The 20 Cities That Are Most Exposed To Rising Sea Levels

What Hurricane Sandy did to New York could be nothing compared to future storms.

An OECD report from a few years ago warned that by 2070, assuming rising sea levels, bigger storms, and continued coastal development, New York City will have $2.1 trillion in assets and nearly 3 million people exposed to major flooding.

And New York City isn't even the most at-risk city—that would be Miami, Florida. Big cities in China, India, and around the world are also extremely exposed.

The report recommend significant investment in flood and storm protection for all coastal cities.

#20 Alexandria, Egypt

$560 billion in exposed assets and 4.4 million in exposed population are threatened by a 1.6 foot rise in sea level by 2070. The average elevation is 16 feet.

Note: OECD estimated exposure in 2070 assuming rising sea levels, bigger storms, and coastal development.

#19 Virginia Beach, USA

$600 billion in exposed assets and an unknown population are threatened by a 1.6 foot rise in sea level by 2070. The average elevation is 15 feet.

Note: OECD estimated exposure in 2070 assuming rising sea levels, bigger storms, and coastal development.

#18 Qingdao, China

$600 billion in exposed assets and an unknown population are threatened by a 1.6 foot rise in sea level by 2070. The average elevation is 105 feet.

Note: OECD estimated exposure in 2070 assuming rising sea levels, bigger storms, and coastal development.

Please follow Business Insider on Twitter and Facebook.