A recent study by the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that as sea levels rise, parts of New Hampshire's critical infrastructure could be at regular risk of flooding from the sea.

At a mean sea level rise where the ocean rises by about 3.2 feet, a fire station in Hampton would flood about 12 times a year by 2050. A public housing unit in Exeter could flood 26 times a year.

As time goes on and sea levels continue to rise, the wastewater treatment plants in Hampton, Portsmouth and Seabrook will also experience regular flooding.

In total, up to six critical infrastructure facilities would be threatened by flooding about twelve times a year by the year 2100, the study shows.

In an extreme scenario with a sea level rise of about 2 meters, this number rises to 10, and critical infrastructure is at risk of flooding about 26 times a year.

The study only considered coastal infrastructure that could be inundated by the sea itself. Extreme rainfall and river flooding are also becoming an increasing threat in the face of climate change, but these risks were not considered in this study.

Kristina Dahl, who worked on the project for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in some ways New Hampshire is lucky.

The state has less critical infrastructure on the coast than most other places. According to their research, 1,600 critical infrastructures on the coasts statewide are expected to be flooded twice a year or more by rising sea levels.

Researchers say the problem can be addressed because it is predictable.

“It shouldn't surprise us in 2050 that we have facilities that are at risk,” she said. “Because infrastructure is so long-lasting and the decisions involved in rolling out infrastructure are so difficult and require a lot of community engagement, we really need to start now so we're prepared for 2050 or 2100.”

Dahl says communities could use the data as a starting point for more detailed local risk assessments, which in turn could help start conversations about planning for the future, which could include relocating or retrofitting buildings.

The changes needed to protect infrastructure from rising sea levels could be expensive, Dahl said. Some communities, including the state of Vermont, for example, are looking to fossil fuel companies for money to make themselves more resilient to climate change.

“As we think about how we finance these major efforts to strengthen our coasts in terms of climate resilience, we must also hold accountable the companies that have contributed so much to this problem,” she said.

Scientists say some sea level rise is already on the cards, particularly by 2050. But how much infrastructure could be at risk in the second half of the century depends on how much the world reduces climate-damaging emissions.