What's the risk of flooding on your property? This tool will help you find out
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A new tool is designed to help residents of Metro Richmond determine their property’s flood risk.
March 12-18 is Virginia Flood Awareness Week and leaders across the state are encouraging people to understand their local flood risk.
People can type an address within the Greater Richmond Region into PlanRVA’s free Flood Risk Mapper to determine flooding threats.
“Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in Virginia,” said Katie Moody, regional emergency management program coordinator at PlanRVA. “The truth is, floods can happen everywhere and any time of year. The new tool can help people understand and make informed decisions about flood risks.”
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 90 percent of natural disasters in the United States involve a flood
Twenty-two major disasters – including hurricanes, severe storms, snow and ice, drought and floods – have been declared within the Richmond region since 1965.
PlanRVA leaders warn that changing weather patterns, new development, small streams and limited drainage can turn a heavy rain into flash floods in minutes.
Estimates suggest one inch of water in a home can cause upwards of $25,000 in damages, but only 3% of Virginians have flood insurance.
Flood insurance is an additional policy for owners, renters and businesses that can cover buildings and contents to help the community recover faster after a flood.
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States, with more than 5 million policies nationwide.
Communities participate in the NFIP by agreeing to adopt and implement local floodplain management regulations to protect lives and reduce the risk of future flooding.
Jurisdictions in the Richmond region joined the NFIP between the 1970s and 1990s.
As of 2021, there were 3,438 flood insurance policies in force in the region. With just over 1,400 claims filed, the NFIP has paid out $19 million since 1978 around the region.
Learn more flood awareness and preparedness tips at https://planrva.org/environment/flood-risk/.
