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Sea Grant and Coastal Hazards Preparedness

Sea Grant works with coastal communities across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Guam to improve community resilience to coastal hazards. Specifically, Sea Grant engages in vulnerability assessments, resilience planning and social science initiatives to learn from previous coastal storms and better prepare for future storms. Additionally, Sea Grant develops and shares natural hazards preparation and recovery resources for communities and individuals. All of these projects are part of a strategic focus area to ensure resilient communities and economies across the Sea Grant network.

Prepare for Natural Hazards

Click on the image to the right to view the Adobe Spark storymap “Homeowner’s and Resident’s Handbooks from Sea Grant provide vital preparedness information”

Storm Preparedness & Coastal Hazards Resources by Sea Grant Program

Alaska Sea Grant

The Alaska Emergency and Disaster Homeowner’s Handbook helps Alaskans prepare for natural disasters and extreme weather conditions around the state.

Adapt Alaska helps communities build resilience in a changing climate.

Learn about earthquake and tsunami risks in Alaska and ways to prepare.

California Sea Grant

While California doesn’t experience storms like other parts of the country, it’s important to be prepared for all natural hazards! Learn how to prepare for wildfires with Cal Fire or check out these wildfire condition, wildfire location and air quality resources gathered by the Russian River Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring Program.

Find more information about preparing for coastal hazards, like tsunamis and earthquakes, under Oregon and Washington Sea Grant’s images.

Connecticut Sea Grant

Learn about evacuation routes, local shelters or respite centers and local storm preparedness resources for Connecticut’s coastal towns in this story map.

Delaware Sea Grant

Delaware Sea Grant’s Coastal Hazards page shares information about emergency preparedness (including their Homeowner’s Handbook), building coastal resilience and beach and surf safety.


Understanding Flood Risk describes flood risks in Delaware from storms and sea level rise, along with information on flood insurance and how to prepare for a flood.

Florida Sea Grant

Find resources about hurricane preparedness and recovery (such as those related to Hurricane Ian) from Florida Sea Grant.

Also, check out their Homeowner’s Handbook for more information on hurricane, tornado, flood and wildlife hazards.

Georgia Sea Grant

With the Resident’s Handbook from Georgia Sea Grant, learn what to do before tornados, severe thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, floods and more to protect yourself, your family and your property.

Guam Sea Grant

Check back soon for new resources! In the meantime, find related information under Hawai’i Sea Grant’s image.

Hawai’i Sea Grant

Hawai’i Sea Grant talks preparedness on their Hazard and Hurricane Preparedness page. Here you can see information on severe weather, storm surge and tsunamis, including their Homeowner’s Handbook.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

What is a derecho? Find out about this type of inland wind storm in a recent episode of the Teach Me About the Great Lakes podcast.

See information about preparing for coastal hazards under Michigan and Minnesota Sea Grant’s images.

Lake Champlain Sea Grant

Learn about Lake Champlain Sea Grant’s work on flood resilience and shoreline protection.

For related information on storm preparedness, take a look under (Massachusetts) Woods Hole Sea Grant’s image.

Law Center

The Sea Grant Law Center Advisory Service is a legal research service provided free of charge to the Sea Grant College Program and its constituents. The information provided by Law Center attorneys is intended for informational purposes only. See the final products of Law Center Advisory Requests on the effects of hurricanes on coastal property lines in New Jersey and New York.

Louisiana Sea Grant

Check out information specific to Louisiana on how to prepare for a hurricane, as well as recovery essentials. See their Homeowner’s Handbook for more natural hazards preparedness tips.

Maine Sea Grant

Check back soon for new resources! In the meantime, for related information on storm preparedness, take a look under (Massachusetts) Woods Hole Sea Grant’s tab.

Maryland Sea Grant

Understand flooding along Maryland’s coasts with this feature on storm surges, flooding and Hurricane Isabel.

For related information on storm preparedness, take a look under Delaware and Virginia Sea Grant’s images.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant

Check back soon for new resources! In the meantime, for related information on storm preparedness, take a look under (Massachusetts) Woods Hole Sea Grant’s tab.

Massachusetts Woods Hole Sea Grant

Though it has been nearly 30 years since the last major hurricane struck the Massachusetts coast, hurricanes can be devastating and they can happen here! Learn more about preparing for a hurricane in New England and take a look at the Homeowner’s Handbook.

Michigan Sea Grant

Whether you live on the Great Lakes coastline or are just visiting for the afternoon, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards associated with the lakeshore. Learn about lake levelswater safetyextreme storms and flooding and disaster planning and response with these resources from Michigan Sea Grant.

Minnesota Sea Grant

Rip currents can form at any time but are especially likely during severe weather. “Break the grip of the rip!” with this information on rip currents from Minnesota Sea Grant. 

Learn about the coastal hazards affecting Lake Superior’s communities, like storms, rip currents and hypothermia in this audio clip from Jesse Schomberg.

Find more information about preparing for coastal hazards under Illinois-Indiana and Michigan Sea Grant’s tabs.

Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant

Check out Mississippi’s Homeowner’s Handbook and Alabama’s Homeowner’s Handbook for state-specific preparedness information on hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other severe weather events.

See videos on floodingwind hazardsfortified building and green building. Communities and industry leaders: use Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant’s resilience indices to assess disaster preparedness and develop actions for long-term resilience.

