Virginia officials plan Flood Awareness Week events this month

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has declared March 14-20 as Virginia Flood Awareness Week – a time for Virginians to learn about their flood risk and about how to protect their homes and property with flood insurance ahead of spring rains and hurricane season.

Flood Awareness Week builds on a number of initiatives aimed at bolstering the commonwealth’s resilience to hazardous events such as extreme weather, storm surge and recurrent flooding.

Virginians can use the Virginia Flood Risk Information System, available through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, to identify their property’s flood risk.

DCR is the state agency responsible for coordinating flood-protection activities and helps communities comply with requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Most homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover damage from floods or surface water or storm surges. Only 3 percent of Virginians have flood insurance, according to the National Flood Insurance Program.

“Virginians should review their insurance policies now to make sure they have the coverage they need ahead of spring rains and the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 through Nov. 30,” said DCR Director Clyde Cristman. “It takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect, so it’s important to be covered before a storm.”

Nearly 90 percent of Virginia communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, which allows all of their residents — regardless of flood zone — the ability to purchase federally-backed flood insurance. Flood insurance also may be available through private insurers.

“Flooding can cause catastrophic damage, and Virginians should take action now to reduce the risk of future flooding to homes and structures. Preparation now will lead to a better recovery later,” said Virginia Department of Emergency Management State Coordinator Curtis Brown.

The public is invited to participate in these activities to learn about, and share, the impacts of flooding:

• Flood Awareness All-Media Exhibit, Feb. 26-March 20, Tuesdays-Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., Art Works, 320 Hull St., Richmond

• Twitter chat, March 16, noon to 1 p.m., following #FloodAwareChat.

• Virtual Roundtable Discussion, “The Impacts of Place, Space, Climate Change and Race," March 18, 6 p.m. – Community and policy leaders will discuss the disparate impacts of flooding in minority communities, barriers to recovery and solutions for change. Registration is required.

For details, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/floodawarenessweek.