CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - A study released by the Union of Concerned Scientists Monday paints a grim future for some residents of the South Carolina coast when it comes to water invading their homes.
Data collected by scientists suggests that more than 7,000 homes in the Lowcountry stretching from Moncks Corner down to Kiawah Island are at risk of "chronic inundation flooding" by 2045. This kind of flooding is defined as high tide flooding that happens 26 times per year or more. The scientific scenario assumes a projected global sea level rise of two feet by 2045.
The city of Charleston proper had 1,629 homes listed with a property tax risk of $11,476,441 by 2045. Kiawah Island also had 1,562 homes at a risk of $13,056,057.More than 870 homes were at risk on James Island while 280 homes could be in jeopardy on Johns Island.
South Carolina is fifth in the nation for most homes at risk in both 2045 and by the end of the century. The homes at risk in 2045 statewide currently contribute about $71 million in annual property tax revenue.
A full copy of the study can be found here. Spreadsheets with the raw data can also be sorted by state and community.
The study adds that homes that would face this flooding in South Carolina by 2100 are currently worth roughly $52.7 billion.
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