City of Staunton

April 6, 2026 – The City of Staunton has reached a major milestone in its efforts to protect the community from future flooding with the release of the first draft of the Staunton Flood Resilience Plan.

The draft plan is now available for public review online, and the city will host a second community listening session on Wednesday, April 15, to gather feedback and answer questions.

The Flood Resilience Plan is a comprehensive roadmap designed to help the city better anticipate, prepare for, and recover from flooding events.

The draft plan focuses on five key principles to guide future decision-making:

• Best Available Science: Using modern data to predict rainfall intensity.
• Social Equity: Ensuring flood solutions help the most vulnerable parts of the community.
• Community Scale: Prioritizing projects that benefit neighborhoods and the city as a whole.
• Economic Responsibility: Focusing on cost-effective solutions and smart land use.
• Nature-Based Solutions: Leveraging natural systems to help mitigate flood impacts.

“This draft is the result of months of technical study and, most importantly, the personal stories shared by residents during our first round of engagement,” said Environmental Programs Administrator Willow Hughes. “Now, we need to make sure the proposed strategies match the reality of what our neighbors see on the ground. Your input is the final piece of the puzzle to ensure this plan is both practical and effective.”

A Necessary Step for Funding
Beyond its strategic value, having an adopted plan is a prerequisite for Staunton to apply for most state and federal grant programs. By completing this planning process, the city becomes eligible for significant external funding to help pay for future resilience and infrastructure projects.

How to Participate
Residents are encouraged to review the draft plan and submit comments in two ways:

1. Online: The full draft can be found on the city’s webpage. Comments can be emailed directly to StauntonStormwater@ci.staunton.va.us.
2. In Person: Attend the upcoming listening session to speak with city staff and project consultants.

Community Listening Session Details:

• Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
• Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Staunton Public Library, Second Floor Meeting Room (1 Churchville Ave.)
• Purpose: Share comments and questions regarding the first draft of the plan.

For more information about the Flood Resilience Plan, contact the Environmental Programs Division at 540.332.3858.