Toxic Tides - Mapping disproportionate risks at flood-prone hazardous sites

The report identifies 5,500 hazardous facilities along US coastlines at risk of 100-year coastal flooding by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario (RCP 8.5). It highlights that marginalized populations—including renters, non-voters, and those in poverty—are 15-41% more likely to live within 1 kilometer of these sites. The risk is heavily concentrated, with nearly 80% of at-risk facilities located in seven states, and specific infrastructure like fossil fuel ports and terminals are particularly vulnerable, with over 40% expected to be at risk.

• Under a high-emissions scenario (RCP 8.5), 5,500 hazardous facilities along US coastlines are projected to be at risk of a 100-year coastal flood by 2100. Reducing pollution in line with pledged commitments (RCP 4.5) would decrease the number of at-risk sites by 362, or 7%. Regardless of the pollution scenario, more than two-thirds of the facilities at risk by 2100 will face inundation during 100-year coastal flood events within the next 25 years.
• Hazardous sites at risk of flooding are disproportionately located near vulnerable populations. Neighborhoods with higher concentrations of renters, non-voters, people living in poverty, those without vehicles, those with limited English proficiency, those identifying as Hispanic, or those over age 65 are 15-41% more likely to have an at-risk site within 1 kilometer (.62 miles).
• The risk is geographically and sectorally concentrated. Nearly 80% of the 5,500 at-risk facilities are located in Louisiana, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, California, New York, and Massachusetts. Under a very high emissions scenario, over 40% of coastal fossil fuel ports and terminals, about one-third of coastal power plants, and over one-fifth of coastal sewage treatment facilities, refineries, and formerly used defense sites will be at risk of flooding during a 100-year coastal flood by the end of the century.

APA

Climate Central (2025). Toxic Tides - Mapping disproportionate risks at flood-prone hazardous sites. https://www.climatecentral.org/report/toxic-tides

Chicago

Climate Central. Toxic Tides - Mapping disproportionate risks at flood-prone hazardous sites. 2025. https://www.climatecentral.org/report/toxic-tides.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Toxic Tides - Mapping disproportionate risks at flood-prone hazardous sites |date=20 November 2025 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/report/toxic-tides |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2025toxic, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Toxic Tides - Mapping disproportionate risks at flood-prone hazardous sites}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/report/toxic-tides}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }