The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to Massachusetts to support disaster mitigation efforts aimed at reducing the impact of future flooding and coastal storms. The announcement, made on Friday, is part of a broader allocation of approximately $18 million distributed across all six New England states.
The funding includes over $1.1 million allocated to Hull for repairs and improvements to about 2,300 feet of shoreline protection along Harborview Road. The project is designed to enhance the town’s defenses against increasing flood risks and protect a sewer force main located beneath the existing shoreline structures. However, the grant falls short of the $2 million requested by Massachusetts Representative Stephen Lynch, who has advocated for more substantial funding.
Scituate will also receive more than $1.1 million to support the Cedar Point seawall project. This initiative aims to fortify a narrow strip of sand and pavement that separates Scituate Harbor from the Atlantic Ocean. The town frequently experiences significant damage during severe storms, with waves often overtopping roads. Scientific research highlights that climate change has increased both the frequency and severity of such flooding events.
In addition, roughly $378,000 has been awarded to fund floodplain management services in Massachusetts. This funding is part of a program intended to assist states in helping local jurisdictions implement flood reduction strategies and improve resilience against future natural hazards.
These grants come amid ongoing tensions related to disaster aid approval under the administration of former President Donald Trump. In February, Massachusetts’ request for emergency relief following a severe blizzard with record snowfall and hurricane-force winds was denied. Reports have indicated that aid approvals have taken longer under this administration than under any president since 1989, with a notable disparity in approvals between politically supportive and opposing states—a dynamic that has affected predominantly Democratic states like Massachusetts.
The current administration has emphasized that disaster preparedness and response responsibilities primarily rest with state and local governments, with FEMA providing support as needed. Of the total funding announced, more than $2.2 million was allocated through FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant program, which prioritizes sustainable infrastructure improvements aimed at minimizing damage from future natural disasters. Most projects supported by this program focus on flood risk reduction measures to enhance community resilience.