Water is rising faster here
4.52
Millimeters a year of relative sea-level rise at the Sewells Point gauge in Norfolk over 1976 to 2007, according to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. About 2.7 mm of that came from the land sinking (VIMS).
For an association that means more frequent tidal flooding of low parking lots, more stress on bulkheads and stormwater outfalls, and shorter lives for metal exposed to salt.
What studies here tend to include
- Waterfront structures. Bulkheads, piers, docks, boat ramps, riprap.
- Oceanfront buildings. Balcony railings, sliding doors, exterior coatings and roof-top equipment worn by salt.
- Stormwater. Ponds, pipes, tide gates and pumps.
The Ombudsman's 2024 to 2025 report counted 74 complaints from Tidewater, second only to Northern Virginia (DPOR).