The Science Behind Flooding in New Hampshire

You've probably seen the signs along New Hampshire’s coast. A road that floods more often than it used to. A marsh creeping inland. A king tide that leaves water where no one expected it.  A new report highlights the latest science around flooding in New Hampshire.  On this episode of Time and Tide, you’ll hear from the experts behind this science report, as they explain key findings concerning rainfall, groundwater, coastal storms, and sea level rise. The future may look wetter, but it’s not all doom and gloom on the horizon. As you’ll hear, better science can help us adapt together. We divided this episode into four parts: Part 1: When it rains, it pours. Dr. Mary Stampone explains how our winters and springs are becoming wetter. Part 2: The unseen changes happening under our feet. Learn how warmer weather and intruding saltwater are changing the groundwater we drink, with Dr. Jayne Knott. Part 3: Storms of the future. What are the three types of coastal storms that produce flooding in New Hampshire, and how can science help us adapt to them? Kirk Bosma shares his hope that knowledge can help us make better decisions today that could keep us dry in the future. Part 4: In too deep. The tides are slowly becoming higher, but Anna Simpson believes that we can shape a better future through good science. After this crash course with the experts on how our water cycle is changing, you can read the full report and explore what the science says specific to where you live in New Hampshire. Full episode transcript is available below.  Guest Speakers:  Lisa Wise, Science Report Coordinator, NH Sea Grant and UNH Extension Dr. Mary Stampone, Associate Professor of Geography, University of New Hampshire and New Hampshire State Climatologist Dr. Jayne Knott, Principal, HydroPredictions Kirk Bosma, Vice President and Coastal Engineer, Woods Hole Group and Engineering Director, Stone Living Lab Anna Simpson, Coastal Resilience Manager, NERACOOS Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant Produced by: Brian Yurasits Further reading: New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary: https://www.des.nh.gov/water/coastal-waters/coastal-flood-riskNH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup: https://www.nhcaw.org/New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement