Slowly Drowning

A “Flood Day” as it is sometimes called, is not all that different from a snow day. As the waters start to rise, our children grab paddle boards, kayaks and just about anything that floats. “The street is a river” they say. They are always more excited than my husband and I. We wonder : will we make it home from work? Will I lose my house and all of my possessions the next hurricane season? My house is in Flood Zone A. Flooding does not always happen during a storm either- it happens on sunny days when you’d least expect it.

These floods are happening in coastal areas across the United States and around the world. People adapt not because they want to, but because they must. People have always adapted and will continue to find new ways to live with the rising waters. I am passionate about documenting these real stories of struggle, adaptation, and enjoyment delivered to Norfolk each time a flooding event occurs.

For me and the people Hampton Roads, flooding has become a real part of everyday life. We have learned to live with the water and have adapted to the rising tides. The entire 5 city area called Hampton Roads sits only a few feet above sea level. With the ocean levels steadily rising (14.5 inches over the past 80 years) the waters have little choice but to invade new areas. The Norfolk area is relatively flat and rising waters can invade from many different directions depending on the season. Other times the water comes from the sky or storm surges and there is no way for the floods to escape so they fill the streets and backyards.