The Ripple Effect: A Phased Approach to Flood Relief for the Central Resort District

On May 27, City Council received an update on the Central Resort District project from Stormwater Engineering Center Administrator Mike Tippin, P.E., with the Department of Public Works. The major multi-phase effort is part of the Flood Protection Program and includes construction of stormwater upgrades that will increase capacity, reduce tidal flooding and improve drainage throughout the Oceanfront and surrounding neighborhoods. While construction isn't expected to begin until late 2027, planning is underway for the first phase.

Phase 1A: Tidal Flooding Solution at Laskin Road  

The first sub-phase of the project, Phase 1A, focuses on areas frequently impacted by tidal flooding, including Beach Garden Park, Kilbourne Court, Holly Road and the 28th Street area. These low-lying neighborhoods can experience water backups during high tides, even on days without rain.  

Planned improvements include:  

• Doubling the capacity of the existing culverts beneath Laskin Road 
• Installing an automatic tide gate to prevent tidal backflow

Once complete, these measures are expected to reduce nuisance flooding during dry weather and support future flood control efforts. Phase 1A has an estimated construction cost of $8.9 million.

Phase 1B: New Pump Station at Parks Avenue

Phase 1B will bring much-needed rainfall relief to the core of the Resort District. A new pump station near Parks Avenue will be constructed to move water away from flood-prone streets such as Arctic and Baltic avenues.  

Key design elements include:  

• A 260 cubic feet per second (CFS) pump station to handle large storm events  
• New 72-inch stormwater pipe along 23rd Street 
• Drainage improvements between 21st and 23rd streets on Baltic and Arctic avenues  

This phase is designed to reduce flooding during 10-year storms at some of the Resort’s most flood-prone intersections and provide relief for 86 structures. Construction is projected to cost $66.4 million.  

What to Expect in Later Phases

Phase 1 is just the beginning of a larger $577 million flood reduction program that will unfold over the next decade. Future phases will include:  

• Large-scale micro-tunneling beneath 24th Street  
• A high-capacity pump station and ocean outfall at 24th Street Park 
• Expanded stormwater pipe networks along Arctic, Parks, Cypress and Mediterranean avenues 
• Culvert replacements and channel improvements at 24th Street, Parks Avenue and Interstate 264 

During major storm events, these combined efforts are expected to reduce street flooding by 61% and structure flooding by 45%.

Stay Connected  

Construction on Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in late 2027 but planning and preliminary engineering is underway. To stay informed about project milestones and updates, visit the Central Resort District project page. For information on this and other Flood Protection Program projects visit VirginiaBeach.gov/RippleEffect.  

• Central Resort District Project
• 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.