Overview
- The Science Advances study, published Wednesday, estimates 17.5 million people at very high flood risk and another 17 million at high risk along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
- New York City has the largest exposed population, with about 4.75 million people in the top two risk tiers and more than 200,000 buildings likely to be damaged.
- New Orleans faces the greatest share of residents at risk, with roughly 380,000 people—about 99% of the city—exposed under the study’s scenarios.
- The analysis highlights eight hotspot cities: New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Jacksonville, Miami, Mobile, New Orleans, and Houston.
- Using FEMA damage records and 16 factors in three AI models, researchers identify low elevation and dense drainage as key drivers, and they call for levees plus wetlands, permeable streets, and plans that protect low-income, elderly, and minority residents.