The City of Alexandria’s Flood Action Alexandria team is encouraging residents to learn about local flood risks and efforts they can take to stay safe in observance of Virginia Flood Awareness Week taking place Sunday, March 10 to Saturday, March 16, 2024. 

Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in the United States and can happen anytime, threatening life, property, and the economy. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation recognizes Virginia Flood Awareness Week annually in March to educate residents on flood risks, and the importance of purchasing flood insurance to protect their families and property. Flood insurance can be purchased through your homeowner’s insurance broker or directly from FEMA. The City’s floodplain management efforts, which go beyond the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum standards, provides up to a 20 percent discount on flood insurance premiums.

The City will highlight Virginia Flood Awareness Week with a reading of a proclamation during the City Council First Legislative Meeting on March 12, 2024. 

Like other national and global communities, the City has been impacted by more intense storm events with large volumes of rainfall in short periods of time caused by climate change. The City recognizes the potential future flood risks caused by these storms and its impact to residents, as stated by the City’s Environmental Action Plan 2040, and included in the Climate Emergency resolution adopted by the City Council on October 22, 2019.

In 2021, the City launched the Flood Action Alexandria program which coordinates a team of experts across multiple departments and consultants to mitigate flooding issues through maintenance programs and capital project implementation. The program also includes the Flood Mitigation Grant Program that provides 50/50 matching reimbursement grants of up to $5,000 to property owners who spend up to $10,000, and to condominium and homeowner associations which spend up to $25,000 on the installation of eligible floodproofing practices.

The team is advised by a City Council-appointed group of residents who work collaboratively with City staff and the community in flood mitigation activities. Originally established as the Ad Hoc Stormwater Utility and Flood Mitigation Advisory Group on January 26, 2021, the City Council approved by ordinance the creation of the permanent Stormwater Utility and Flood Mitigation Advisory Group on December 16, 2023. 

Since the launch of Flood Action Alexandria, the City has completed numerous spot improvement projects that address localized flooding in neighborhoods and has started design work for the top-priority large capacity Commonwealth, Ashby, and Glebe Flood Mitigation Project. 

Track the progress of the City’s Flood Mitigation capital projects using the digital Project Dashboard.  

Follow the City of Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services on social media for information during Virginia Flood Awareness Week. 

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact 703.746.5590, Virginia Relay 711.