Stormwater Extension Program

How it works

The Stormwater Extension Program is a city service focused on helping residents and business owners reduce flooding impacts on private property. The page says the program is intended to provide resources and mitigation strategies so people can better weather storms and protect life, property, and safety.

What the service includes

The program provides:

• Mitigation strategies to consider and discuss with the Stormwater Extension program manager
• One-on-one on-site consultation with the program manager
• Help searching for grants and other programs
• Collaboration with Public Works Operations and other city departments, when possible
• Engagement with civic leagues, homeowner associations, and other groups to share information about flooding, stormwater, and flood insurance

The page also notes that practical mitigation can include simple preparedness steps such as elevating electronics, protecting important documents in a water-resistant tote, and having flood insurance.

What it covers

The city says the program helps people identify the right mitigation approach for their situation, whether the issue is rainfall flooding or inundation flooding. Rainfall flooding happens when rain cannot drain fast enough. Inundation flooding comes from rising tides or wind-driven flooding and may happen with or without rain.

What the money covers

The page is explicit that the city will not pay for mitigation on private property. It says public funds cannot be used to solve private drainage issues. Instead, the program may help residents find grant opportunities from federal, state, local, or nonprofit sources.

How to apply

To get started, residents should complete and submit the Flooding Impact Checklist. After submission, a program manager will contact them with information specific to their case.

Timing and deadlines

No application deadline or funding window is listed. The page says wait times vary based on current case load, and cases with more severe flooding are worked first.

Additional resources

The page points users to the Flooding Mitigation Toolbox for methods and to Resilient Virginia for funding information. It also says the City’s Office of Emergency Management handles FEMA coordination for people interested in raising their home.