If the worst climate-change predictions come true, hundreds of coastal US towns and cities — from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Galveston, Texas — could disappear underwater by 2100.
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7 major US cities could be underwater within 80 years — here are the disturbing 'after' images
If the worst climate-change predictions come true, hundreds of coastal cities could disappear underwater within the century.
The former Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
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The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Agency released a report in January that hinted at the possibility of an "extreme" sea-level-rise scenario that could cause chronic flooding to affect as many as 670 coastal communities. That scenario is considered unlikely but possible.
The research group Climate Central took the projections laid out in NOAA's report and created a plug-in for Google Earth that shows how catastrophic the damage would be if the flooding happened today. You can install it (directions here) and see anywhere in the US.
Here are seven US towns and cities that could go underwater in your children's lifetime.
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Atlantic City, New Jersey, has gone from a bustling tourist hub to a ghost town in recent years.
Extreme sea-level rise could wash away the New Jersey tourist attraction entirely.
The Taj Mahal casino — built by Donald Trump for $1.2 billion in 1990 — overlooks the boardwalk and beaches. It sold earlier this year for 4 cents on the dollar.
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There are plans to reopen the Taj Mahal in 2018, though polar melting, carbon emissions, and ice-sheet collapses could cause flooding to destroy the tower within the century.
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New Orleans is no stranger to chronic flooding and storm surges.
An estimated 500,000 people will need to evacuate the Big Easy within the century.
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After Hurricane Katrina flooded 80% of New Orleans, thousands of people sought refuge at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
But the arena used as a shelter might not survive extreme sea-level rise.
Galveston, Texas, is a resort city located off the Texas Gulf coast. It relies on tourism.
32 miles of beaches, restaurants, hotels, and shopping could disappear underwater.
Moody Gardens and its iconic pyramidal structures have long been a Galveston Island fixture. The aquarium and nature park welcome 2 million visitors a year.
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The marine life exhibits could flood in your children's lifetime.
This is what Miami Beach, Florida, looks like today.
In the year 2100, passersby may not even see the island while flying overhead.
Climate Central's plug-in for Google Earth shows a sea-level rise of 10 to 12 feet, which would cause the Atlantic Ocean to wash over Miami and the Miami River to overflow.
Everyone who lives in Miami would need to evacuate long before that happened.
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In Miami-Dade County, 1.6 million square feet of office space and 1.8 million square feet of retail space was under construction in the second quarter of 2016, the BBC reported.
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Those high-rises could have a different kind of ocean view by the end of the century.
Charleston, South Carolina, already has a flooding problem. The Southern city is flat and at low elevation, which makes it vulnerable to extreme flooding and storm surges.
In the year 2100, you might need a boat to reach the city's center.
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Shopping at the Charleston City Market is a must-do for tourists visiting the area.
But the long row of red-roofed buildings could be submerged by 2100.
Virginia Beach, Virginia, lies where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
It could be swallowed up by both bodies of water.
The 3-mile boardwalk is a top tourist destination during the summer.
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We suggest you visit while you still can.
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