MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE
Somerset County has officially adopted the FEMA-approved 2022 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. You can view the plan by clicking on the cover below.
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The flood hazard introduced and presented within the Hazard Mitigation Plan was further developed and refined within the Somerset County Flood Mitigation Plan 2021. The Flood Mitigation Plan does not duplicate the information within the Hazard Mitigation Plan, but compliments and expands the scope and breadth of the flood risk and impacts to Somerset County. Click here for more information related to the Flood Mitigation Plan.​​
In addition, considering flooding is one of the most common natural hazards experienced in Somerset County, it may be widespread or isolated, developing slowly or quickly. Nuisance flooding is a more specific and commonplace phenomenon which dictates a less significant response and threatens the community in less intrusive ways. Therefore, Somerset County developed the 2024 Nuisance Flood Plan which addressed nuisance flooding and nuisance flood policies throughout the County. Click here to for more information about the Nuisance Flood Plan or click the image.
Northern & Southern
Crisfield Flood Mitigation Projects
Update: Phased Implementation Strategy Advances Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project
January 12, 2026
The City of Crisfield is pleased to announce an important update to the Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project, including the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Phase I and the adoption of a phased implementation strategy that allows the City to continue moving critical flood protection investments forward.
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The Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project was originally developed as a comprehensive, citywide flood protection system through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Direct Technical Assistance program. That original vision addressed chronic tidal flooding, storm surge, and sea level rise through an integrated system of drainage improvements, wetlands, tide control, and elevated infrastructure. However, following the termination of the BRIC program in 2025, the City was required to reassess how to deliver this large-scale project in a fiscally responsible and timely manner.
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In response, Crisfield has restructured the project into clearly defined phases, allowing the City to advance the most urgent flood mitigation needs now while continuing to plan for full buildout over time. Phase I, now moving forward through the released RFP, focuses on two critical objectives. First, it will advance 30% design for the full Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project, preserving the integrity of the original FEMA-developed concept and ensuring future phases remain coordinated and implementation-ready. Second, Phase I includes full design, permitting, and construction for the Gerald’s Ditch drainage basin, one of the most flood-prone areas in the City. This phase prioritizes wetland restoration and green infrastructure to reduce recurring flooding that affects schools, housing, and emergency access routes. Creation of wetlands at Gerald's Ditch will allow for natural water storage in this area, complementing the installation of a stormwater pump. The stormwater pump is currently at 100% design and is funded through earlier FEMA and MDE grants. The pumps installation is expected to occur in 2026.
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A total of $3,294,990 from four funding sources is identified to support the preliminary design of the Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project and the full administration, design, permitting, and construction of the 4.5-acre Gerald’s Ditch wetland implementation project. Anticipated funding sources are: a. $1,906,000 from the Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration (WIFA) of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Comprehensive Flood Management Program (CFMP) FY 2026. Funding includes engineering design, land acquisition, administration and a portion of the wetlands implementation. b. $476,500 sourced from a low-interest loan through the Maryland Department of Emergency Management Resilient Maryland Revolving Loan Fund to provide matching funds for the MDE CFMP. c. $777,490 from the Department of Natural Resources Grant Gateway FY 2025 Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund to fund administration and construction of Green Infrastructure, which includes practices are those that allow water to infiltrate in place. d. $135,000 from The Nature Conservancy to fund wetland implementation.
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Future phases will build on this foundation. Phase II will focus on elevating and hardening key flood-prone roadways—including South Somerset Avenue/Woodson School Road, Hall Highway, and a county-owned connector road—to maintain safe access during high tides and storm events. Additional phases will continue implementation of structural and nature-based solutions identified in the original Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation plan, including expanded drainage improvements and flood barriers.
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The City encourages qualified engineering and environmental firms to review the Phase I RFP and submit proposals. More information about the RFP is available at cityofcrisfield-md.gov/rfp-s-bids.
Residents and stakeholders can follow project updates, view maps, and learn more about upcoming phases at www.crisfieldfloodmitigation.com
CITY OF CRISFIELD, MD
PRESS RELEASES
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Launches Field Surveys for Crisfield Stormwater Flood Improvement Plan
Crisfield, Md. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, began field surveys on August 11, 2025, as part of the Crisfield Stormwater Flood Improvement Plan. This federally funded project, requested by the City of Crisfield under the USACE Floodplain Management Services Program, aims to develop a planning-level strategy to reduce the risk of flooding in areas of the city most affected by stormwater.
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“Comprehensive flood risk management strengthens local communities, and part of that effort is ensuring available resources and expertise are maximized”, said Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera. “Our team is committed to providing local and state officials vital data they can use to bolster resiliency and preventative measures.”
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During the survey phase, USACE crews will collect critical data on the city’s stormwater infrastructure, including manholes, inlets, pipes, culverts, and outfalls. Using high-accuracy GPS equipment, the team will document the location, elevations, condition, and other key details of approximately 500 stormwater structures. This information will be used to build a comprehensive mapping system and detailed hydraulic models that will simulate how stormwater flows through Crisfield during major rain events.
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The results of this effort will guide the development of conceptual improvement measures such as upgraded stormwater systems, detention facilities, and other flood risk reduction strategies. While no construction will occur as part of this study, the final report will provide the City with the technical foundation needed to pursue future design and construction funding.
