be an outrageous suggestion, but it is now what most of the climate models suggest, and if that becomes reality, it will impact a large portion of Florida.

“A 1-meter rise inundates about 10% of Florida, and as you said, that’s mostly in the South and Southwest,” Dr. Donoghue said.

These projections are already starting to have impacts on people living in the state.

“Even the insurance companies are starting to realize that. It’s going to be harder and harder to get a mortgage and insurance on a coastal property,” Dr. Donoghue said.

Hear more about rising sea levels and their impact on Florida by checking out Talk to Tom. You can download the podcast from wherever you listen to podcasts and watch it anytime on News 6+.

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