The Ripple Effect: Second Quarter 2025 Update on the Flood Protection Program

The Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board (FPBROB) and Jacobs Engineering delivered the quarterly status report on the Flood Protection Program (FPP) to City Council on June 17. In case you missed it, here are the key takeaways.

Three Projects Reach Next Milestone  

As of May 2025, $117.8 million has been spent on Flood Protection Projects, an increase of $10.6 million since last quarter. Strides are being made across the city, including the First Colonial Road and Oceana Boulevard Drainage Improvements project, which is now under construction. A Notice to Proceed was granted for the Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Pump Station & Outfall project and design work will begin shortly. Finally, portions of the Eastern Shore Drive projects have moved into the final phase of procurement.

Early Progress: What Phase I Will Deliver 

The first wave of projects included in the 2021 Flood Protection Bond Referendum will lead to major results. The FPP operations assessment report showed that new assets and infrastructure from Phase I will include:  

• 11 pump stations with generators  
• Nine stormwater management facilities
• Eight tide gate installations
• 8 miles of stormwater pipes
• 3 miles of roadway improvements  

ARPA-Funded Project Success

Two key initiatives — neighborhood drainage improvements and lake dredging — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), are on track for timely completion. Of the nearly $45 million granted, 81% has been spent on improvements including:  

• 23 neighborhoods now have better drainage
• 61 miles of storm sewer were inspected via closed-circuit television
• 14 miles of storm sewers were lined to extend the system’s life and reliability
• 142,055 cubic yards of material were dredged from lakes — the equivalent of 10,147 dump trucks! 

Creating and Sustaining a Strong Future

Virginia Beach is investing in and expanding a citywide sensor and technology network to improve control of stormwater assets. With partners such as the United States Geological Survey, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, local airports and others, Public Works staff can use collected data to monitor rainfall and water levels and determine how to optimize the stormwater system by opening and closing tide gates and turning on and turning off the pump stations.  

The City is also preparing for the long-term care of new assets in the Flood Protection Program. Maintenance plans for shoreline restorations, vegetation management, wetlands monitoring and other strategies will ensure that the stormwater improvements continue to perform effectively.  
 
With every mile of improved drainage and every dollar invested, Virginia Beach moves closer to a safer, more flood-resilient future.  

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.

• Ripple Effect