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This study is designed to complement and strengthen other ongoing flood mitigation initiatives in Crisfield, including the Southern and Northern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Projects designed through the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Direct Technical Assistance (DTA). By integrating data and findings from all efforts, the City and its partners can better prioritize investments, coordinate infrastructure upgrades, and ensure that solutions work together as part of a comprehensive resilience strategy for the entire community.
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The field survey phase will continue over the coming weeks, with modeling, analysis, and plan development to follow.
For more information about the flood mitigation projects in Crisfield, please visit: www.crisfieldfloodmitigation.com.  
City of Crisfield | (410) 968-1333 | info@crisfieldcityhall.com
Loss of Nation-Leading FEMA Flood Mitigation Program Impacts Crisfield
Sign up in support of the Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project
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The City of Crisfield expresses deep disappointment and grave concern over the recent decision to terminate the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and the Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) initiative. These announcements represent not only a staggering loss to communities nationwide but a particularly acute blow to Crisfield, Maryland—a city that had been selected as one of the nation's leading examples of flood resilience innovation.
Crisfield's $36 million comprehensive Southern Flood Mitigation Project was the highest-scoring project nationwide in the FY2023 BRIC National Competition. This two-year collaborative multiagency project, developed in close coordination with FEMA’s DTA team and their exceptional subcontractors at CDM Smith, was designed to protect the entire southern portion of Crisfield from tidal flooding, storm surge, and rising seas.
Support the Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project and help protect Crisfield's future.
The project was not simply well-designed—it was cost-effective. FEMA’s benefit-cost analysis process, required for all BRIC submissions, confirmed that every federal dollar invested would yield significant returns in avoided disaster losses. According to FEMA, mitigation projects nationwide save an average of $6 for every $1 spent.
Crisfield’s residents know all too well the cost of inaction—flooding during Hurricane Sandy, Tropical Storm Ophelia, and repeated high tide events has damaged homes, overwhelmed sewers, closed schools, and cut off emergency services. These threats are only increasing.
“The Southern Crisfield project was a turning point for our community in terms of long-term sustainability and economic mobility,” said Mayor Darlene Taylor. “The BRIC program provided essential support for small, rural, towns like ours to address chronic flooding challenges. Withdrawing this funding increases our vulnerability to future flood events and puts our community at continued risk.”
The Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project is designed to provide initial protection from a 3.5 feet storm surge and tie directly into the recently submitted Northern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project, which would elevate and surround the city with a continuous tidal barrier to 5.0 ft above sea level. More information is available at CrisfieldFloodMitigation.com.
Crisfield calls on federal leaders to reconsider this decision and re-commit to a future in which even the most vulnerable and underserved communities can access world-class support to survive the next storm—and the next century.
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Show your support for the Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation Project
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City of Crisfield | (410) 968-1333 | info@crisfieldcityhall.com
HAZARD MITIGATION OVERVIEW
​Hazard Mitigation is sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property from hazards. Resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities, businesses, institutions, and governments to adapt to changing conditions and to prepare for, withstand, and rapidly recover from disruptions to everyday life, such as hazard events.
The purpose of the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is to prevent or reduce loss of life and injury as well as limit damage costs from various hazards through the development of mitigation methods which lessen or eliminate future damage.
This is accomplished by reviewing, assessing, and updating the County's vulnerabilities to natural hazards. The result of the assessment will be short-term and long-term strategies that address hazards identified in the plan. These strategies aim to prevent future damage and loss of life to Somerset County's residents and businesses.
NATURAL HAZARDS IDENTIFIED
within the Plan Update
Flood Hazards
Flooding can be categorized as flash, riverine and coastal. Flash flooding results from a combination of rainfall intensity and duration, and is further influenced by local topography and the ground’s capacity to hold water. Riverine flooding is caused by persistent moderate or heavy rain over one or more days, sometimes combined with snowmelt, causing a river to slowly rise and overflow its banks. Coastal flooding occurs when normally dry, low-lying land is flooded by seawater. The extent of coastal flooding is a function of the elevation inland floodwaters penetrate which is controlled by the topography of the coastal land exposed to flooding.
Photo: wjactv.com., March 1, 2021. Flooding in Somerset County.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Stakeholder Meetings
Stakeholder meetings for the 2022 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update are held regularly throughout the project's planning period. Meeting dates and times will be added below. Please submit your contact information if you wish to be added as a project stakeholder. Meeting minutes will be made available after meeting dates for those who are unable to attend.
Stakeholder Meeting #1
Date & Time: May 13, 2022 @ 10:00 AM
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Please click the PDF icon below to view notes from this meeting.
Public Health Small Group Meeting
Date & Time: August 11, 2022 @ 10:00 AM
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Please click the PDF icon below to view notes from this meeting.
Stakeholder Mitigation Workshop
Date & Time: September 12, 2022 @ 1:30-4:00 PM
Location: Somerset County MAC Center (Activities Room)
8928 Sign Post Road, Westover, MD 21871
CONTACT US
Your input is welcomed and valued. Please consider becoming a project stakeholder for the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
Stakeholder meetings are held online using WebEx. Provide your information below to get involved.