Gloucester is recognizing the danger posed by flooding as well as steps individuals can take to protect themselves and their property as the county observes Flood Awareness Week in Virginia, which begins Sunday.

This is an ideal time for residents to prepare for potential flooding ahead of spring rains and the upcoming hurricane season, a county release stated. Throughout the week and into the spring season, Gloucester County will focus on educating the public about flood risk and the importance of flood insurance for those in high-risk areas.

Gloucester County enjoys a 20 percent discount to flood insurance premiums thanks to the county’s participation in the Community Ratings System. The CRS is a National Flood Insurance Program run by FEMA through which localities’ floodplain management efforts are measured and rated using a prescribed series of available creditable activities.

In Gloucester, there are many insurable causes of flooding, including coastal, rain-driven, dam ...