Plan

City of Baltimore Disaster Preparedness and Planning Project

Summary

The Disaster Preparedness and Planning Project identifies opportunities to better prepare Baltimore to adapt to new climate conditions. Heat waves, sea level rise, and flooding due to more extreme precipitation events are all projected to affect the City’s environmental, social, and economic systems more intensely than in the past. Building adaptation into this plan will allow Baltimore City to reduce risks associated with natural hazards and increase overall resiliency.

Year
2024

Details

Hazards Addressed
Extreme Heat
Flooding – Coastal
High Winds
Severe Winter Weather
Assets
Critical Facilities
Economy
Energy and Utilities
Natural Areas and Wildlife
Property
Transportation and Mobility
View the Plan

Equity Insights

The City of Baltimore is committed to incorporating equitable policies in its planning efforts. The incorporation of an equity lens in the plan update required broad engagement of the widest swath of Baltimore residents and community organizations. In alignment with the City’s commitment to equity, planners conducted targeted outreach to these populations to learn their concerns and experiences with the identified hazards. The goal was to capture and reflect these perspectives in the recommended strategies.

Lessons Learned

Federal efforts to strengthen a city’s preparedness for hazards cost only a fraction of what governments typically spend to repair the damage from a hazard after the event. For Baltimore to become more resilient, the City should improve essential infrastructure and buildings, protect people and property, and embrace and enhance its natural systems. Most importantly, Baltimore must not wait for a crisis before acting. Implementing the strategies and actions detailed in this plan will take time; and it is vital that the City act today to ensure a future for Baltimore that is sustainable and growing.

Options Used

Increase the urban tree canopy and target areas with urban heat island impacts. Trees are recognized for their ability to provide significant air quality and cooling benefits. It is important to assure Require design that exceeds minimum standards for critical facility construction. Develop a comprehensive maintenance and training program for local government employees at facilities with backup generators to ensure proper placement, hook-up and function during hazard events.

Steps to Resilience

Get Started
Understand Exposure
Assess Vulnerability & Risk
Investigate Options
Prioritize & Plan
Take Action

Plans

City of Baltimore Disaster Preparedness and Planning Project

Organizations to Contact

City of Baltimore Office of Sustainability

Relevant Options

Purchase backup generators for the water infrastructure system to provide a sustained minimal level of water services in the event of a catastrophic power loss. Increase adoption of distributed energy resources such as solar and wind by lowering financial and regulatory barriers to permitting and development. When installed with battery backup or emergency power Assess governmental assets' exposure to erosion, extreme heat, flooding, high winds, landslides, severe winter weather and wildfire. Determine if those assets house critical functions. If they do, determine

Browse all plans