New Hampshire Sea Grant

Check back soon for new resources! In the meantime, for related information on storm preparedness, take a look under (Massachusetts) Woods Hole Sea Grant’s tabs.

New Jersey Sea Grant

Prepare for hurricane season with New Jersey Sea Grant’s coastal resilience and emergency preparedness page. Learn about Sea Grant’s Coastal Storm Awareness Program, which conducted social science research to understand community responses to coastal storm hazard information, and see key findings.

For related information on storm preparedness, take a look under Delaware and New York Sea Grant’s images.

New York Sea Grant

Being resilient ahead of a coastal storm is key, which is why New York Sea Grant has produced these resiliency publications.

For related information on storm preparedness, take a look at the Homeowner’s Handbook under Delaware Sea Grant’s image.

Interactive Lake Ontario inundation mapping tools and high water impact surveying help communities and property/business owners enhance their flooding preparedness. Also, waterfront property owners in need of erosion management expertise can request a no-cost virtual site visit by New York Sea Grant.

Learn about high tide flooding with this fast-draw video.

Find more information about preparing for lakeshore hazards under Illinois-Indiana and Michigan Sea Grant’s images.

North Carolina Sea Grant

North Carolina Sea Grant shares resources and information about hurricane preparation and recovery. This includes a Hurricane Resource Portal with a list of links for national, state and county-based resources.

Also, learn how keeping certain strategic trees can reduce the risk of roof damage from high-speed winds, how neighbors can help communities recover from disasterstransportation-related impacts associated with flooding, and the greatest risks to boats (hint: think hurricanes).

Ohio Sea Grant

The coastal storms fact sheet can help you learn the dangers that coastal storms pose and how you can protect yourself and your community.

Find more information about preparing for coastal hazards under Illinois-Indiana and Michigan Sea Grant’s tabs.

Oregon Sea Grant

Learn about tsunami risks in Oregon and ways to practice evacuation.

Find more information about preparing for coastal hazards, like wildfires and earthquakes, under California and Washington Sea Grant’s images.

Pennsylvania Sea Grant

Find information about preparing for lakeshore hazards under Illinois-Indiana and Michigan Sea Grant’s images.

For related information on coastal storm preparedness, take a look at the Homeowner’s Handbook under Delaware Sea Grant’s image.

Puerto Rico Sea Grant

See information on the variety of natural coastal hazards that Puerto Rico faces, such as hurricanes, tsunamis, floods and storm surges. Read informative publications on storm preparedness.

For related information on storm preparedness, take a look at the Homeowner’s Handbook under Florida Sea Grant’s image.

Rhode Island Sea Grant

Check back soon for new resources! In the meantime, for related information on storm preparedness, take a look under (Massachusetts) Woods Hole Sea Grant’s tab.

South Carolina Sea Grant


Prepare for hurricanes and extreme wind in South Carolina by learning how to protect openings and reinforce roofing. Find flooding and extreme weather resources for risk assessment, recovery and response.

Texas Sea Grant

With the Homeowner’s Handbook from Texas Sea Grant, learn what to do before hurricanes, tornados, floods and more to protect yourself, your family and your property.


Find more preparedness and recovery resources from the Community Resilience Collaborative, a research- and extension-based coastal planning program.

University of Southern California Sea Grant

USC Sea Grant coordinates projects related to coastal hazard planning.

Find more information about preparing for coastal hazards, like wildfires, tsunamis and earthquakes, under California, Oregon and Washington Sea Grant’s tabs.

Virginia Sea Grant

With the Homeowner’s Handbook from Virginia Sea Grant, learn what to do before tornados, coastal storms, floods and more to protect yourself, your family and your property.

Washington Sea Grant

Washington Sea Grant’s coastal hazards resilience network teaches about coastal flooding, tsunamis, earthquakes and more, and it shares tools to increase preparedness for these hazards.

Wisconsin Sea Grant

Wisconsin Sea Grant shares coastal hazards resources and tools for property owners. Also, learn about on-going projects with the Southeastern Wisconsin Coastal Resilience Community of Practice.

Find more information about preparing for coastal hazards under Illinois-Indiana and Michigan Sea Grant’s tabs.

Featured Coastal Hazard
Preparedness Impacts

Coastal Hazards Preparedness News

(top left) A hand holding a pen traces a map for determining flood risk; (top right) an aerial view of waterfront property flooding; (bottom left) a walkway to docked fishing boats on the left and right; (bottom right) a person speaking and pointing to a flipchart while other participants listen.
Climate

NOAA Sea Grant Advances Resilient Coastal Communities with $4 Million in Support

Sea Grant programs across the U.S. are scaling up capacity to support additional hands-on, collaborative engagement to advance the sustainability of coastal and Great Lakes communities. Sea Grant awarded $4 million in fiscal year 2023 funds to its grant-based programs nationwide to continue or expand ongoing work or address new opportunities for coastal climate adaptation and resilience for the communities that Sea Grant serves.

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Coastal Hazards Preparedness

Woods Hole Sea Grant collaborates with NOAA Climate Program Office on coastal monitoring website

Those interested in monitoring shoreline change in their communities have a new resource to help them get started – a web-based inventory of citizen science efforts to track coastal change in the U.S. The site, Communities Tracking Coastal Change, was created by NOAA Climate Program Office’s Coastal Inundation Risk Team and Woods Hole Sea Grant.

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