Tangier Island Residents Don't Believe Seas Are Rising, But Want A Wall To Protect Them

[hatrack]

EDIT

Tangier has survived hurricanes for centuries, and its residents have lived through epidemics, but scientists say they may soon be overwhelmed by water. Since the mid-1800's, Tangier has lost two-thirds of its land to the bay, and as you approach the island, its vulnerability is apparent. Four feet (1.2 meters) above sea level at its highest point, the buildings and trees along its shores seem to rise directly from the water. At high tide, it comes up from the sewers and the ground to flood streets and gardens.

The United States Geological Survey points to sea level rise caused by climate change, and some scientists suggest the land may also be sinking, but the locals insist erosion alone is to blame. "You can see that," says 60-year-old Mayor James Eskridge, "especially if we've had storms, but the sea level rise, we just don't see it happening."

Forty-year-old high school history teacher Dwayne Crockett agrees. He cites the Bible to support his belief that sea level rise is not a factor in Tangier's troubles. After Noah and his animals survived on the ark, he says, "the Lord promised, 'Never again will I destroy the Earth with a flood!'" Crockett and Eskridge also recall playing in flooded streets and yards as children. "Erosion has always been a major concern," Crockett explains. "I remember when I was a little boy, the western part of our island was washing away at an alarming rate, threatening our airstrip and sewage treatment plant. We finally got the state to build a sea wall to the west, and thank the Lord that stopped erosion of that area 100 percent."

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The state of Virginia recently agreed to build a simple stone sea wall to protect Tangier's harbor — a project that has been discussed for nearly 20 years. It's expected to cost just $3 million (€2.6 million), but the price of a sophisticated wall to surround the entire island would be much higher. The Army Corps of Engineers is asking for funds to do a study on what the true cost might be and whether it would actually work.

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https://www.dw.com/en/can-a-wall-protect-tangier-island-from-rising-seas/a-46056726

[underpants]

1. Went there once in about 1980

Funny seeing a guy in an Alice Cooper shirt speaking with an Olde English dialect/accent.

[Nay]

2. It's an interesting island, for sure. The accents were fascinating. Years after I had visited,

I read some articles about how RW the place is -- it's def a Pub stronghold, and there's no such thing as climate change, etc., it's all in the Bible, etc. I guess they'll be finding out differently here pretty soon.

[keithbvadu2]

3. Tangier... If it was purely erosion, the problem would only be at the edges, not the middle.

If it was purely erosion, the problem would only be at the edges, not the middle.

The center part of the island is not eroding.

Water would not rise up in the middle streets.

[hatrack]

4. Well, there you go being all "logical" and stuff . . . .

Some people just don't want to hear it.

OK then - good luck with the rest of your lives, Tangier Island residents.