Urban flooding — caused by intense stormwater runoff — is a growing yet often overlooked threat to safety, property, and infrastructure in our communities. Despite the availability of regional and state-level flood maps, a critical gap remains in localized, street-level data that accurately reflects the true impact of pluvial flooding.

To address this issue, Southside ReLeaf and the University of Richmond launched Go With the Flow, a community-science flood mapping initiative that empowers residents to report and document flood-prone areas. The community-sourced data is then used to train a GIS-based flood model, enhancing its ability to predict where flooding is most likely to occur. 

This presentation will highlight how collaborative mapping efforts and the power of local knowledge can be used to fill data gaps and inform more effective urban planning and infrastructure investments.

The presenters are Sheri Shannon, Co-Founder of Southside ReLeaf and FOJG Executive Committee Member, and the University of Richmond Resilience Lab, and Dr. Todd Lookingbill, University of Richmond Professor of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability, with a joint appointment in Biology, where he coordinates the Environmental Studies Program.

This event is organized by the Sierra Club Falls Of The James Group.

Do I need to sign up?

No! You can show up at the time and place of the presentation. For questions, contact Shavon Peacock at shavonandrew@verizon.net.