An ARkStorm is plausible, perhaps inevitable. Such storms have happened in California's historic record (1861-62), but 1861-62 is not a freak event, not the last time the state will experience such a severe storm, and not the worst case. The geologic record shows 6 megastorms more severe than 1861-1862 in California in the last 1800 years, and there is no reason to believe similar events won't occur again. - USGS
br> READ: ARkStorm Scenario
The Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) is a modeling approach that projects coastal flooding and shoreline change (sandy beach change and cliff retreat) due to both sea-level rise and coastal storms driven by climate change. CoSMoS was designed to understand the present-day and future vulnerability of the Southern California coast in support of federal and state climate change guidance, local vulnerability assessments, and emergency response.
Slide to view estimated coastal inundation at Mission Bay, San Diego; 200cm sea level rise & 100 year Storm Scenario Frequency
Slide to view estimated coastal inundation at Del Mar; 200cm sea level rise & 100 year Storm Scenario Frequency
Slide to view current view and estimated coastal inundation along San Diego River; Amount of Sea Level Rise: 5.7 feet
Slide to view current view and estimated coastal inundation at Coronado; Amount of Sea Level Rise: 5.7 feet
Slide to view current view and estimated coastal inundation at IMPERIAL BEACH; Amount of Sea Level Rise: 5.7 feet