Flooding

Beyond the changes for temperature and precipitation, sea-level rise will also impact USVI. Coastal and low-lying areas are highly likely to experience a myriad of changes due to sea-level rise like flooding, erosion, and submergence (Wong et. al. 2014). Due to the magnitude of sea-level rise projected throughout the 21st century and beyond—coupled with subsidence—coastal systems and low-lying areas will increasingly experience adverse impacts such as submergence, flooding, and erosion (Wong et. al. 2014). Historically, coastal ecosystems in the region have adjusted to sea-level rise by vertical (accretion) and horizontal movement across the landscape. As sea levels continue to rise, some coastal ecosystems will be submerged and convert to open water, and saltwater intrusion will allow salt-tolerant coastal ecosystems to move inland at the expense of upslope and upriver ecosystems.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report, Global and Regional Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States, provides the most recent projections available to all U.S. coastal areas out to the year 2150 (Sweet et. al 2022). The following tables show the predicted extent of flooding for coastal USVI at the average highest daily tide due to sea-level rise.