By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Flooding, severe winter storms and drought remain the most significant natural threats to North Attleborough, according to the town’s newly released 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The plan is a nearly 400-page-long blueprint that identifies local risks and outlines 31 specific projects aimed at reducing long-term danger to the town. It was developed over several months by the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee and serves as North Attleborough’s roadmap for preparing for, withstanding and recovering from natural hazards.
The plan must be updated every five years and receive town approval in order for the town to remain eligible for federal disaster mitigation grants.
“This plan is not just a document, it’s a commitment to safety,” said Fire Chief and Emergency Director Christopher Coleman. “By identifying our vulnerabilities – from our dams to our drainage systems – we have created a practical, actionable list of projects that will make North Attleborough safer for all residents.”
Top hazards identified
The 2025 update ranks hazards based on likelihood and potential impact. The highest-risk threats include:
- Flooding, which affects roughly 10% of the town’s land area, particularly from heavy precipitation.
- Severe winter storms, including blizzards and ice storms that threaten infrastructure and power systems.
- Drought, a growing concern due to North Attleborough’s shallow public water supply wells.
- High winds and thunderstorms, which can damage buildings, trees and electrical systems.
Moderate-risk hazards include dam failure, extreme temperatures and wildfires. The report notes that climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of several weather-related events.
Coleman outlined these risks at the Nov. 24 Town Council meeting, where councilors voted 8-0-1 to approve the plan. Councilor Mark Gould abstained, citing a need for additional time to review the document.
The previous plan, Coleman said, was about 90 pages and lacked a detailed list of critical infrastructure.
“This plan does that and shows what important infrastructure is located in the flood plain of the community,” he added.
According to the updated plan, 394 buildings lie within the FEMA 100-year floodplain, including 332 homes and 44 commercial properties. Those buildings represent more than $80 million in total assessed value, and a modeled 100-year flood has the potential to cause an estimated $18.4 million in damages.
“We have some significant loss that could potentially happen to our businesses and to our community if we’re flooded out, which we saw happen in 2023,” said Coleman.
Recommended actions
The plan lists 31 mitigation actions, prioritized by cost-effectiveness, feasibility and expected safety benefits. Top recommendations include:
- Dam safety improvements, including updated operating and emergency action plans for the town’s high-hazard dams at Falls Pond, Whiting’s Pond, Greenwood Lake and Hoppin Hill Reservoir.
- Targeted flood-mitigation work in vulnerable areas, including the Riverview Mobile Home Park.
- Infrastructure updates, such as evaluating backup power capabilities for all town buildings and maintaining downtown drainage pipes to prevent localized flooding.
- Evacuation route planning and public education, a low-cost, but long-term preparedness measure.
- Stormwater management strategies, including exploring a local stormwater utility or regulatory updates to support drainage maintenance.
The plan includes updated earthquake-loss scenarios and other hazards such as temperature extremes, brushfires and invasive species. Coleman noted that while the town had originally appropriated money to fund the plan, the state has covered the full cost.
“This report was completed at zero cost to the taxpayers,” said Coleman. “The goal is to save lives and properties.”
With the release of the updated draft, the town will now submit the plan to the Massachusetts Emergency Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for final approval.
Residents can review the full plan on the town website at www.nattleboro.com.