As flooding becomes an increasing concern across Northern Virginia, Fairfax County officials are marking Flood Safety Awareness Week through March 15 by urging residents to protect their homes, finances, and communities from flood-related disasters.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., with 90% of all presidentially declared disasters involving flood. In Fairfax County, thousands of properties are at risk, yet only 3% of Virginians carry flood insurance, leaving many homeowners vulnerable to severe financial loss.
“Flooding can happen anywhere, whether you live along the coast, near a river, or even in cities after a heavy rainfall, and at any time, as evidenced by widespread flooding in southwest Virginia this February,” said Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Director Matthew Wells in a news release. “Understanding your flood risk and taking action – including securing flood insurance and taking steps to protect your home – can make a difference when it comes to protecting lives and property.”
Several areas in Fairfax County are particularly vulnerable to flooding, with the Cameron Run Watershed among the most at-risk. Spanning parts of Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Alexandria, the watershed is fed by Holmes Run, Backlick Run, and Indian Run, all contributing to significant flooding in the region. The Huntington neighborhood, located along Cameron Run, has experienced repeated flood events, leading the county to invest in levees and pump stations to mitigate future damage.
Another high-risk area is the Hollin Hills community, which includes Paul Spring Park and Voigt Memorial Park. FEMA designated the neighborhood a 100-year floodplain, so it faces an elevated risk of severe flooding. This raises concerns about long-term resilience and improving flood mitigation.
Fairfax County took part in the first-ever Northern Virginia Resiliency Expo on March 10 to showcase ongoing flood resilience initiatives. Organized by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, the event brought together local elected officials, agency directors, and community leaders to tour stormwater infrastructure projects aimed at reducing flood risks. Among the highlighted efforts are the Chesterfield and Chesterbrook Stormwater Improvement Projects, part of the county’s investment in stormwater resilience.
"By launching Virginia Flood Awareness Week with the first annual NOVA Resiliency Exposition, NVRC showcased how Northern Virginia localities are working to create more resilient communities through innovative flood reduction strategies. The project sites highlighted various approaches to addressing rainfall, riverine, and tidal driven flooding, while also demonstrating how many of these efforts span across jurisdictional boundaries to benefit regional watersheds, such as Four Mile Run, and the surrounding communities,”said Rebecca Murphy, a coastal program manager at the Northern Virginia Regional Comission. She said over 20 staff members and elected officials participated in project tours at three sites across the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, and Fairfax County. “This strong participation underscores the broad support for resiliency initiatives in the region,” she explained.
Recognizing the growing threat of severe storms, Fairfax County launched the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program last July to help residents safeguard their properties. The program reimburses 50% of eligible floodproofing project costs of up to $5,000 per property. This aims to help homeowners, HOAs, condo associations, and places of worship implement flood mitigation measures. Renters may also qualify for Flood Mitigation Assistance Program reimbursement with the property owner’s permission. Eligible projects include battery backups for sump pumps, flood barriers and vents, French drains and surface regrading, waterproofing sealants and utility flood covers, portable submersible pumps and other floodproofing measures.
As part of its long-term climate adaptation strategy, Fairfax County has implemented the Resilient Fairfax Plan, which aims to strengthen infrastructure, protect the environment, and prepare communities for climate-related challenges.
Fairfax County residents can assess flood risk using the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map and the Fairfax County Flood Risk Awareness Tool. These maps provide floodplain data and flood hazard areas to help homeowners determine whether their property is at risk and whether flood insurance or mitigation measures may be necessary.
With flood risks growing, county officials urge residents to take proactive steps before disaster strikes. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s website has more information about Virginia Flood Awareness Week.