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Flood mitigation for coastal Virginia

The city of Virginia Beach has developed detailed stormwater models for three vulnerable neighborhoods, designing over $275 million in flood mitigation improvements.

Client

City of Virginia Beach

Location

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Connect with an expert

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Michael Schmidt PE, BCEE, D.WRE
Water Resource Infrastructure & Resiliency Practice Leader

Comprehensive stormwater planning addressing rainfall, tides and sea level rise

Virginia Beach faces recurring threats from heavy rain, hurricanes, and nor'easters. The city has expedited resilience investments for vulnerable neighborhoods, using detailed stormwater modeling to develop comprehensive flood mitigation plans addressing limited system capacity and tidal impacts.

Unprecedented modeling details

Both 1-D and 2-D models captured dynamic interactions among precipitation, stormwater runoff, and tidal conditions.

Multiple storm calibration approach

We calibrated the models to multiple storms over a range of rainfall intensities and validated with available storm data.

Practical level of service goals

Our solutions met realistic service levels, offering benefits with significant cost savings compared to meeting all current standards.

Boosting resilience in vulnerable neighborhoods

Mitigation plans prioritized alternatives in neighborhoods with low elevations and 1950s-era drainage infrastructure.

The completed engineering evaluations and recommended mitigation plans helped Virginia Beach quantify infrastructure improvements to protect vulnerable neighborhoods, understand financial investment requirements in critical stormwater infrastructure, and promote the public stability necessary for renewal, redevelopment, and reinvestment.

Curious to learn more?

Connect with an expert to find out how we delivered this project.

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Michael Schmidt

Water Resources Engineer

Mike has experience in planning, modeling, permitting, design, climate resiliency and public outreach for watersheds, stormwater, green infrastructure, coasts and ecosystems.

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