On August 4, 2026, parts of Norfolk, Virginia, experienced a sudden and intense deluge that turned streets into rivers and underpasses into lakes. In the Ghent neighborhood alone, more than 6 inches of rain fell in roughly two to three hours. Other nearby areas saw 3 to 5+ inches. The National Weather Service characterized the event as having roughly a 1% chance of occurring in any given year—a rare extreme rainfall episode that overwhelmed the city’s stormwater system.
Cars stalled and were abandoned. Businesses took on water. Traffic snarled. Social media filled with striking images, including one viral video of a jet skier navigating flooded Monticello Avenue. The storm coincided with high tide, which slowed drainage through outfalls into the Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay. Officials noted that the existing infrastructure was largely designed for more common 1-in-10-year storms, not an event of this intensity.
While this happened in coastal Virginia, the underlying challenges are national. Communities across the United States—from the Gulf Coast and Southeast to the Midwest river valleys, the Northeast, mountain West, and Pacific regions—face rising flood risks. Increasing rainfall intensity, aging or undersized drainage systems, historic development patterns, and the compounding effects of tides, river crests, or rapid snowmelt all contribute. Flash flooding in urban areas, riverine flooding in the heartland, and coastal inundation along both seaboards continue to threaten lives, property, infrastructure, and local economies.
Floodplain managers play a critical role in reducing these risks wherever they occur. They help interpret flood maps and studies, guide development decisions, support permitting and enforcement, promote sound land-use practices, and work toward more resilient infrastructure and communities. The knowledge required spans regulations, mapping, hydrology, insurance considerations, and practical strategies for mitigation and recovery—skills that are valuable in every state and territory.
For professionals across the country who want a clear, structured path to mastering this material, the Ultimate Floodplain Manager Review Course from Civil Engineering Academy offers a comprehensive solution. Designed by a practicing civil engineer with real-world experience, the course organizes complex floodplain topics into focused, on-demand lecture modules with downloadable slides. It covers the core concepts and tools needed to understand flood hazards, evaluate risk, and apply management strategies effectively—no matter where in the United States you work.
Recent upgrades have made the program even stronger: additional practice problems in every module to reinforce learning, plus a hands-on flood mapping exercise that walks through interpreting maps, identifying elevations and zones, and applying that information to real decisions. The self-paced format lets you study on your schedule and revisit material as needed, making it accessible for busy professionals nationwide.
The Norfolk flood is a vivid reminder that extreme rainfall can overwhelm systems faster than many expect—and similar events can and do happen in communities of every size and geography. The United States needs knowledgeable professionals who can help plan, respond, and build greater resilience from coast to coast. If you work in planning, engineering, public works, emergency management, or related fields anywhere in the country—and want to deepen your expertise in floodplain management—the Ultimate Floodplain Manager Review Course provides a practical, well-organized resource to get there.
Stronger knowledge leads to better decisions. Better decisions help communities across America face the next intense storm with greater confidence and preparedness.
Author: Matt Fanghella, PE, CFM
DISCLAIMER
DISCLAIMER CFM® is a registered certification mark of The Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc. (ASFPM), which is not affiliated with or endorses CEA or its courses. Our course and materials are based solely on publicly available materials and general industry principles. We do not use or distribute any proprietary or exam content from ASFPM. References to CFM® are for descriptive purposes only.