Is it possible for an ocean to flood? I'm about to buy a house half a mile from the Atlantic Ocean...?

Question

Is it possible for an ocean to flood? I'm about to buy a house half a mile from the Atlantic Ocean...?

Answer 1

When a person is planning to move to a new location, it is always wise to do some research about the geology and geography of the area. Asking questions like, "How close is it to the coastline?" "Am I living to close to a lake or river that tends to flood a lot?" "Am I willing to take the chance of evacuating my home if I am required to do so?" It may sound like a lot of work to do to find answers to these type of questions, but it is helpful knowing all of these things before making a huge investment.

Answer 2

Sea levels will change over time.  Those who believe in global warming say that sea level will rise a few meters over the next 200 years.  Tides go up and down on a regular predictable basis, and storm surges can make temporary increases in sea level.

Your distance inland is not nearly as important as the ground elevation above sea level.

Answer 3

Most beachfront flooding caused by ocean water and rain that are driven landward by severe storms, such as tropical storms and hurricanes. Storm-driven flood waters along the beachfront can rise to heights of 15 to 20 feet above mean sea level, with destructive waves reaching even higher.

Answer 4

That would be sea level rise.  Climate change is beleived to be rising the sea levels so beach front property is at higher risk of everything from storms to just lunar tides, depending on where you live.  During storms high water is becoming a major concern because it can flood very far inland

Answer 5

Ever heard of New Orleans?  Hurricane Katrina?  Part of the damage was storm surge - waves and high water that came in from the ocean, pushed in by the hurricane.

Take a look at how high the house sits above sea level.  Are there any hills you have to climb between your house and the beach?  Is there a river or stream or creek or drainage ditch or gully of some sort that goes anywhere near the house, that a hurricane might push a flood up to your place?  If it's relatively high - like at least 40-50 feet above sea level, you're probably safe from flooding due to high sea levels or storm surge.  

That doesn't mean you're safe from wind or rain, especially if you sit in the bottom of a gully that would funnel water from further inland through your house as it heads back to the sea.  Or that you're safe from stuff blown by the wind into your house.  I would talk to your insurance agent, and see what kind of risks this particular house has, and what kind of coverage you could get.  Keep in mind that some risks have to be explicitly named in the policy - and that you will pay extra for them, or else you will not be covered by that kind of damage.

Answer 6

Only a hurricane or seismic sea wave could affect you. Perhaps you've heard about the Canary Islands volcano called ------- Viejo (forgot the first part) that's due to erupt any decade. When it goes, the entire Eastern seaboard could be wiped out. I'd try to stay a few miles inland, myself.