Join us for Prepare NB!

April 5, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Andrea McCoy Rec Center

The Prepare NB fair will highlight the City’s draft Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and ask for YOUR input on the actions in the plan. The fair will also include interactive activities, food and beverages, and an expo hall with local vendors. Join us and share your ideas about how we can protect the places we love in New Bedford!  

Please contact nbema@newbedford-ma.gov with questions or inquiries about tabling at the fair.

Community Resilience

What do you love about New Bedford?

Sea level rise and heavy precipitation have the potential to damage homes, schools, local businesses, and entire neighborhoods in New Bedford. The City is working hard to protect the people and places you love by creating an updated Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. You can help! Tell us: What do you love about New Bedford? How have those things been impacted by flooding or other hazards? Click the link below to write an "I Love New Bedford" postcard and share your story. 

Participate in our I Love New Bedford Postcard Campaign

Community Resilience

Protecting the Places We Love

From extreme storms and heat waves to infectious diseases and technology failures, all types of hazards threaten to negatively impact New Bedford’s longstanding institutions and vibrant communities.  

For example, New Bedford has experienced more than 10 inches of sea level rise over the last century, in addition to more frequent and intense storms. In fact, 55% more rain is falling during extreme events today compared to the mid 1900s. These hazards are causing serious localized flooding events across the city, disrupting transportation systems, damaging infrastructure and property, and leading to public health concerns (MVP Report). 

Fortunately, New Bedford is built for action. The City is working hard to identify and prepare for the threats, vulnerabilities, and possibilities that New Bedford will experience through the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

factsheets

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. 

English Factsheet    Spanish Factsheet 

Portuguese Factsheet 

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.

Find Your Zone

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 BedfordNB 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

About the Plan Update

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 

Check out these resources for more information:

2016 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
FEMA's Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide
FEMA's Equity Resources for National Preparedness