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TextFlood Information
Major Topics
Flooding
Frequently Asked
Questions
Flood Preparedness
Preparation and Recovery
Flood Safety
Tips
National Weather Service Automated Flood Warning Systems (Data from
Fairfax County water level and rain gauges)
Past Events (Belle
Haven and Cameron
Run)
Flood Risk Management Study Status Update
for Belle View/New Alexandria/River Towers
What Can I Do To Protect My Property?
Residents can help protect their property from the effects of
flooding through such measures as regrading the lot, waterproofing
the structure or raising the level of the building. Information about
protecting buildings is available at FEMA's Information
and Guidance on Building Safer and
Retrofitting Your Home websites. Property owners may be
interested in the National Flood
Insurance Program for more information on purchasing flood
insurance.
Any alteration to a building or land, including re-grading, filling or modifying a sewer line, requires a permit. For more information regarding building and site modifications, call Land Development Services at 703-324-1720, TTY 711.
Residents can help prevent flooding by keeping storm drains clear of trash and debris. Litter blocking storm drains may cause flooded streets, traffic delays and property damage. Please use the storm drain flooding report form to notify the county of blocked storm drains.
Additional Information:
What Is a Floodplain?
In general, a floodplain is the flat area located adjacent to the main stream channel. When stream banks overflow during or after a storm, the floodplain provides natural storage for the excess water.
There are three distinct kinds or categories of floodplains in Fairfax County, each of which carries different development restrictions. These three categories are:
- Minor Floodplain: drainage area greater than 70 acres but less than 360 acres.
- Major Floodplain: drainage area 360 acres or greater.
- Those which are designated as a floodplain by the National Flood Insurance Program.
For further information about defining floodplains, please see the Zoning Ordinance, Article 20, Definitions.
Special Flood Hazard Areas
Special Flood Hazard Areas are high risk areas that have a one-percent chance of be inundated by a base flood in any given year as identified by the National Flood Insurance Program maps. Floodplain management regulations must be enforced and mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies for these areas. For more information, please visit FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area website or see the Special Flood Hazard Area Maps.
Additional Information:
Floodplains Frequently
Asked Questions
Floodplain
Management Plan Progress Report, August 2012
Building In and Around a Floodplain
Activities in the floodplain are regulated by the Fairfax County Zoning
Ordinance, Article 2-900, and may require written approval from the
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services or a Special
Exception approval by the Board of Supervisors. If you have question
about floodplain regulations, call the Engineer of the Day at
703-324-1575, TTY 711.
Information regarding applications for Special Exception approval for
uses in the floodplain is available from the Zoning Evaluation
Division, Department of Planning and Zoning, 12055 Government Center
Parkway, Suite 801, Fairfax, VA 22035-5504, or by calling
703-324-1290, TTY 711.
National Flood Insurance Program
National Flood Insurance Program
Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding. The National Flood Insurance Program was created to enable property owners in participating communities, including Fairfax County, to purchase flood insurance protection. Properties that have been officially identified as being in a Special Flood Hazard Area and that have a federally backed mortgage are required to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. However, the program is available to all property owners, including owners of properties that have been flooded and properties located outside of Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Flood insurance policies that have been purchased as a bank or lender requirement, or in order to obtain a mortgage or home improvement loan, may cover the structure but may not cover the contents of the property. Property owners should review and discuss their policy with their insurance carrier to ensure their needs are adequately covered.
Additional information is available on the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program website, by calling 1-800-427-4661, or by writing to: Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472.
Community Rating System
The Community Rating System is a voluntary program for recognizing and encouraging community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum standards set up for the National Flood Insurance Program. The program does this by adjusting flood insurance rates to reflect the reduced flood risks that are a result of community activities that reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance ratings and promote awareness of flood insurance.
Fairfax County has participated in the program since 1993, and is one of the few Class 7 jurisdictions in the commonwealth of Virginia. With this rating, residents may obtain flood insurance on properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas at a 15 percent discount on their flood insurance premiums. Owners whose properties are outside of this area receive a ten percent discount. For more information, please see the FEMA Community Rating System website.
Additional Information:
Flood
Protection Information Newsletter, September 2012
Dams and Dam Safety
There are a number of large dams in Fairfax County; some are privately owned, and others are owned or maintained by the county or other public entities. There are many small, man-made ponds or impoundments, some of which include dams as part of the structure. For more information on dams, please see the dam basics website.
Any development proposed within the mapped dam break inundation zones
of state regulated dams must be identified on all preliminary plats,
subdivision plans, site plans and minor site plan submissions. More
information, including maps, can be found in the Development in Dam Break Inundation Zones
website.
For additional information, please email the Stormwater Planning Division or call 703-324-5500, TTY 711.
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