Alison Meehan, CFM Virginia Dep’t of Conservation and Recreation

 The Problem  Examples  Discussion

 6 Counties  9 Cities  Borders the Chesapeake Bay

 A high rate of subsidence means Hampton Roads has the highest rate of sea level rise on the east coast, totaling 1.45 feet over the last century.  Expected to be one of the worst impacted areas by sea level rise in the country – second only to New Orleans.

 The rate of relative SLR in the mid-Atlantic is accelerating and is projected to range between 2.3 and 5.2 feet higher by  Most communities in Hampton Roads implement only a 1 foot freeboard.

 The year 2100 is not the finish line!  Sea level will continue to rise after that.

 Scientists warned us.  It wasn’t until recently that citizens started to really notice the change.  Now, complaints by citizens force municipalities to mitigate existing infrastructure using short- term fixes – at high costs.

 80 % - SLR in Virginia Beach is very important and a long-term problem we need to plan for.  53 % - SLR is made worse by humans and we can affect it, for better or worse.  91.5 % - SLR should be a priority for local government.  8 % - Must change their route to work whenever it rains.  2 % - Must change their route to work twice a month with each lunar high tide.

 Skip Stiles of a non-profit organization: “Inaction at the state and federal level is leaving Virginians alone, blind and broke to wander across an increasingly dangerous landscape being reshaped by sea level rise."

 $90 to $180 M projected cost to elevate 2 neighborhoods  Sea walls, removable flood gates, land purchases recommended.

 Precipitation Flooding  Most all of the City of Norfolk’s Planning Districts experience some level of flooding.  Some areas have no curb, gutter, or collection systems  Subsequent upstream development exceeds system capacity  New and replacement storm water infrastructure are designed for 10-year storm.  Tidal flooding exacerbates precipitation flooding –same pipes carrying out rain carry in tide

 In conjunction with water & sewer replacement full street improvement projects are completed undersized pipes replaced to 10-year design.  Installed drainage inlets, curbs and gutters to improve water flow.  $18.2 million over 10 years.

Over 50 significant storms have effected Portsmouth since the first recorded storm in 1635, averaging one storm every 8 years.

 Making some steps forward.  18 inch freeboard.  SLR mapping.

0-2 feet sea level rise would result in 0.42 square miles being lost 2-4 feet sea level rise would result in 1.16 square miles being lost 4-6 feet sea level rise would result in 2.58 square miles being lost 6-8 feet sea level rise would result 6.05 square miles being lost

 At which level of government is it best to tackle SLR?  What can be done rather than short-term fixes?  How can anything long-term and proactive be accomplished?  General advice???

Alison Meehan, CFM Floodplain Program Planner Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (804)