Rising seas threaten the coast's future

Impact of a 10-foot storm surge in Greenwich.

What a 10-foot storm surge would look like in Milford. 

Impact of a 10-foot storm surge in Stamford.

A kayaker paddles down the entrance road to South Benson Marina in Fairfield, Conn. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012. Storm surge from Hurricane Sandy flooded the area.

Jay Johnson of Milford surveys the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy at his waterfront home on Melba Street in Milford on Monday, October 29, 2012.

A kayaker paddles down the entrance road to South Benson Marina in Fairfield, Conn. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012. Storm surge from Hurricane Sandy flooded the area.

Anthony Versace posts a "Keep Out" sign on the remains of his beach house in the Lordship section of Stratford, Conn. Aug. 29th, 2011. Sunday's storm surge raised the house off of its moorings and swept many of Versace's possessions away.

The storm surge from Tropical Storm Irene at the Silver Sands Beach and Tennis Club in East Haven club on Sunday Aug. 28, 2011. State Senator Len Fasano, R-34 owns the club and restaurant which will have to largely be rebuilt.

The storm surge from Tropical Storm Irene at the Silver Sands Beach and Tennis Club in East Haven club on Sunday Aug. 28, 2011. State Senator Len Fasano, R-34 owns the club and restaurant which will have to largely be rebuilt.

The storm surge from Tropical Storm Irene at the Silver Sands Beach and Tennis Club in East Haven club on Sunday Aug. 28, 2011. State Senator Len Fasano, R-34 owns the club and restaurant which will have to largely be rebuilt.

The storm surge from Tropical Storm Irene at the Silver Sands Beach and Tennis Club in East Haven club on Sunday Aug. 28, 2011. State Senator Len Fasano, R-34 owns the club and restaurant which will have to largely be rebuilt.

Edward McGann surveys the damage to his home at 25 Point Beach Drive in Milford on Thursday, September 1, 2011. Waves and the storm surge from Hurricane Irene blasted through the south facing exterior wall of the home, tore up floors, and damaged the house's foundation.

Edward McGann looks at his piano that fell through the floor of his living room at 25 Point Beach Drive in Milford. Waves and the storm surge from Hurricane Irene blasted through the south facing exterior wall of the home, tore up floors, and damaged the house's foundation.

Storm surge reaches 11'! submitted by lockman

Storm surge finally breaches sea wall submitted by lockman

Storm surge water from Long Isalnd Sound rushes down Shore Road in Old Greenwich during Hurricane Irene, Sunday morning, Aug. 28, 2011.

Storm surge on Shore Road in Old Greenwich during Hurricane Irene, Sunday morning, Aug. 28, 2011.