This webpage was updated on March 27, 2014

Coastal Hazards


Tsunami Risk along the California Coast

“This service provides maps of tsunami flood hazard. The tsunami zones are based on consideration of local tsunami-generating sources offshore California’s coasts (earthquake faults and landslides), and distant sources around the Pacific Ocean rim. These zones are non-regulatory and currently include zones that are intended to provide guidance for emergency planning purposes only. Additional zones may be provided in the future that provide guidance for use in coastal land use and construction. More information is available from the California Geological Survey (http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/geologic_hazards/Tsunami/Inundation_Maps/Pages/Statewide_Maps.aspx) and the California Emergency Management Agency (http://cms.calema.ca.gov/prep_tsunami.aspx) LIMITATIONS 1)Delineation of tsunami emergency response planning zones was done in accordance with U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 base map standards which provides that 90 percent of cultural features be located within 40 feet (horizontal accuracy). Overlay of zones on other base maps can result in discordance with base map features. 2)DISCLAIMER: The California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA), the University of Southern California (USC), and the California Geological Survey (CGS) make no representation or warranties regarding the accuracy of these inundation zones nor the data from which the zones were derived. Neither the State of California nor USC shall be liable under any circumstances for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages with respect to any claim by any user or any third party on account of or arising from the use of this information.”

NOAA Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts

Flood Frequency

“This dataset was created as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center’s efforts to create an online mapping viewer depicting potential sea level rise and its associated impacts on the nation’s coastal areas. The purpose of the mapping viewer is to provide coastal managers and scientists with a preliminary look at sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. The viewer is a screening-level tool that uses nationally consistent data sets and analyses. Data and maps provided can be used at several scales to help gauge trends and prioritize actions for different scenarios. The purpose of this dataset is to depict the extent of flood-prone coastal areas based on predicted water levels exceeding specific tidal heights as issued by local National Weather Service offices. The dataset should be used only as a screening-level tool for management decisions. As with all remotely sensed data, all features should be verified with a site visit. The dataset is provided ‘as is’, without warranty to its performance, merchantable state, or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk associated with the results and performance of this dataset is assumed by the user. This dataset should be used strictly as a planning reference and not for navigation, permitting, or other legal purposes.”

0ft Rise

“This dataset was created as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center’s efforts to create an online mapping viewer depicting potential sea level rise and its associated impacts on the nation’s coastal areas. The purpose of the mapping viewer is to provide coastal managers and scientists with a preliminary look at sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. The viewer is a screening-level tool that uses nationally consistent data sets and analyses. Data and maps provided can be used at several scales to help gauge trends and prioritize actions for different scenarios. The purpose of this dataset is to show inundation from current Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) for the area. Tiles have been cached down to Level ID 11 (1:18,055). This dataset illustrates the scale of potential flooding, not the exact location, and does not account for erosion, subsidence, or future construction. Inundation is shown as it would appear during the highest high tides (excludes wind driven tides). The dataset should be used only as a screening-level tool for management decisions. As with all remotely sensed data, all features should be verified with a site visit. The dataset is provided ‘as is’, without warranty to its performance, merchantable state, or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk associated with the results and performance of this dataset is assumed by the user. This dataset should be used strictly as a planning reference and not for navigation, permitting, or other legal purposes.”

1ft Rise

“This dataset was created as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center’s efforts to create an online mapping viewer depicting potential sea level rise and its associated impacts on the nation’s coastal areas. The purpose of the mapping viewer is to provide coastal managers and scientists with a preliminary look at sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. The viewer is a screening-level tool that uses nationally consistent data sets and analyses. Data and maps provided can be used at several scales to help gauge trends and prioritize actions for different scenarios. The purpose of this dataset is to show potential sea level rise inundation of 1 ft above current Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) for the area. Tiles have been cached down to Level ID 11 (1:18,055). This dataset illustrates the scale of potential flooding, not the exact location, and does not account for erosion, subsidence, or future construction. Inundation is shown as it would appear during the highest high tides (excludes wind driven tides) with the sea level rise amount. The dataset should be used only as a screening-level tool for management decisions. As with all remotely sensed data, all features should be verified with a site visit. The dataset is provided ‘as is’, without warranty to its performance, merchantable state, or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk associated with the results and performance of this dataset is assumed by the user. This dataset should be used strictly as a planning reference and not for navigation, permitting, or other legal purposes.”

2ft Rise

“This dataset was created as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center’s efforts to create an online mapping viewer depicting potential sea level rise and its associated impacts on the nation’s coastal areas. The purpose of the mapping viewer is to provide coastal managers and scientists with a preliminary look at sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. The viewer is a screening-level tool that uses nationally consistent data sets and analyses. Data and maps provided can be used at several scales to help gauge trends and prioritize actions for different scenarios. The purpose of this dataset is to show potential sea level rise inundation of 2 ft above current Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) for the area. Tiles have been cached down to Level ID 11 (1:18,055). This dataset illustrates the scale of potential flooding, not the exact location, and does not account for erosion, subsidence, or future construction. Inundation is shown as it would appear during the highest high tides (excludes wind driven tides) with the sea level rise amount. The dataset should be used only as a screening-level tool for management decisions. As with all remotely sensed data, all features should be verified with a site visit. The dataset is provided ‘as is’, without warranty to its performance, merchantable state, or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk associated with the results and performance of this dataset is assumed by the user. This dataset should be used strictly as a planning reference and not for navigation, permitting, or other legal purposes.”

