This map shows which areas in Maryland could be underwater at different levels of sea level rise and storm surge. It also shows the demographic characteristics of those areas based on census data. NOAA storm models predict that a major hurricane could bring up to 30 feet of storm surge in the Chesapeake Bay and along Maryland's Atlantic coast. Loading times may vary, please allow time for each layer to load before adding additional layers.
The Sea Level Rise buttons on the map display impacts based on U.S. Geological Survey topographical data. The effect of local man-made structures such as seawalls is difficult to determine and not included in the calculations. The precise impact of rising sea levels on individual addresses is hard to predict. The Census Data button on the map displays information from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-year census block group estimate data set. The median margin of error is 14 percent for the value of housing and for the year the structure was built.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey topographical data. U.S. Census data. Credits: Capital News Service interactive graphic by Sean Henderson. Topographical data analysis and mapping projections by Haralamb Braileanu and Sean Henderson. Census data analysis and mapping projections by Rashee Raj Kumar, Krystal Nancoo-Russell and Mandy Dominelli.