Flood Mitigation Pilot Program

How it works

James City County’s Flood Mitigation Pilot Program provides financial and technical assistance for owners of properties on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) repetitive loss list. The goal is to help buildings become more resistant to flood damage by sharing the cost of FEMA-approved wet floodproofing methods.

What the money covers

Eligible owners may receive:

• Matching grants to reimburse up to 50% of the cost of eligible flood mitigation construction, up to the program maximum of $3,000 per property.
• Payment of up to 80% of the cost of an elevation certificate.
• Additional grant funds may be available for owners enrolled in the County’s Elderly & Disabled or Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption programs.

The page says the program supports FEMA-approved wet floodproofing methods and gives examples of mitigation techniques that may be considered, including backflow valves, barricades, filling crawl spaces or basements, flood vents or breakaway walls, lifting structures or utilities, and clearing debris from ditches, storm drain inlets, and stream channels.

How to apply

The County provides a Preliminary Application and Program Guidelines PDF, plus a Sample Program Agreement PDF. The page says complete program details are contained in the Flood Mitigation Program Guidelines. Homeowners can contact Marion Paine for more information by email or at 757-253-6673.

Timing and deadlines

The page does not list a closing date, application window, or funding cap beyond the per-property maximum. It presents the program as an ongoing pilot program.