Coastal inundation

Damage from coastal flooding on Kosrae tends to occur every now and again, typically due to three types of event.

Coastal flooding source	Approximately how often damaging event occurs.
Higher than normal high tide levels.	Potentially every year, particularly between December and February, but tends to be significant when: Other astronomical conditions coincide with high Spring tides between December and February. La Nina conditions occur that cause sea-levels to rise around Kosrae, typically every 2 to 7 years. When larger than normal waves occur at the same time as high tide.
Large swell caused by distant storms or typhoons.	Once in a generation.
Typhoons that track close to Kosrae.	Once in a lifetime. The last cyclone to significantly affect Kosrae was in 1905, beyond the living memory of all current residents.

Take a tour of Kosrae to see why many of the areas that we live on are exposed to coastal flooding.