Flood Protection Program Survey

The City is seeking feedback on citizens’ knowledge and opinions of the City’s flood protection initiatives. Your input is important in helping the City understand your concerns about the impacts of flooding in your area and what you believe should be the priorities to combat recurrent flooding. The input will assist us in the planning and development of a flood protection program that will address residential and roadway flooding throughout the City and the focus of a potential referendum on the ballot this November.

This survey will be open for responses through Sunday, June 27.

How many years have you lived in Virginia Beach?

41 or more years

24%

31 - 40 years

22%

21 - 30 years

20%

5 or fewer years

11%

16 - 20 years

11 - 15 years

6 - 10 years

Closed to responses | 1,759 Responses

How satisfied would you say you are with your overall quality of life as a resident of Virginia Beach?

Somewhat satisfied

44%

Very Satisfied

41%

Somewhat dissatisfied

12%

Very dissatisfied

Closed to responses | 1,726 Responses

If you answered "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied," to what degree is that dissatisfaction related to local flooding or sea level rise issues.

Not at all related

34%

To some degree

30%

Very high degree

25%

A low degree

12%

Closed to responses | 974 Responses

Below is a list of issues facing Virginia Beach residents. Please indicate the priority that each should have for Virginia Beach lawmakers.

Top Priority

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Improving the city's economy

19%

Top Priority

58%

Important

18%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Improving roads, bridges and infrastructure for Virginia Beach citizens

39%

Top Priority

52%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Mitigating risk of flood damage to homes and businesses throughout Virginia Beach

57%

Top Priority

34%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Protecting the city's air quality

21%

Top Priority

45%

Important

24%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Preventing water pollution

36%

Top Priority

50%

Important

12%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Protecting Virginia Beach wetlands because they help to reduce flood risks

50%

Top Priority

38%

Important

10%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Addressing the risk of flooding along the Virginia Beach coast

43%

Top Priority

40%

Important

13%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Addressing sea level rise

41%

Top Priority

34%

Important

15%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Addressing the risk of flooding throughout Virginia Beach

58%

Top Priority

32%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

1,639 responses

Below is a series of statements about the effects of sea level rise in Virginia Beach. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with each.

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

It is important for Virginia Beach to have a plan to deal with recurrent flooding, stormwater runoff and rising sea levels that is updated regularly to keep up with the latest science.

80%

Strongly agree

16%

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

I want to see Virginia Beach take action to protect our communities from the risk of flooding.

76%

Strongly agree

19%

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

We should make investments to reduce the impact of flooding in all communities in Virginia Beach.

68%

Strongly agree

23%

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Investments in flood protection is important for low-income communities and those that include people of color.

61%

Strongly agree

19%

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Virginia Beach can take actions now that will reduce the future impacts of increased flooding, heavy rainfall, and rising sea levels.

71%

Strongly agree

21%

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

It is the responsibility of individual property owners to protect their homes and businesses from flooding.

15%

Strongly agree

39%

Somewhat agree

27%

Somewhat disagree

18%

Strongly disagree

Don't know

I want to see Virginia Beach take action to protect our coastal communities from the risk of rising sea levels and flooding.

56%

Strongly agree

31%

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Increased flooding, heavy rainfall, and rising sea levels are already having serious impacts on Virginia Beach.

55%

Strongly agree

29%

Somewhat agree

10%

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Occasional flooding is a part of life in coastal communities that large-scale city projects will not change.

16%

Strongly agree

31%

Somewhat agree

25%

Somewhat disagree

25%

Strongly disagree

Don't know

If we do not act, sea level rise/recurrent flooding will have a serious impact on future generations of Virginia Beach citizens.

63%

Strongly agree

21%

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

People who do not experience flooding at their properties should not have to pay for flood protection projects.

12%

Strongly agree

17%

Somewhat agree

33%

Somewhat disagree

35%

Strongly disagree

Don't know

The city should not have to increase my taxes to pay for flood protection projects.

30%

Strongly agree

22%

Somewhat agree

28%

Somewhat disagree

18%

Strongly disagree

Don't know

The impact of sea level rise is not significant enough to justify the expense of major flood mitigation projects.

10%

Strongly agree

16%

Somewhat agree

21%

Somewhat disagree

47%

Strongly disagree

Don't know

I am willing to pay more in taxes for flood protection projects.

