Rising sea levels, high tides will lead to more floods, researchers warn

St. Petersburg currently sees about seven high-tide flood events per year. But in a decade, researchers expect that number to soar to 67 per year.

According to a new study, high-tide flooding events are projected to increase rapidly beginning in 2033.

That will affect Florida communities along the Gulf of Mexico, including low-lying St. Petersburg neighborhoods like Shore Acres.

The study, published in the June 21 issue of the scientific journal Nature Climate Change, forecasts approximately seven days of high-tide flooding in St. Petersburg in 2023, but predicts almost 70 such days in 2033.

“It's going to get to the point where in some months, we’ll have a flood event almost every day,” said Gary Mitchum, associate dean of the University of South Florida College of Marine Science.

Mitchum worked with colleagues from the University of Hawaii to forecast how rising sea levels interact with tidal cycles.