Norfolk officials say city is sinking

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Norfolk city leaders met on Wednesday night to strategize how to deal with flooding concerns.

When storms hit, some areas, like Pretty Lake in Ocean View, disappear. "We had literally waves going down our street," said Ocean View resident Pam Brezina. "It was so deep."

Brezina lives yards away from the lake, but she said she experiences the same thing in every storm.

"Suddenly we are underwater," Brezina added.

She's been through both Hurricane Isabel and last year's November Nor'easter.

"We've lost stuff in our garage," Brezina said. "My husband has had to go in, tear out and replace walls."

City officials said Spartan Village, the Hague, and Pretty Lake are the worst areas for flooding. Brezina hates the thought of flooding, but city leaders say flooding is a reality.

"The city of Norfolk is sinking slowly into the water and, at the same time, the sea level is rising," said Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim. "We are getting more and more water into the city every year."

The city hired Fugro, a Netherlands based firm that specializes in flooding. The company is in the process of studying Norfolk.

"They are looking at what areas are most prone to flooding and evaluating what types of flood mitigation tools will be available," said Kristen Lentz, the Norfolk acting Director of Public Works.

"I'm not sure we are ever going to be able to stop the flooding," said Mayor Fraim. "There are ways to be able to control it to some degree."

The study should be completed by the end of 2011. Norfolk officials plan to ask Congress for money to help pay for flood prevention projects. That could be up to 15 years down the road.

"To me, it's very important that something is done," Brezina said. "I'm glad to hear something is at least being talked about at this point."

A portion of the study will be completed in a couple of months. By the end of the year, city leaders should know what experts said about the three worst ares for flooding.