19%

Strongly agree

38%

Somewhat agree

18%

Somewhat disagree

21%

Strongly disagree

Don't know

1,541 responses

Below is a list of ways to reduce the impacts of flooding. Please indicate the priority that each should be for Virginia Beach.

Top priority

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Dredge canals

30%

Top priority

54%

Important

12%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Build/expand retention ponds

23%

Top priority

54%

Important

20%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Increase storm drain cleaning and maintenance

62%

Top priority

36%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Clear drainage ditches

58%

Top priority

38%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Build seawalls

15%

Top priority

34%

Important

33%

Lower priority

10%

Not a priority

Don't do it

Construct tide gates

16%

Top priority

32%

Important

33%

Lower priority

11%

Not a priority

Don't do it

Construct levees

12%

Top priority

29%

Important

35%

Lower priority

13%

Not a priority

10%

Don't do it

Build more pump stations

24%

Top priority

47%

Important

21%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Stormwater modeling and planning

51%

Top priority

39%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Large-scale infrastructure design (drainage systems and roadways)

46%

Top priority

38%

Important

11%

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Impose more restrictions on land use and development

60%

Top priority

26%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Purchase and/or relocation of properties that have experienced recurrent flooding

19%

Top priority

28%

Important

28%

Lower priority

13%

Not a priority

12%

Don't do it

Watershed management (managing areas of land that help drain rainfall into streams and rivers)

58%

Top priority

35%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

Protect marshes, wetlands and dunes, which help reduce flooding

65%

Top priority

28%

Important

Lower priority

Not a priority

Don't do it

1,401 responses

What is meant by a "100-year flood?"

A flood that takes place every 100 years

47%

A flood that has a 1-in-100 chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year

42%

Not sure

10%

A year in which at least 100 floods take place throughout the U.S.

Closed to responses | 1,400 Responses

As far as you know, which of the following best describes flood risk in Virginia Beach?

Flood risk is increasing and has been trending upward

73%

Flood risk varies from year to year

19%

Flood risk is roughly the same from year to year

Not sure

Flood risk is decreasing and has been trending downward

Closed to responses | 1,397 Responses

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) scores participating communities based on the steps they take to reduce flooding. The lower a community's score, the greater the potential flood insurance savings. As far as you know, how does Virginia Beach score in this program?

I am unfamiliar with this program and do not know if Virginia Beach participates in it.

57%

Virginia Beach participates but does not score well enough on flood control programs and initiatives to realize insurance savings.

23%

Virginia Beach scores well in this program; businesses and residents earn savings on insurance due to its flood control programs and initiatives.

18%

Virginia Beach is not one of the participating communities.

Closed to responses | 1,375 Responses

When it comes to the damaging effects of flooding, which of the following is the most concerning for you?

Effects on vulnerable populations

43%

Risk of closing military bases or operations

26%

Businesses that close or leave Virginia Beach

17%

Impact on local agriculture industry

14%

Closed to responses | 1,356 Responses

How soon do you think rising sea levels or flooding will directly impact you and your family?

Already occurred

32%

In the next 5 years

18%

In the next 10 years

18%

In the next 20 years

12%

Longer than 20 years

12%

Never

This year

Closed to responses | 1,380 Responses

As far as you know, how much progress has been made on projects in the City of Virginia Beach aimed at reducing the risk of flooding? (Make your best guess even if you are not sure)

Some

42%

A little

35%

Hardly any

19%

A lot

Closed to responses | 1,374 Responses

Were you aware of updates the City is making to its citywide stormwater masterplan to make areas more resilient to rising sea levels and storm events?

46%

Yes

40%

Not sure

14%

Closed to responses | 1,376 Responses

The existing revenue source for stormwater and flood protection is not sufficient to meet all of the city's long-term flood preparedness needs.

Unsure/Don't Know

28%

Somewhat Support

28%

Strongly Support

25%

Somewhat Oppose

11%

Strongly Oppose

Closed to responses | 1,366 Responses

Are you familiar with the City's current stormwater and flood protection projects?

Somewhat familiar

46%

Not familiar

38%

Don't know

Very familiar

Closed to responses | 1,371 Responses

Funding for the proposed flood protection projects would come from an increase in real estate tax rates. How much would you be willing to pay for the city to implement proposed flood protection projects?
(The following scenarios are based on the median home assessment value of $267,600).

