CC Vulnerability Assessment - Souris FINAL Combined.pdf

5. PROJECTED FUTURE IMPACTS IN SOURISSouris and Souris West will continue to be impacted by coastal storms, erosion, and flooding. Thenature of these hazards, however, is likely to change. Coastal erosion and flooding during storms willcontinue to occur in future years, but in the context of a changing climate they will gradually occur withgreater severity and greater frequency. This means that for communities like Souris and Souris West,the impacts of these hazards—upon the local infrastructure, residents, economy, and environment—willbe more intense and experienced more often.A. Coastal ErosionCoastal erosion will continue to be a concern, and become even more severe in combination with a risein sea level. An accelerated rate of erosion is likely along Souris’s entire shoreline, prompting the needfor further consideration of retreat and protection options. Some experts expect erosion to increase by1.5 to 2 times the current rates over the next 100 years 8 .Severe erosion could directly threaten the Souris Causeway and all private properties along theshoreline. The areas below Main Street (Figure 24) and Connolly Street are especially vulnerable. Theseareas contain homes and businesses that cannot all be easily relocated. Increasing erosion rates willforce residents to consider adaptation options. Retreating from the shoreline is an option for some(e.g., Mrs. Linda Carter). Other property owners may attempt to protect their properties. Shorelineprotection is a strategy that some property owners are already using in Souris. However, many of thesesystems are not properly designed and detract from the beauty of the coastline. Balancing protectionand aesthetics will become a growing problem in Souris.Figure 24 - Erosion below Main Street in Souris will continue to threaten property owners and business owners (photocredit: D. Jardine).8 Forbes, D. L., and Manson, G.K. 2001. Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Sea-level Rise on Prince Edward Island.[Supporting Document 9(Coastal geology and shore-zone processes) to McCulloch, M., Forbes, D.L., Shaw, R.W. and A041Scientific Team. 2002. Coastal impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on Prince Edward Island (Forbes, D.L. & Shaw, R.W.,eds). Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 4261, 62 p.]24