Hull Adopts Updated Hazard Mitigation Plan
Five-year strategy aims to boost town's resilience against natural disasters
HULL, MA - September 10 - The Hull Select Board unanimously approved the town's 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan update Tuesday, outlining strategies to address potential natural hazards over the next five years.
Chris Krahforst, Director of Climate Adaptation and Conservation, presented the plan, emphasizing its role in guiding the town's disaster preparedness efforts.
"This really forms the backbone and structure and guidance what the town is doing in terms of hazard mitigation for the next five years," Krahforst said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the plan pending Select Board adoption. It is required for FEMA grants, including the ongoing Nantasket seawall restoration project.
A team of 21 people from various town departments contributed to the plan's development. It includes a table of proposed mitigation actions to be reviewed annually with department heads and reported to FEMA.
"What we do every year is we meet together with department heads, and we review the plan, and we report back annually to FEMA on our progress," Krahforst explained.
The plan serves multiple purposes, feeding into capital planning, ensuring accountability for mitigation efforts, and coordinating activities across departments.
A key initiative identified is an update to the beach management plan, which will involve community engagement and stakeholder input.
"There's a real sort of microscope on how the town is planning to manage the beach," Krahforst noted.
The plan also includes assessment of critical infrastructure, such as the Department of Public Works barn and the Hull Light Plant, to guide future decisions on potential rebuilding or relocation.
Town Manager Jennifer Constable highlighted the plan's importance for prioritizing hazards and addressing community concerns.
"Sometimes when we hear from the community saying, why aren't we fixing this, or this is the biggest problem, that information is likely contained in this document," Constable said.
The hazard mitigation plan is valid for five years. With its approval, Hull can now implement strategies to enhance its resilience against natural hazards.