Category Archives: Current Concerns

“I drafted a survey that attempts to gather data and solicit for help to determine the extent of the problem. Any options presented to the City are going to have to be backed up with numbers and narratives of significant incidents that have occurred.”

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A request from your neighbor at our DISCUSS Page:

Darryl A. Stubbs says:July 22, 2020 at 9:45 am

“Hello fellow Shore Drive neighbors,

I am requesting the survey linked below be distributed to in order to get more respondents. Below is a post I made on “Next Door Safety” a few days ago and have received 55 individual person responses from communities located along the Bay Beach/Shore Drive. So far the information collected in the survey is revealing. It appears most folks have strict control of their dogs on the beach, however 90% of these same folks have encountered dogs not under control and 70% of the 90% say they have had concerns about the safety of their dog or person. 10% of the 70% have had slight or severe injury done to their dog by uncontrolled dogs.

More survey respondents are necessary for this survey to provide actionable data. Not looking for opinions on what should be done. That will come after this survey data is analyzed, a committee is formed and more research is done. Looking to provide options to the City to make out beaches enjoyable for all. This is not, repeat is not, an effort to have a leash law for the beaches….”

More info about the Survey:

Here is the survey. No more posts of opinions and positions are required or desired on Next Door. If you have good intentions and are willing to back up comments with some action, please join the Committee referred to in the Survey”.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BMLTHMQ

Macaroni, an 8-year-old Shih Tzu, was attacked by a pit bull on Chic’s Beach on June 23, 2020. (HANDOUT)

City Council Hearing for Westminster Canterbury Proposed Expansion Officially Set for Aug 4th at the Convention Center

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City Council’s official agenda notice for their Aug 4th Council Meeting has Westminster Canterbury’s proposed expansion listed as Agenda Item #1.

Please note that the hearing has been moved due to the large attendance expected and will be held at the City’s Convention Center.  The meeting start time is still 6pm and seating will arranged to allow adequate social distancing for all those that wish to attend in person.  Make sure to arrive early since this is the first item on the agenda.

The hearing will also be held virtually, so you can still sign up to speak using a computer or smart phone.  Follow the instructions listed at the bottom of the notice.

 

 

“In the last 2 weeks, we’ve treated and transported more COVID positive patients than the previous 5 months.”

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Read title of the post again:

“In the last 2 weeks, we’ve treated and transported more COVID positive patients than the previous 5 months.”

“None of this would be necessary if people just did the right thing.”

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Note: We apologize for the inconvenience. We weren’t able to share video at the point presentation started. Scrub to 8:20 for beginning.

Update from Governor.Virginia.gov:

July 14, 2020—Governor Northam stepped up enforcement of guidelines and restrictions as cases in the Hampton Roads area show a troubling increase.

According to local health officials, the rise in cases in the region is driven partly by people gathering in groups, often without wearing face coverings.

To increase enforcement of existing restrictions in restaurants and other places where people gather, Governor Northam is directing teams made up of members from the health departments, the Virginia ABC, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other licensing agencies, to conduct unannounced visits to establishments as needed.

Governor Northam is also asking mayors of beach towns for an update on how they are following through on beach access plans put forth in May, and has directed Virginia ABC to develop a plan to impose an earlier cutoff for alcohol sales at restaurants.

Governor Northam will consider additional actions as needed.

Emphasis ours.

There is a lot more data broken down into deeper detail at Official Virginia Department of Health Coronavirus website.

As example:

Visit VDH.Virginia.gov/coronavirus for a lot more Daily Dashboard, Virginia’s Key COVID19 Measures, COVID19 Data Insights, Resources and much more.

Bayfront Advisory Commission Meeting – Thursday July 16th at 3:30pm at OPVRS

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The following notice was received from City Staff identifying the upcoming BAC general meeting on Thursday July 16th at 3:30pm.  The meeting location will be the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad meeting hall.  If you are unable to attend due to Covid-19 concerns, please note that the OPCL is offering a opportunity to view the Live Stream of the meeting.  If you are interested in that option, please contact Mark Shea at the email address below.

Here is the proposed agenda for the BAC meeting – 20200716PLN_BAC

 

 

Bayfront Civic leaders,

Hope everything is going well with each of you during these stressful times.  I wanted to give you, as regular attendees, a heads up that BAC will be meeting on 7/16/20 for the first time since February.  Due to social distancing requirements, the meeting has been moved to the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Building, at 3769 E. Stratford Drive.  Despite this switch to a larger meeting room, there will still be very limited capacity (we will also be asking that everyone wear a mask).

