America's Preparedness Report Card 2015

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts Coastal Flooding

Massachusetts has taken some of the strongest action to prepare for future coastal flooding risks, compared to other coastal states. The state has already taken significant steps to understand and plan for sea level rise and it has also implemented regulations that require climate change projections for coastal flooding be included in state programs and activities.

Threat

Action

For more information on how prepared Massachusetts is for its growing coastal flooding threat, read the detailed state summary.

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Is Massachusetts taking action?

  • Sea Level Rise: Understanding and Applying Trends and Future Scenarios for Analysis and Planning provides information on sea level rise and the use of sea level rise scenarios supports coastal vulnerability assessments, planning, and decision making
  • The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Coastal Community Resilience Grants Program offers nearly $1 million in funds to support efforts to increase public awareness of climate impacts, assess vulnerabilities, and implement adaptation measures
  • The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Regulations were revised as of May 2013 to require all state agencies to prepare for climate change-related impacts including those from sea level rise

Did you know...

  • Massachusetts is projected to see the largest percent increase in number of people at risk of a 100-year coastal flood; by 2050, an increase of 160% would put an additional 130,000 people in the state at elevated risk of sea level rise