How We Can Help

Leverage Funding

We address resiliency more holistically through multidisciplinary projects that apply mitigation and resiliency grants across different sectors, such as:

• Updates to the State Hazard Mitigation Plan to reflect projects, goals, and objectives of not only the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), but all of the Resiliency Partners. The inclusion of these projects allows local governments to apply to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs to undertake a variety of different mitigation activities such as: conducting architectural and historical investigations on historic structures in areas vulnerable to natural hazards (MHT); restoration and enhancements of natural features and shorelines to mitigate the effects of coastal hazards in vulnerable communities (DNR); and updating the Maryland Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss Property Inventory (MDE).


• Using their Coast Smart Communities and their Working Waterfronts, the Department of Natural Resources is improving the resiliency of coastal communities throughout the state… example of multidisciplinary/multi-agency project


• Using Sandy Disaster Relief funds from the National Park Service, the Maryland Historical Trust is funding several local governments and nonprofit organizations to conduct risk assessments of historic places and archeological sites that will be included in local hazard mitigation plans.

Provide Technical Assistance

We have created tools to help local government assess their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change and we lend our expertise where needed to support local mitigation projects and planning efforts for example:

• Hazus data for coastal flooding created during the development of the State Hazard Mitigation Plan will be distributed to local jurisdictions, as available by MEMA. Distribution of Enhanced Hazus data to local jurisdictions will continue over the next several years, with data for riverine flooding beginning development in the Fall of 2016. Information sharing and distribution of the Enhanced Hazus data will result in refined risk and vulnerability assessments within Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, thereby resulting in more robust and specific local mitigation strategies.


• The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Resiliency Assessment was created as a landscape-level spatial analysis and modeling effort that identifies where natural habitats provide the greatest potential risk reduction for coastal communities. The Assessment tool can be used to identify residential areas impacted by coastal hazards and rank shorelines where restoration and conservation efforts can provide coastal protection alongside habitat, water quality, and recreational benefits.


• The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) developed a method for identifying vulnerabilities of the state’s roadways and bridges to flooding. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration provided the Vulnerability Assessment Scoring Tool (VAST). SHA can use the analysis to perform site-specific vulnerability assessments for elements of transportation infrastructure.

Outreach and Education

We strive to provide information to property owners and local government about mitigation, floodplain management, flood insurance, and protecting Maryland’s history and diverse environment. Recent efforts include:

• The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) conducted two workshops in Somerset County last November: one for residents in the City of Crisfield, and one for the residents of Ewell, Rhodes Point and Tylerton on Smith Island. The purpose of the workshops was to help residents understand flood mapping, potential mitigation ideas for new construction and building rehabilitation, discuss issues surrounding flood insurance, and how to apply for grants/assistance to retrofit houses to protect against flooding. Resiliency Partners were on hand to discuss impacts to historic houses, environmental concerns and hazard mitigation.


• MDE has re-established the Maryland Community Rating System User’s Group. The Group’s purpose is to share examples of successes that members have had in conducting activities to improve their community’s preparedness and mapping and flood data, and in managing new development and becoming more resilient to help communities already participating in and those seeking to join the CRS. Resiliency Partners have supported the CRS Users Group by providing information on coastal management and mitigation activities that could also serve to protect against flooding and qualify for CRS credits.


• MEMA hosted a series of state-wide meetings, “Beyond the Map” to promote web-based tools for data collection and vulnerability analyses to natural hazards that local government can undertake to augment their efforts in creating more resilient communities. Resiliency Partners were in attendance to demonstrate how when used in conjunction with one another the tools are a powerful asset for those engaged in hazard mitigation planning and floodplain management.

Coordination and Support with Federal Agencies

We are members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Maryland Silver Jackets, a group focused on education, outreach, and data sharing information on flood hazards and mitigation among federal, state, and local government, and private nonprofit partners. Participation in the Silver Jackets allows us to supplement our resources with those of our partners in the Silver Jackets.

• Through its participation in the Maryland Silver Jackets, the Resiliency Partnership successfully proposed a project for the USACE to conduct a nonstructural analysis of 8-10 historic building types in areas prone to flooding in Baltimore City. The purpose is to identify recommendations for flood protection that will have a broader application to similar historic buildings across the city. The project is supported by the Maryland Silver Jackets and the Maryland Resiliency Partnership. This project is similar to a nonstructural flood proofing analysis undertaken in the City of Annapolis in 2014 for buildings in the National Historic Landmark District.


• Ellicott City flooding high water marks.

Online Resources