Virginia's Coast: What's at Stake

Posted: 29-May-2007; Updated: 31-Jul-2007

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Maps: Storm surge risk in Virginia
See a series of maps showing how storm surge associated with increasing storm intensity can affect Norfolk.

Virginia Snapshot

Coastline:* 112 miles (6)

Tidal shoreline:* 3,315 miles (6)

Coastal population: 1.5 million (one-fifth of the state's total) (7)

Percentage of land less than 5 feet above sea level: 948 square miles (8)

Property value of Atlantic Coast counties: Approximately $129.7 billion (11 percent of state’s insured property value) (9)

Storm history since 1996: See a list of tropical storms and hurricanes that have had a direct impact on South Carolina since 1996.

* Coastline refers to the general outline of a state's sea coast; tidal shoreline refers to the coastline, as well as offshore islands, sounds, bays, rivers, and creeks measured to the head of tidewaters or to a point where tidal waters narrow to a width of 100 feet.

Virginia's history, economy and way of life have always been intricately connected to its coastline. The Virginia coast traces long stretches of the Atlantic Ocean and includes the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary. Virginia's coastal resources include:

• The world's largest naval station, in Norfolk;
• Virginia Beach, a world-renowned tourist destination responsible for 11,400 jobs and $895 million in revenue (1); and
• A commercial fishing industry that landed 35,443 tons of finfish and shellfish in 2005, with a total value of $130 million (2).

These resources are threatened by two results of global warming: sea level rise and increased storm surges from stronger hurricanes and tropical storms.

Virginia's low-lying areas already more vulnerable

More than 374 square miles of Virginia's land lie less than five feet above sea level (3). That means large swaths of the state are at risk from sea level rise, which is already altering parts of the Chesapeake Bay.

One-third of the marsh at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, for example, is now submerged, thanks in part to rising seas, which are linked directly to global warming (4). In short, sea level rise could continue to alter Virginia's coastline—permanently.

More destructive storms are projected because of global warming

Recent studies show that hurricanes are becoming more powerful—for example, there are twice as many Category 4 and 5 hurricanes today than there were 35 years ago. This trend is expected to continue as global warming gets worse. For coastal residents, another alarming consequence of global warming is sea level rise, which will affect storm surges. These powerful, fast-moving walls of water often accompany tropical storms and hurricanes, and can devastate coastal communities, taking lives and destroying property. Higher sea levels will mean higher storm surges that reach further inland. While permanent flooding from sea level rise occurs over decades or longer, higher storm surges from more intense hurricanes are already here.

See this series of maps showing how storm surge associated with increasing storm intensity can affect Norfolk.

A history of hurricane damage

Hurricane Isabel, which hit Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay in 2003, was the most damaging hurricane to hit the area since Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and the Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane of 1933.

Hurricane Isabel's storm surge, winds, heavy rains and flooding:

• Killed 10 people in Virginia (17 nationwide);
• Caused $1.85 billion in damages ($3.4 billion nationwide);
• Brought storm surges that reached 8.5 feet; and
• Spawned a tornado in the Ocean View section of Norfolk (5).

Perhaps an even bigger threat to Virginia is severe weather from systems remaining after tropical storms and hurricanes make landfall in other states. The winds and flooding rains from tropical systems that remain after hurricanes such as Bertha and Dennis have caused tremendous damage in Virginia in the past. See a list of tropical storms and hurricanes that have done damage in Virginia since 1996.