Sea Level Rise

The Town of Edisto Beach is working with the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, the College of Charleston Lowcountry Hazards Center, and the Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments to characterize the impacts of current and future flooding. In spring 2020, Edisto Beach and the project team requested flooding pictures and observations from residents as part of the study's research. The project team invites residents for another opportunity to provide observations and input about impacts from flooding on Tuesday, Sept. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Edisto Beach Town Hall, 2414 Murray Street, Edisto Beach, SC  29438

We will have a touch screen monitor with the flood model developed for the Town by the College of Charleston Lowcountry Hazards Center, along with observations documented in the report. The input session will not have a timed presentation. Residents are welcome to come by any time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and can expect to spend about 15-20 minutes speaking with researchers.

The second VCAPS was completed on December 10, 2020.  The SC Sea Grant Consortium is working on the draft of the study and timeline.  

The Town also has been in contact with Dr. Alicia Watson, a groundwater scientist at the University of South Carolina who is interested in developing research proposals that examine how sea level rise affects groundwater levels.  Specifically we have asked for a proposal to look at how this will impact septic systems and roads.  She has applied for funding and we are waiting to hear if the funding was approved.  

The second VCAPS is scheduled for December 10, 2020. 

Members of staff and Council met virtually with members of the SC Sea Grant Consortium, CISA and the University of South Carolina, and the College of Charleston to begin the VCAPS process. 

VCAPS Exercise Notes

Since all of us have been instructed to stay at home, why not use this time for something constructive. 

 The Town's vulnerable position to coastal hazards is clear.  Given its vulnerable position to coastal hazards the Town has partnered with the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and the Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments Program, University of South Carolina and College of Charleston to develop a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Report that will help the Town develop strategies to adapt to future sea level rise impacts.  We had planned to have public meetings in April, but those have been postponed. 

 However, with your assistance we can continue to work on this project.  Data gathering is a critical component of this process.  We are seeking input from the public related to flooding that you experienced.  Some notable events are.

Hurricane Joaquin

Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Irma

 If your property experienced flooding please include location, duration of flooding, dates and times and a representative picture for each event, if you have them.  If you recall a flooding event that is not listed, please feel free to include this information.

Data can be submitted to ihill@townofedistobeach.com.  Please mark subject as Sea Level Rise Project.  You can also enter data on the following interactive map developed by the Sea Grant Consortium at https://arcg.is/1Xa9DG.  Thank you for your assistance with this project.

A lot of information is already available such as NOAA high resolution map data.  The information can be provided relatively quick and there may be no cost involved.  The next step would be the Vulnerability, Consequences, and Adaptation Planning Scenarios (VCAPS) process that supports planning by local decision makers concerned about coastal management and climate changes vulnerability and adaptation.  The first VCAPS is tentatively scheduled for May 19, 2020.