What is a major problem associated with building seawalls for flood protection?

The primary concern with the construction of seawalls for flood protection lies in their potential to exacerbate erosion issues on adjacent properties. This occurs because seawalls can interrupt the natural flow of sediment along the coast, which is crucial for maintaining the balance of the coastal ecosystem and shorelines. When sediment cannot move freely, it can result in increased wave energy striking nearby areas, which can lead to heightened erosion. This means that while seawalls may provide immediate protection to the area they are built in, they may unintentionally increase the vulnerability of neighboring properties and alter the shoreline dynamics negatively.

Other options may relate to various challenges of flood protection methods, but the specific impact on neighboring properties and the acceleration of erosion is a significant and often-discussed downside to seawall construction within coastal management strategies.