Schools Grapple with Rising Tides
Parents at Mill Valley Middle School face constant anxiety as floodwaters disrupt daily routines and jeopardize student safety. The campus, surrounded by marshes and creeks, often sees water flowing the wrong way, inundating drop-off zones and parking areas marked with caution signs. This recurring issue has left parents and school leaders debating the future location of the school.
The school is among 52 Bay Area institutions identified by KQED and Climate Central as facing current flood risks due to human-induced climate change. Most at-risk schools are situated on low-lying lands, previously marshlands, in counties like Alameda, Marin, and San Mateo. Projections indicate a significant rise in the bay’s high tide line by century’s end, worsening the situation.
Mill Valley Middle School, unlike many others, must act now. Voters approved Measure G, allocating $194 million for school infrastructure upgrades, with $130 million earmarked for rebuilding the middle school. However, minor sea-level rises could soon transform the school into an isolated island.
Experts like Kevin Befus from the University of Arkansas warn of the campus becoming an island, necessitating remote learning on “high-water days”. The district plans to rebuild safely, yet many argue relocating to higher ground might be the best option to ensure long-term safety.
Analyzing the Flood Threat
KQED and Climate Central used U.S. Geological Survey data to identify schools at risk of coastal and groundwater flooding. Seven schools are currently at high risk of coastal flooding, with ten more expected by 2050. Groundwater flooding, where rising sea levels push salt water into the soil, poses a threat to 52 schools by 2050.
Groundwater flooding could lead to property damage and infrastructure issues. Sixteen schools, including Mill Valley Middle, face both risks. Intensifying rainfall, a consequence of pollution trapping heat in the atmosphere, exacerbates the problem, overwhelming storm drains.
The Bay Area’s vulnerability stems from historical land development practices. Developers filled approximately 250 square miles of bay wetlands to create solid ground, which now subsides. This leaves a “razor-thin margin” between dry land and rising seas, as noted by USGS research director Patrick Barnard.
Mill Valley Middle’s flooding troubles currently affect its access road and parking lot. By the century’s end, major storms and king tides could submerge much of the campus.
Community-Wide Benefits and Challenges
Protecting schools from climate hazards could benefit entire communities. Schools can potentially serve as neighborhood shelters, fields as retaining ponds, and roads as evacuation routes. However, systematic updates to at-risk schools require significant investments, and no state or federal entity currently tracks or funds these adaptations.
Local districts often fend for themselves, with wealthier communities faring better. For instance, Mill Valley has raised considerable bond funds, while economically disadvantaged schools like Bahia Vista Elementary struggle. The disparity raises concerns about equity in climate resilience.
Mill Valley Middle’s economic position allows for strategic planning, but as parent Miranda O’Connell notes, if affluent communities struggle, under-resourced areas face even greater challenges. The school’s future could set a precedent for others learning to cope with rising waters.
Addressing future sea-level rise requires a coordinated effort beyond school districts. Marin County’s Civil Grand Jury report suggests establishing an agency for county-wide adaptation, highlighting the urgency of collective action as “the water has already arrived”.
Complexities of Rebuilding on Vulnerable Sites
Parents advocate for relocating Mill Valley Middle to a safer site, but the district lacks sufficient land for a new school. Moving to an existing site would displace other students and require additional upgrades. Rebuilding on the current site involves addressing significant flooding risks and historical landfill issues.
The school sits on a former landfill, capped with soil to contain contaminants like heavy metals. Methane levels are also monitored. Despite these challenges, district officials believe it’s possible to rebuild safely and have contracted firms for design and construction.
The plan includes elevating buildings above the 100-year flood line and creating raised parking and drop-off zones. However, raising the campus alone may not suffice if surrounding streets remain flood-prone, complicating evacuations.
City cooperation is crucial, as school districts cannot independently address street elevations. Solutions for future sea-level rise need to be collaborative, with schools, cities, and counties working together to protect communities.
Wyatt
Is it just me or does this sound like the plot of a disaster movie waiting to happen?
connor
Great article! Would love to see a follow-up on the progress of Measure G.
Hudson
This is so depressing… but also necessary to know. We need to take climate change seriously.
brysonshadowdancer
Are there any plans to help the economically disadvantaged schools like Bahia Vista Elementary?
Nora5
Why didn’t they consider the flood risks before building the schools in these areas?
piper
Thank you for shedding light on this issue. It’s important for the community to be informed.
aidenradiant3
Wow! $194 million? That’s a lot of money! Hope they use it wisely. 😲
Milo_Midnight
This is really concerning. How are they planning to ensure student safety during high-water days?