Fairfax County, Va., in the Washington, D.C., metro region is considering a major code change to reduce the risk from floods.
The county is reviewing a proposal to base codes on 100-year storms instead of current 10-year storms. County staff cited the elevated risk of flooding in the county due to climate change as justification for the change.
Under the proposal, the county would require all future development to have proper drainage, pipe conveyance, and safety measures to be resilient to a 100-year storm event, adjusting for climate change. A “100-year storm event” is defined by the U.S. Geological Survey as one that statistically has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Such a storm would dump about 8 inches of rain over a 24-hour period on the county.
As the effects of climate change increase, that rainfall figure is likely to be adjusted in the future.
Related Stories
| Sep 6, 2012
CPPI awarded $30.3 million contract for University of Florida’s Harrell Medical Education Building
The specialized interdisciplinary learning environment will serve as a focal point for integration and program development for all primary care educational activities in the College of Medicine.
| Sep 5, 2012
Skanska tops out residence hall complex at the University of Delaware
Construction firm achieves structural milestone for $71 million student housing expansion project.
| Sep 5, 2012
BehrPro introduces Web Enabled Business model
Free platform offers website development resource for industry professionals.
| Aug 30, 2012
Holcim (US) announces new Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Ruiz began his career with the Holcim Group in 1986 as electrical supervisor with Holcim Apasco, Mexico, later becoming plant manager.
| Aug 30, 2012
John S Clark Co. completes teaching lab at UNC Wilmington
Three-story building provides offices, classrooms, and labs.
| Aug 29, 2012
BOND completes South Cove Community Health Center
$11 million, 21,000 square foot community health center opens in Quincy, Mass.
| Aug 28, 2012
McCarthy begins construction on transportation center at Bob Hope Airport
Designed to meet LEED silver certification standards, the facility will feature unique, above ground base isolators that will resist a maximum credible earthquake.
| Aug 21, 2012
Under 40 Leadership Summit slated for October 3-5 in Chicago
Attendees will be given an exclusive technical tour of Wrigley Field, led by Steven J. Jacobsen, CDP, who has been retained by the Chicago Cubs to create the business plan and high-level concepts to evaluate the feasibility of various renovation options for this iconic sports venue; and Carl Rice, Cubs’ Vice President, Baseball Operations.
| Aug 21, 2012
Stellar wins four ABC Excellence In Construction awards
ABC's Excellence In Construction program is the industry’s leading award competition, recognizing outstanding construction projects in a variety of categories.
