We need you! We are looking for citizens to work with us during the planning process. More info below under "Get involved."
Stormwater, Floodplain Management, and Climate Change & Resilience
The City of Newport News is undertaking a multi-year, master planning
effort to tackle flooding challenges. Through this effort, the City is
assessing current and future flood impacts to develop long-term flooding
solutions. The City received $4.9 M in grant funding from the Virginia
Community Flood Preparedness Fund to engage in this planning effort.
Flood Risk in Newport News
10% of the City's land-mass is within a high-risk flood zone.
In the next 50 years, sea level is anticipated to rise by around 3′ for the City.
In the Hampton Roads region, sea level has risen almost 1′ in the past 50 years.
Residents of Newport News currently experience flooding impacts from heavy rain and coastal storms. To prepare for future climate conditions, the City needs to plan for more frequent and intense storms, rising sea levels, more frequent flooding.
The City’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan, One City, One Future, highlights these concerns and commits the City to develop strategies and plans to ensure that Newport News has the ability to recover from natural, climate-induced, or man-made stressors. This ability to bounce-back is referred to as resilience. This master planning effort will build upon existing City efforts to ensure a coordinated resilience strategy.
Future Climate Conditions in Newport News
More Heavy RainfallMore Frequent & Intense StormsRising Sea Levels
The master plans are divided into three key topic areas:
stormwater
floodplain management
climate change and resilience
The three individual but interdependent plans will identify areas of concern for flooding and propose cost-effective preventative measures and future planning strategies. This effort will provide the City with tools and information to benefit the City homeowners and businesses. These plans will also help enhance the City’s participation in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System (CRS). Newport News residents earn a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums through this program.
Master Plans for a Resilient City
Stormwater
Evaluates drainage, assets (storm drains, culverts, etc.), preventative maintenance, and watershed planning throughout the City and develops a plan to address issues.
Floodplain Management
Characterizes current flood risk and develops recommendations to improve floodplain management practices in the City. Improves the City’s ranking in the Community Rating System, strengthening efforts against flooding and lowering flood insurance rates.
Climate Change & Resilience
Assesses vulnerability to coastal flooding, nuisance flooding, and potential sea level rise. Recommends project-based solutions to allow the City to mitigate potential issues before a disaster and recover quickly after.
Community engagement is key for developing locally-driven plans. There will be many opportunities for engagement throughout the process.
Master Planning Community Engagement Timeline
Newport News is collecting information about flooding and drainage issues throughout the city. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will be used to inform the Stormwater Master Planning Effort.