Flood Awareness Week, March 12-18

March 12-18, 2023, is Virginia’s annual Flood Awareness Week, encouraging Virginians to learn about their flood risk and protect the life they’ve built with flood insurance. Flooding is the most costly natural disaster nationwide, but only 3% of Virginians have flood insurance. Flooding is also the most common natural hazard that impacts Prince William County.

Know Your Risk

To identify flood risk, people may search for your address on pwcva.gov/flooding/map. Even if your home or business is outside a floodplain, your property can still experience flooding. Approximately 40% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-hazard flood zones.

People should leave areas subject to flooding and look for higher ground during flooding. Remember that six inches of running water can knock over and carry away an adult, so keep children and pets away from streams and creeks. Additionally, water from excessive rainfall or flash flooding can contain untreated sewer overflow, petroleum and other products.

Purchase Flood Insurance

Ninety-seven percent of Virginians do not have flood insurance. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, one inch of flooding can cause a home around $25,000 in damages. 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. You can contact an insurance agent or visit floodsmart.gov to discuss options.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown®

Just 12 inches of water can float a small vehicle, so "Turn Around, Don't Drown®" is the motto to follow when roads are flooded. Driving through flooded roadways can also be hazardous because flooding may have damaged or washed away the road. More than 50% of flood deaths occur in vehicles. If a vehicle stalls in flood water, all occupants should get out and move to higher ground. If occupants can't get out safely, they are urged to call 911 immediately.

All Prince William County residents and business owners should know what to do to save life and property should a flood occur. For more information, visit the county’s flood safety campaign at pwcva.gov/flooding.