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Bronze Award: Making Norfolk Flood-Ready
After the Girl Scouts of Troop 45 completed their Think Like an Engineer Journey, where they built emergency shelters for natural disasters, they began to focus on our own community and noticed that tidal flooding was a significant issue. Rising tides and heavy rainfall in waterfront areas and on low-lying roads can result in cars becoming trapped and create safety hazards that may escalate into disasters. Every girl in the troop was able to cite specific examples of streets in their area that regularly flood due to tidal changes, including some that flooded right outside their own homes.
The troop realized that many people in their community did not have an easy way to check tide levels before heading out to drive on the road. Inspired to take action, they embarked on a Girl Scout Bronze Award project to address this challenge.
They researched tide data and created a QR code that makes up-to-date tide information easily accessible for Norfolk motorists. The QR code links directly to live NOAA tide tables and was distributed on a laminated ‘Flood-Ready’ reference card. The card also explains the ‘Danger Zone Tip’: when the NOAA tide tables predict tides rising above 3.5 feet, waterfront areas and low-lying roads are likely to flood and become unsafe for driving. The recommended safety message is: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
The troop partnered with the Elizabeth River Project - Ryan Resilience Lab to distribute their cards at the Norfolk Flooding Forum. They also donated a supply of cards to ensure there would be a lasting resource to help Norfolk’s citizens. At the Norfolk Flooding Forum, the girls divided into two groups to engage with attendees. Their objectives were to deliver their presentation, explain the ‘Danger Zone Tip’ and the 3.5-foot threshold, assist attendees with scanning the QR code on their phones, demonstrate how to find the “Prediction” column on the NOAA website, and hand out the laminated ‘Flood-Ready’ cards.
The girls received enthusiastic praise from participants at the Norfolk Flooding Forum, as well as from other members of the local community. Many individuals shared how useful they found the ‘Flood-Ready’ reference card, mentioning that they planned to keep it handy in their wallet or car for regular use. The troop members thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the public, providing education on flood safety, and felt a sense of pride in offering a valuable resource that supports community well-being. This project not only helped others but also marked a memorable conclusion to a rewarding Girl Scout year, culminating in the girls earning their Girl Scout Bronze Award!
