Ruth Haines
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the areas at highest risk of flooding due to rising sea levels, land subsidence, and inadequate stormwater infrastructure. While the airport itself has not experienced significant flooding, the adjacent Landing Lane neighborhood has been impacted by flooding during extreme precipitation events in December 2021 and 2022. SFO is committed to maintaining its West of Bayshore property and coordinating with relevant agencies to address flooding risks. Studies suggest that up to half of the runways and taxiways at SFO could be underwater by 2100, and the airport is working to mitigate these risks through projects like the Shoreline Protection Program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 21st November 2024 |
| Location | Arrivals area |
| Reason | Atmospheric river storm |
| Impact | Hundreds of delays and dozens of cancellations |
| Previous Incidents | December 2021 and December 2022 |
| Location of Previous Incidents | Landing Lane neighbourhood |
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What You'll Learn
- San Francisco International Airport is sinking into the bay
- Landing Lane, a neighbourhood near the airport, is prone to flooding
- The airport is designated as a Special Flood Hazard Area by FEMA
- The Shoreline Protection Program aims to safeguard the airport from flooding
- Rising sea levels and sinking land increase the risk of flooding in the Bay Area
San Francisco International Airport is sinking into the bay
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the areas at highest risk of flooding due to rising sea levels, land subsidence, and its proximity to the San Francisco Bay. Located on landfilled ground near the Bay, the airport's runways and taxiways are at risk of being submerged by rising water levels.
Research suggests that by 2100, up to half of the runways and taxiways at SFO could be underwater. This would result in significant disruptions to air travel, as SFO accommodates about 200,000 flights annually. The airport's proximity to the Bay, combined with the sinking land, exacerbates the risk of flooding.
The potential impact of flooding at SFO extends beyond the airport itself. The inundation of nearby roads, communications systems, and other critical infrastructure could also occur, affecting the airport's overall functionality. Regional planning is, therefore, crucial to address these interconnected challenges.
To mitigate the risk of flooding, SFO has implemented a Shoreline Protection Program (SPP). The program involves constructing a contiguous system of concrete-capped steel sheet pile walls and steel king pile walls along the airport's shoreline and adjacent canals. The SPP aims to safeguard the airport from flooding due to rising sea levels and storm surges.
In addition to the SPP, SFO actively maintains its West of Bayshore property, regularly clearing trash, sediment, and vegetation with the approval of relevant agencies. The airport also collaborates with the City of Millbrae and various resource agencies to address stormwater management issues and implement environmentally sustainable practices. These efforts demonstrate SFO's commitment to protecting the airport and surrounding areas from the growing risks of flooding.
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Landing Lane, a neighbourhood near the airport, is prone to flooding
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has experienced flooding in its arrivals area. This was due to a powerful storm that slowed down travel for hundreds of holiday travelers in November 2024. While the airport itself has experienced flooding, it is also important to note that the surrounding areas have been impacted as well.
Landing Lane, a neighbourhood near San Francisco International Airport, is particularly vulnerable to flooding. This vulnerability was evident during periods of heavy rain in December 2021 and December 2022. The atmospheric river, a weather phenomenon, brought intense rainfall to the region, leading to flooding in the Landing Lane area. The flooding in Landing Lane was a result of restricted stormwater infrastructure in the area known as the "Landing Lane Bowl". The storm drain system in Millbrae, located upstream of Landing Lane Bowl, was insufficient to manage the volume of water draining from the watershed during these extreme weather events.
The City of Millbrae's Storm Drain Master Plan, issued in 2018, acknowledged the limitations of the existing storm drain system in handling significant rain events. Despite this, SFO's analysis and observations suggest that their operations in the nearby South Lomita Canal and West of Bayshore property did not contribute to the flooding in Landing Lane. SFO has been actively maintaining and clearing their West of Bayshore property to mitigate potential flooding risks. They have also been in close communication with the City of Millbrae to address this issue collaboratively.
It is important for residents and travellers in the San Francisco Bay Area to be aware of the potential for flooding in the Landing Lane neighbourhood. While steps are being taken to improve stormwater management, extreme weather events can still pose a risk of flooding in low-lying areas. Staying informed about weather conditions and travel advisories is crucial for navigating the area safely during periods of heavy rainfall.
In summary, Landing Lane, a neighbourhood near San Francisco International Airport, is prone to flooding due to restricted stormwater infrastructure and intense rainfall associated with atmospheric rivers. SFO and the City of Millbrae are working together to address this issue and minimise the impact of flooding on the community. Travellers and residents are advised to stay updated on weather reports and travel advisories to ensure their safety during extreme weather events.
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The airport is designated as a Special Flood Hazard Area by FEMA
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is currently designated as a Special Flood Hazard Area by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This designation is due to the airport's proximity to the San Francisco Bay and the potential for flooding caused by rising sea levels and land subsidence.
