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California flooding, sea-level rise linked
A condominium complex being undermined by rising ocean levels at a Monterey beach. (Photo: Steve Smith)As officials in Washington try to repair the nation’s flood insurance program, scientists in California are grappling with a looming threat that will complicate flooding hazards in the state: sea-level rise. Creeping ocean waters are already flooding coastal areas more frequently and eroding sea cliffs more rapidly. They’re also worsening damage from extreme weather events like high tides and torrential rains.