{"id":893078,"date":"2026-03-20T04:11:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T09:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/20\/if-florida-reefs-arent-protected-storms-will-increase-flooding-costs-study\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T04:11:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T09:11:58","slug":"if-florida-reefs-arent-protected-storms-will-increase-flooding-costs-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/20\/if-florida-reefs-arent-protected-storms-will-increase-flooding-costs-study\/","title":{"rendered":"If Florida reefs aren\u2019t protected, storms will increase flooding &#038; costs: Study"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<article id=\"post-315628\">\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Coral reefs absorb incoming waves, protecting shorelines from tropical storms.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>A recent Earth\u2019s Future study examines flood risks from tropical storms to communities in Florida, if coral reefs keep degrading at current rates.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>The study finds that future coral reef degradation will increase the annual risk of flooding to people by 42% and to buildings by 47%.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>This increased degradation would predictably cause $412.5 million in damages to structures and economic disruption of $438.1 million annually.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Healthy reefs aren\u2019t just about colorful fish \u2014 they also shield shorelines from intense tropical storms. If Florida\u2019s reefs keep degrading, flooding during tropical storms could get much worse, increasing risks to people and costing nearly a billion dollars a year in damage to buildings and economic disruption annually, a new <a href=\"https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1029\/2025EF006255\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\"><em>Earth\u2019s Future<\/em><\/a> study finds.<\/p>\n<p>Coral reefs act as natural breakwaters, absorbing up to 97% percent of an incoming wave\u2019s energy, with the top of the reef taking the bulk of the impact. Globally, around 200 million people benefit from this kind of natural flood protection, according to a 2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms4794\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\"><em>Nature Communications<\/em><\/a> study.<\/p>\n<p>But around the world, coral reefs are in trouble. The <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/short-article\/2025\/04\/ongoing-global-coral-bleaching-event-affects-84-of-worlds-reefs\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">most recent bleaching event<\/a>, driven by record temperatures, hit more than 80% of reefs. Reefs are also battling <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2025\/06\/researchers-race-to-understand-new-disease-killing-caribbean-corals-at-unprecedented-rates\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">coral diseases<\/a>, pollution, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2025\/12\/another-threat-to-reefs-microplastic-chemicals-may-harm-coral-reproduction\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">microplastics<\/a>, physical damage and other threats. In the Florida Keys, live coral cover has declined by about 90%, over the last 40 years, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/southeast\/habitat-conservation\/restoring-seven-iconic-reefs-mission-recover-coral-reefs-florida-keys\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Degraded reefs aren\u2019t as strong, and crumbling coral means they aren\u2019t as able to cushion the impact of waves. As waves become more forceful, they erode sediment, deepening the seafloor closer to shore.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWaves break relative to their water depth. \u2026 Now, all of a sudden, you make that water deeper, that means a bigger wave can come in closer to shore,\u201d says Curt Storlazzi, a researcher at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the study\u2019s first author.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41893-021-00706-6\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">previous study<\/a>, researchers from USGS and the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), looked at the flood protection value of all U.S. reefs.<\/p>\n<p>In the new study, researchers zeroed-in on Florida, where high-density and high-value properties and infrastructure line the reef-fringed coast. The study finds if Florida\u2019s coral reefs continue to degrade, the annual flood risks to people will increase by 42%, and the risk to buildings will increase by 47%. The researchers estimate the increased flooding would cause $412.5 million in damages to structures and result in at least $438.1 million in economic disruption each year.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_315633\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/03\/12050211\/Looe_Key_Reef-768x512.png\" alt=\"Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The Florida reef stretches about 350 miles (563 kilometers). Continuing degradation of the reef will substantially increase the risk of flooding, and could cause $412.5 million in damages to structures, and economic disruption of $438.1 million annually, according to a 2026 Earth\u2019s Future study.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\"  ><figcaption>Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The Florida reef stretches about 350 miles (563 kilometers). Continuing degradation of the reef will substantially increase the risk of flooding, and could cause $412.5 million in damages to structures, and economic disruption of $438.1 million annually, according to a 2026 <em>Earth\u2019s Future<\/em> study. Image by Shawn Verne\/NOAA via <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Looe_Key_Reef.PNG\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a> (Public domain).