~ Climate change is fueling flooding impacts ~

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – Climate change continues to exacerbate flooding impacts in Fairfax County and nationwide. Weather-related flooding is still the most common and costly natural disaster across the United States. Fairfax County’s ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding problems for residents can be found in the July 2025 Floodplain Management Plan (FMP) progress report. 

The plan, recently released by the DPWES Stormwater Management Program, provides an annual update on the implementation of flood mitigation actions and is a key requirement for the County’s participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS). 

The Floodplain Management Plan, part of the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan, outlines 30 actions Fairfax County is implementing to mitigate flooding. 

Key updates for the 2025 Floodplain Management Plan include: 

• Successful completion of base hydraulic models and mapping for all 30 county watersheds.
• Installation of a new flood warning site in Hybla Valley, in the county’s Mount Vernon District.
• Acquisition of high-risk repetitive loss properties in areas like Tripps Run in Falls Church, and Scotts Run in McLean.

More ongoing key actions include: 

• Developing and implementing flood proofing solutions for structures by analyzing flood causes and responsibilities.
• Continuing to install remote lake level sensors, data collectors/alarms, stream flow gauges, tide gauges, and rain gauges at critical locations throughout the County for earlier flood warning.
• Installing backup generators at critical public facilities to ensure functionality during emergencies.
• Enforcing building and development standards under the National Flood Insurance Program to ensure new constructions are resilient to flooding.
• Maintaining a comprehensive flood warning system using various technologies including the Fairfax Alerts system, social media, and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
• Promoting public and private water conservation plans and supporting the use of rainwater catchment systems.
• Voluntarily acquiring and demolishing repetitive loss properties to restore natural floodplains.
• Collaborating with FEMA to develop risk maps for Cameron Run and Belle View communities.
• Implementing flood mitigation projects for communities at severe flooding risk.

The County has also adopted the Resilient Fairfax: Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan which targets weather and climate-related hazards such as flooding, extreme heat, and severe storms. The plan aims to educate the community and provide strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

For more information about flooding in Fairfax County, visit Flood Information | Public Works and Environmental Services