DeepSummary
In Norfolk, Virginia, residents like Karen Speights are facing the difficult decision of either staying in their homes that are increasingly prone to flooding or finding a way to relocate. Karen's home has been flooded multiple times, requiring costly repairs covered by flood insurance. However, her flood insurance premiums have become exorbitantly high at $4,400 per year.
The City of Norfolk is investing in major projects like the Ohio Creek Watershed Project to try to mitigate flooding and make neighborhoods more resilient. This includes measures like raising roads, installing pump stations, and incorporating green infrastructure like wetland restoration. However, these projects are expensive, and there are concerns about whether they will ultimately be enough to protect homes from rising sea levels in the long term.
In some cases, the city is pursuing managed retreat, buying out repeatedly flooded homes from willing owners and converting the land to wetlands. This is an expensive process but aims to reduce future flood insurance payouts. Residents like Ray Searcy have chosen to remain in their homes for now, but the question remains of how long that will be tenable as sea levels continue to rise.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Residents of Norfolk, Virginia are facing increasing flooding due to sea level rise, forcing difficult decisions about whether to relocate or remain in their homes.
- The city is investing in major infrastructure projects to mitigate flooding, such as the Ohio Creek Watershed Project, but the long-term effectiveness of these efforts is uncertain.
- In some cases, Norfolk is pursuing a strategy of 'managed retreat,' buying out repeatedly flooded homes from willing owners and converting the land to wetlands.
- Flood insurance premiums are becoming prohibitively expensive for many residents, adding to the financial burden of staying in flood-prone areas.
- There is a lack of clear solutions for residents grappling with the impacts of sea level rise, leading to a sense of uncertainty and exasperation.
- The flooding issues in Norfolk highlight the broader challenges coastal communities face in adapting to climate change and rising seas.
- Despite the difficulties, some residents remain deeply attached to their homes and neighborhoods, reluctant to relocate even in the face of repeated flooding.
- The city's efforts to address flooding involve a combination of traditional 'gray' infrastructure like pump stations and levees, as well as 'green' infrastructure like wetland restoration.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Unless you like the water, don't come moving here.“ by Ray Searcy
- “Not in the flood city.“ by Ray Searcy
- “The problem is so much bigger than me. I'm just another person that has it better than a lot of people.“ by Karen Speights
Entities
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Episode Information
Broken Ground
Southern Environmental Law Center
7/29/20
In Norfolk, Virginia homeowners like Karen Speights are struggling with the hard decision of staying put in rising waters or finding a way to start over. Meanwhile, the city is hoping it can buy people time.