Flooding & Drainage

Use our interactive map to find the Storm Water Division projects in design, underway or recently completed in your ward by clicking on the map. Check back often as we are continuously updating the map with new efforts the Division is working on.  

Flooding Studies

Like other coastal cities, Norfolk is vulnerable to the increased severity of storms and flooding caused by relative sea level rise. Immediate and long-term solutions range from simple landscaping techniques that allow adequate stormwater drainage to complex engineering projects designed to reroute and deflect water. Working with international and regional experts and residents, Norfolk is creating planning models to predict future shoreline conditions. In 2007, Norfolk initiated a series of Coastal Flooding and Precipitation Flooding studies to analyze the City watershed-by-watershed and provide solutions tailored to local conditions and neighborhoods. 
View Storm Water's Past Flooding Studies

Water Quality

Stormwater runoff carries pollutants which can kill fish and cause increased algae blooms, low oxygen and other problems in local waterways. The Department of Public Works identifies designs and constructs water quality improvement projects.
View Storm Water's Water Quality Projects >

Site Plan Review

Due to State and Federal requirements, the City of Norfolk is authorized and required to regulate and control the release of storm and surface waters within City limits. The Department of Public Works, Division of Environmental Storm Water Management is responsible for review-and-approval of site plans submitted to the Department of Planning when land disturbance exceeds 2,500 square feet or impacts are made to public infrastructure related to stormwater management. 
View Storm Water's site plan review process, documents and requirements >

Green Infrastructure Plan

Green infrastructure consists of our marshes, creeks, parks and trees that provide habitat, filter the air and water, moderate air temperatures, and provide recreation and scenic beauty. Learn more about the City's plan to help 'design the coastal community of the future' buy using these natural assets to improve environmental and community health and to protect infrastructure, such as roads and buildings.
View the Green Infrastructure plan for Norfolk >

Resilient Norfolk

The City of Norfolk is increasingly at risk of flooding and damage from coastal storms. Norfolk has one of the highest rates of relative sea level rise (RSLR) among Atlantic coastal communities. The Resilient Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Project will reduce the city's risk from coastal flooding and damage from nor’easters, hurricanes, and other significant storm events.
View the City's CSRM Project >