DURHAM, N.H. (WBZ-AM) – Those who live along the coast can tell you -- street flooding from astronomical high tides is happening more frequently and causing more damage.
A new study from the University of New Hampshire shows we can expect this flooding to be part and parcel of life on the coast from here on out and it's already affecting how we commute -- work -- and live
Researchers say this so-called "nuisance flooding" is becoming a bigger concern along the eastern seaboard.
The study says street flooding is affecting 7,500 miles of roads along the east coast -- and causing drivers to sit in over 100 million hours of delays each year.
Jennifer Jacobs is a civil and environmental engineering professor at UNH She lead the study - and she says flooded roads aren't our only problem
She says to many communities -- even here in New England -- many have known about sea level rise.
However, the extent of the problem has come as a surprise \and flooding damage from the recent nor'easters was a big wake-up call of what's to come.
Jacobs says by then -- this sort of flooding could be happening almost daily on many roads along the coast south of Connecticut.
As for solutions -- she says some roads can simply be raised or directed around coastal marshes. Communities can also install sheet walls and rock revetments.
WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Nichole Davis reports.