What we're reading this week | The #FridayFive

Video depicts how rising seas will affect South Boston
Boston Globe, July 16, by Tim Logan
The developers who want to turn South Boston’s shuttered L Street Power Station into a huge complex of housing and office space know that rising seas will someday come for their waterfront site. Now they’re releasing a video that shows, in vivid detail, just how much and where that water might go. A time-lapse video by the landscape architects working on the huge project scrolls through 30 years of climate change in 30 seconds, giving an unusually up-close look at how new buildings along Boston’s booming waterfront might fare in a future with seas significantly higher than they are today.

Second Annual Marine and Maritime Festival Set July 20
East Boston Times-Free Press, July 17, by John Lynds
“This event really aims to bring environmental stewardship to the community,” said Harborkeepers Founder and Director Magdalena Ayed. “We want to get the community excited about all the efforts to improve the waterfront. As a coastal community the festival will also provide opportunities to learn about the neighborhood’s maritime history and our waterfront.”

Mayor Walsh Talks Waterfront Seawalls, Northern Ave Bridge and Transportation [Video]
NorthEndWaterfront.com, July 17, by Matt Conti
Mayor Marty Walsh spoke to the Wharf District Council on July 16th, covering a range of issues from building seawalls along Boston’s waterfront to dealing with the city’s ever increasing traffic congestion.  Climate resiliency is high priority for Walsh as he announced an ambitious plan to build seawalls and burns to protect against flooding. “We are building a seawall along the entire inner Boston Harbor,” he said. “And, we’re covering it with grass, trees and walkways to really create something special.”

Boston Sees More Tidal Flooding Than Any Other Northeast City
NBC Boston, July 11, by Michael Page
Boston recorded more days of nuisance high tide flooding than any other city in the northeast last year, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The report, released just this week, says Boston notched 19 days of what is sometimes called ‘sunny day’ flooding in 2018.

‘Sunny-day flooding’ is projected to put parts of the US underwater for at least 100 days per year. Here’s what the Gulf and East coasts should expect.
Business Insider, July 16, by Morgan McFall-Johnsen
NOAA monitors sea levels along US coastlines, and the agency's data suggests that overall, coastal communities saw a median of five days with high-tide floods in 2018, tying a record set in 2015. The water blocked roadways, damaged homes and basements, and overwhelmed septic tanks and storm-water systems.  The researchers say this is just the beginning: They expect to see that record broken this year, and within 30 years, the frequency could jump to 75 flood days per year.