Between June 8 and July 2, 2021, more than 600 Fairfax County residents and stakeholders responded to an online survey designed to support Resilient Fairfax and the development of the county’s first-ever Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan. The survey asked question about respondents’ personal experiences with climate impacts such as flooding, and preparedness for extreme weather and temperature events. Additionally, the survey sought input from respondents on potentially vulnerable segments of the population and types of infrastructure within the county that could be at risk from climate impacts.

The results of the survey brought the opinions and experiences of county residents to light and the findings will be used to inform the creation of a plan to help our community adapt and respond to future climate risks and impacts. Below you will find a summary of some of the key findings of the survey. A link to view a full report on the survey is included at the bottom of this page.

Opinions on Climate Change and Climate Impacts

• 45 percent of survey respondents said they are “extremely concerned” about climate change.
• 81 percent of survey respondents said they are concerned about severe storms.
• 79 percent of survey respondents said they are concerned about temperature changes.
• 60 percent of survey respondents said they are concerned about flooding.

Experience With Flooding

• 25 percent of survey respondents have experienced flooding in their current neighborhood in the past five years.
• 10 percent of survey respondents have experienced flooding in their current home in the past five years.
• 67 percent of survey respondents have witnessed flooding at places other than their home or work in Fairfax County in the past five years.
• 77 percent of survey respondents do not have flood insurance.

Experience With Extreme Weather

• 81 percent of survey respondents have seen storm damage other than flooding in their current neighborhood in the past five years.
• 20 percent of survey respondents have seen storm damage other than flooding in their current home in the past five years.
• 94 percent of survey respondents have experienced a power outage in the past five years.
• Nearly 30 percent of survey respondents who experienced a power outage saw significant impacts (too hold or too cold indoors, spoiled food or medicine).

Community Preparedness

• Three out of four survey respondents feel they could count on their neighbors for assistance in an emergency or natural disaster.
• Three out of four survey respondents have their neighbors’ contact information.