Preventing Flood Damage

Property Protection

In addition to community-wide actions, there are also actions homeowners and business owners can take. Electrical panels, furnaces, water heaters, and washers/dryers should be elevated or relocated to an area less likely to be flooded. Basement floor drains and backwater prevention valves can be installed and interior floodwalls can be placed around utilities. If flooding is likely, and time permits, move essential items and furniture to the upper floors of your home. Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing. These actions will help minimize the amount of damage caused by floodwaters.

FEMA’s “Protect Your Home from Flooding” brochure contains recommendations to help individuals reduce risk. Some recommendations are inexpensive and simple, while some take more effort but save money in the long-run. Some recommendations include:
• Install a rain barrel
• Clean gutters
• Install a sump pump
• Elevate mechanicals
• Use water-resistant building materials on inner walls
The Office of the City Engineer maintains data on historic flooding elevations on various channels. The Stormwater Division is available to provide advice on flooding, drainage and storm drain problems. The Department of Planning, Building and Development is available to provide advice on retrofitting or modifying buildings to protect them from flooding.

Drainage Maintenance

The City of Roanoke is drained by a combination of underground pipes and open ditches. Maintenance of these systems is very important. Depositing trash, grass clippings, branches, leaves, or soil in a storm drain, pipe, or ditch obstructs the flow of water, which can cause flooding of roads and private property. It is the responsibility of all property owners to keep ditches on private property clear and cleaned of debris. If you know of any unapproved filling or rerouting of streams or ditches, please contact the Department of Planning, Building and Development at 540-853-1730.

Flood Mitigation Projects

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires local governments, receiving federal disaster mitigation funds, to have a mitigation plan that describes the process for identifying hazards, risks and vulnerabilities and prioritizes mitigation actions, encourages the development of local mitigation and provide technical support for those efforts. The 2019 Regional Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan, developed by the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, fulfills the Federal requirements in identifying hazards; establishing community goals and objectives and mitigating activities that are appropriate for the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany region.

The City of Roanoke remains very committed to the reduction of flood hazards. Many mitigation projects have specifically targeted repetitive loss homes.  Since 1997, the city has purchased 50 homes that have experienced repetitive flood damage. The homes have been removed, and the lots will remain vacant and maintained in perpetuity. The city has also upgraded many storm drains and bridges to more quickly drain stormwater during heavy rains. In conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers, the city has completed the Roanoke River Flood Reduction Project (RRFRP) which will also reduce flooding and risk for some properties along the Roanoke River. These improvements will decrease flooding from smaller, more frequent rainfalls; however, it will not protect against larger floods like that which occurred in 1985. 

The city continues to monitor and mitigate stormwater and flooding problems within its limits. If you are aware of a problem, or a potential problem, please notify the Stormwater Division at 540-853-5900.

Grant Opportunities 

FEMA Grants
Grant funds are available for pre and post emergency or disaster related projects. These funds support critical recovery initiatives, innovative research and many other programs. Grants are the principal funding mechanism FEMA uses to commit and award federal funding to eligible state, local, tribal, territorial, certain private non-profits, individuals and institutions of higher learning.

DCR Grants
Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund state grants help dam owners and Virginia localities enhance public safety and reduce the risk of dam failures and property damage from flooding. The fund was established to provide grants to public and private dam owners whose dams are under state regulation. Grants are available also to help local governments improve methods for flood prevention and protection. All grants are reimbursements and require a 50 percent match. The maximum amount per grant is determined based on amounts requested from eligible projects, application scores and available funds. The fund is managed by the Virginia Resources Authority on behalf of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Grants are awarded through a competitive application process, and awards are approved by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board.

Stormwater Utility Flood Mitigation Program
This program is applicable to residential structures in the FEMA designated floodway or floodplain, where other mitigation strategies are not a viable option. Learn more by reading the program's requirements and application process. 

Virginia Conservation Assistance Program 
The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) is an urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives and technical and educational assistance to property owners installing eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Virginia's participating Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).