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Fact Sheet

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: VA-3

APPROPRIATION / PHASE: Construction

BUSINESS PROGRAM: Civil Works

LOCATION: Norfolk, VA

DESCRIPTION: The City of Norfolk, with a population of 238,000 (U.S. Census 2020), is increasingly vulnerable to flooding from coastal storms. The city is a highly urbanized, relatively flat, community with nearly all areas below elevation 15 feet (North American Vertical Datum [NAVD] of 1988). The rate of relative sea level rise within the City and surrounding area is one of the highest along the East Coast, exacerbating the City’s vulnerability.

The recent study of coastal flooding problems throughout the City concluded in February 2019 with a Final Feasibility Report and a Report of the Chief of Engineers. The Design Agreement was executed in June 2019 with the City of Norfolk, initiating the Preconstruction Engineering and Design (PED) Phase. The PPA was executed in 2023 with a cost share of 65% Federal, 35% non-Federal.

The NCSRM includes structural, nonstructural, and Natural & Hybrid (NHI) Infrastructure measures. The structural components include storm surge barriers at Broad Creek, The Hague, Lafayette River, and Pretty Lake; flood walls; gates; levees; and pump stations. NHI include nature-based living shorelines and oyster restoration. The nonstructural components include property elevation, flood proofing, buyouts, and basement fills.

PROJECT GOALS: This project will reduce future coastal storm risk for the City of Norfolk and provide increased protection to human life, health, and safety to the residents of Norfolk.

PROJECT MANAGER: Chrissie Figueroa

Link to Fact sheet here

Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project

This information below refers to the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study. For the current information about the Norfolk CSRM Project, please click the image below or visit https://www.resilientnorfolk.com.

Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study

Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Published March 21, 2018
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Background

Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management
Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management
CSRM
CSRM
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Photo By: Civil Works
VIRIN: 180723-A-BJ794-003
As a result of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, Congress passed P.L. 113-2, a portion of which directed actions for USACE to take, including preparation of two interim reports to Congress, a project-performance evaluation report and comprehensive study to address the flood risks of vulnerable coastal populations in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy within the boundaries of North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

USACE completed the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, which identified nine high-risk areas on the Atlantic Coast for an in-depth analysis based on preliminary findings.

The city of Norfolk has been identified as one of these nine focus areas that warrants an in-depth investigation into potential coastal storm risk-management solutions. 

Scope
The Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Study is a comprehensive investigation of flood-risk management problems and solutions in the city. The study considered past, current, and future flood-risk management and resilience-planning initiatives and projects underway at USACE and other federal, state and local agencies. Three overarching efforts were performed:

  • Assess the study area’s problems, opportunities and future without project conditions
  • Assess the feasibility of implementing system-wide flood-risk management solutions  
    Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management
    Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management
    CSRM
    CSRM
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    VIRIN: 180723-A-BJ794-002
  • If system-wide solutions are not feasible, assess the feasibility of implementing site-specific solutions, such as structural, nonstructural, natural and nature-based features, possibly in combination.

Norfolk District performed the functional activities of a feasibility-level study in accordance with USACE SMART Planning and Civil Works Modernization guidance and milestones. The study included planning, engineering, economics, environmental resources and National Environmental Policy Act compliance. It recommends a $1.4 billion project, including storm-surge barriers, nearly 8 miles of floodwall, a 1-mile levee, 11 tide gates, and seven pump and power stations. Economists forecast the project's estimated annual net benefits at $122 million. That's based on a reduction in damage from coastal storms to businesses, residents and infrastructure; fewer health and safety risks, and the local economy's improved resilience to impacts.

Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, chief of engineers and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general, signed the Chief's Report in February 2019, recommending the study's findings for congressional authorization. The signing marked the feasibility stage's end. The Preconstruction Engineering and Design phase was initiated with execution of the design agreement in June 2019.

Authorization
This study was authorized by resolution of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works dated July 25, 2012.

Study sponsor
City of Norfolk

Project study area
City of Norfolk

Study cost
$3 million