Hazard Mitigation and Flood Protection

New Shoreham is vulnerable to many hazards, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, high winds, winter related hazards, flood related hazards and coastal erosion, among others.

The Block Island Hazard Mitigation Plan was adopted by the Town Council on July 5, 2017 and approved by FEMA on July 27, 2017. A copy of the Plan is available digitally on the town website and printed copies are available to review at Town Hall or the Library. In 2022, the Town received a FEMA BRIC grant to prepare the required 5-year update to the 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan and that work is underway.  Other planning documents related to hazard mitigation and flood protection are located on the Land Use Page.

Community Rating System

New Shoreham met the criteria to gain entrance into the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) in 2019 at a Class 8 rating. Participation within this program demonstrates the Town’s commitment to floodplain management, property protection and public safety and grants New Shoreham property owners a discount on their flood insurance premiums. As a Class 8 CRS community, New Shoreham flood insurance policyholders in special flood hazard areas receive a 10% discount on their flood insurance premium and policyholders in zones outside of special flood hazard areas receive a 5% discount on their flood insurance premium.  As part of the Town’s CRS annual recertification, the Town conducts community outreach activities such as direct mailings to property owners regarding flood insurance and dune protection notices in publications of general circulation.