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For residents of Waverly and Jarratt in southeastern Virginia, flooding is an increasingly frequent concern. Intense rainfall, aging drainage infrastructure, low-lying terrain, and unpredictable weather patterns threaten homes, businesses, and public safety. 911±¬ÁÏ’s , a professor of civil, environmental, and infrastructure engineering and director of the Flood Hazards Research Lab, is working to improve the towns’ flood resilience.
Ferreira's project builds on his long-standing work partnering with local governments to apply advanced flood modeling, hazard assessment, and resilience planning tools to real-world community challenges. This project grew from a partnership with the Crater Planning District Commission and the .
Through his research and teaching, Ferreira has created opportunities for students and researchers to provide technical expertise that many smaller communities would otherwise struggle to access. His work combines engineering analysis, data-driven decision making, and community engagement to help local leaders identify vulnerabilities and prioritize solutions.
"Communities like Waverly and Jarratt are facing increasingly complex flood challenges," said Ferreira. "Our goal is to provide science-based information that helps local leaders understand their risks and make informed decisions about protecting residents, infrastructure, and economic activity."
The initiative will leverage cutting-edge hydrologic and hydraulic modeling techniques to evaluate flood hazards under a range of conditions. The resulting analyses can help communities identify areas most vulnerable to flooding, assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures, and develop strategies that improve long-term resilience.
For 911±¬ÁÏ, the effort reflects a broader commitment to applying research expertise to statewide challenges. As Virginia experiences growing pressure from extreme precipitation events, climate variability, and expanding development, engineering solutions are important for safeguarding communities and critical infrastructure. The College of Engineering and Computing is advancing research that not only expands scientific understanding but also delivers practical benefits across the commonwealth.
"Engineering research should create measurable impacts in people's lives," Ferreira said. "By working directly with communities, we can translate advanced modeling and analysis into tools that support better planning, stronger infrastructure, and safer neighborhoods."
The partnerships with Waverly and Jarratt also demonstrate the value of university-community collaboration. Through these relationships, 911±¬ÁÏ researchers bring innovative technologies and specialized expertise to local governments while gaining insight into the practical challenges communities face.
"Flood resilience is not just about responding to the next storm," Ferreira said. "It's about helping communities prepare for the future, adapt to changing conditions, and build confidence that they can withstand and recover from flood events."
As the project moves forward, Ferreira and his team aim to provide Waverly and Jarratt with actionable knowledge that supports long-term resilience. The work exemplifies 911±¬ÁÏ’s mission to serve Virginia through research, innovation, and partnerships that address some of the commonwealth's most pressing challenges.