Dr. Jessica Whitehead (center) was introduced by Tom Koller and thanked by President Laurie Harrison.
This September will mark 20 years since Hurricane Isabel pummeled Hampton Roads flooding homes, downing trees and power lines, and making residents face the realities of living in a volatile coastal area. Dr. Jessica Whitehead, executive director of Old Dominion University's Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience, pointed out at the Rotary Club of Norfolk's March 21, 2023 meeting that Hurricane Isabel was billed as a 100-year storm. But, since 2003, other hurricanes and storms have negatively impacted the region. Residents routinely navigate around nuisance or "sunny day" flooding of area streets such as Llewellyn Avenue in Norfolk.
By 2060, Whitehead expects the region to experience flooding several times a month routinely. The reasons include more intense and frequent rainfall and storms and sinking land. Having fast-growing cities like Chesapeake and Virginia Beach remove trees for development and pave over land contributes to the problem. The situation is a problem for residents whose homes flood or are filled with mold, those relying on septic systems that no longer work, recreational areas that become unusable, and mainstays of the economy like the port and military bases unable to function effectively.
Whitehead says that while the future looks dire, there are steps that will improve the situation for all area residents. Her center's goal is to use research and engaging with communities, organizations, and business to create a vibrant region with a strong economy and healthy ecosystems. Among its recommendations are elevating roads and adding living shorelines and wetlands. Whitehead praised the City of Norfolk for having one of the first resilience plans in the country which has led to a $2 billion Army Corps of Engineers project that will extend the downtown flood wall, add surge barriers, elevate homes and possibly buy out residents living in flood-prone areas.
Whitehead tied her resilience work to Rotary by pointing out Rotary International's commitment to clean water, helping mothers and children, growing local economies, protecting the environment, and responding to disasters.
The Meeting
- We inducted and welcomed new members Tristan Warren and Michael Baglio. Tristan has lived in our region for 26 years and is the chief development officer at The Up Center and is a former member of the Sunrise Rotary Club. Michael moved to Norfolk recently from Texas and is the founder of The ACIEM Foundation, which helps children born with metabolic disorders.
- Luncheon guests included Hank Thompson and Dr. Abby Van Voorhees (Chip Vogan's guests), Brad Martin and Warren Sachs (Jeff Wells' guests), Mary Haywood (Sigur Whitaker's guest), and Dr. Linda Archer (Dr. Bob Archer's spouse and guest).
- Sigur honored Past President Jim Kitz with a Paul Harris Fellow +7 pin for his contributions to The Rotary Foundation. Jim told the club he supports the foundation because of all that it stands for and its good works here and around the globe. She also reminded us that April 4 is Giving Tuesday for The Rotary Foundation. In addition to our club matching gifts of $100 or more, the current District Governor Kenny Janes will match donations 2:1. Donations must be made online to qualify for matches that are for those striving for their first PHF or who are at PH +8 level or below.
- Please do so if you haven't donated $20 for the wine pull at the May 18 Suds & Buds party. This replaces the previous year's requests to donate a bottle of wine. We have a particular wine buyer who will secure wine bottles for the event.
- Mark your calendars for April 25 at 8 a.m. when we will have a networking coffee at the Virginia Stage Company's Wells Theater. Participants will get a discount coupon for the next stage company show.
- Sharon Laderberg reported that Cy Grandy recently moved to the memory care unit at Harbor's Edge.
- With such a full program we delayed Happy Bucks and Fines until our next meeting on April 4.
Rotary Career Day is a 40-year tradition with the Rotary Club of Norfolk as Norfolk Public High School seniors explore potential careers with Rotarians. Pictured are many of the Rotary mentors and their students. Four students each won $100 for writing winning essays about their career visits to the Virginia Zoo, Old Dominion University engineering labs, Eastern Virginia Medical School and various maritime companies. But, everyone who participated won the joy of connecting generations with the future. 
7001 Hampton Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23505
United States of America