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Staunton: City looks to address flood risks, public asked to weigh in

downtown staunton flash flooding 2020
Downtown Staunton flooding aftermath, flash flooding, 2020. Image courtesy Staunton Fire and Rescue.

Community members are invited to share their experiences and concerns with flooding in Staunton on July 14.

The city is developing a flood resiliency plan to help it better prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding.

The planned community listening session will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Staunton Public Library.

The meeting will feature a brief presentation from city staff and consultants highlighting information collected to date.

However, the focus will be on hearing directly from residents about their flooding experiences across the city.

If unable to attend, the city has also launched an online survey for community input.

“We want to hear from everyone who has dealt with flooding in Staunton, whether it’s in well-known problem areas or unexpected locations where water has caused issues,” said Willow Hughes, environmental programs administrator. “Every flooding experience matters, from basement seepage to street flooding to storm drain backups. These personal stories help us understand the full scope of challenges our community faces and develop the most effective solutions.”

The nine-month planning process will create a roadmap for addressing flood risks citywide and strengthen the city’s eligibility for future grant funding for resilience projects.

For more information, contact the environmental programs division at (540) 332-3858.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.