3ft Rise

“This dataset was created as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center’s efforts to create an online mapping viewer depicting potential sea level rise and its associated impacts on the nation’s coastal areas. The purpose of the mapping viewer is to provide coastal managers and scientists with a preliminary look at sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. The viewer is a screening-level tool that uses nationally consistent data sets and analyses. Data and maps provided can be used at several scales to help gauge trends and prioritize actions for different scenarios. The purpose of this dataset is to show potential sea level rise inundation of 3 ft above current Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) for the area. Tiles have been cached down to Level ID 11 (1:18,055). This dataset illustrates the scale of potential flooding, not the exact location, and does not account for erosion, subsidence, or future construction. Inundation is shown as it would appear during the highest high tides (excludes wind driven tides) with the sea level rise amount. The dataset should be used only as a screening-level tool for management decisions. As with all remotely sensed data, all features should be verified with a site visit. The dataset is provided ‘as is’, without warranty to its performance, merchantable state, or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk associated with the results and performance of this dataset is assumed by the user. This dataset should be used strictly as a planning reference and not for navigation, permitting, or other legal purposes.”

4ft Rise

“This dataset was created as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center’s efforts to create an online mapping viewer depicting potential sea level rise and its associated impacts on the nation’s coastal areas. The purpose of the mapping viewer is to provide coastal managers and scientists with a preliminary look at sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. The viewer is a screening-level tool that uses nationally consistent data sets and analyses. Data and maps provided can be used at several scales to help gauge trends and prioritize actions for different scenarios. The purpose of this dataset is to show potential sea level rise inundation of 4 ft above current Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) for the area. Tiles have been cached down to Level ID 11 (1:18,055). This dataset illustrates the scale of potential flooding, not the exact location, and does not account for erosion, subsidence, or future construction. Inundation is shown as it would appear during the highest high tides (excludes wind driven tides) with the sea level rise amount. The dataset should be used only as a screening-level tool for management decisions. As with all remotely sensed data, all features should be verified with a site visit. The dataset is provided ‘as is’, without warranty to its performance, merchantable state, or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk associated with the results and performance of this dataset is assumed by the user. This dataset should be used strictly as a planning reference and not for navigation, permitting, or other legal purposes.”

5ft Rise

“This dataset was created as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center’s efforts to create an online mapping viewer depicting potential sea level rise and its associated impacts on the nation’s coastal areas. The purpose of the mapping viewer is to provide coastal managers and scientists with a preliminary look at sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. The viewer is a screening-level tool that uses nationally consistent data sets and analyses. Data and maps provided can be used at several scales to help gauge trends and prioritize actions for different scenarios. The purpose of this dataset is to show potential sea level rise inundation of 5 ft above current Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) for the area. Tiles have been cached down to Level ID 11 (1:18,055). This dataset illustrates the scale of potential flooding, not the exact location, and does not account for erosion, subsidence, or future construction. Inundation is shown as it would appear during the highest high tides (excludes wind driven tides) with the sea level rise amount. The dataset should be used only as a screening-level tool for management decisions. As with all remotely sensed data, all features should be verified with a site visit. The dataset is provided ‘as is’, without warranty to its performance, merchantable state, or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk associated with the results and performance of this dataset is assumed by the user. This dataset should be used strictly as a planning reference and not for navigation, permitting, or other legal purposes.”

6ft Rise

“This dataset was created as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center’s efforts to create an online mapping viewer depicting potential sea level rise and its associated impacts on the nation’s coastal areas. The purpose of the mapping viewer is to provide coastal managers and scientists with a preliminary look at sea level rise and coastal flooding impacts. The viewer is a screening-level tool that uses nationally consistent data sets and analyses. Data and maps provided can be used at several scales to help gauge trends and prioritize actions for different scenarios. The purpose of this dataset is to show potential sea level rise inundation of 6 ft above current Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) for the area. Tiles have been cached down to Level ID 11 (1:18,055). This dataset illustrates the scale of potential flooding, not the exact location, and does not account for erosion, subsidence, or future construction. Inundation is shown as it would appear during the highest high tides (excludes wind driven tides) with the sea level rise amount. The dataset should be used only as a screening-level tool for management decisions. As with all remotely sensed data, all features should be verified with a site visit. The dataset is provided ‘as is’, without warranty to its performance, merchantable state, or fitness for any particular purpose. The entire risk associated with the results and performance of this dataset is assumed by the user. This dataset should be used strictly as a planning reference and not for navigation, permitting, or other legal purposes.”