Virginia Boosts Flood Preparedness with $67 Million in Funding
(RICHMOND) - Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced a significant investment of $67 million from the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund. These grants and loans are designed to help communities across the state strengthen their defenses against flooding.
"The recent devastation in Southwest Virginia caused by Hurricane Helene highlights just how crucial preparedness and flood resilience are," said Governor Youngkin. "These awards will give communities the resources and tools they need to lessen the impact of future disasters."
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages this vital fund, which supports local initiatives focused on flood prevention, planning, and building capacity within communities.
Stefanie Taillon, Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, emphasized the administration's commitment to this issue. "The Youngkin Administration has consistently made investments in resilience a top priority. This funding clearly shows our dedication to tackling flooding challenges throughout the Commonwealth."
Greg Steele, Virginia's Chief Resilience Officer, reinforced the ongoing threat. "Flooding is our most common natural disaster and remains a constant danger across Virginia. The Community Flood Preparedness Fund empowers communities to take proactive steps to improve their flood resilience and protect both lives and property."
This marks the fifth round of funding, with applications having been accepted through January after being announced in September. DCR Director Matthew Wells noted that the awards will support a mix of immediate projects and essential foundational planning. "The Community Flood Preparedness Fund continues to be a cornerstone of Virginia’s resilience framework, and DCR will work with localities to determine how the Fund can best benefit their communities."
Overall, these grants and loans will contribute to more than $100 million in flood mitigation projects statewide.
For more details and a complete list of the awarded projects, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/cfpf.
