Gloucester County Emergency Management officials are urging residents to be prepared for emergencies as the region moves into the spring severe weather season.

The U.S. National Weather Service has declared next week (March 14-20) to be Severe Weather Awareness Week, and Virginia’s annual Statewide Tornado Drill will take place at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Next week is also Flood Awareness Week. “This coming week is an ideal time to prepare for potential flooding ahead of spring rains and the upcoming hurricane season,” said Brent Payne, Gloucester’s Floodplain Administrator. “It is our hope that our residents will be informed about their own properties’ flood risks and the need for flood insurance.”

Gloucester County strongly encourages flood insurance for any resident or business owner within the 100-year flood zone. “It is important to keep in mind that many houses in Gloucester outside of the 100-year flood zone are also at risk for storm-related flooding,” he said.

Payne is ...