The iconic Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired, may have outlived the famed 19th-century battery, but experts have warned it could now disappear beneath the waves outside Charlestown.
Located off the coast of South Carolina, this historic landmark, which once withstood a cannon bombardment, is crumbling under destructive waves, fierce storms and rising sea levels.
“It’s one of the defining moments in our nation’s past,” said Dawn Davis of the National Park Service. Yale Climate Connections.
But how strong he is The city outside the Bay Area is now one of the fastest-sinking metropolitan areas in the U.S., according to a disturbing new study.
It is currently declining at an average rate of about 4 millimeters per year, which equates to about an inch every six or seven years, Woodwell Climate reported.
Next year, there is a 99 percent chance the city will experience flooding of more than 60 centimeters, he added.
Sea levels are projected to rise 1.21 feet by 2050 in Charleston and 2.46 feet by 2080, according to Woodwell Climate.
The iconic Fort Sumter, where the opening scenes of the American Civil War unfolded, now faces a new, relentless battle: Mother Nature.
A photograph of Fort Sumter, April 1861, next to a photo of the damage to Fort Sumter after the tropical storm.
In the long term, rising water levels will lead to even more catastrophic flooding on the picturesque streets and avenues that make up the beautiful southern metro.
Sea level is projected to rise 1.21 feet by 2050 in Charleston and 2.46 feet by 2080, according to Woodwell Climate.
By 2050, areas north of Charlestown’s French Quarter and south of Harleston Village are projected to be below annual flood level.
By 2100, these waters are expected to spread further into the country and more than half of the city will be affected.
Regarding the fate of Fort Sumter, Davis outlined the alarming extent of erosion.
Walls are crumbling as waves crash against the historic structure, while large boulders meant to protect the site are now rubbing against the fort’s original bricks and mortar.
With sea levels constantly rising and storms becoming more extreme by the day, the very foundations of American history are literally disappearing before our eyes.
Pictured: Land projected to be below annual flood level by 2050
Davis told Yale Climate Connections about the critical importance of preserving these historic sites for future generations.
“These structures, these places, are iconic reminders of where we’ve been,” he says.
The fort was closed for nearly a month after being inundated by water in the wake of Tropical Storm Irma in 2017.
Davis was one of the first to survey the damage and painted a vivid picture of the aftermath.
The interior of the fort was flooded, forcing staff to use waders to navigate the flooded areas.
“The water had receded, but not completely,” he said. Postal mail. “We definitely needed to wear high boots to get around in some places inside the fort.”
Located off the coast of South Carolina, this historic landmark, which once withstood a barrage of cannon fire, is now crumbling in the face of destructive waves and fierce storms (pictured: images of the damage to Fort Sumter after Tropical Storm Irma)
The fort is located in Charleston, one of the fastest-sinking cities in the U.S., sinking at an average rate of about 4 millimeters per year, or about an inch every six or seven years.
Davis stressed the critical importance of the tour boat dock, which serves as a gateway for thousands of visitors each year.
The ship’s dock railing and electrical wiring were damaged, he said.
The storm surge had engulfed some of the historic cannons used to defend the fort, requiring them to be washed, he told the outlet.
But Davis said the 19th-century fort structure, which withstood the start of the Civil War, appeared to have emerged virtually unscathed.
While the museum portion of the fort was unscathed, other modern amenities, such as public toilets, were not so lucky.
Davis admitted the agency was feeling the strain as it juggled repair efforts at several national parks in Florida and Georgia.
With sea levels constantly rising and storms becoming more extreme by the day, the very foundations of American history are literally disappearing before our eyes.
Despite flood risks, historic Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park have emerged as unexpected economic powerhouses, injecting a staggering $35.9 million into the local economy in 2023, according to a new report from the National Park Service.
That year alone, nearly 412,000 history buffs and curious travelers flocked to these iconic Civil War sites.
“When visitors come to visit their national parks, they’re not just visiting the National Park Service, they’re visiting the local shops and restaurants we have in the area,” said National Park Service Chief of Interpretation Brett Spaulding. Live5news.
Visitors spent a whopping $27 million in nearby communities, creating a financial ripple effect in the area.
This also created a staggering 355 jobs in the local area.
“Everyone benefits from this,” he said. “Then word spreads when they return home and we get new visitors, which increases the number of visits from one year to the next.”
The fort, which fell victim to the wrath of Tropical Storm Irma in 2017, was closed for nearly a month after being inundated with water.
But Davis said the 19th-century fort structure, which withstood the start of the Civil War, appears to have emerged virtually unscathed.
The storm surge had engulfed some of the historic cannons used to defend the fort, so “they’re going to have to be washed out,” Davis told the outlet.
The interior of the fort was flooded, forcing staff to use waders to navigate the flooded areas.
“Each year, visitation has increased and has had an impact on local economies,” Spaulding said.
“I think it’s important for people to come to the park so they can learn about their local or national history, that they were part of the Civil War and the Revolutionary War,” Spaulding said.
Earlier this month, Hurricane Debby devastated the Carolinas and Georgia, with authorities warning of unprecedented flooding as streets turned into rivers.
Charleston and Savannah were flooded and Charleston imposed a curfew on its central peninsula that lasted 32 hours before being lifted.
Dozens of roads were also closed due to flooding similar to what the city now sees several times a year due to rising sea levels.
