VOA常速英语:寻找洪水频发和不断上升海平面的解决办法

As sea levels rise, the number of floods hit in coastal towns from Florida to New York grows more frequent and serious.

Here in Norfolk, Virginia, the nearby sea, bay and rivers brought centuries of prosperity from commercial shipping,a huge navy base and many businesses that support maritime activities.

But rising seas are a growing problem for many low-lying neighborhoods.

“So when the water is at this high, it comes to this number here, 710.”

Three floods hit Karen Speights’ home in the past few years.Her home had been dry for decades.So the rising tide inside her home came as a nasty surprise.

“We started to see items float around.The water came in, just like it does at the beach, you know, when the waves come in, and it would go in and out, but it consistently came in.And we rushed to pick things up.”

Old Dominion University researcher Ray Toll says seas have been rising for a while, and worries the problem make it worse faster.

“Every 20 years, it goes up about that much.That based upon the last 100 years. Now we are worried about the next acceleration.It’s not just the study of line as much as it is, it could start to be asymptotic, you know, accelerate.”

Real estate data expert Daren Blomquist says coastal homes offer good climate and views usually getting top prices,but floods hurt buyer demand.

“This isn’t just something that people are predicting, it’s happening.Homes are getting destroyed in some of these natural disasters.And I think that is why we are starting to see a shift.”

Some owners raise homes above the likely flood level, cutting high flood insurance costs.Flood vents and drains allow water to harmlessly enter and leave the lowest level. But lifting a structure is a complicated and expensive procedure that is inappropriate for some buildings.

For a century-old apartment building,vulnerable appliances and utilities will be moved above the predicted water level,according to Flood Mitigation expert, Mike Vernon.

“Relocate all the electrical meters, relocate the hot water heaters.Put the drainage system in, put braces around here, clean all of it out.”

Limiting flood damage cuts insurance cost which could otherwise put homes out of the financial reach of buyers.

Financial problems encourage governments, military leaders, home sellers, insurance, and scientists to work together,so smart rules are more likely to guide future development and minimize damage to existing communities.

Jim Randle, VOA news, Norfolk, Virginia.