Spring Tips to Keep Your Home or Business Flood‑Resilient

With spring in full swing, it’s a great time to check how your property handles rainfall. The City’s Stormwater Extension Program is here to help residents and businesses stay ahead of drainage and flooding issues. The program offers free site visits, practical guidance and connections to resources, so you can better understand how water moves across your property and what steps can reduce your flood risk.

Spring Drainage Check-In 

To help your property handle spring rainfall more effectively, consider these quick checks: 

• Point downspouts away from your foundation. 
• Keep leaves, pine needles and debris out of swales and drainage paths. 
• Pay attention to how your property normally drains — changes often reveal the source of new problems. 

If you’re noticing drainage concerns, reach out now rather than waiting for the next major storm. You can also send photos of flooding you’ve experienced (include dates and times if possible) to help staff assess what’s happening at your site.

The program also offers presentations and Q&A sessions for civic leagues, homeowner associations and other neighborhood groups with stormwater questions.

Check out the Stormwater Extension webpage for everything you need to get started, including: 

• A Flooding Impact Checklist to document problem area 
• The Flooding Mitigation Toolbox with detailed strategy guidance 
• Site visit request information 
• Grant programs and additional learning materials 

Recent Successes 

The program has helped residents and businesses resolve a wide range of drainage challenges, from clearing blocked swales and identifying collapsed pipes to diagnosing rising pond levels. It has also supported neighborhoods in understanding how local lakes respond to rainfall and tides.

Homeowners and business owners alike have benefited from tailored guidance to address everything from construction‑related drainage problems to groundwater intrusion. These real‑world successes show how small insights and simple changes can make a big difference.

Whether you’re looking for simple maintenance tips or help diagnosing a persistent issue, the Stormwater Extension Program is ready to assist.  

• Stormwater Extension Program
• Ripple Effect

The Virginia Beach Flood Protection Program — The Ripple Effect — is a comprehensive 10-year plan to address recurrent flooding in Virginia Beach. In November 2021, Virginia Beach voters overwhelmingly supported a resiliency package for several key flood protection initiatives to include drainage improvements, tide gates, pump stations and flood barriers throughout the city. The projects are led by Public Works with support from a community oversight board for transparency and accountability. Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/RippleEffect.