Richmond Residents Invited to Map Flooding Across Richmond as “Go with the Flow” Returns for Second Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2026
Contact: Sarah Wilkinson, sarah@southsidereleaf.org
RICHMOND, VA — As flood season begins in Richmond, Southside ReLeaf and the University of Richmond are launching the second year of Go with the Flow, a community science initiative that collects neighborhood-level data about where flooding occurs across the city after rain events.
The 2026 campaign will run from March 20 (the spring equinox) through September 22 (the fall equinox), inviting residents across Richmond to report flooding conditions through a brief mobile-friendly survey.
“Last year’s participation showed how powerful community science can be,” said Sheri Shannon, co-founder and director of programs at Southside ReLeaf. “Thanks to residents reporting flooding, we see patterns that mirror urban heat islands – areas with more pavement and lower tree canopy cover experience more frequent flooding, highlighting the role of urban design and green infrastructure in managing stormwater. After the intense rainstorms and flash flooding we experienced last summer, it’s critical that we identify and mitigate flood hazards for public health and safety.”
Flooding is driven in part by excessive runoff from the city's extensive impervious surfaces, which prevent water from soaking into the ground. Instead of being absorbed by soil and tree roots, rainwater is funneled toward aging stormwater infrastructure, which can quickly overwhelm drainage systems. These challenges are particularly acute in areas of Southside Richmond that were annexed from Chesterfield County, where the drainage infrastructure was not originally designed to handle today's level of development.
During the first year of the project, residents submitted more than 300 flood surveys representing every Richmond City Council district. Nearly half of all submissions came from Southside districts, with District 8 contributing more flood reports than any other area of the city.
Additional research conducted by the University of Richmond examined flood-related calls made through the City’s 311 system and found that Southside districts not only report significant flooding concerns but also experience the longest average response times for flood-related service requests.
Dr. Stephanie Spera, Associate Professor of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability at the University of Richmond, said the flood observations submitted by residents are critical for strengthening the project’s predictive flood model.
“The flood model we’re developing uses data about Richmond’s built environment — things like roads, storm drains, trees, and topography,” Spera said. “When residents report where flooding does and doesn’t occur after rain events, that information helps us refine the model and identify patterns. The more observations we collect, the more accurate and useful the model becomes.”
Become a Flow-Rider
Go with the Flow is a short, mobile-friendly survey that asks for the date, approximate time of rainfall, and location of the observation. Photos are strongly encouraged but not required; the survey is anonymous, and it takes only seconds to complete.
Residents are encouraged to submit surveys while it is raining — and also when flooding does not occur. Observations showing where water drains successfully are just as important for building the predictive flood model as reports documenting flooding.
Southside ReLeaf hopes to collect more than 500 surveys during the 2026 cycle and is launching two volunteer initiatives to expand participation:
Flow-Rider District Captains – volunteers who help monitor flooding within their City Council districts.
Go with the Flow Canvassing Team – community ambassadors who will help spread the word about the flood survey.
Participants can also sign up to receive text alerts during rain events, reminding them to submit observations by texting FLOWRIDERS to (866) 719-9501.
To learn more about Go with the Flow, view the project dashboard, and participate in the survey, visit: southsidereleaf.org/go-with-the-flow.
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Note to Reporters
Results from the first year of the project, including an interactive breakdown of survey submissions by Richmond City Council district, are available through a public data dashboard. Photos submitted by residents documenting flooding conditions are available to media outlets upon request.
Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities has engaged with the data collected through the project, and Go with the Flow is also featured in the City’s resilience assessment to better understand Richmond’s climate-related risks facing Richmond.
About Southside ReLeaf
Southside ReLeaf is an environmental justice nonprofit committed to improving health outcomes and the quality of life for Southside Richmond residents. By building green spaces, connecting with neighbors, and advocating for people-centered policy, Southside ReLeaf seeks a healthy, equitable, and sustainable environment for all residents in South Richmond. Get involved at southsidereleaf.org.
About the University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is an academically challenging and intellectually vibrant institution committed to enhancing the student experience through integrated coursework, hands-on research, creative expression, and experiential learning. Richmond ranks among the top 25 liberal arts schools in the country. UR is home to the first undergraduate school of leadership studies and a top 20 business school. Other schools on campus include arts and sciences, law, and professional and continuing studies.