The developers of Marlin Bay Apts. will be giving a short presentation to BAC.  The Ocean Park Civic League has graciously offered to provide a one way live stream of the meeting so that many interested individuals can see and hear the presentation and discussion by BAC from their homes. If you are unable to get there early enough for entrance or feel uncomfortable attending, please send us an email with any issues you would like to bring to BAC’s attention.  Due to the pandemic, the Outreach ’20 and Strategic Planning sessions have been delayed indefinitely.   If you are interested in the streaming, I will provide your name to the Ocean Park representative so they can send you the link.

Thanks, and please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Mark E. Shea, AICP

Comprehensive Planning Coordinator

City of Virginia Beach

Department of Planning and Community Development

Meshea@vbov.com

757-385-2908

 

 

City Council Hearing for Proposed Westminster Canterbury 22 Story Iconic Landmark Set for Tuesday Aug. 4th

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A date for City Council to hold the public hearing for the proposed development of a 22 story assisted living facility and a 7 story memory building has been set for Tuesday August 4th.  The location of the hearing will be the City Council Chambers or the Convention Center based on the Covid-19 requirements at that time.  We will provide updates as we get them.  Below is the email confirming the date has been set.

 

SDCC Residents Survey Results for proposed WCCB development – https://weloveshoredrive.com/2020/03/11/wccb-survey-summary-results/

VB Planning Commission Hearing March 11th Video link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h75pz3iVqgQ

VB Planning Commission Staff Report and additional background information – https://weloveshoredrive.com/2020/03/06/while-it-is-the-most-densely-populated-area-of-the-city-it-is-primarily-a-neighborhood-residential-area-the-general-planning-goals-and-policies-in-the-comprehensive-plan-include-preserving-and-pro/

 

 

Subject: RE: WC CUP Sign – Hearing Date Confirmation

 

Hello Todd,

Yes, the Westminster Canterbury application is scheduled for City Council review on August 4th.  According to the City Clerk’s Office no decision has been made at this time as to whether the hearing will be held in the Council Chamber or at the Convention Center.  While currently both in-person and virtual speakers are allowed, that decision may also be reassessed in the very near future.

Thank you.

Bill

 

 

The contractor has finished work at N. Great Neck Road, Starfish Rd, the new culvert pipe behind the Fire Station in the Cape Henry Canal (CHC), and the associated overlay to the CHC Trail, and is approximately 90% complete at Red Tide Road.

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Update from email:

Virginia Beach Public Works is providing an update for the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements Project Phase 1C.1 currently underway.

The contractor has finished work at N. Great Neck Road, Starfish Rd, the new culvert pipe behind the Fire Station in the Cape Henry Canal (CHC), and the associated overlay to the CHC Trail, and is approximately 90% complete at Red Tide Road.

On July 6th 2020, work will progress to Cape Henry Drive between Ebb Tide Road and W. Great Neck Road. This work is the first stage of utility relocations of smaller-scale water and sanitary sewer utilities between these end points. It’s important to note that this work will not interfere with the normal traffic at W. Great Neck Road. The intersection of Ebb Tide Rd/Cape Henry Drive will not be shut-down until the end of this work in late July/early August. Contractor will continue to provide access to driveways and the Citrus delivery area.

The anticipated schedule is:
Complete closure of Cape Henry Drive between Ebb Tide Road and W. Great Neck Road. Contractor will provide access to driveways and the Citrus delivery area.

July 6th, 2020 – August 5th, 2020.

The contractor for the job is Tidewater Utility Construction Inc.

For additional information, please contact Shannon Bruce, Project Manager with Tidewater Utility Construction at (757) 944-0795, or Public Works Engineering at (757) 385-4131.

***UPDATE*** Swimming Advisory Lifted for Beaches Between Rockbridge Rd and Starfish Road

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Friday June 19th

Swimming advisories issued 6/17/20 for Dam Neck South, Middle, and North Beaches and Lesner Bridge East
@CityofVaBeach
NO LONGER IN EFFECT – bacteria are below safe swimming levels. For latest results visit: http://SwimHealthyVa.com

 

 

WARNING! SWIMMING ADVISORY
Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards
Swimming and wading are prohibited until further notice

 

Swimming Advisories Issued for Lesner Bridge East Beach
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
​The Virginia Beach Health Department has issued swimming and wading advisories for the City’s Lesner Bridge East beach from Starfish Road to Rockbridge Road.
Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as enterococcus, the indicator of choice in estuarine and marine waters.

