The Ripple Effect: Third Quarter 2024 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 Sept. 24. Here are three exciting takeaways. 

Strategic Working Groups Address Critical Risks   

From the beginning, the promise of the Flood Protection Program was that it would have citywide benefits. In just two years into the work, it is keeping to its word. 

In 2022, several strategic working groups were developed to mitigate seven high-risk areas that could impact the program — staffing, procurement, real estate, project management, project controls, communications and operational readiness. They were established to help ensure FPP projects are delivered in the 10-year window prescribed by the bond referendum. The workgroups have already made significant contributions and continue to make improvements.  

For example, project management and procurement workgroups created new tools, processes and documentation to overcome historically time-consuming barriers to progress. These improvements not only enhance the Flood Protection Program but also streamline project implementation for other City capital improvement programs. Other contributions include greater engineering and operations coordination on project features and filling critical staff vacancies to help ensure successful implementation of the Flood Protection Program. 

Major Project Milestones Achieved   

Three projects — First Colonial Road and Oceana Boulevard Drainage Improvements, Bow Creek Stormwater Park (Section 2) and Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements — have progressed from various degrees of design completion closer toward construction since the last quarter. A total of five Flood Protection Program projects are in active construction and four FPP projects are now complete. 

Total program spending on FPP projects as of Sept. 17 reached $83.2 million. This includes the $12.6 million in spending since the last quarter. Program spending currently has a 5% variance from baseline estimates, which is very good by industry standards for a program of this size and complexity. 

Focus on Public Engagement   

Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board Chairman Jeff Waller noted that City staff provided the board with three briefings over the last quarter on the status of the Seatack Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Project, water sensors and how they link to projects, and updates on the Eastern Shore Drive Phase 1 Master Project. 

Waller also discussed the release of three additional Ripple Effect videos informing the public about flooding issues and the Flood Protection Program since June. 

1. Windsor Woods Tide Gate: A Project Milestone 

2. Stormwater Pipe Cleaning and Inspections 

3. Flood Sensors & Monitoring 

A total of 24 Ripple Effect videos have been produced and released to date. Metrics around communications reach and engagement are strong. Since last quarter, there have been a total of 77,000 views of blog and video content by 48,000 users, an increase from the previous period. The overall engagement rate for videos (likes, shares, comments, saves) is 5.8%. Rates from 3.5-6% are considered high.  

Have a flood-related topic you’d us to cover in the Ripple Effect video series “How It Works?" Send your suggestion to RippleEffect@vbgov.com.  

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.