US sea level to rise as much in next 30 years as in past century – study

Seas rising faster around the US than global average will cause dramatic increase' in number of people vulnerable to flooding

America's vast coastline is being assailed by rapidly encroaching oceans, with up to 1ft of sea level rise expected in the next 30 years - an increase that equals the total rise seen over the past century, a major US federal government report has found.

The seas are rising significantly faster around the US than the global average, a situation that will cause a dramatic increase" in the number of Americans, already numbering tens of millions, vulnerable to disastrous flooding, the analysis warns.