Delawareans At Risk For Sea Level Rising - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

Delawareans At Risk For Sea Level Rising

DELAWARE - If you live in Delaware you may want to listen up! A new study out says almost everyone in the first state is at risk, if the sea level keeps rising. About 17,000 homes and hundreds of roads and bridges, all could be under water. In fact, the rate in Delaware is above the average rate for the world.

Officials also say 90 percent of salt marshes could be impacted, which protects properties from storm surges.

"There are a lot of communities that are very close to sea level, so any change in the sea level could have really significant impacts on people's property, how they can move around on roads, and what they can do with their property," said Chris Bason, the Executive Director, for the Delaware Center For Inland Bays.

There are a number of multi-million dollar homes being built right on the wetlands. Officials say they expect that to potentially wash out in the near future, which puts the homes at even greater risk.

"It's the real thing, it's going to keep rising, global warming is real," said David Gribble, a long-time vacationer.

One woman says she has been bringing her children to Delaware beaches since the 70's, and fears there wont be much left for their children.

"We bring them down quite often too to play on the beaches and fish and that sort of thing, I'd hate to see them miss out in that," said Rosa Colna.

 While this damage is likely decades away, now is the time to prepare.

"If a community needs to build a new hospital or a school, they can look and place that facility in an area that within 50-100 years, is going be to high and dry instead of underwater," said Bason.

The final report due out in 2013, will contain more recommendations to help governments, businesses and citizens prepare.