Photos by Kristen Zeis
Southeast Virginia currently experiences the fastest rate of sea level rise on the Atlantic Coast.
Water levels have gone up nearly 20 inches over the last 100 years and could rise another 6.5 feet this century, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A new map created by Old Dominion University, in partnership with WHRO Public Media, shows thousands of homes in the region could go underwater in the next six decades.
In the meantime, residents have learned to live among the rising water by raising and repairing homes or keeping personal watercraft for severe storms.
In other cases, the impacts are more severe, like neighborhoods emptying out as people retreat from flood-prone areas.
Most of the region is at critical decision point: Stay and adapt or leave and let the water take over?
These photos are part of “At A Crossroads,” a WHRO Public Media series exploring how coastal Virginia is dealing with higher waters due to climate change. The project is funded by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting as part of its nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative.