Quote:
Originally Posted by JManc
Oh much of the area is VERY floody, my neighborhood included but that has more to do with the soil, erosion from overdevelopment, and the networks of bayous and lakes in the area. Plus, we live in a rainy climate prone to hurricanes.
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Right, but the (potential issues) with climate change aren't strictly ocean-rise.
Though that is a direct issue. Its also that:
a) To the extent that Ocean rise moves the Ocean inland at all, the drainage space available to Houston is less.
b) A rising Ocean typically means a rising water table locally in the area, so greater risk of ground saturation and inability to hold water.
c) The risk of more intense storms, more frequently which dump more rain, more quickly.
d) Storm surge from a higher, closer Ocean.
The prospect is not one of Houston being wiped out; its simply a question of how much of its currently habitable area becomes uninhabitable.
If its 1% or 2%, then all other things being equal the growth machine will stay on course, subject to adequate water supply.
But if 10% or 20% of land comes out of circulation as practically uninhabitable.
That could certainly impair growth and maybe even induce some retrenchment.