NORFOLK — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks funding to reevaluate how Norfolk defends two areas from flooding and storm surge as part of its $2.6 billion flood mitigation plan.
The Coastal Storm Risk Management project includes an eight-mile long floodwall around downtown Norfolk, but also includes property-specific measures, such as home elevations and filling of basements, to protect houses in the city’s southside neighborhoods. When the City Council approved the plan in April, it asked the corps to consider reevaluating elements of the plan based on concerns raised by southside residents.
The corps expects a determination by spring on whether it will go forward with the reevaluations.
The potential reevaluation wouldn’t just be focused on the southside, but would also look into potential changes for Willoughby Spit.
However, both potential reviews need to be approved for funding by the assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, according to a presentation by corps officials at the Norfolk City Council’s Nov. 27 retreat.
Both efforts are combined in one application, which is expected to be reviewed by the corps general reevaluation report view meeting this winter before…