Recent studies have found that SFO is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its location. The airport was built on landfill, and as a result, it is slowly sinking. This, coupled with rising sea levels, increases the risk of catastrophic flooding. In fact, up to half of the runways and taxiways at the airport could be underwater by 2100, according to research.
The potential impact of flooding at SFO is significant. Not only could it affect the airport's runways and air traffic control towers, but it could also impact important infrastructure outside its perimeter, such as roads leading into the airport and communication systems. Recognising this risk, SFO has implemented a Shoreline Protection Program (SPP) to safeguard the airport from flooding hazards. The SPP involves installing a contiguous system of concrete-capped steel sheet pile walls and steel king pile walls along the airport's shoreline and adjacent to the San Bruno and Millbrae Canals.
In addition to the SPP, SFO is also working closely with the City of Millbrae to address flooding concerns in the West of Bayshore area, which is adjacent to the airport and has historically experienced flooding during extreme precipitation events. SFO has been clearing trash, sediment, and vegetation in this area and coordinating with various agencies, including the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to ensure that any measures taken are environmentally responsible.
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The Shoreline Protection Program aims to safeguard the airport from flooding
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located along the San Francisco Bay. In November 2022, the airport announced the development of a Shoreline Protection Program (SPP) to safeguard its assets and operations from flooding.
The SPP aims to protect the airport from a 100-year storm surge and future sea level rise caused by climate change. The program is designed to meet FEMA's Design Elevation specifications for such an event, with an additional 42 inches factored in to account for rising sea levels. The design elevation of the protection will range from 15 to 20 feet above the current mean sea level, depending on the shoreline location.
To break up waves, rip rap will be added to the front of sheet pile walls, which will be as deep as 27 to 79 feet below grade. King pile walls will be approximately 80 feet deep. The SPP will undergo environmental reviews at both the state and federal levels, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The airport will coordinate with various resource agencies and environmental organizations to implement the program with minimal environmental impact. These include the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). Construction activities will primarily take place around the airfield and will be phased over approximately 10 years, with the safety and security of airport users as a priority.
The Shoreline Protection Program is a critical initiative for the San Francisco Bay Area, as SFO is the region's largest employer and a vital gateway for domestic and international travel.
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Rising sea levels and sinking land increase the risk of flooding in the Bay Area
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the areas at highest risk of flooding due to rising sea levels and sinking land. Recent studies suggest that up to half of the runways and taxiways at the airport could be underwater by 2100. This is due to the combined effects of rising sea levels and land subsidence, which will cause flood waters to go much farther inland than either change would produce alone.
The Bay Area, including the region's biggest airport, is sinking. This means that when sea levels rise, the flood risk will be even higher than current hazard maps or models of climate change predict. According to California's latest climate change assessment, the sea level along the coast could rise by 8 inches on average in the next three decades, with the exact amount varying significantly.
The San Francisco International Airport is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its location. The airport was built on landfill, with runways perched right by the water of the San Francisco Bay. This makes it susceptible to flooding from both the bay and the adjacent canals and watersheds. In December 2021 and December 2022, heavy rains associated with an atmospheric river resulted in flooding in the Landing Lane neighborhood, which is located adjacent to the airport's West of Bayshore property.
To mitigate the risk of flooding, the airport has implemented a Shoreline Protection Program (SPP). The SPP involves installing a contiguous system of concrete-capped steel sheet pile walls and steel king pile walls along the airport's shoreline and adjacent to the San Bruno and Millbrae Canals. The airport is also coordinating with various resource agencies, including the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), to implement the program in the least environmentally impactful way.
In addition to the efforts of the airport, regional planning is crucial to effectively address the risk of flooding in the Bay Area. This includes coordination between different agencies and considering the systems of infrastructure that the airports rely on, such as roads and communication systems located outside the airport boundaries.
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Frequently asked questions
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the areas at highest risk of flooding due to rising sea levels, land subsidence, and its proximity to the San Francisco Bay. Recent studies suggest that up to half of the runways and taxiways at the airport could be underwater by 2100.
In December 2021 and December 2022, heavy rains caused flooding in the Landing Lane neighbourhood, which is located adjacent to SFO's West of Bayshore property. However, SFO's water elevation sensors never exceeded 4.5 feet, which is one foot below the flooding level of the airport.
SFO is committed to maintaining its West of Bayshore property and has been working with the City of Millbrae to address the issue. The airport is also coordinating with various agencies, including the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to implement the Shoreline Protection Program (SPP), which aims to protect the airport from flooding due to rising sea levels and storm surges.
The SPP proposes to install a contiguous system of concrete-capped steel sheet pile walls and steel king pile walls along the 8 miles of the airport's shoreline. Concrete walls will also be installed on airport property adjacent to the San Bruno and Millbrae Canals.
