Due to rising sea levels, New York City will experience extreme flooding similar to super storm Hurricane Sandy. This flooding is three times likely to occur over the next century, according to a new study.

Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the state in 2012, flooding the entire New York subway system including suburban communities and road tunnels to Manhattan.

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Rising sea levels are expected increase due to climate change, resulting in extreme flooding similar to Hurricane Sandy. Researchers estimate that these floods will become more common by the year 2100.

In this new study, scientists from Rutgers University in New Jersey collected data based on historical tidal gauge records of New York City dating as far back to 1856. In addition, they also examined geological records spanning 2,000 years old.

The team then created projections based on computer models to determine the chances of extreme floods from happening in the city in the next few years. The projections of these computer models included factors such as sea levels, storm intensity, and storm surges.

The new data suggests an increase in the frequency of extreme floods, up to 20 times higher than previous estimates.

Climate change is the main factor behind the rise in sea levels. Sea levels have spiked since 2000, and as a result floods are predicted to become more frequent even without any super storms like Sandy.

This study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.