• C Watts, "Norfolk waterfront Virginia," Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0), https://www.flickr.com/photos/watts_photos/

    • Case Study

    Zoning Ordinance Overhauled To Increase Community Resilience To Flooding

    The city of Norfolk, Virginia, is like many other coastal communities facing sea level rise. The city chose to take a bold step to completely overhaul their zoning ordinance to reduce impacts and increase their resilience. Learn more about Norfolk’s innovative resilience zoning ordinance.

    Year
    2022

    Details

    Hazards
    Flooding – Coastal
    Flooding – Rainfall-induced
    Assets
    Property
    Sources
    NOAA Office for Costal Management Digital Coast
    Read the Full Case Study

    Organizations

    NOAA Office for Costal Management Digital Coast

    Relevant Options

    Consider prohibiting or limiting development or economic development activities in high-risk areas, such as along steep river bluffs that may erode with heavy precipitation or flooding. Develop an ongoing buyouts program that would re-purpose properties at high-risk of sea level rise impacts. Use the land to support water management, drainage and absorption. Develop a plan for communicating to the public about seawall projects (e.g., why are they needed, where are they needed).

    Steps to Resilience

    Get Started
    Understand Exposure
    Assess Vulnerability & Risk
    Investigate Options
    Prioritize & Plan
    Take Action
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