Norfolk, Va. (WTKR) – The City of Norfolk and Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have launched an effort to complete a flood risk management study for Norfolk.
The City of Norfolk is a highlighted area within the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study because it is vulnerable to flooding from rain and tidal events made worse by one of the highest sea level rises on the East Coast.
“This is an area that has been recognized second only to New Orleans to be impacted by rising seas,” Norfolk District Commander Col Jason Kelly stated.
The Flood Risk Management Study Cost Share Agreement outlines a 50/50 cost sharing between Norfolk and the Norfolk District to complete the $3 million feasibility study.
That study will investigate both structural and non-structural alternatives to reduce flood risk within the city and include recommendations to address flooding problems within Norfolk.
“How we can prepare ourselves to live with more water in the future without getting our feet wet,” Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim told NewsChannel 3’s Todd Corillo Wednesday.
The projected completion date is February 2019.