About The Plan Update
What is Hazard Mitigation Planning?
Hazard mitigation planning enables municipalities to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural hazards and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events.
A hazard mitigation plan should be considered a living document that must grow and adapt, keeping pace with a community’s growth and change. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) places high priority on the continuation of the planning process after the initial submittal, requiring communities to seek and receive re-approval from FEMA in order to remain eligible for financial assistance. Check out our factsheets for more information.
About The Plan Update
2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan Presentation
The first Public workshop was held on April 11, 2024, at the Vault in downtown New Bedford during the City’s AHA Celebration (Sustainable Southcoast). The presentation includes an overview of the federal/state guidance and the hazard mitigation plan process, results of the completed Hazard Index and 2016 plan Report Card, and a summary of the anticipated community outreach and engagement plan.
About The Plan Update
2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan Presentation
The second and final Public Workshop was held on April 5, 2025, at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center as part of the NB Preparedness Fair. The presentation includes an overview of the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update process over the past two years and a summary of the mitigation actions included in the draft Plan Update.
About the Plan Update
Prioritizing Equity
We recognize that we cannot be truly resilient until we are all included in the mission to achieve the vision and New Bedford is committed to equity and ensuring that we connect with and share perspectives with all sectors of the community. New Bedford has connected with 23 community organizations to ensure equitable engagement is at the forefront of the hazard mitigation planning process.
About The Plan Update
Our Process
The approach for this plan development is premised on four primary methods, all geared towards meeting the requirements of the DMA 2000 Public Law 106-390, October 10, 2000:
- Planning Process—Outreach and Stakeholder Coordination
- Risk Assessment—Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses
- Mitigation Strategy— Identifying Mitigation Actions and Implementation Strategies
- Plan Maintenance—Implementation, Evaluation and Revision/Update
Do You Know Your Flood Risk?
See if your home or business is located in Evacuation Zones A or B using the interactive Evacuation Zone Map linked below. Zones A (Red) and B (Yellow) are those areas with that may flood first from storm surge during a tropical storm or hurricane. Areas in Zone A would flood before areas in Zone B.
About The Plan Update
Report Card
In order to track progress on the 2016 plan, a report card was created to provide an overview of the 2016 actions with their completion status and their priority-level for being carried over into the plan update. This report card is a helpful tool for maintaining accountability and transparency throughout the planning process.
About The Plan Update
Steering Committee
New Bedford’s All Hazard Mitigation Planning process encourages public participation and will include several open meetings at times and locations to be announced. The core steering committee will include the following city and state agencies and community-based equity partners:
| Public Partners: | Community-Based Equity Partners: | |
| Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency | NB Shannon Program | |
| City of New Bedford | NB Cape Verdean Association | |
| NB Emergency Management | NB Community Economic Development Center | |
| NB City Engineer | Old Bedford Village Economic Development Corp. | |
| NB Public Infrastructure | Immigrants' Assistance Center | |
| NB Resilience and Environmental Stewardship | New Bedford Human Rights Commission | |
| NB Planning/City Planner | ||
| NB Conservation | ||
| NB Inspectional Services | ||
| NB Fire Dept. | ||
| NB Police Dept | ||
| NB Emergency Medical Services | ||
| NB Housing and Community Development | ||
| NB Public Health | ||
| New Bedford Port Authority | ||
| NB Department of Facilities and Fleet Management | ||
| Mayor's Office | ||
| NB Public Schools | ||
| NB Chief Financial Officer | ||
| NB Public Information Officer |
More Information
Contact Us for More Information
Michele Paul
City of New Bedford
Director of Resilience and Environmental Stewardship
Michele.paul@newbedford-ma.gov
(508) 979-1487
Craig Pereira
Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Project Manager
cpereira@horsleywitten.com
(401) 263-6048
Brian Nobrega
Director of Emergency Management
brian.nobrega@newbedford-ma.gov
(508) 961-3060