Flooding Awareness & Mitigation

Flood Awareness

Like any other low-lying coastal area, Norfolk’s elevation and its proximity to natural waterways make it susceptible to flooding, especially during periods of heavy rain, hurricanes or nor’easters. During these events, properties, particularly those near natural waterways, are threatened with possible flooding from precipitation, tidal inundation, or wind-driven flooding.

$120.5 Million for Resiliency

Public Input on Flooding

Common Flooding Types and Definitions

  • Precipitation Flooding - This occurs when rain intensity exceeds the capacity of our storm drain systems due to blockages or naturally depressed elevations.
  • Storm Flooding - Is caused by storm surges resulting from events such as hurricanes and nor'easters and is directly related to land elevation and proximity to the coastline. High tides magnify this storm damage.
  • Tidal Flooding - Is caused by tidal variations and is directly related to land elevation and proximity to the coastline. Tidal flooding may occur on a regular basis due to normal moon cycles and is exacerbated by wind speeds and directions, sea level rise, and other types of flooding.

Flood Mitigation

Flood Mitigation involves cost-effective measures taken now to avoid the loss of life and reduce future damages from natural hazards and their effects on public facilities, homes, and other improved properties. By implementing flood mitigation measures you may prevent future damage to your property resulting from floods and potentially lower your flood insurance premium.

Benefit-Cost Analysis
Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) process is a way to measure the benefits of the project against the costs. A BCA involves looking at damages and losses both before the mitigation is installed and after the mitigation is in place. A project is considered cost-effective when the benefits derived exceed the cost incurred for the project.

You may want to consider discussing mitigation options with your flood insurance agent. Additionally, should your property qualify the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Grant Program may provide grant funds to assist with flood mitigation.

All mitigation grant program applications require a completed Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to be submitted with the application for funding.

For more information refer to the following FEMA link: https://www.fema.gov/benefit-cost-analysis

Helpful Resources

Norfolk Department of Emergency Preparedness and Response

Norfolk Department of Utilities

Virginia Department of Transportation

Status of Flood Mitigation Assistance Projects

Disclaimer

Information on this site is as accurate as possible based on available data. The City of Norfolk is not responsible for any information posted on linked sites.