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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why plan for flood resilience?
Why plan for flood resilience?
Communities must plan accordingly in order to develop and achieve strategic goals, like flood damage mitigation. Planning helps develop goals, objectives, and strategies critical to prepare for, respond during, and recover from flood events.
Climate change has intensified the impact of development patterns on flooding. Rising temperatures lead to more extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall. Increased urbanization, deforestation, and propagation of mal-adapted vegetation reduce the land's capacity to absorb these more intense rains, resulting in more frequent and severe flood events. More heat also results in more moisture in the atmosphere[1], which fuels more powerful weather events.
[1] Galle, Nadina. The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet. Narrated by Eileen Stevens, audiobook ed., HarperCollins, 2024.
What actually is flood resilience?
What actually is flood resilience?
Flood resilience generally refers to the capability and capacity to anticipate and prepare for flooding, respond to flooding events, and recover from flooding and/or flood-related disasters. Flood damage can be mitigated through various strategies that focus on enhancing resilience and adaptation. Improved infrastructure is one of the key areas where efforts can be concentrated. By upgrading drainage systems, reducing and/or offsetting impervious surfaces. and fortifying buildings and utilities against water intrusion, communities can significantly reduce their vulnerability to flood damage. Integrating green, grey, and blue infrastructure projects can help manage water flow and reduce the impact of flooding.
Why is flooding such a concern?
Why is flooding such a concern?
In Virginia, flooding is regarded as the most economically damaging natural hazard. Flooding, regardless of its type, can have devastating effects on communities, with average damage statewide from flooding calculated at approximately $100 million annually.[1] Floods are responsible for more deaths than any other weather hazard, other than heat. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), flash flooding is the leading cause of storm-related deaths in the nation.[2] Additionally, many universities and organizations nationwide are even linking floods to a rise in deaths from residual causes, such as infectious and parasitic disease, injuries and complications, respiratory disease, and even cardiovascular disease.[3]
[1] MRPDC. 2024 Mount Rogers Regional Pre-disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan, p. 95, February 2025.
[2] “Flash Flood Safety”. National Weather Service, https://www.weather.gov/shv/awarenessweek_severe_flashflood. Accessed 15 May 2025.
[3] Lynch, V.D., Sullivan, J.A., Flores, A.B. et al. Large floods drive changes in cause-specific mortality in the United States. Nature Medicine 31, 663–671 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03358-z.
What kind of flooding are we talking about?
What kind of flooding are we talking about?
Typically, flooding is categorized as either coastal, riverine (fluvial), or stormwater/rainfall (pluvial) – this plan will address fluvial and pluvial flooding as the most significant concerns for the city.
Riverine (fluvial) is the most common type of flooding, mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) for regulatory purposes. This type of flooding typically occurs when the water levels rise within a water channel, causing a stream, creek, or river to overflow its banks, inundating adjacent low-lying areas. This may occur quickly or gradually depending on the cause and terrain. Alterations to the stream channel or floodplain can often occur because of severe riverine flooding.
Rainfall/stormwater (pluvial) flooding occurs as a result of heavy and/or sustained rainfall; though generally, heavy rainfall during a short period of time causes pluvial flooding. When the rainfall exceeds the amount of water that the ground surfaces can absorb, sheet flows may channelize into streams, causing erosion and temporary inundation of areas and structures. This type of flooding generally occurs in more urbanized areas due to deficiencies in urban drainage systems[1], and due to the replacement of natural surfaces (generally covered by vegetation) with less-porous surfaces, like asphalt or concrete.
[1] FEMA. Floodplain Management Requirements: A Study Guide and Desk Reference for Local Officials. FEMA 480, February 2005. Federal Emergency Management Agency, https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema-480_floodplain-management-study-guide_local-officials.pdf .
What can be done to reduce flood risk?
What can be done to reduce flood risk?
Flood damage can be mitigated through various strategies that focus on enhancing resilience and adaptation. Improved infrastructure is one of the key areas where efforts can be concentrated. By upgrading drainage systems, reducing and/or offsetting impervious surfaces. and fortifying buildings and utilities against water intrusion, communities can significantly reduce their vulnerability to flood damage.
Integrating green, grey, and blue infrastructure projects can help manage water flow and reduce the impact of flooding. Green infrastructure can capture, absorb, reduce, and filter stormwater runoff, providing environmental, social, and economic benefits[1], particularly in urban areas. Social benefits of green infrastructure include more engaging communities, decreasing rates of social anxiety, stress, and mental fatigue within neighborhoods.[2] Much of this has to do with the positive environmental aspects of green infrastructure and their interplay with ingrained human social behavior. Policy changes can also play a crucial role in flood mitigation. Community engagement is equally important to the success of mitigation efforts.
[1] EPA. “Benefits of Green Infrastructure”. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from EPA.gov (https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/benefits-green-infrastructure).
[2] EPA. “Social Benefits of Green Infrastructure”. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from EPA.gov (https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/social-benefits-green-infrastructure).
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