The Ripple Effect: New Stormwater Extension Program Is Your Partner in Flood Resilience

The City’s Stormwater Extension Program is ready to help residents and business owners proactively address flooding or standing water on their property. This new service provides tailored guidance, resources and site visits plus offers education and outreach to the community.

How the Program Can Help  

If you’re experiencing flooding around your home or business, the Stormwater Extension Program can help you:  

• Schedule a site visit for personalized advice and recommendations 
• Understand your site’s conditions and what’s contributing to the issue 
• Explore practical options suited to your property type and location  
• Connect with available grants and resources to support your efforts 
• Request an educational presentation for your neighborhood association or community group 

Real Results – Tailored to Each Property 

Each property is unique, and so is the solution. While the City can’t pay for mitigation, the Stormwater Extension Program can help residents determine which options are realistic and cost-effective.  

Since the program’s launch, dozens of residents have reached out and learned practical ways to lessen their flood risk. Strategies have ranged from simple fixes such as cleaning ditches and tree planting to more complex tactics involving sump pumps to move water out of low areas. Other examples include grading the landscape, using rain barrels, permeable pavers and more.  

To Get Started

The Stormwater Extension webpage is your starting point for learning more about the program and available resources. There you’ll find:  

• The Flooding Impact Checklist, which helps you document where and when flooding occurs on your property 
• Request a site visit  
• A detailed Flooding Mitigation Toolbox outlining strategies to reduce flood risk 
• Information on site visits and how to request one 
• Grant opportunities and educational resources to help you plan next steps 

The site is designed to be a one-stop resource for property owners ready to take action toward flood resilience.

Real-Time Data Keeps You Flood-Aware  

The program website also helps you stay ahead of the weather with the City’s flood monitoring tools. Interactive dashboards and sensors across Virginia Beach deliver real-time updates on rainfall, tides and water levels — right at your fingertips. You can also find tide forecasts and national weather and hurricane data to help you plan ahead, stay safe and understand how flooding may affect your neighborhood. Explore the tools and see what’s happening near you. 
 
By combining personalized guidance with practical solutions, the Stormwater Extension Program helps residents and business owners take meaningful steps toward a more flood-resilient community.  

The Virginia Beach Flood Protection Program — The Ripple Effect — is a comprehensive 10-year plan to address recurrent flooding in Virginia Beach. In November 2021, Virginia Beach voters overwhelmingly supported a resiliency package for several key flood protection initiatives to include drainage improvements, tide gates, pump stations and flood barriers throughout the city. The projects are led by Public Works with support from a community oversight board for transparency and accountability. Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/RippleEffect. 

• Ripple Effect
• Stormwater Extension Program