But on the other hand, even if every non-floating glacier and snowpack melted and flowed into the ocean, that would only increase its mass by 2%.  Combine that with the maximum thermal expansion from -4 C to 50 C, which would increase volume by 1.5% (and kill us all), and the highest the ocean could possibly rise above its current level is about 10m.<p>The highest storm surge ever recorded was about 15m.  The tsunami waves from the destruction of Krakatoa ran up to 50m tall.<p>So now you are armed with the knowledge you need to scoff haughtily at scientifically inaccurate Hollywood movies.  For further reference, 1 WTC is 541m tall, Empire State Building is 443m at the top of the antenna, BoA tower is 366m, Chrysler and Times are both 319m.  NYC has more than 200 buildings over 150m.  The Statue of Liberty is about 93m.<p>So when you see that scene in A.I. (2001) where the arm and torch of Liberty barely protrudes above the surface of the ocean, you can say, &quot;Ha!  The planet doesn&#x27;t have that much water on it!  Even on an ice-free Earth, and NYC in the heart of a hurricane storm surge the same size as the worst in recorded history, the water wouldn&#x27;t even reach her big toe!&quot;  Waterworld (1995) is right out--the premise is scientifically impossible.  You would have to systematically throw comets into Earth capture trajectories with a total mass of about 3x10^21 kg, adding double the current mass of all water on Earth, or about 1&#x2F;2000 the current mass of the Earth.  That&#x27;s about the same amount as all the water on Europa.