Rising sea levels will threaten Beaufort County, group says
Rising sea levels could more frequently flood Beaufort County roads and make saltwater marshes disappear, members of a state-funded research group said Monday.
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium members met with residents and officials across the county to discuss ways to adapt to rising sea levels. The rise, predicted at 2 feet above the current average high-tide mark by 2065, could lead to floods that threaten nearly $6 billion worth of Lowcountry property, according to a report by the group.
"Beaufort County and its municipalities will have to think where its resources will go to deal with this," said Liz Fly, coastal climate extension specialist for the consortium, which is also funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The group is working with the county to plan for the rising seas.
In a report, group members identified more than 10 flood-prone roads that would be submerged if seas rise to estimated levels. Included were Warsaw Island Drive, Coosaw Island Drive and the Broad River boat landing. In addition, several low-lying storm-evacuation routes would be susceptible to flooding.
"It's not a big deal when you can go another route, but for several of these causeways, there is no other way on or off the island," said Sean Bath, a College of Charleston environmental-studies master's degree student who is an intern for the group.
Maps also showed parts of Beaufort's historic district that would be affected.
Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling said he supports a multi-municipality task force to explore ways to weather the rise, including raising houses and adjusting historic-district building guidelines. That panel must communicate with residents so they understand the potential effects of what must be done to protect the city, he said.
"As a practical matter, it's going to all be driven by money," Keyserling said. "And if the public doesn't buy in, if the public isn't going to pay for it, it's not going to happen." The rising sea levels also put saltwater marshes and rural lands at risk, the research group said. In all, about 36,000 acres would flood under the projected water rise.
Marshes, such as those along Broad Creek on Hilton Head Island, would disappear as water nears developed property, Bath said.
Many farms and rural communities in northern Beaufort County also would be hit.
Monday's presentations were the group's first public meetings, as it gathers suggestions for how to adapt to sea level rise.
Several residents suggested that Beaufort County and its municipalities elevate existing roads and causeways.
Others called for rules to limit development in low-lying areas. The county has considered giving buyers of high-risk properties a notice that says it will not be liable for damages, according to long-term planner Rob Merchant.
Merchant said the meetings were an "important first step in dealing with a problem as ominous as sea level rise."
He said the county first will address roads that already flood. From there, it will develop policies that take rising seas into account.
"If we're going to build a new library or a new school, we don't want them in a flood plain," he said. "If infrastructure is supposed to last 50 years, we need to plan for what the sea level will be in 50 years."
Staff writer Erin Moody contributed to this report. Follow reporter Dan Burley at twitter.com/IPBG_Dan.
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This story was originally published August 25, 2014 at 7:26 PM with the headline "Rising sea levels will threaten Beaufort County, group says."