Southeastern Connecticut is a coastal region along Long Island Sound, contains several large rivers, and experiences four distinct seasons that each presents unique weather-related challenges. These challenges are compounded by new weather patterns and conditions resulting from climate change. Average temperature increases, more intense rainfall patterns, and sea level rise all have primary and secondary impacts that affect health outcomes and risks to personal safety and property.

As a commitment to ensuring continued public safety, operation of necessary community services, and protection of public investments, SECOG and its member municipalities undertake a variety of studies and planning processes to improve resilience to natural hazards. The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires local communities to have a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan to be eligible to receive Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program grants and Post-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance program. SECOG communities approach hazard mitigation planning through a Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) that identifies natural hazards and risks, existing capabilities, and activities that can be undertaken by SECOG and each community to prevent loss of life and reduce property damages.

For the most recent update to the HMP, SECOG was able to integrate the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA)’s Resilient CT 2.0 work program into the document to emphasize and proactively plan for the impacts that climate change will have on identified natural hazards. The 2023 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (HM-CAP) outlines sets of actions that can be taken to reduce losses of property and life due to natural disasters like floods, severe wind events, winter storms, wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat events made worse by climate change.

Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (2023)

With the 2023 HM-CAP adopted, SECOG’s current efforts focus on support for accomplishing the implementation of plan action items. For more information, contact Helen Zincavage.

 

Former WINCOG Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (2015)

Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (2012)

Southeastern Connecticut Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (2005)

Hazard Mitigation Plan (2017)

 

A Critical Facilities Assessment was completed in 2017, which studied site-specific vulnerabilities of sixteen emergency services facilities located in storm surge or flood zones. This project was recommended in the 2012 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Site-specific assessments examined flood, wind, and snow-load risks and provided recommendations for improvements, with the goal of reducing the risk of service interruptions.

Documents

Critical Facilities Assessment (Sponsored by CIRCA) (2017)

Site Assessments

FAQ

Presentation

 

In early 2019, SECOG and a consultant team completed an initiative providing assistance to member municipalities enrolled in, or interested in joining, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a voluntary program in which NFIP communities are awarded points for documenting and undertaking activities that improve flood resilience. Based on CRS standing, NFIP communities are sorted into classes, in which premium discounts of 5-45% are awarded to flood insurance policy holders. SECOG was successful in improving the CRS standing of three existing CRS communities, and four additional municipalities are scheduled to join.

In addition to assisting interested municipalities, the CRS initiative/model also produced a regional Guidebook and Toolkit to assist interested municipalities in joining in the future.

Documents

Community Rating System Narrative Guidebook for SECOG Municipalities

Community Rating System Toolkit

The Nature Conservancy, along with SECOG and the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer), led an effort with the Cities of Groton, New London, and Norwich, the Towns of East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Montville, Salem, Stonington, and Waterford, and other regional stakeholders, to form a shared vision for natural hazard resilience. In particular, the Regional Resilience Guidebook examined six topic areas: Water, Food, Economy, Ecosystems, Energy, and Transportation.

Documents

Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resilience Guidebook (The Nature Conservancy) (2017)

Vision & Summary of Findings