Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia Flood Awareness Week is March 8-14, 2026. Learn More
You can’t control the weather, but you can prepare for it.
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster, but only 3% of Virginians have flood insurance. It is estimated that 1 inch of water in a home can cause upwards of $25,000 in damages. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation encourages Virginians to learn about their flood risk and protect the life they’ve built with flood insurance.
Flooding — whether from hurricanes, rain events, or storm surge — is the most common and costly natural disaster, but most Virginians aren't prepared. Finding out if you live in a high-risk flood zone is as easy as entering an address on the Virginia Flood Risk Information System.
Floods don’t just hit coastal Virginia. In 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated Southwest Virginia. Just years earlier, in 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused devastating floods and mudslides in Buchanan County. In 2018, Hurricanes Florence and Michael tore through central and western areas of the state. During Hurricane Michael, the Dan River region alone suffered roughly $12.9 million in damages. Floods aren’t limited to mapped flood risk areas either. In fact, many of the 2,000 homes that were flooded in 2016 during Hurricane Matthew were outside the mapped floodplain.
Flooding doesn't only occur during hurricanes or named storms. In recent years, western Virginia communities had severe flooding after experiencing heavy rain, requiring some residents to be rescued from their homes and resulting in damaged buildings and road closures.
Tides can also impact flood risk, and not just along the coast. Tidal waters extend inland to places like Richmond and Fredericksburg, as well as north, like Alexandria and Arlington. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science developed Tidewatch, a map that forecasts water levels to help visualize the magnitude and impacts of coastal flooding. Learn more about sea level forecasts through ADAPTVA.
All homes have some flood risk yet only 3% of Virginians have flood insurance.
According to the National Flood Insurance Program, 1 inch of flooding can cause upwards of $25,000 in damages to a home. That’s a cost few Virginians can afford.
Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage. Because it takes 30 days for flood insurance policies to go into effect, it’s important to plan ahead. Buy flood insurance now, so that your property is covered. Contact an insurance agent or visit FloodSmart.gov to discuss options.
FACT: More than 40% of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims come from outside the high-risk area. If you live in an area of minimal flooding, you may qualify for a low-cost Preferred Risk Policy.
FACT: Just one inch of water can cause upwards of $25,000 worth of damage.
FACT: Homeowner insurance policies do not normally cover flood damage. Unfortunately, many do not find out until it is too late that their homeowners policy does not cover flooding.
FACT: Most people who live in NFIP participating communities, including renters, condo owners and businesses, are eligible to purchase flood insurance.
FACT: A flooding incident must be declared a federal disaster by the president before FEMA assistance becomes available. Federal disaster declarations are issued in less than 50 percent of flooding events. If a declaration is made, federal disaster assistance typically is in the form of a low-interest disaster loan, which must be repaid. Any grants that may be provided are not enough to cover all losses. NFIP pays for covered damage whether a federal disaster declaration has been made or not, and may cover more of your losses.
Source: https://www.fema.gov/blog/facts-and-myths-about-flood-insurance
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Flood Awareness Week Roundtable Discussion
