Virginians urged to test flood danger

Virginians urged to test flood danger

Published 10:26 am Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Department of Conservation and Recreation is recognizing March 8-14 as Virginia Flood Awareness Week to encourage Virginians to study flood dangers of their communities and take steps to guard their households, properties and companies from the commonwealth’s most frequent and dear pure hazard.

Flooding can happen anyplace in Virginia, alongside rivers and streams, in coastal areas and in neighborhoods removed from mapped floodplains. During Flood Awareness Week, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is sharing assets, instruments and data to assist residents perceive their danger, put together earlier than flooding happens and cut back long-term impacts by way of good planning and mitigation.

“Flooding affects every region of the commonwealth and can happen with little warning,” mentioned Nikki Rovner, director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. “Flood Awareness Week is an opportunity to remind Virginians that preparation saves lives, reduces damage and strengthens communities. Understanding your risk today can make all the difference tomorrow.”

DCR’s Flood Awareness webpage provides factsheets and a danger evaluation software designed to assist Virginians decide their flood danger and help with planning for future flood occasions.

Virginians can study a property’s flood danger by coming into an deal with into the Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS).

Despite the dangers, solely 3% of Virginians carry flood insurance coverage, in response to the National Flood Insurance Program.

“Flood awareness starts with knowing your risk and having a plan,” mentioned Angela Davis, director of DCR’s Floodplain Management Division. “Whether it’s signing up for local alerts, purchasing flood insurance or supporting local mitigation projects, small actions can significantly reduce the impacts of flooding.”

There are extra methods renters, owners and enterprise homeowners can cut back potential flood harm to some, however not essentially all, of their property. These embrace:

Storing necessary paperwork in waterproof containers, on an higher ground

Caulking home windows, doorways and gaps the place pipes and wires enter a constructing

Anchoring propane tanks and labeling with the proprietor’s title and deal with

Choosing tile or different waterproof flooring over carpeting on decrease flooring

Elevate mechanical tools similar to sizzling water heaters above the flood degree 

Through its Floodplain Management Division and Office of Resilience Planning, DCR works intently with native governments, planning district commissions and federal companions to help flood danger mapping, hazard mitigation, flood resilience, and serves because the statewide coordinator of the National Flood Insurance Program. These efforts improve the commonwealth’s capability to fight altering environmental situations whereas defending pure floodplains that retailer floodwaters and enhance water high quality.

As of Dec. 3, 2025, all relevant state businesses should adjust to the Virginia Floodplain Management Standards or the native floodplain administration rules when planning or conducting growth in floodplain areas designated on state-owned land. These Virginia Floodplain Management requirements have been finalized and are actually obtainable for obtain.

Visit dcr.virginia.gov/floodawarenessweek for extra info on flood danger and extra flood mitigation ideas.