5 cents increase = $131.50 more annually

31%

1 cent increase = $26.30 more annually

29%

No increase = No cost

26%

10 cent increase = $263.00 more annually

14%

Closed to responses | 1,360 Responses

Do you experience any of the following on or near your property? (Select all that apply.)

Street flooding

69%

Yard flooding

51%

None of the above

18%

Home flooding

12%

Stream erosion

Closed to responses | 1,320 Responses

Do you currently have flood insurance?

Yes

49%

48%

Not sure

Closed to responses | 1,366 Responses

DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS

Please tell us about yourself. The following questions are for voluntary demographic purposes only.

What is your gender?

Male

Female

Transgender

Do not identify as male, female, or transgender

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

What is your age?

Under 18

18-25

26-35

36-45

46-55

56-65

66-75

Over 75

Prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

What is your highest formal education level?

High School/GED

Some College

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate or Professional Degree

Closed to responses

What is your race/ethnicity?

White

Black or African-American

Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish

Asian

American Indian or Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Other

I prefer not to answer

Closed to responses

What is your approximate yearly household income?

More than $100,000

46%

$61,000 - $80,000

17%

$81,000 - $100,000

15%

$41,000 - $60,000

13%

$21,000-$40,000

Less than $20,000

Closed to responses | 1,284 Responses

How likely are you to vote in the November election?

Definitely

91%

Probably

Chances are 50-50

Definitely not

Probably not

Closed to responses | 1,357 Responses

What neighborhood in Virginia Beach do you currently live in?

Your privately-submitted comments:

Closed to responses

Please share any other thoughts or suggestions you have about sea level rise or flooding in Virginia Beach.

Your privately-submitted comments:

Closed to responses

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Flood Protection Program Survey

Flood Protection Program Survey

Question title

How many years have you lived in Virginia Beach?

Question title

How satisfied would you say you are with your overall quality of life as a resident of Virginia Beach?

Question title

If you answered "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied," to what degree is that dissatisfaction related to local flooding or sea level rise issues.

Question title

Below is a list of issues facing Virginia Beach residents. Please indicate the priority that each should have for Virginia Beach lawmakers.

Question title

Below is a series of statements about the effects of sea level rise in Virginia Beach. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with each.

Question title

Below is a list of ways to reduce the impacts of flooding. Please indicate the priority that each should be for Virginia Beach.

Question title

What is meant by a "100-year flood?"

Question title

As far as you know, which of the following best describes flood risk in Virginia Beach?

Question title

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) scores participating communities based on the steps they take to reduce flooding. The lower a community's score, the greater the potential flood insurance savings. As far as you know, how does Virginia Beach score in this program?

Question title

When it comes to the damaging effects of flooding, which of the following is the most concerning for you?

Question title

How soon do you think rising sea levels or flooding will directly impact you and your family?

Question title

As far as you know, how much progress has been made on projects in the City of Virginia Beach aimed at reducing the risk of flooding? (Make your best guess even if you are not sure)

Question title

Were you aware of updates the City is making to its citywide stormwater masterplan to make areas more resilient to rising sea levels and storm events?

Question title

The existing revenue source for stormwater and flood protection is not sufficient to meet all of the city's long-term flood preparedness needs.

Question title

Are you familiar with the City's current stormwater and flood protection projects?

Question title

Funding for the proposed flood protection projects would come from an increase in real estate tax rates. How much would you be willing to pay for the city to implement proposed flood protection projects? (The following scenarios are based on the median home assessment value of $267,600).

Question title

Do you experience any of the following on or near your property? (Select all that apply.)

Question title

Do you currently have flood insurance?

Question title

What is your gender?

Question title

What is your age?

Question title

What is your highest formal education level?

Question title

What is your race/ethnicity?

Question title

What is your approximate yearly household income?

Question title

How likely are you to vote in the November election?

Question title

What neighborhood in Virginia Beach do you currently live in?

Question title

Please share any other thoughts or suggestions you have about sea level rise or flooding in Virginia Beach.

Funding for the proposed flood protection projects would come from an increase in real estate tax rates. How much would you be willing to pay for the city to implement proposed flood protection projects?
(The following scenarios are based on the median home assessment value of $267,600).