Planning for Flood Recovery and Long-Term Resilience in Vermont
Climate change projections indicate that storms and resultant flooding will become more frequent and stronger in many regions of the country in the future. In light of these trends, many communities want to improve disaster recovery and long-term flood resilience planning. Flood resilience means measures taken to reduce communities' vulnerability to flooding and support long-term recovery after a flood.
When Tropical Storm Irene hit in 2011, communities throughout Vermont experienced devastating impacts to infrastructure, communities, and lives. In 2012, the state of Vermont requested Smart Growth Implementation Assistance from EPA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The assistance focused on incorporating smart growth principles into state policies, local development regulations, and Hazard Mitigation Plans to increase community flood resilience.
As a result of the assistance, EPA developed Planning for Flood Recovery and Long-Term Resilience in Vermont (pdf) (2014). This report includes:
- Overall strategies for flood resilience and disaster recovery.
- Local land use policy options and strategies to improve flood resilience.
- State policy options and strategies to improve flood resilience.
Additional Resources
- The Flood Resilience Checklist can help communities determine whether their policies prepare them for floods.
- Read and listen to "Mad River Towns Are Models For National Flood Planning," a July 8, 2014, report about the project on Vermont Public Radio.
- Read more about the Vermont project and its results in the EPA Community Stories map (link opens in a new window or tab).
- Visit our Smart Growth Strategies for Disaster Resilience and Recovery page for more resources.