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SEA LEVEL RISE: ONE REGION'S STRUGGLE TO
PLAN FOR A RISING TIDE
Alison Meehan, CFMVirginia Dep’t of Conservation and
Recreation
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Agenda
The Problem Examples Discussion
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Hampton Roads, Virginia
6 Counties 9 Cities Borders the
Chesapeake Bay
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Sea Level Rise
A high rate of subsidence means Hampton Roads has the highest rate of sea level rise on the east coast, totaling 1.45 feet over the last century.
Expected to be one of the worst impacted areas by sea level rise in the country – second only to New Orleans.
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Mean Sea Level TrendSewell’s Point, Virginia
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An Accelerating Problem
The rate of relative SLR in the mid-Atlantic is accelerating and is projected to range between 2.3 and 5.2 feet higher by 2100.
Most communities in Hampton Roads implement only a 1 foot freeboard.
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An Ongoing Problem
The year 2100 is not the finish line! Sea level will continue to rise after that.
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Failure to Act
Scientists warned us. It wasn’t until recently that citizens started
to really notice the change.
Now, complaints by citizens force municipalities to mitigate existing infrastructure using short-term fixes – at high costs.
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Virginia Beach: Feedback from the Public
80 % - SLR in Virginia Beach is very important and a long-term problem we need to plan for.
53 % - SLR is made worse by humans and we can affect it, for better or worse.
91.5 % - SLR should be a priority for local government.
8 % - Must change their route to work whenever it rains.
2 % - Must change their route to work twice a month with each lunar high tide.
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Skip Stiles of a non-profit organization: “Inaction at the state and federal level is leaving Virginians alone, blind and broke to wander across an increasingly dangerous landscape being reshaped by sea level rise."
Virginia Beach: Feedback from the Public
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Norfolk: Raising a City
$90 to $180 M projected cost to elevate 2 neighborhoods
Sea walls, removable flood gates, land purchases recommended.
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Norfolk: Raising a City
Precipitation Flooding Most all of the City of Norfolk’s Planning Districts
experience some level of flooding. Some areas have no curb, gutter, or collection systems Subsequent upstream development exceeds system
capacity
New and replacement storm water infrastructure are designed for 10-year storm.
Tidal flooding exacerbates precipitation flooding –same pipes carrying out rain carry in tide
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Norfolk: Rainfall Flooding Success Story
In conjunction with water & sewer replacement full street improvement projects are completed undersized pipes replaced to 10-year design.
Installed drainage inlets, curbs and gutters to improve water flow.
$18.2 million over 10 years.
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Over 50 significant storms have effected Portsmouth since the first recorded storm in 1635, averaging one storm every 8 years.
Portsmouth
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Portsmouth
Making some steps forward. 18 inch freeboard. SLR mapping.
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Portsmouth: Mapping
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0-2 feet sea level rise would result in 0.42 square miles being lost
2-4 feet sea level rise would result in 1.16 square miles being lost
4-6 feet sea level rise would result in 2.58 square miles being lost
6-8 feet sea level rise would result 6.05 square miles being lost
Portsmouth: Mapping
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Discussion
At which level of government is it best to tackle SLR?
What can be done rather than short-term fixes?
How can anything long-term and proactive be accomplished?
General advice???
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Alison Meehan, CFMFloodplain Program Planner
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
(804) 371-6137 [email protected]