Newport News Plans Multi-Year Effort to Tackle Flooding and Build Resilience
$4.9 million state grant supports citywide stormwater, floodplain, and resilience planning to prepare for rising seas and more intense storms
The City of Newport News has embarked on a comprehensive, multi-year master planning effort to address flooding challenges and enhance community resilience in the face of rising seas and increasingly severe storms. Funded in part by a $4.9 million grant from the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund, the initiative will develop long-term strategies to manage stormwater, improve floodplain management, and strengthen the City’s ability to recover from natural disasters.
“Residents of Newport News are already feeling the impacts of heavy rain and coastal storms,” said a City spokesperson. “These master plans will allow us to proactively address flooding risks, protect homes and businesses, and plan for a resilient future.”
Assessing Flood Risks
Flooding is a pressing concern in Newport News, where roughly 10% of the City’s land area lies within high-risk flood zones. Historical data shows that sea levels in the Hampton Roads region have risen nearly one foot over the past 50 years, with projections indicating an additional three-foot rise in the next half-century. In addition, more frequent and intense storms are expected to exacerbate both coastal and urban flooding.
The City’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan, One City, One Future, emphasizes the need for resilience—the ability to bounce back from natural or man-made stressors—and the new master planning effort builds on these priorities.
Three Interconnected Master Plans
The initiative is structured around three key planning areas:
Stormwater Management: Evaluates drainage systems, storm drains, culverts, and watersheds to identify opportunities to reduce flooding and pollution. The plan also addresses stream restoration, best management practices, and maintenance of aging infrastructure.
Floodplain Management: Characterizes current flood risks, recommends improved floodplain practices, and supports the City’s participation in the FEMA Community Rating System (CRS), which currently provides residents with a 15% discount on flood insurance. The plan emphasizes protecting areas prone to repeated flooding and lowering insurance costs through proactive mitigation.
Resilience Planning: Assesses vulnerability to coastal and nuisance flooding, including potential impacts from sea level rise. The plan recommends solutions that help the City prevent disaster damage, recover quickly, and incorporate nature-based, multi-use infrastructure that benefits both people and the environment.
Community Engagement Central to Planning
Community involvement is a critical component of the master planning process. The City has already held three public meetings, conducted surveys, interviewed residents and business owners, and convened two advisory committees. Additional public meetings are scheduled for summer 2025. Residents are encouraged to participate in shaping the plans and prioritizing resilience strategies that address their neighborhoods’ needs.
“We are committed to transparency and local input,” the City spokesperson said. “The feedback we receive from residents and business owners directly informs our planning decisions, ensuring that solutions are locally driven and socially equitable.”
Additional Resources for Residents
The City has also developed online resources to help residents understand flood risks and mitigation strategies, including:
A Flood Resilience Webpage detailing projected flood conditions and City initiatives.
A Stormwater Management Webpage providing an overview of stormwater flow and infrastructure.
A Floodplain Management Webpage highlighting regulatory frameworks and sources of flooding.
The Know Your Flood Risk Fact Sheet, offering practical steps for homeowners and businesses to reduce flood damage.
Residents can report stormwater issues through the Newport News 311 contact center, which has received over 6,500 flood-related calls in the past decade, illustrating the widespread nature of the problem.
Looking Ahead
As Newport News faces the challenges of aging infrastructure, rising seas, and more intense storms, the master planning effort aims to provide coordinated, long-term strategies for the entire City. By integrating stormwater management, floodplain planning, and resilience strategies, Newport News seeks to safeguard its residents, enhance flood insurance savings, and build a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.
The writer used AI tools and the following sources: