As sea levels continue to climb and storms get more intense, entire communities around the globe are facing a soggy future. Cities built on coastlines, deltas, and low-lying lands are especially vulnerable; many already see the warning signs. Here’s a look at major cities that could find themselves below the tide line sooner than you’d think.
Miami, USA
“Sunny day flooding” has become part of life in neighborhoods like Brickell and Miami Beach. Billions of dollars are funneling into pumps, raised roads, and sea walls, but projections still place Miami on the frontlines of climate chaos by 2040.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Some districts in Jakarta drop by more than 10 inches yearly due to groundwater extraction. Combine that with the rising sea level, and you’ve got a metropolis of over 10 million sliding toward disaster. Plans are in motion to move the capital entirely to Borneo.
New York City, USA
The Big Apple has survived a lot, but water might be its toughest opponent yet. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, entire subway lines filled like bathtubs and caused billions in damage. Today, parts of Lower Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn are marked as future flood zones by Climate Central.
Kolkata, India
Kolkata rests in the fertile Ganges Delta, which is great for farming but terrible for staying dry. Already struggling with monsoon flooding, the city’s natural drainage can’t keep up with increasingly intense rainfall and rising sea levels. The surrounding wetlands, which once absorbed overflow, are being drained for development.
Alexandria, Egypt
Once a gem of ancient civilization, Alexandria is now a poster child for coastal risk in North Africa. With parts of the city just 3 feet above sea level, the Mediterranean has started to reclaim the land. Fishermen report saltwater entering farmland canals, damaging crops.
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka experiences some of the worst urban flooding in Asia, which is made worse by poor infrastructure and an exploding population. The city is low, flat, and surrounded by flood-prone land. Sea-level rise pushes saline water further inland through the Bay of Bengal, affecting agriculture and water quality.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
This Vietnamese metropolis sits on the Saigon River, in a delta where water rules everything. A recent study pegged the city as one of the most flood-prone in the world, with parts of the town only 1 meter above sea level. Floods now regularly shut down roads and impact commerce.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Dutch have been fighting water since the Middle Ages. Amsterdam rests on thousands of wooden poles driven into marshy land, and its canals, while scenic, are also strategic defenses. Without dikes and levees, most of Amsterdam would already be underwater.
New Orleans, USA
After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans rebuilt its levee system, but rising seas and sinking land are still dangerous. Over half of the city sits below sea level, and its network of pumps, levees, and floodgates is constantly being tested. Coastal wetlands that once provided natural protection are vanishing.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok has a lot going for it—great food, ancient temples, and, unfortunately, a sinking problem. Due to soft clay soil and heavy construction, the Thai capital is dropping about 2 inches yearly and barely rising above sea level.
Venice, Italy
Venice was built on wooden pilings over a lagoon, and this floating city has been slowly sinking for centuries. Now, sea-level rise is speeding things up. MOSE, a multi-billion euro flood barrier project, was designed to block high tides, but glitches and delays have undermined its reliability.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu’s beautiful beaches are under threat, and not just during hurricanes. Imported sand is being dumped to keep the beach alive, but it’s a losing battle. Higher tides and stronger storm surges are reaching further inland and jeopardizing roads, homes, and businesses.
San Francisco, USA
The San Francisco Bay Area features waterfront developments, many built on filled-in marshlands. Areas like Treasure Island, Foster City, and parts of Oakland are expected to face chronic flooding by mid-century. Scientists warn that rising sea levels combined with seismic risks could make storm surges more dangerous.
Abu Dhabi, UAE
You might not picture the desert dealing with rising water, but Abu Dhabi hugs the Persian Gulf and features large coastal developments on reclaimed land. Rising seas threaten the city’s artificial islands, ports, and beachfront neighborhoods. Saltwater intrusion is also affecting groundwater.
Lagos, Nigeria
Africa’s most populous city sits on a low coastal plain, and seasonal rainstorms already trigger severe urban floods. Add rising sea levels, and the city could see large swathes of its land submerged. The affluent district of Victoria Island is especially vulnerable.