Signs will be posted on the beach in the affected areas to alert the public of the swimming and wading advisory. The signs will read:

WARNING! SWIMMING ADVISORY
Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards
Swimming and wading are prohibited until further notice

Virginia Beach has conducted these tests since the mid-1970s. Health officials will continue testing the site until the water quality meets the state water quality standards. When the sampling test results meet the standards, the signs will be removed.

Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of the fecal contamination of recreational waters. While they do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness, as well as skin, eye and respiratory infections.

The results of this and all other sampling are located on the Virginia Department of Health website at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/beach-monitoring.

“We encourage the public to protect their health by complying with this advisory,” said Brad DeLashmutt, the Environmental Health Supervisor with the Virginia Beach Health Department. “Typically, an advisory of this nature is temporary and can be caused by any warm-blooded animal – from birds congregating on the beach, people not cleaning up after their dog. The advisory will be withdrawn once the bacteria levels have returned to safe levels.”

For additional information, contact Brad DeLashmutt at (757) 518-2727.

 

“We are still operating in the midst of a pandemic. While businesses are reopening, the risk is still out there.”

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You too can follow Official Virginia Beach EMS YouTube Channel for their updates.

Virginia Beach Planning Commission Public Hearing March 11, 2020 Minutes

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View PDF of Minutes at VBGov.com:

I would like to call the order the March 11th, 2020 public meeting of the Planning Commission. My name is David Wiener. I’m acting as Chair today. Dee Oliver will not be here. Before we get started, I’ve asked Commissioner Coston to lead us in prayer and Don Horsley, Mr. Horsley to lead us in pledge, please stand.

Download PDF of PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 11 2020 Formal Minutes (Binded) here.

“On June 2-3, 2020, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay voluntarily accepted an offer by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to test all residents and staff for the COVID-19 virus.”

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Latest update at WCBay.com:

UPDATE: June 8, 2020

Virginia Department of Health Point of Prevalence Survey Results Show Westminster-Canterbury COVID-19 Free: More than 1100 Residents and Staff Tested

On June 2-3, 2020, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay voluntarily accepted an offer by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to test all residents and staff for the COVID-19 virus.  None of the more than 1100 residents and staff that participated in the survey tested positive.

Because Westminster-Canterbury is a large campus of over 1100 residents and staff and has remained COVID-19 free, the VDH was extremely interested in performing this survey with our population.  The campus’ experience runs contrary to the experience of other senior living communities of similar size.

“While we are extremely thankful that our community is COVID-19 free, we will continue with the protocols that got us to this point, including social distancing and wearing masks,” said Westminster-Canterbury President and CEO J. Benjamin Unkle, Jr.

Road Resurfacing Planned for Repair of Work Areas at Starfish Rd, N. Great Neck Rd, Red Tide Rd and the Cape Henry Trail

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Hello Shore Drive Community,

The following emails are updates from our friendly neighborhood Project Engineer regarding the repaving of areas that have recently had stormwater improvements completed.  It looks like paving of these areas is scheduled to be finished by the end of July.

Stay safe and stay healthy,

Todd

 

 

Dear SDCC,
An update for you on the some of the “rough-rides” you may be experiencing at Starfish Rd and N. Great Neck Rd.

Good news for these asphalt issues. We are trying to be fair to the contractor and limit his mobilization of final Asphalt surface course construction to two occurrences. The reason it is riding a little rough is because intermediate course has been placed on top for now, and yes, there are noticeable differences in elevation at the edge points that create a bump. The contractor is working at Red Tide Rd right now, and after he completes the storm sewer construction, we will then be milling (pavement planning) the asphalt down at Starfish Road, North Great Neck Road, the Cape Henry canal Trail and Red Tide Road. Then a complete overlay of surface course asphalt will be placed back in accordance with the Contract Documents.

At N. Great Neck Road, we are going to slightly beyond the limits of the trench excavation to make sure there is “no bump” and mill out the asphalt to only the right turn lane (northbound) and merging lane (southbound). But the future Shore Drive Phase III roadway project in a couple years (100% design) will be providing a complete intersection pavement rebuild along with that project. For Starfish Rd and Red Tide Rd, it will be complete face-of-curb (edge-of-pavement)) to the other face-of-curb (edge-of-pavement).

All This work will be completed by July.

The second mobilization of asphalt surface course will occur after the heavy construction at West Great Neck Road and Cape Henry Drive in the summer and fall.

Best Regards,

Brad

Bradley W. Vanderwarker, P.E.
Project Manager

City of Virginia Beach
PW/Stormwater Eng. Center
2473 N. Landing Road, Building 23, Room 139
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 385-4131 (main)
(757) 385-8556 (direct)
(757) 705-7507 (cellular)
bvanderwarker@vbgov.com

 

Additional details of the work being done on the Cape Henry Trail.  A plan of the work location can be seen by clicking here Cape Henry Trail Milling & Surface Course Overlay

Todd/Tim,
The milling and resurfacing of the Cape Henry Trail between W. Great Neck Road and N. Great Neck Road is graphically displayed in the attached.

This will provide a nice smooth trail system from the major construction at W. Great Neck Road over and through where the large 76”x48” Culvert behind the Fire Station was recently constructed. It ends just west of Sunstate Ct. where shown. It was not in the scope of this project to repair and resurface the trail to the east over to Beech Street.

Even with the localized construction at N. Great Neck Road, we are only repairing a localized section of the stamped brick area on the west side of N. Great Neck Road.

Further questions relative to the Cape Henry Trail program may be directed to Elaine Linn elinn@vbgov.com with Parks & Rec.

 

 

“I’m not for it and I’m not against it. I’m for working with the developers and the city and other stakeholders because the developers own property on Pleasure House Point that’s not preserved yet, so I think the smart thing would be to work with them,” he said.

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Story at 13NewsNow.com:

There’s a plan to build more than 200 apartments on Shore Drive. The planned development would be located where an old boat and RV storage yard currently sits at the intersection of Marlin Bay and Shore Drive. 

While people said there is a need for more housing in the area, some neighbors are pushing back on the plans.

Learn more at SDCC.info.

Note the amount of trees and vital habitat that is at risk for destruction. Birds, including those migrating in the Atlantic Flyway, depend on Pleasure House Point and it’s open space to survive.

Sand Replenishment of Ocean Park Beach Scheduled for Spring 2020 Won’t Happen

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The following email update was provided by City Staff explaining the reason the planned beach replenishment of Ocean Park beaches won’t be happening this Spring.

 

The City received three bids on April 7, 2020 for the beach nourishment of Ocean Park Beach. Unfortunately, all bids were over 50% higher than the available budget for the project. The primary driver as to why the bids came in significantly higher than the available budget is due to industry capacity related to the high demand for dredging along the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico for the next six months. No additional funding has been identified and not likely in the immediate future given the uncertainty in the proposed City budget. Therefore, a contract cannot be awarded based on the bids received.

Public Works staff has recommended rebidding the project with a longer period of performance to incentivize more favorable bids based on the available budget for Ocean Park Beach. A final determination on rebidding the project is pending. Please contact Mr. James White for additional information.

Respectfully,

James White, City of Virginia Beach

jawhite@vbgov.com

3 ways to donate to Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad

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Check for mailer

Check out the Germ Mold Buster being used by OPVRS.

Learn more at OPVRS News.

Donate at OPVRS website.

“Science shows that face coverings are an effective way to prevent transmission of the virus, but wearing them is also a sign of respect.”

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View Executive Order here:

  • Personal care and grooming businesses

  • Essential and non-essential brick and mortar retail including grocery stores and pharmacies

  • Food and beverage establishments

  • Entertainment or public amusement establishments when permitted to open

  • Train stations, bus stations, and on intrastate public transportation, including in waiting or congregating areas

  • State and local government buildings and areas where the public accesses services

  • Any indoor space shared by groups of people who may congregate within six feet of one another or who are in close proximity to each other for more than ten minutes.

“​The VB Wave and Bayfront Shuttle services (Routes 30, 31, and 35) scheduled to start Memorial Day, May 25, 2020 have been suspended this summer due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.”

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VB Wave and Bayfront Shuttle Services Suspended this Summer at VBGov.com.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO BE AROUND OTHERS: ENDING ISOLATION IN NON-HEALTHCARE SETTINGS

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View Home Isolation Quarantine Release Graphic in PDF

Thanks to Empsy for the info.

Lake Bradford – Chubb Lake Stormwater Improvement Projects – City Update #1

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The following is the first City update for the Lake Bradford-Chubb Lake Stormwater Improvement Project.  Lots of good information, sign up with the City for direct email if you are interested in following this topic.  SDCC will also post future updates on our website, so you can keep informed that way as well.

Click here to see the survey results document.  Lake Bradford – Chubb Lake – Survey Results – January 2020

Folks/Bradford-Chubb Project Followers:

For those of you who are somewhat new to following Public Works projects, you will find that we at VBPW believe very strongly in keeping the public informed and allowing 2-way communications. That means keeping you informed of how our projects are progressing, letting you know when we hit a snag or there is a change in plans, and whenever there will be traffic delays or traffic pattern changes. It’s robust work, but someone has to do it . . . and I volunteered because my boss told me to.