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Coral reefs protect people, property and infrastructure, says study co-author Michael Beck, director of UCSC\u2019s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven in a place where they\u2019re degraded, we can quantify that [additional degradation] is going to further and significantly increase risk, and we believe that this helps highlight that there can be cost-effective solutions,\u201d Beck tells Mongabay.<\/p>\n<p>The study examined flood risk from tropical storms along the coast from now until the end of the century. First, the researchers ran coastal engineering models to look at flood risk for storms of various intensities, from low-grade tropical storms up to extreme 100- and 500-year storm events. Then they looked at what would happen if reefs continued to degrade at current rates. The modeling shows that as reefs degrade, storms would lead to flooding farther inland. Finally, they calculated the economic cost of this increased flooding, using 2010 census data.<\/p>\n<p>Along 17% of Florida\u2019s coast, damage and economic disruption could cost more than $1 million per kilometer, according to the study\u2019s results. The researchers find that some parts of the coast stand to be more affected than others; the greatest flood risks are along low-lying coastlines protected by narrow reefs. The study also finds that economically disadvantaged communities \u2014 which are currently situated inland and out of harm\u2019s way \u2014 would start to see more flooding if reefs continue to degrade.<\/p>\n<p>The economic valuation along with granular data on which places are most vulnerable could be useful to reef managers who make decisions about conservation or restoration, Storlazzi says.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_315630\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/03\/12050151\/Coral_Assessment_25044216808-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"A diver surveys coral damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Coral reefs protect coastlines, but can also sustain damage from intense storms. In the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary, Hurricane Irma caused structural damage to corals, as well as heavy sediment accumulation that can smother corals.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\"  ><figcaption>A diver surveys coral damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Coral reefs protect coastlines, but can also sustain damage from intense storms. In the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary, Hurricane Irma caused structural damage to corals, as well as heavy sediment accumulation that can smother corals. Image by Brenda Altmeier\/NOAA via <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Coral_Assessment_(25044216808).jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a> (Public domain).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe can say, \u2018If we protect this reef, it\u2019s going to protect those people and those buildings.\u2019 There\u2019s a very direct linkage,\u201d Storlazzi tells Mongabay.<\/p>\n<p>The study brings a fresh perspective, and shows how reef restoration can be framed as an opportunity to protect coastlines and infrastructure, says Melanie McField,\u00a0founder and director of Healthy Reefs for Healthy People, who was not affiliated with the study.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is exactly what we need, for us to guide science, but also for the public to understand, \u2018Here\u2019s quantification of these impacts and how the reef and the degradation of a reef can affect you \u2014 even if you don\u2019t care about biodiversity at all,\u2019 McField tells Mongabay.<\/p>\n<p>So far, much of the discussion around coastal flooding has focused on sea level rise, according to Beck. But, he says, the ramifications of reef degradation, in terms of flood risk, are a \u201cmuch more significant problem than people realize.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Both Beck and Storlazzi say their findings are likely on the \u201cconservative\u201d side, meaning that future coastal flooding \u2014 and the economic cost \u2014 may be even more severe than the study suggests. There could be other variables, like sea level rise or increases in storm intensity or wave energy that change flooding, Beck says. Plus, people are still building in risky areas, he adds.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_315631\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/03\/12050154\/Coral_reef_diagram-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"Coral reefs can reduce wave energy by 97%, with the reef crest absorbing 86% of the impact. Worldwide, 200 million people benefit from these shoreline protection benefits, according to a 2014 Nature Communications study.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\"  ><figcaption>Coral reefs can reduce wave energy by 97%, with the reef crest absorbing 86% of the impact. Worldwide, 200 million people benefit from these shoreline protection benefits, according to a 2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms4794\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\"><em>Nature Communications<\/em><\/a> study. Image by Susan Mayfield and Sara Boore\/USGS via <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Coral_reef_diagram.jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a> (Public domain).