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Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia

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Public Works and Environmental Services

  1. Home
  2. Public Works and Environmental Services
  3. Dam Safety and Flood Warning

Public Works and Environmental Services Alert:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our offices are open to the public by appointment only at this time. Please call or email 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-5033 TTY 711
wwwdpwes@fairfaxcounty.gov
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 448 Fairfax, VA 22035
@ffxPublicWorks
Christopher S. Herrington
Director

Department Resources

  • Stormwater Management Home
  • Report a Problem
  • Flooding
  • Storm Drainage System
  • Plans, Projects and Restorations
  • On My Property
  • Maintenance and Inspections
  • Water Quality
  • Pollution Prevention and Reporting
  • Watershed Education and Outreach
  • Maps, Publications and Reports
  • News, Videos and Podcasts
  • Stormwater FAQs
  • Public Works & Environmental Services
    • Public Works Homepage
    • Contact Us
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Dam Safety and Flood Warning

This page provides flood warning information and dam break flood warning to the residents who live in or near a dam inundation zone i.e., areas that may flood if a dam fails. Property that is in a dam break inundation zone is at risk of flooding.

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States and may occur at any time.

Dam Break Inundation Zone

Use the Dam Break Inundation Zones Viewer (arcgis.com) to find out if your property is in or near a dam break inundation zone.

A dam is a man-made barrier that collects and confines water. Dam break inundation zones are areas that may flood if a dam fails. Property that is located in a dam break inundation zone is at risk of flooding.

Visit Dam Basics for more information.

Floodplains

Use the Flood Risk Awareness Tool (arcgis.com) to find out if you live in or near a floodplain.

The Stormwater Planning Division develops and updates a Flood Protection Information Newsletter for residents who live in or near a floodplain. The newsletter includes important flood protection related information including flood proofing, flood safety, drainage service requests, elevation certificates, flood insurance, and permits for building improvements

For more information about floodplains, Visit Flood Information.

Dam Safety Program

During inclement weather, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services monitors state-regulated dams they operate. An electronic flood warning system has been implemented to monitor water levels at these dams. Fairfax County uses the following methods to warn residents about flooding and other emergencies:

Flood and Emergency Warning Systems

Fairfax Alerts delivers emergency information to county residents before, during and after a crisis and provides notices about severe weather and traffic congestion. Messages are delivered to all devices registered and may include email, cell and home phones, pagers and other wireless devices.

Register for emergency alerts from Fairfax County at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts.

Fairfax Alerts

The official Fairfax County emergency preparedness, response and recovery blog.

Sign up to receive blog alerts and updates at Fairfax County Emergency Information.

There are important safety measures that residents and business owners should take in preparation for a flood that include planning, preparing and mitigating. Make a plan before there is an emergency. Build an emergency kit for yourself and your family. Don’t forget your pets.

Learn more at Fairfax County Emergency Information or Floods | Ready.gov

Always be Prepared for Flooding

  • Register for Fairfax Alerts and the Fairfax County Emergency Information.
  • Turn around, don’t drown: your car is not a boat.
  • Consider purchasing flood insurance.
  • Assemble an evacuation kit and have a plan, including your pets, in case you are told to leave.
    • Know how to shut off electricity and gas to your home and business.
    • Elevate and anchor critical utilities, including electrical panels, appliances, & heating systems.
    • Plan to move vehicles to higher ground.
    • Make an inventory of home and business items, especially basement/ground floor contents.
    • Put insurance policies, valuable papers, and medicines in a safe but accessible place.
    • Make a list of emergency telephone numbers and identify safe places to go.
  • Consider applying for the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP). Visit Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District for more information.

To help prepare your family, home and business for a disaster, the Office of Emergency Management provides information at Department of Emergency Management and Security or call 571-350-1000, TTY 711.

For More information

For more information about county-maintained dams and flooding call the staff of the Stormwater Planning Division at 703-324-5500, TTY 711, or email SWPDmail@fairfaxcounty.gov for assistance. Learn more about Stormwater Management.

See family preparedness information at Preparedness Planners - ReadyNOVA

Consider flood insurance for your property. For more information, visit The National Flood Insurance Program | FloodSmart

More About Stormwater Management

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