The Lagniappe has an interesting article about the issue of rising sea levels and the Gulf Coast which includes this perspective:

"Think of it as that flagstone patio that you were too lazy to level the base with sand before you laid the stones. Some are tipping down, raising the other edge. The west coast is more threatened by the rising edge breaking off and falling into the Pacific Ocean than being flooded, while the southeast region, including the Gulf, is much more exposed to inundation."

Check their blog at: http://blog.lagniappemobile.com/