BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts is urging coastal homeowners to consider elevating their homes up to three feet, citing concerns about flooding and rising seas.

The recommendation is seen as a sign that the risk of global warming could endanger homes along Massachusetts 1,700-mile shoreline.

Elevating homes can translate into immediate savings on flood insurance, whether or not the seas rise.

Officials say the savings in flood insurance can offset the increase in mortgage payments for the cost of elevating the home.

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Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe

AP-ES-05-24-08 1608EDT