GALVESTON, Texas (AP) -- Researchers say flooding and damage along the Texas Gulf Coast from major hurricanes is expected to be more severe in the coming years due to global warming.

Engineering researchers at Texas A&M University studied how climate change will affect hurricane-related flooding and storm damage in Corpus Christi.

The study concluded that rising sea levels and more intense hurricanes will increase structural damage to homes and buildings from a major hurricane in Corpus Christi by 60 percent to 100 percent in about 20 years and by more than 250 percent by 2080.

That translates into projected damage increases of between $100 million to $250 million in 20 years and $250 million to more than $1 billion over the longer term.