NORFOLK, Va. A recent downpour brought back a familiar headache for many citizens in Norfolk, turning streets into temporary waterways. For James Bryant, the sight of rising water is no longer a surprise. He has come to anticipate the flooding with the certainty of a season changing whenever heavy rain begins to fall over the city.
Bryant has grown accustomed to the pattern of rain leading to inundation. He noted that the process has become predictable to the point of routine. “At this point I’ve gotten pretty used to it,” Bryant said. “It’s like if it’s gonna rain, you already know it’s about to happen.”
Despite the normalization of the issue, the situation remains a source of significant annoyance. Bryant expressed that while he has a deep affection for his home, the recurring water problems stand out as the most difficult aspect of his daily life. “As much as I love living here, this is probably the worst part of it,” he said.
His frustration is grounded in personal loss. In August, Bryant was caught in high water along Monticello Avenue, an event that resulted in the total loss of his car. He recalled the physical effort required to move the vehicle and the presence of onlookers during the ordeal. “I got stuck. I lost a whole car back in August,” Bryant said. “It wasn’t funny. I was pushing my car through water.”
The August incident altered Bryant’s approach to navigating wet roadways. He currently drives a Tesla, which provides him with a greater sense of confidence when encountering standing water. However, he acknowledged that other drivers should generally avoid trying to cross flooded roads, as it is often difficult to accurately judge the depth of the water and the condition of the surface beneath.
For Bryant, simply adapting to the flooding is not a sufficient long-term strategy. He is calling for immediate measures to assist those currently living with the inconvenience. He emphasized the need for action that addresses the present reality rather than just planning for the future. “They need something now for the people that are living here now,” Bryant said. “I don’t know if you gotta pump it out. What are they gonna do? But they gotta figure it out.”
Every rainy day serves as a reminder of a persistent urban challenge. Bryant believes that residents have been managing this problem for an extended period without a definitive resolution. The cycle of rain and flooding continues to test the patience of those who call Norfolk home.
As the city continues to face these weather-related disruptions, the sentiment among some locals is shifting from mere adaptation to active weariness. Bryant summed up his current state of mind with a simple declaration. “I’m used to it,” Bryant said, “but I’m tired of it.”
