Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution revealed on December 17, 2025, that the rate of U.S. coastal sea-level rise has more than doubled over the past 125 years, jumping from 1.7 millimeters per year in 1900 to 4.3 millimeters in 2024. This acceleration exposes coastal communities to greater flood risks, directly challenging a July 2025 Department of Energy report that detected no change.
Lead researcher Chris Piecuch examined data from 70 tide gauges along the contiguous U.S. coastlines. He identified key drivers: ocean warming from climate change, melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, and seawater thermal expansion. Piecuch noted the DOE report’s reliance on only five stations masked the broader trend now evident across all major coastal areas.
Insurance and Real Estate Pressures Mount
Coastal homeowners face mounting financial strain as insurers adjust models to account for faster rises. In states like Florida, Louisiana, and New Jersey, flood insurance premiums have been climbing. Industry reports indicate these changes reflect wider shifts as firms prepare for earlier and larger claims payouts.
Real estate markets in coastal areas continue to respond to flood risk concerns. Waterfront properties in cities like Miami, Charleston, and San Francisco face valuation challenges. Builders are increasingly cautious about flood-vulnerable development sites.
Flood Defenses Gain Traction
Demand for adaptation measures continues to surge as communities fortify against floods. Engineering firms report strong demand for elevated foundations, seawalls, and pumps from companies like Xylem and Grundfos. Miami-Dade County has received over $122 million for resilience projects. Major ports in Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, and Charleston face billions in potential protective investments to counter tidal disruptions in shipping.
Agriculture and Economy Feel the Strain
Coastal farmers in North Carolina’s Outer Banks and Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta battle saltwater intrusion salinizing groundwater and croplands. Agricultural Extension Services document shifts to salt-tolerant crops and inland relocations. The American Farm Bureau Federation reported that weather disasters cost farmers over $20 billion in 2024, with coastal saltwater intrusion representing a growing concern.
Economists warn that heightened construction demand for resilience infrastructure could drive up material costs regionally. Rising insurance premiums add burdens for coastal households, with potential spillover to national housing markets.
Policy Response Under Consideration
Congressional interest in coastal resilience continues to build. Bipartisan coastal management legislation is under consideration, with lawmakers from coastal states leading advocacy for infrastructure investments and community protection measures.
The study’s revelations highlight the pitfalls of incomplete data, as seen in the DOE analysis, which may have misled perceptions among officials and residents. Comprehensive monitoring now underpins strategies for management and preparation. Local governments are engaging residents—farmers, homeowners, business owners—in tailoring plans to specific threats.
Public-private partnerships are accelerating solutions, blending private investment with policy support for innovations in stormwater systems and elevated structures. With hundreds of billions in coastal assets at stake by 2050, sustained action on resilience will determine economic stability and community viability amid ongoing sea level rise.
Sources
AGU Advances – Rate of U.S. Coastal Sea-Level Rise Doubled in the Past Century
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Press Release – New Study Finds Rate of U.S. Coastal Sea Level Rise Doubled in the Past Century
WBUR – Sea Level Rise Is Speeding Up, Contradicting Federal Report
American Property Casualty Insurance Association – Insurance Industry Response to Accelerated Coastal Sea-Level Rise Study
Zillow Research – Coastal Real Estate Market Response to WHOI Sea-Level Rise Study
Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience – Coastal Resilience Infrastructure Investment Announcement
American Farm Bureau Federation – Coastal Agricultural Communities Face Saltwater Intrusion Risks
U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology – Announcement of Hearings on Department of Energy Sea-Level Rise Report
Committee for Economic Development – Inflation and Economic Impact Projections for Coastal Resilience Infrastructure
World Resources Institute – Coastal Adaptation Pathways and Policy Framework