Coastal Flooding To Be Studied In Northern Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A new study will look at flooding concerns and potential fixes to flooding in coastal areas of Northern Virginia. The $3.5 million study is being led and funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers's Baltimore District and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

The DC metropolitan region, including Northern Virginia, was identified as a high-risk area in a previous study requested by Congress after Hurricane Sandy. A key concern is the Potomac River and its tributaries. The study includes coastal areas of Arlington County, Alexandria, Fairfax County, northern Prince William County and Reagan National Airport. Problem areas identified for the study are the Arlington and Alexandria waterfronts along the Potomac River, as well as Cameron Run and Four Mile Run, which empty into the Potomac.

Flooding, while posing a risk to life and property, also presents a concern for local infrastructure. The "vulnerable" infrastructure within flood zones in the study are Reagan National Airport, the Capital Beltway, George Washington Memorial Parkway, other roads and bridges, Metrorail and stations, other railroad services, stormwater systems, water supply systems, national security infrastructure and wastewater treatment plants.

The study will look at problems in the area and what future conditions could be. The feasibility of solutions like floodwalls, levees, evacuation planning; and drainage improvements and living shorelines will be evaluated.

"The goal is to reduce coastal flood risk to people, properties, critical infrastructure, and important services and resources in the study area, all while considering future climate and sea level change," said Col. John Litz, commander of the Army Corps Baltimore District, in a statement. "We want to provide our Northern Virginia partners with the most suitable and effective recommendations to improve coastal storm resiliency, and reduce life safety risks, economic damages and other disruptions from flooding."

According to WTOP, the study could take two and a half years. Depending on what the study finds, the Army Corps of Engineers and local jurisdictions could seek additional funding to carry out the recommendations. The study will also recommend actions to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to reduce flooding damages to homes, businesses and government offices, as well as disruptions to infrastructure.

The July 8 flash flooding event exemplified the damage flooding can inflict upon the region. The federal government approved a disaster declaration for areas including Arlington County, Alexandria and Fairfax County, allowing residents, nonprofits and businesses to apply for disaster loans.

Residents can share information pertaining to flooding or flood risk management, such as reports, photos, other digital data, climate change impact analyses and studies with the study team by emailing MetroDCCoastalStudy@usace.army.mil. More information on the study is available at www.nab.usace.army.mil/DC_Coastal_Study.