Overview
In 2020, state legislation passed that allocated significant funds to support regions and localities across Virginia in reducing the impacts of flooding. The Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (VCFPF) provides communities the opportunity to assess their vulnerability to flood events and develop and implement actionable flood resilience plans, studies, and projects. A portion of the state fund is set aside for projects in low-income geographic areas. Contact Elizabeth Marshall to learn more.
How it Works
The disruption caused by devastating and recurring flood events has been worsening over time for many communities throughout Virginia; however, not all have the time or resources to devote to flood resilience.
The University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center recognizes this challenge and has developed a flood resilience team to help Virginia localities and Planning District Commissions (PDCs) secure VCFPF grant funding and build their capacity for developing effective flood management plans.
- Phase I: The Cooper Center will prepare a VCFPF capacity-building and planning grant application for the locality/PDC. With successful grant funding, the Cooper Center will oversee the work to assess what resources the locality has in place and will need in order to develop a successful flood resilience plan.
- Phase II and beyond: Upon completion of Phase I, the Cooper Center will assist localities/PDCs with their applications for additional VCFPF grants that will help them develop approvable flood resilience plans and provide for more substantial flood plan development.
Leveraging UVA Expertise for State of the Art Solutions
The Cooper Center will partner with the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Architecture to leverage their expertise and innovative thinking in order to help communities develop highly effective, cutting-edge flood preparedness solutions, unique to the locality/region.
CURRENT PROJECT:
Helping Vulnerable Communities
From UVA's Engineering School:
UVA Team partners with Lenowisco and Southside planning district commissions (PDCs) to assist with flood mitigation and planning efforts.
Duane Miller, executive director of the Lenowisco Planning District Commission, has seen his share of flood damage in Southwest Virginia from mudslides and dam failures to collapsed roads. However, developing flood mitigation and planning strategies isn't something the Lenowisco PDC communities have the means to do.
As one of the first participants in the new initiative, Miller said, "I am hoping this study is able to identify some neat things our communities can do to protect against floods and use land in innovative and fun ways to improve quality of life for our district’s residents.”
Learn More
Contact Elizabeth Marshall, Senior Project Coordinator at the Weldon Cooper Center to learn more about the program and how to participate.
Visit the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation website to learn more about the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund.