Mayor Muriel Bowser declared the week of June 3rd-9th as "DC Flood Awareness Week."
Read the full Mayoral Proclamation.
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. Severe weather and flooding can happen at any time and the District has historically experienced significant flooding. It is critical that District residents stay alert and prepare for flooding. Join us for the District's annual Flood Awareness week, which consists of several days of programming to help District residents become more prepared for and resilient against flooding.
What is Flood Awareness Week? District Flood Awareness Week seeks to improve public knowledge of flooding and the potential threats for homeowners and renters. The campaign aims to empower District residents and business owners to mitigate their exposure to potential flooding through improved readiness and education.
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Event | Date | Start Time |
---|---|---|
Flood Resilience Art Exhibit | June 02 | 6:00PM |
SW Block Party in Lansburgh Park | June 03 | 2:00PM |
Thinking about Flooding and the Disability, Access, & Functional Needs Community | June 05 | 12:00PM |
Blue Plains Floodwall Mitigation Tour | June 07 | Invite Only |
Get Covered: Flood Insurance – Do You Need It? | June 08 | 7:00PM |
Flood Insurance 101 with Insurance Agents | June 09 | 12:00PM |
Program Schedule - 2023 Flood Awareness Week
Friday, June 2 | Flood Risk and Resilience Through Art
Artwork from all over the world exploring both process and the outcome, weaving together who and what belongs with us now and in the future related to the global climate change crisis.
Event: Flood Resilience Art Exhibit
In-person Location: Culture House – 700 Delaware Ave SW, Washington, DC
Time: 6:00-9:00PM
About: This group exhibition titled ABOVE BELOW WATER---featuring the artists Monica Jahan Bose, Noel Kassewitz, Andrea Limauro, Benny Starr, and Sarah Cameron Sunde----takes a deeper look at the current global climate change crisis related to rising sea levels, culture, and how we stay connected. There will also be an opportunity to meet the artists on Sunday June 11th 2:00-4:00PM. Learn more about the exhibition and artist walkthrough on the culturehousedc.org website.
Contact: Beth Ferraro
Saturday, June 3 | Community Flood Resilience
Kicking off this awareness week with good fun, resources, and an opportunity to learn more about the new design of Lansburgh Park.
Event: Lansburgh Park Block Party
In-person Location: Lansburgh Park – 1098 Delaware Ave SW, Washington, DC
Time: 2:00-4:00PM
About: Block party to celebrate community resilience and unveil the new Lansburgh Park designs that will make Southwest DC more resilient to flooding. Come and enjoy free food, music, entertainment, and activities for children. Speak with District agency staff and get information on District services. Visit doee.dc.gov for more information.
Contact:
Andrea Limauro
Check it out!
Flooding in the District E-Learning Series
DOEE has developed a series of online seminars regarding flood risk in the District including flood control projects in the Watts Branch neighborhood. Key topics include flood preparedness, infrastructure improvements that could reduce flood risk, and the potential for “blue-green infrastructure” such as floodable parks, porous pavement, and curbside rain gardens to mitigate flooding.
Monday, June 5 | Emergency Planning Resources
This programming explores the resources and flood risk tools available to the public.
Event: Thinking about Flooding and the Disability, Access, & Functional Needs Community – Panel Discussion
Location: WebEx
Review the recording
About: Severe flooding events can have disproportionate effects on individuals with disabilities or others with access and/or functional needs. Join us for this panel discussion that will explore the issues these populations may face (transportation, evacuation, power loss, etc.), as well as effective preparedness actions and resources during a flood emergency. Panelists include:
- Director Mathew McCollough (ODR)
- Chief Mitchell Kannry (FEMS)
- Albert Reed (Office of DC Lg-Term Care Ombudsman/Legal Counsel for the Elderly)
- Dr. Rosemary McDonnell (HSEMA)
Contact: Rosemary McDonnell
Check it out!
DC Flood Task Force
Established by the Office of City Administrator (OCA) in September 2021 to identify policies and project to bolster flood readiness while equitably protecting the District's residents and economy from the damage that floods can cause.
Wednesday June 7 | Resilience Network
The District is hosting hazard mitigation professionals from across the US to tour and learn more about the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Event: Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour
Invite: Close
About: The Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant is the largest plant of its kind, serving over 2 million people in the District, Maryland, and Virginia. With Federal funding, the District is supporting the construction of a floodwall around the wastewater treatment plant. The wall will be built to account for predicted sea level rise and wave action, ensuring this vital asset is protected today and, in the years to come.
Visit the project website www.dcwater.com/ and watch a recent spotlight from the Resilient Cities Network for more information.
Contact: Vermecia Alsop
Check it out!
DISB Consumer Guide: Flood Insurance
Evaluate Your Need for Flood Insurance
DISB recently completed a dedicated flood awareness webpage to help residents and business owners assess their need for flood insurance.
Thursday, June 8 | Know your Flood Risk
Understanding flood risk is vital to ensuring public safety. This programming explores the resources and flood risk tools available to the public.
Event: Get Covered: Flood Insurance – Do You Need It?
Virtual Location: WebEx
In-person Location: Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center – 4800 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE, Washington, DC
Time: 7:00-8:00PM
Invite: Register
About: Join us as we share valuable insights on how to prepare and protect your home and family from floods. We’ll cover these topics:
- History of flooding in DC and current flood risk profile (DOEE)
- Public alert systems, emergency preparedness, community resources (HSEMA)
- Private insurance market (DISB)
- Changes to National Flood Insurance Program that lower flood insurance premiums (FEMA)
Contact:
Josh Schnitzlein, DOEE
Friday, June 9 | Risk and Resources
Understanding flood risk is vital to ensuring public safety. This programming explores the resources and flood risk tools available to the public.
Event: Flood Insurance 101 with Insurance Agents
Virtual Location: WebEx
Time: 12:00-1:00PM
Invite: Register
About: Our team of experts will share valuable insights on how the government can educate insurance agents relating to flooding, Risk Rating 2.0 and the NFIP.
Event contact:
Josh Schnitzlein, DOEE
Highlights from last year's Flood Week
Additional Flooding Resources
- Get a Flood Insurance Quote
- Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting
- Storm and Flooding on September 10, 2020
- Flood Zone Building Permits
- DC Flood Risk Viewer
- DC's Floodplain Management Site
- FEMA's Map Service Center
- National Flood Insurance Program