Changing Conditions Could Impact Maine's Beach Economy

SOUTH PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- A new report says more intense storms in the future future couple put thousands of jobs in coastal communities in jeopardy. The 'Patriot's Day' storm caused millions of dollars in damage, destroying homes and causing power outages in six different counties. Experts say it was a hundred year storm.

But a new report says due to rising sea levels catastrophic storms could be a more common event, happening every five to six years.

Dr. Charles Colgan, an economist at USM's Muskie School of Public Services presented the findings of his study at a conference on Maine beaches. He says changing conditions may cost thousands of jobs. 'You could be look at four to five thousand jobs, 50 or 60 millino dollars in wages a year that could be affected by the storms we are already getting and will become more damagaing over time,' said Colgan.

Not everyone agrees with these findings.

Richard Lindzen a professor at MIT, also spoke at the conference. He says satellite information does not confirm the concerns about rising sea levels.