What's in the Adaptation Strategy?

Getting Sea Level Wise

The flooding risks posed by rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns demand City-wide action to protect vulnerable neighborhoods and industries. Over the past five years, the Sea Level Wise program has engaged technical experts, community participants, and regional partners to advance adaptation efforts. Learn More

Understanding Flood Risks

Sea level rise is occurring at an accelerated rate, increasing the frequency, severity, and extent of many different flooding event types. This is causing wide-ranging impacts on our infrastructure, economy, and community. Learn More

Adaptation Framework

The multi-layered Adaptation Framework presents a holistic method for addressing flood risks, with high-level strategic objectives to guide adaptation efforts across the entire city. The four layers work together to provide comprehensive flood protection; each layer presents a specific approach to flood risk management that complements the others. Learn More

Watershed Strategies

The City's four major watersheds present natural boundaries for taking a more precise look at flood-related challenges and opportunities. Each Watershed Strategy lays out the specific flood drivers and risk types distinct to that watershed and identifies specific projects and areas for action. Learn More

The Path Forward

Reducing flood risks and planning for a vibrant future is an ongoing, iterative process, requiring sustained actions from the City and its partners. In order to further Sea Level Wise efforts, the City is focusing on integrating findings into complementary processes and frameworks, funding and implementing adaptation projects, and continuing internal planning efforts. Learn More

The full version of the Adaptation Strategy document is available for download here and a printer-friendly (pages view) is available here.

What is behind the Adaptation Strategy?

The following reports have been produced as part of the Sea Level Wise effort and are all included in the Adaptation Strategy Appendices, and can be reached by clicking on the report.

• Joint Occurrence and Probabilities of Tides and Rainfall  
• Analysis Of Historical and Future Heavy Precipitation 
• Numerical Modeling of Wind Tides in Back Bay and North Landing River 
• Analysis of Marsh Response to Sea Level Rise 
• Water Resources in the Southern Watershed of Virginia Beach 
• Insurance Economic Analysis 
• Coastal Flooding and Economic Loss Analysis 
• Demographic and Population Vulnerability Analysis 
• Nature-Based Coastal Flood Mitigation Strategies 
• City-Wide Structural Alternative for Coastal Flood Protection  
• Neighborhood- scale Structural Strategies for Coastal Flood Risk Reduction 
• Individual Building and Site-Level Flood Risk Reduction Strategies 
• Virginia Beach Sea Level Rise Policy Response Report 

Additional Resources

Flood Plain Management

Fourth National Climate Assessment

NOAA Sea Level Tracking

FEMA Homeowners Guide

Southern Rivers Watershed

Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan