Officials can leverage the resources outlined in the Virginia Flood Risk Guide to help their communities prepare for a flood event, gather data as events occur, manage the recovery, and implement mitigation strategies to minimize impacts from future events.

This guide will be reviewed and updated annually to ensure it provides current information. The guide has a table of available programs for mitigation planning, preparation, response training, and recovery.

The guide also provides information on federal assistance to state, local, and tribal governments as well as private non-profit organizations. These programs can help communities recover quickly by providing funding for debris removal, emergency protection measures, and restoration of public facilities and non-profit organization facilities.

This guide explains the importance of an effective alert or warning system for disasters and how to develop one.

There is a section in the guide for volunteer preparation to increase the effectiveness of volunteers.

Readers can use this guide to understand immediate needs post-event and long-term needs.

Guidance for documenting a disaster is included as well because in order to be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance, damage must be properly recorded.

Click here to view the PDF.