I can’t stress enough our belief in this concept, particularly in terms of hearing from you. We’ve learned from experience that the better-informed we keep you, the less chance there is of misinformation being passed around or needless anxiety. That’s why we have set up this specific email address for your questions and concerns. As Mr. Richardson, stormwater engineering savant and project manager for this explains below – you can contact us through this email address, you can go to our web page, or you can contact me. One way or another, we will get you an answer and the information you seek.

You’ll find as we continue to send out these updates that we try and keep it light as well as informative. We want you to have the information you need and the answers you seek . . . otherwise I have a lot of explaining to do to my boss.

As you can see, the email address to use is: lakebradford@vbgov.com. The esteemed Mr. Richardson has attached additional information in his section. Once we establish some social media contacts, I will pass them along to you as well.

Lastly . . . . as in this is the last thing I will mention – if you know of someone who should be included in these updates, or WANTS to be included, please pass this along to them, or send me their information and I will add them to the list.

We hope to set these up on a regular basis and I will let you know as we go along. I hope you will find the information helpful, and don’t hesitate to contact us if needed.

Enjoy what looks to be a great weekend weather wise and if possible, don’t cough on each other.
Stay safe!

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach

dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

*********************************************************************************************************************

Folks:

As most of you know, Public Works – Stormwater Engineering held an open house/public meeting at the Bayside Recreation Center last November.

We organized the meeting because we wanted to hear from the residents as to what their concerns were and to get their help in identifying flooding locations in their neighborhood.

The meeting began with a presentation that provided some background and history of the Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Drainage Study, along with reasons for the flooding and potential types of solutions.

After the presentation, attendees were directed to visit five stations that were set up around the room to gather different information. Of particular interest to the engineers was the station, “Flooding Locations/Surveys.” At this station, we encouraged everyone to mark areas of concern or known flooding on a map. They were also given a comment card to describe those concerns and the impact from the flooding in greater detail.

Prior to the meeting, we had developed an online survey for the public to take. We produced post cards with the survey link on the card to send to anyone who could not attend the meeting. That information was also given to the attendees, as well as the project’s web address – project’s webpage – where a link to the survey was available. Hard copies of the survey were also available at the meeting for those who preferred that method of input.

Much to our surprise – AND pleasure – we had over 100 people who participated in the survey. Thank you one and all who did – your input was very valuable in helping us understand your concerns about flooding and the impact on you. That kind of information is invaluable when developing our plans.

With the flooding locations map and the survey results, we were able to identify the problem areas and places of concern within the project area.
They included areas with known flooding problems in the neighborhoods of:
 Bayville Gardens
 Chesapeake Beach
 Chubb Lake Terrace
 Church Point
 Thoroughgood neighborhoods

Some of the roads identified as areas of concern or flooding during the survey include:
 Beaufort Avenue
 Brigadoon Drive
 Chubb Lake Avenue
 Hermitage Road
 Independence Boulevard (near the entrance to JEB LC)
 Lauderdale Avenue
 Lee Court
 Lookout Road
 Maycraft Road
 Northampton Boulevard
 Pleasure House Road
 Shore Drive

Not surprisingly, these areas and roads align almost perfectly with the areas we had identified in our stormwater model.

The results from the survey and the flooding locations map are attached, and a copy of the map is at the bottom of this email. You can also find a Summary of the Public Survey and Comments on our project’s webpage.

Since we met in November, the City and RK&K have continued to analyze the project area and develop a recommendation to help mitigate flooding. The analysis includes:
 Analyzing stormwater pipes and ditch capacities
 Rainfall and tide joint probabilities
 Sea level rise

One of our tasks now is to analyze each area within the project area with each of these possible scenarios.

As we all know, the public health crisis due to Covid-19 has scrambled all schedules, but IF things can work out, we hope to have another public meeting sometime this fall. If it doesn’t work out that we can meet as a group, we will look into some electronic options that may be possible.

Again, we want to thank each and every one of you who have participated in some way: attending the meeting, marking maps, taking the survey, emailing us your thoughts and comments, and all the other ways you have contributed. We feel strongly that this can be a very successful project with your suggestions and feedback.

Please contact us at lakebradford@vbgov.com with your comments and questions. Also, go to our website at http://www.vbgov.com/lakebradford for updated information.

If you have any pictures of flooding, please email them to stormpics@vbgov.com. Please include the location, date, and time the picture was taken.

Again, thank you for your participation in this project and we look forward to continue working with all of you. Please stay safe during this difficult time.

Matthew Richardson, Project Manager
Lake Bradford / Chubb Lake Drainage Study (CIP #7-053).
Public Works – Engineering
757-385 -4131