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Safeguarding coral reefs could be a way to assuage these impacts, the authors write. The findings also show that even degraded reefs offer coastal protection, Beck adds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe really have to regard these habitats as essential,\u201d Beck says.<\/p>\n<p>Reefs are already highly valued for contributions to livelihoods, with coastal protection sometimes taking a back seat, McField says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe don\u2019t talk about coastal protection as much as we talk about fisheries and livelihoods and tourism,\u201d McField says. \u201cBut every time a storm comes, every few years, when people are packing up and sheltering in place and waiting out a hurricane, then they really think about it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is something we need to talk about more, not just when the hurricane is barreling towards you.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_315632\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imgs.mongabay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/03\/12050158\/Katia_Irma_Jose_2017-09-08_1745Z%E2%80%931935Z-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"Satellite image of Hurricane Katia (left) making landfall over the Mexican state of Veracruz, Hurricane Irma (center) approaching Cuba, and Hurricane Jose reaching peak intensity on September 8, 2017.\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\"  ><figcaption>Satellite image of Hurricane Katia (left) making landfall over the Mexican state of Veracruz, Hurricane Irma (center) approaching Cuba, and Hurricane Jose reaching peak intensity on September 8, 2017. Image by NOAA via <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Katia,_Irma,_Jose_2017-09-08_1745Z%E2%80%931935Z.jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a> (Public domain).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em><strong>Banner image:<\/strong> Corals in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Reefs in Florida and elsewhere in the world face many threats including heat waves (which causes coral bleaching), diseases like stony coral tissue loss disease, invasive species, pollution, physical damage and more. Image by National Marine Sanctuaries via <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:FKNMS_-_Reef_(34136062951).jpg\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a> (Public domain).<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Citations:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Storlazzi, C. D., Reguero, B. G., Yates, K. K., Alkins, K. C., Shope, J. B., Gaido-Lasserre, C., \u2026 Beck, M. W. (2026). Coral reef protection may help avert risks to people, property, and economic activity caused by projected reef degradation. <em>Earth\u2019s Future<\/em>, <em>14<\/em>(1). doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1029\/2025EF006255\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">10.1029\/2025ef006255<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ferrario, F., Beck, M. W., Storlazzi, C. D., Micheli, F., Shepard, C. C., &#038; Airoldi, L. (2014). The effectiveness of coral reefs for coastal hazard risk reduction and adaptation. <em>Nature Communications<\/em>, <em>5<\/em>(1). doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms4794\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">10.1038\/ncomms4794<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Reguero, B. G., Storlazzi, C. D., Gibbs, A. E., Shope, J. B., Cole, A. D., Cumming, K. A., &#038; Beck, M. W. (2021). The value of US coral reefs for flood risk reduction. <em>Nature Sustainability<\/em>, <em>4<\/em>(8), 688-698. doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41893-021-00706-6\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external\">10.1038\/s41893-021-00706-6<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"single-article-footer\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<h4>Credits  <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><img alt src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e549b8f4a3c002a33847f2b43adad75907af0b992c5b81c04bfcd6bb7623c993?s=32&#038;d=identicon&#038;r=g\"  height=\"32\" width=\"32\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"single-article-tags\">\n<h4>Topics<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>                            <span><a href data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p> Christeen Michaud <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2026\/03\/if-florida-reefs-arent-protected-storms-will-increase-flooding-costs-study\/\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coral reefs absorb incoming waves, protecting shorelines from tropical storms. A recent Earth\u2019s Future study examines flood risks from tropical storms to communities in Florida, if coral reefs keep degrading at current rates. The study finds that future coral reef degradation will increase the annual risk of flooding to people by 42% and to buildings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":893079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1418,92348],"tags":[5449,148228],"class_list":{"0":"post-893078","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-florida","8":"category-reefs","9":"tag-florida","10":"tag-reefs"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/893078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=893078"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/893078\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/893079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=893078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=893078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=893078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}