Coastal flooding

Who / What

Coastal flooding is a type of flooding that occurs when dry and low‑lying land is submerged by seawater. The water can penetrate inland controlled by the land’s elevation and topography.

Background & History

Coastal flooding has been observed in many coastal regions worldwide. The extent of flooding depends on the elevation of the floodwater and the topography of the exposed coast. Inundation can enter inland areas through direct flooding, overtopping, or breaching of a barrier.

Why Notable

Coastal flooding can profoundly affect low‑lying coastal zones by allowing seawater to penetrate inland. The range of flooding is governed by the topography and the integrity of coastal barriers. Understanding these dynamics is essential for assessing and mitigating coastal risks.

In the News

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Key Facts

**Type:** organization

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Links

[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_flooding)

Sources

• 🔗 Wikipedia

Coastal flooding occurs when dry and low-lying land is submerged (flooded) by seawater. The range of a coastal flooding is a result of the elevation of floodwater that penetrates the inland which is controlled by the topography of the coastal land exposed to flooding. The seawater can flood the land via several different paths: direct flooding, overtopping or breaching of a barrier.