Rethinking Resiliency: Policy Pathways to Flood Resilience in Vermont

Vermont’s recent flooding, such as the devastating 2023 and 2024 floods, demonstrates the need for stronger climate resilience strategies. This project examines how Vermont can adapt its policies and planning to better protect communities and infrastructure from future flood events.
The research combines a policy analysis of Vermont’s current flood mitigation efforts with case studies of successful climate resilience initiatives in other flood-prone regions. Key methods include a review of state and federal policies, interviews with policymakers, regional planners, and environmental experts, and an analysis of geographic and geological data to assess flood risk patterns. Additionally, this study evaluates community-based responses and their effectiveness in reducing flood damage.
Preliminary findings suggest that while Vermont has made strides in flood resilience since Hurricane Irene, gaps remain in land-use policies, infrastructure investments, and emergency response planning.
By identifying targeted policy and planning reforms, this research aims to provide actionable recommendations for lawmakers, planners, and community leaders, ensuring Vermont is better equipped to handle a future informed by climate change and therefore climate-driven flooding events.