The four low-lying coastal states (Guinea-Bissau, Belize, Guyana and Suriname) all have substantial forest cover ranging from 59 to 91 percent of the total land area.

Five years ago this Sunday Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf coast area and caused massive flooding in New Orleans after levees there failed to protect the low-lying city.

A sump pump can drain a low-lying area and divert water to another location where it can drain properly.