For Immediate Release: March 9, 2023

The City of Alexandria’s Flood Action Alexandria program team are encouraging the community to learn about local risks and what they can do to stay safe to mark 2023 Virginia’s Flood Awareness Week from Sunday, March 12 to Saturday, March 18.

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 in March to educate residents on flood risks.

The City marked Virginia Flood Awareness Week with a reading of a proclamation during the City Council Legislative session on Tuesday, February 28.

Want to Understand and Reduce Your Flood Risk? Our Webinars Will Help You Get There

As we head into the typical spring and summer rainy season, the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, and Fairfax County are teaming up for Virginia Flood Awareness Week to get out key messages of being informed and prepared. Join us for informative lunch and learn webinars:

• Understanding Your Flood Risk - Tuesday, March 14 at 12-12:30 p.m.
• How to Reduce Your Flood Risk - Friday, March 17 at 12-12:30 p.m.
• Cómo Protegerse Contra las Inundaciones - Pre-recorded Spanish Flood Awareness Information Session

Alexandria’s Flood Risk and What We Are Doing About It

The City’s future flood risk will increase as a result of rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of storms as stated by the City’s Environmental Action Plan 2040 and included in the Climate Emergency resolution adopted by City Council on October 22, 2019.

Like other national and global communities, the City has experienced more intense storm events with large volumes of rainfall coming down in short periods of time that overwhelm storm sewer systems and cause flash flooding. The City has experienced such events more recently in 2019 and multiple events in 2020 and 2021 that have greatly impacted property owners.

In response to repeated flooding, the City launched the Flood Action Alexandria initiative which coordinates a team of experts across multiple departments and consultants to mitigate flooding issues through maintenance programs and capital project implementation. The team is advised by the Ad Hoc Stormwater Utility and Flood Mitigation Advisory Group, a City Council-appointed group of residents who work collaboratively with City staff and the community in flood mitigation activities.

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

Visit alexandriava.gov/FloodAction for more information about flood preparedness and the City's mitigation efforts. Track the progress of the City’s flood mitigation capital projects using the digital Project Dashboard.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact the Office of Communications & Public Information at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3969.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact geralyn.taylor@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4990, Virginia Relay 711.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4390.