Hazard Detail

Sea-Level Rise

Sea-level rise is a slow but growing hazard for Oakland's shoreline. Over time it can flood low-lying areas, strain drainage systems, raise groundwater, and damage transportation and wastewater infrastructure.

Medium risk 7/10 priority sea-level-rise

Location Context

What this page is using

This hazard page is using your saved Oakland location: No location selected.

This page is still grounded in the JSON dataset, but this hazard does not yet have ZIP-specific scoring in the current risk CSV.

What This Means

Why it matters

If you live, work, commute, or rely on services near the shoreline, your risk can grow over time even if your block does not flood today. This also matters for future housing and transportation decisions.

Realistic Impact

What could happen

Over time, high tides and storms can flood low areas more often, slow drainage, damage shoreline infrastructure, and force expensive upgrades, relocations, or protective projects.

Sea-level rise is less about one sudden event and more about a growing problem that makes flooding, drainage, infrastructure, and contamination risks worse over time.

Action Steps

Interactive checklist

Sea-Level Rise Preparedness: 0/5 complete

Medium risk

Check whether your home, job, or regular route sits in a projected sea-level-rise exposure area. Keep drainage on your property working so water can move away more easily. Elevate utilities and critical equipment above expected water levels where possible. If you own or manage shoreline property, use floodproofing or elevation measures where feasible. Pay attention to future relocation, open-space, and shoreline adaptation planning in low-lying areas.

Top Risks

Main dangers

Shoreline flooding that reaches homes, roads, and businesses.
Groundwater rise, salinity intrusion, and slower drainage during storms and high tides.
Damage or disruption to airport, rail, port, and wastewater systems.
Greater liquefaction risk where water levels rise.
Possible mobilization of buried contamination or toxic sites.

Priority Reason

Why this is ranked here

The LHMP ranks sea-level rise medium, but the long-term exposure to people, shoreline infrastructure, wastewater systems, and transportation is large and growing. It scores high for product use because it is a slow-moving hazard that can still affect daily life and future housing decisions.

Locations

Areas mentioned in the dataset

Shoreline areas.
Jack London District.
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.
Rail lines connecting to the Port of Oakland.
Three wastewater treatment plants.

At-Risk Groups

Who may need extra planning

People in low-lying shoreline areas.
Equity Priority Communities in exposed areas.
People who rely on shoreline transportation, airport access, or wastewater services.
Communities in areas vulnerable to contaminated groundwater rise.

History

Historical examples

San Francisco Bay water levels have risen 8 inches in the last century.

Quick Stats

Key stats

Official Priority Risk Index (PRI): 2.5, ranked Medium.
San Francisco Bay water levels have risen 8 inches in the last century.
2050 scenario exposure: 9,112 people, 2,712 buildings, 508 lifelines, and $11,802,105,142 in exposed value.
2100 scenario exposure: 30,687 people, 7,028 buildings, 765 lifelines, and $23,054,285,189 in exposed value.
The 2050 scenario uses 0.8 feet of sea-level rise plus a 100-year storm surge and groundwater rise; the 2100 scenario uses 4.9 feet plus a 100-year storm surge and groundwater rise.
Key vulnerable infrastructure includes the Oakland airport, rail lines to the Port, and three wastewater treatment plants.