SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

5 Connecticut Avenue, Norwich, Connecticut 06360

(860) 889-2324/Fax: (860) 889-1222/Email: office@seccog.org

July 14, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

While southeastern Connecticut has enjoyed a period of relative calm over the last five years, the tropical systems of 2021 (Elsa, Fred, Henri, and Ida) were a strong reminder of the risks posed by natural disasters.  The region’s communities – towns, cities, boroughs, and the two federally recognized tribal nations – have shared in the development and adoption of a natural hazard mitigation plan for two decades, with updates incorporated every five years.  The region’s communities are again working with the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) to update the plan, and this time the challenges associated with climate change will be incorporated directly into the plan to produce a “Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan” for southeastern Connecticut.  The plan will outline a set 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, extreme heat events, and earthquakes; and will outline a set of actions to reduce impacts of these events when made worse by the effects of climate change.

The hazard mitigation and climate adaptation planning effort is leveraging close coordination with the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), which is located nearby at UConn’s Avery Point Campus.  CIRCA is expanding its “Resilient Connecticut” program from a narrow pilot region to the entire state, with a strong focus in southeastern Connecticut.

People living and working in and near southeastern Connecticut have several opportunities to provide input to the planning process.  An online, internet-based experience called a “story map” has been developed and can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/yv7zck7h.  An optional survey is embedded in the story map.

For those who would like to participate in a public information meeting, two opportunities are coming up in early August:

• The first meeting will be held at the Groton Public Library (52 Newtown Rd, Groton) at 6:30 PM on August 2, 2022. The Groton Public Library is located on the SEAT bus routes 11 and 108. 
• The second meeting will be held at the SCCOG offices (5 Connecticut Avenue, Norwich) at 6:30 on August 3, 2022. SCCOG offices are located on SEAT bus route 5. This second meeting will incorporate a virtual component for people wishing to join remotely.  Virtual participation instructions will be posted to seccog.org/meetings at least one week prior to August 3.  Participation by telephone (audio only) will also be possible.

Finally, comments about the Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan for southeastern Connecticut can be sent directly to SCCOG at office@seccog.org.

The Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan for southeastern Connecticut will continue to make the region’s communities eligible for seeking hazard mitigation assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of Connecticut.  The plan will also help align the region with new State funding programs that are expected in the latter half of 2022.