Yarmouth officials revealed a staggering financial portrait of the town’s environmental vulnerability this week, noting that nearly 28% of the community’s total property assessment sits within federal flood hazard zones. During a community meeting to update the town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, Town Planner Kathy Williams reported that $1.8 billion in assets are currently located in FEMA-designated special flood hazard areas, a figure that could climb significantly as sea levels continue to rise.

The updated plan, required by FEMA every five years to maintain the town's eligibility for federal disaster grants, details the intensifying risks posed by climate change. Williams noted that while the town has $5.8 billion in building value in non-coastal areas, a one-foot inundation from sea level rise would impact $734 million in assessments, while a six-foot rise would threaten $1.46 billion in local property. Beyond residential concerns, the assessment found that while most essential facilities are safe, Fire Station 1 and Town Hall both sit within Category 4 storm surge zones. Additionally, three town wells and five wastewater pump stations are located in hazard areas, though the pump stations were previously elevated three feet to mitigate risk.

Williams emphasized that the thick document is a strategic requirement for funding. The purpose of a hazard mitigation plan is really our plan to reduce impacts and risks from natural disasters—to our environment, property, infrastructure, economy, and people—and then coming up with actual identifiable and implementable strategic mitigation actions to address those, Williams said. She noted that the town is now tracking new hazards, including tornadoes, following the 2019 storm that struck the mid-Cape. The town is also grappling with the irony of increased precipitation leading to inland flooding alongside rising drought conditions that elevate wildfire risks.

Proposed mitigation strategies for the coming years include potential changes to wetland bylaws, a feasibility study for Fire Station 1, and infrastructure upgrades like culvert replacements at Thatcher Shore Road, Dennis Road, and Weir Road. The town is also evaluating joining the Community Rating System (CRS), which could provide residents with discounts on flood insurance premiums. Resident Pete Malpass questioned the town's current standing with the program, noting that the draft listed it as "not applicable." Williams clarified that joining the system remains a future goal rather than a current status. Malpass also pointed out several clerical errors in the draft where another town's name appeared. Mostly I have typos and I'll send them to you separately... weird things like the word Harwich has not been replaced by Yarmouth in a couple places, Malpass noted.

The meeting drew praise from other community members who reviewed the extensive data collection. Steve Crum, a resident and member of the Hazard Mitigation Team, commented on the depth of the research. I think the work that Kathy and Martha have done to collate, bring all the information together and put it in this report is phenomenal. As a relatively new resident, I'm very impressed with what's been done here, Crum said. Rick Bishop, Executive Director of the Friends of Bass River, also expressed gratitude for the inclusion of river-specific resiliency projects. One of our projects, the Upper Bass River headwaters restoration, was awarded priority project status by Mass DER, Bishop told the group.

The public comment period for the Hazard Mitigation Plan remains open through January 21. The draft will move to the Select Board for a presentation on February 3, with the town aiming for formal FEMA adoption by late April to ensure continued access to MIMA hazard mitigation grants. Williams noted that the town currently provides a 25% in-kind match through staff time to secure the funding for these planning efforts.