The Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) is pleased to announce the 2024 update to the Region’s Multijurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP), beginning on August 1st of 2023. An up to date NHMP is a requirement of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for certain types of disaster assistance. The current plan was approved in August 2019 and will expire in August 2024. The plan covers the City of Bridgeport and towns of Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull.

The purpose of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) is to reduce the loss of life, personal injury and damage to property, infrastructure, and natural, cultural and economic resources from a natural disaster. The Plan emphasizes actions that can be implemented now to reduce or prevent damage from a future natural disaster. The assessments and evaluations will be based on extensive data collection and outreach efforts to obtain information on the region’s physical setting and the occurrence, frequency, duration, and vulnerability to existing and probable hazards. The update will identify significant changes in risks, vulnerabilities, capabilities, and mitigation actions that have developed since 2019.

Public participation and community input are crucial to developing a plan that accurately reflects local values and priorities, promotes awareness of risks, and identifies actions towards a safer, more resilient region for all communities and stakeholders. Throughout the planning process, MetroCOG will provide a range of diverse opportunities and methods for communities throughout the region to participate in the planning process.