By Amanda Purcell, August 27, 2026
Researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers convened to explore how science and collaboration can strengthen Virginia’s response to growing flood risks.
Across Virginia, water is both an asset and a growing source of risk. From tidal flooding along the coast to flash floods in mountain communities and stormwater challenges in rapidly developing cities, the impacts of flooding are intensifying and becoming more complex.
At Virginia Crossroads: Flood Resilience across the Commonwealth, held March 27, 2026, in Charlottesville, researchers, local and state officials, practitioners, and community leaders came together to explore how actionable science can support more effective flood resilience strategies. The event, hosted by the National Academies’ Climate Crossroads initiative in collaboration with the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (VASEM) and UVA Engineering, focused on translating data into decisions, sharing lessons from across the state, and building connections to support future collaboration.
Throughout the day, participants examined flood challenges across urban and rural contexts, explored emerging innovations, and reflected on how to better align science, policy, and practice in the face of increasing risk.