Economic Impacts

CCRFR studies the economic costs of flooding and sea level rise and the benefits of interventions including engineered infrastructure, natural and nature-based solutions, and resilient design standards.  These studies are crucial in understanding the impacts that Coastal Virginia will suffer as sea level continues to change.  Recent studies include modeling the potential economic impacts of a hurricane striking Hampton Roads with and without consideration of sea level rise, and the economic impacts of sea-level rise extending to the end of the century. Economic studies also evaluate the return on investment for utilizing nature-based solutions as strategies in flood protection.

In addition to evaluating economic impacts, customized tools and workshops support small business resilience and tourism industry resilience in seasonal hot spots like the Virginia Beach in collaboration with  cities and local stakeholders.  These tools support coastal Virginia businesses and communities helping them prepare for resilience to significant storm surges and flooding.