CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- It’s Virginia Flood Awareness Week, and officials are urging property owners to make sure they are prepared just in case.

Charlottesville says this week is a good time to make preparations for potential flooding ahead of spring rains and the upcoming hurricane season.

According to a release, the purpose of this week is to educate people about flood risk and to promote the need for flood insurance, which is not included in typical homeowner insurance policies.

The Virginia Flood Risk Information System, operated by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, offers tools so that residents can learn about the risk of flooding to their homes, business or community.

Just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 worth of damage to a home, and without flood insurance, most will end up paying out-of-pocket or needing a loan to cover the repairs.

Flood insurance can reduce the financial burden in such an event and make recovery easier for those who have it.

Charlottesville also participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which means all city residents are eligible to get flood insurance, even if they do not live in a high-risk zone.

It takes at least 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect, so people who want to protect their homes should act sooner rather than later.

For more information about Flood Awareness Week, click here. And for more on the National Flood Insurance Program, click here.