This summer, communities across Virginia have faced an onslaught of extreme humidity, intense storms, and dangerous flash flooding. Richmond and the Charlottesville area have been no exception. These aren’t just isolated incidents; they’re the visible signs of a warming world. As higher temperatures heat the ground and water, more moisture fills the air, setting the stage for heavier, faster rainfall. Events once labeled “1,000-year floods” are now happening more frequently due to human-driven climate change. So what does this new normal mean for our cities, and how can we adapt before the next storm hits?

Richmond Flooding

Richmond Flood Risk Levels According to Firststreet.org

In Richmond, flash flooding is becoming more frequent and more dangerous—especially in neighborhoods where stormwater has nowhere to go. Morgan Butler, Senior Attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), explains that as Richmond continues to grow, “a lot of natural terrain [is] turned into impervious surface[s] like sidewalks and roads and rooftops,” which can't absorb water. With less green space to soak up rainfall, even a short, intense storm can overwhelm the city's drainage systems, leading to flooded streets, damaged homes, and unsafe conditions.

Currently, Richmond has a few policies in place to preserve green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and permeable pavement, but without consistent funding and a stronger commitment to implementation, these strategies won’t be enough. Federal funding is lacking, and local climate resilience efforts often struggle for priority. This is particularly alarming for a locality like Richmond, that desperately needs to update antiquated sewage and water infrastructure. Meanwhile, lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color—many located in low-lying areas—are disproportionately impacted, facing repeated flooding and costly property damage.

Charlottesville faces similar issues on a smaller scale, though its hilly terrain allows for slightly better natural drainage. Still, both cities are experiencing “100-year storms” that are turning into regular occurrences. To mitigate worsening flood damage, urban planning must catch up with real, on-the-ground investment in climate resilience.

Charlottesville Flooding

Charlottesville Flood Risk Levels According to Firststreet.org

In Charlottesville and surrounding areas, flash flooding poses a growing threat—particularly in rural and mountainous regions where storms can escalate quickly and warning systems often fall short. As C-VILLE Weekly reports, Majid Shafiee-Jood, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Virginia, highlights that communication breakdowns in these areas can make these extreme weather events even more dangerous. Currently, Shafiee-Jood and a team of researchers from UVA and Texas A&M University are studying how to improve emergency alert systems and community response strategies. He emphasizes that “the impact of a warning depends not just on the content and timing, but also on who sends it, how it is delivered, and how it intersects with local knowledge, community trust, and past experiences.”

The challenge is especially urgent for residents in low-income and rural communities outside the city center—places that may lack reliable cell service, internet access, or transportation to evacuate in time. For those without housing, receiving emergency warnings and finding safe shelter in a flood is even more difficult. Historically underserved neighborhoods with poor stormwater infrastructure also bear the brunt of urban flooding, with roads and basements flooding repeatedly during major storms. While the city has made strides in stormwater management planning, including green infrastructure projects and resilience studies, implementation is slow, and many communities remain vulnerable. Like Richmond, Charlottesville is being forced to rethink how it prepares for storms that no longer follow historical patterns.

Source: Contributed Photographer: ACPD | Heavy rains July 19th caused damage that closed Fray Road near the Greene County line. Some residents in the Advance Mills neighborhood reported being unable to reach or leave their homes due to the road closure.

Comparing Charlottesville vs. Richmond

While both Charlottesville and Richmond are increasingly vulnerable to flooding due to climate change, the nature and scale of their flood risks differ in key ways—shaped by geography, infrastructure, and population density.

Charlottesville:

2,127 properties (15.4% of total) are at risk of flooding over the next 30 years.
Flood Type: Primarily riverine flooding from the Rivanna River and its tributaries.
Notable Past Incidents: Flash floods from heavy summer rains and remnants of tropical storms like Alberto have caused major damage.
At-Risk Areas: Urban neighborhoods with older stormwater systems, as well as rural outskirts with poor emergency communications. Specifically, Old Lynchburg Road and Proffit Road have experienced closures due to flooding, and neighborhoods like 10th and Page, 5th SW, Belmont, Fry Springs, and Woolen Mills have flood-prone areas.
Response Capacity: The city has begun investing in green infrastructure and stormwater planning, but implementation is uneven.

Richmond:

8,531 properties (12% of total) are at risk of flooding over the next 30 years.
Flood Types: Faces both riverine flooding from the James River and tidal flooding in low-lying eastern areas, due to proximity to the coast and flat topography.
Notable Past Incidents: Severe flooding from Hurricane Agnes (1972) and Tropical Storm Gaston (2004) caused extensive damage downtown.
At-Risk Areas: Low-lying neighborhoods like Shockoe Bottom and Manchester are often home to historically marginalized communities.
Response Capacity: Richmond has progressive green infrastructure policies on paper but struggles with consistent funding and implementation.

Charlottesville faces a higher percentage of properties at risk, while Richmond has a greater number of properties overall and deals with more varied flood types. Both cities are grappling with aging infrastructure and unequal impacts—especially in low-income and historically underserved neighborhoods. In this time where the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in our day-to-day, it is important to remember that climate resilience is not just an environmental challenge, but a matter of equity.

Individual Preparation for Flash Flooding

While we have already discussed broader community-level initiatives and longer-term adaptation strategies, here are a few ways to prepare as an individual for a flash flood:

Stay informed: Pay close attention to weather alerts and warnings issued by local authorities (e.g., Charlottesville Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio).
Create an emergency kit: Include essential supplies like food, water, medications, a battery-powered radio, and chargers for electronics.
Secure your property: Move valuables to higher levels, declutter drains and gutters, install check valves, and consider a sump pump with a battery backup.
Purchase flood insurance: Standard homeowner's policies don't cover flood damage, so consider acquiring flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Support flood data collection efforts from Southside ReLeaf’s “Go with the Flow” Mapping Project.

As climate change continues to increase flooding risks across Virginia, cities like Charlottesville and Richmond face urgent decisions about how to adapt. The solutions will require more than just updated infrastructure—they demand sustained investment, cross-sector collaboration, and a focus on equity to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind. Through thoughtful planning, public engagement, and individual preparedness, we can reduce future risk and build a stronger foundation for resilience in the years to come.