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

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.