THE MAIN IMPACTS:

Erosion While most of Gloucester has a relatively high granite coast, beach erosion is likely to continue to significantly threaten oceanfront homes and neighborhoods, with as much as 1.4 feet per year lost at Good Harbor Beach [CIT. 5].

Marsh Loss About 394 (41%) of 950 acres in Gloucester may be mostly flooded by 2050 [CIT. 2].

Habitat Concerns By 2050, 225 acres (26%) of the city’s 856 acres of estuarine beach/tidal flats could become open water [CIT. 2].

Developed Coast Ten-year storm flooding of homes and buildings is likely in 2050 on sections of Wingaersheek Road, River Road (Lobster Cove), areas near Route 127 (Goose Cove), areas near the river on Wheeler Point, and areas near marshes off of Route 127. Daily tidal flooding possible in some sections [CIT. 3].

OTHER RISKS INCLUDE:

Property Damage A 10-year storm in Gloucester may flood more than 1443 buildings (10.4%) in 2050 [CIT. 3]. Chronic daily tidal flooding could impact 305 buildings (2.2%) in 2050 [CIT. 1].

Road Flooding Daily high tides may flood almost 1.7 miles of roads in 2050 (0.8%) [CIT. 1]. An estimated 26.9 miles (12.5%) of roadway could flood in the event of a 100-year storm in 2050 [CIT. 3].

STRATEGY SNAPSHOT: BLUE ECONOMY INCUBATOR

Gloucester is working with the University of Massachusetts, among other partners, on a 10-year North Shore Blue Economy initiative. The goal is to innovate and grow sustainable maritime industries that foster the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. The city also has completed preliminary designs to protect its water pollution control facility and has received funding for a flood barrier at Gloucester High School.