Wareham secures $50K grant for disaster planning

Though sunny weather is on the horizon and flowers have began to bloom, that doesn't mean the town is out of harms way from impactful Nor'easters and other damaging weather. 

With past storms rocking Wareham, the town has been awarded $50,000 through the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance grant program to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The Hazard Mitigation Plan gives money to state, tribal and local governments after a presidential declared disaster to help pay for projects that protect people and property from future natural disasters. 

The funding, will allow the town to hire a qualified vendor to assist with revising the plan, which is set to expire in 2027. Updating the plan will help Wareham better identify risks and prepare for future hazards.

The program provides direct technical support to towns like Wareham pursuing federal funding for infrastructure, climate and economic development. State Rep. John R. Gasket said the funding comes at a critical time for the town.

“With the expansion of housing, especially lower income housing, it is important Wareham is able to continue to explore and predict future hazards and prepare properly,” Gasket said. “February’s blizzard response is a prime example of why this is so important.”