Layers for displaying on the map can be found in the Layer List (Table of Contents) located to the left of the map. If using a small screen mobile device, click on the button to open the Layer List.

Check the box next to the layer name to display the layer. Click the button to reveal additional layers under the heading. Gray text indicates the map layer is not visible at the current map scale. The map scale is shown to the left of the scale bar in the lower right corner of the map. The following layers have a set display scale and will appear when zoomed to and below:

• Flood Hazard Zones    1:50,000
• Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA)    1:50,000
• Coastal Barrier Resource System    1:3,000,000
• Infrastructure Layers (most)    1:300,000
• Parcels    1:100,000
• Hydrology    1:500,000
• Contours    1:50,000

Information about the map layers can be found by clicking on the to the right of a layer name in the Layer List. Some layers have an Options button ( ). When expanded, Options includes the Information button and buttons for increasing or decreasing polygon transparency. Layer information is displayed in a popup near the lower left corner of the map.

Zoom into an area. Select (check) the layers of interest in the Layer List. Click on a feature in the map and a pop-up window will display more details about the feature. Information can only be retrieved for layers that are selected in the Layer List.

Click the Legend button ( ) on the upper right side of the map to open the map legend.

Click the Basemap Gallery button ( ) to open the basemap gallery. Select a basemap. The button is located at the top right corner of the map.

The Measurement Tool is located along the left side of the map under the Home button. Click the Measurement Tool button ( ) to open the measurement tool panel. Choose the desired measurement tool (distance or area), then click on the map. A second click of the tool button will disable the tool and clear the results.

The Address/County Search ( ) is located near the upper left corner of the map. This tool is open for most screen sizes. Enter a Virginia address or locality. The map will zoom to entered address or county/locatilty name. Clicking the X to the right of the search entry will clear the selection.

Click the Print tool button ( ) to open the Print panel. Fill in a title for the map, choose a page setup (landscape or portrait), then click Export. The exported map file will show below the Export button when ready. Click the file to open the map to review, save, or print.

Maps can not be printed using a device with a screen size less than 768 pixels. If you want to print a pdf map, please use a laptop or desktop computer.

The Map Zoom Slider is located on the left side of the map. Click the + button to zoom in and the - button to zoom out. The default map view ( ) button returns the map to the original map extent. Another way to zoom in is to hold the 'Shift' key down while depressing the left mouse button and drawing a rectangle over the desired zoom to area. To pan around the map, left mouse click and hold while dragging the mouse over the map.

To close this panel, click the Collapse button ( ) adjacent to the top right edge of this panel. To reopen Information/Help, click the question mark button ( ) located along right side of map

For further information please visit DCR's Virginia Flood Risk Information System web page.

View a summary about the Physical Vulnerability Index. The pdf opens in a new window.

View the ScholarWorks report Conservation Targeting: Models and Policy for Climate Resilience of coastal habitat and heritage resources in Virginia’s Coastal Zone

Read about Virginia Sea Level on the Adapt Virginia web site.

Open the Adapt Virginia Shoreline Best Management Practices web page.

Open the printable pdf version of Shoreline Management Model v.5.1 Glossary.

Open the Adapt Virginia Social Vulnerability Data web page.

The AdaptVA Interactive Map User Guide and related Quick Guides are available.

• User Guide
• Map Symbols Quick Guide
• GIS Layer List Quick Guide

Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2015. National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL). Version 1.1.1.0. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.

Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM). 2017. Physical Vulnerability Index. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia.

SLR curves extracted from: Mitchell, M., C. Hershner, J. Herman, D. Schatt, E. Eggington and S. Stiles. 2013. Recurrent Flooding Study for Tidewater Virginia. Virginia Senate Document No. 3. Richmond, Virginia. Report. Curves revised September 2017.

Center for Coastal Resources Management. 2019. Shoreline Management Model, version 5.1. Center for Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, Virginia.

Stafford, S. & Abramowitz, J. (2017). An analysis of methods for identifying social vulnerability to climate change and sea level rise: a case study of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Nat Hazards 85: 1089. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2622-4

A brief layer description and a link to more information can be found by clicking the layer information symbol ( ) to the right of the layer's name in each Layer List.

Links to the full metadata (data about data) are listed below:

Sea Level Rise/Flooding

• Sea Level Rise Low Scenario
• Sea Level Rise Intermediate Scenario
• Sea Level Rise Intermediate High Scenario
• Sea Level Rise Extreme Scenario
• Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA)
• Flood Hazard Zones
• Coastal Barrier Resource System
• Storm Surge SLOSH Category 1

Vulnerability/Risk

• Social Vulnerability Classification
• Social Vulnerability Index Score
• Vulnerability Housing Classification
• Hazardous/Toxic Index Score
• Physical Vulnerability Index
• Social Vulnerability Index by Block Group

Infrastructure

• Infrastructure: Airport
• Infrastructure: Church
• Infrastructure: Ambulance, Cemetery, Fire and Police Stations, Hospital, Post Office, Prison, Schools
• Infrastructure: Parcels
• Infrastructure: Road Center Lines
• Critical Facilities AND Coastal Buildings

Shoreline Management

• Shoreline Management Preferred Shoreline BMP
• Existing Structures: Public/Private Access
• Existing Structures: Armored Shoreline, Marina
• Pervious SFHA Area
• Pervious Area in RPA
• All Buffer
• Potential 2050 Upland Interface Shoreline
• Potential 2050 Wetlands

Natural Resources

• Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)
• SAV Habitat
• Shoreline Conditions: Bank Height, Bank Cover, Land Use, Tree Fringe
• Tidal Marsh/Phragmites australis
• Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBFs)
• Non-Tidal Wetlands
• Hydrologic Units
• Hydrology

Protection/Restoration

• Target Areas
• Areas Suitable for Marsh Living Shorelines
• Protected Lands Suitable For Living Shoreline
• Oportunity for Wetlands Migration: Existing Turf Grass in Potential 2050 Wetland Areas
• Coastal NNBFs Ranked
• Conservation Lands

To download the Shoreline Inventory and Tidal Marsh Inventory datasets (Marinas, Armored Shoreline, Public/Private Access, Shoreline Bank Height, Shoreline Bank Cover, Beach, Riparian Land Use/Land Cover, Tree Fringe, and Tidal Marsh):

• Go to Shoreline Inventories
• Select by locality or entire available inventory.

• Go to DCR Natural Heritage

• Go to W&M ScholarWorks

Disclaimer:

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), nor other contributors of data shall not be held liable for any use or application of the data provided whatsoever, whether or not that use is improper or incorrect, and assumes no responsibility for the use or application of the data or information derived from interpretation of the data.

This product is being provided with the expressed understanding that it is based on the best information, science, and techniques available. However, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, or reliability of the data provided, and should be used at the user’s own risk. All data provided herein is intended to inform planning decisions and should not be used for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Map scales are approximate.

In no event shall VIMS, or other collaborators be liable for any direct, indirect or incidental damages arising from the use or application of these data. This disclaimer of liability applies to any damages or injury, including but not limited to those caused by any failure of performance including failures resulting in personal injury or property damage, error, omission, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, alteration, use, application, analysis, or interpretation of data.

Flood Hazard Zones are provided by FEMA. For a definitive determination of the Special Flood Hazard Area, consult with your locality’s floodplain administrator or zoning officer.

For comments or questions about the Adapt VA Interactive Map please contact:
adaptva@vims.edu