Preparing for Coastal Hazards Across Cape Cod
Published on: September 22, 2026
Coastal preparation does not begin when a storm appears in the forecast. It happens throughout the year as residents prepare their homes, towns plan for future flooding and communities share what they are learning.
Here are three updates from Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and its regional partners.
Communities Consider New Floodplain Regulations
The Chatham Conservation Commission has adopted new floodplain regulations developed by Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, the Cape Cod Commission and project partners.
The model regulations help conservation commissions review proposed work in flood-prone areas. They give communities another tool for making informed decisions about development and future flood risks.
Other Cape and Islands communities are discussing or have adopted versions of the regulations. These include Eastham, Orleans, Harwich, Dennis, Yarmouth, Provincetown, West Tisbury and Nantucket.
Each community can review the model regulations and determine how they may fit its local needs.
Updated Coastal Hazard Handbook Helps Homeowners Prepare
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant have released an updated edition of the Massachusetts Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Hazards.
The free handbook explains how coastal storms affect Massachusetts and provides practical steps residents can take before and after a storm.
Topics include:
- Preparing your family and home
- Creating emergency and evacuation plans
- Understanding flood risk
- Reducing possible damage to your property
- Protecting important documents
- Returning home safely after a storm
- Understanding the science behind coastal storms, flooding and erosion
The handbook is useful for anyone who lives on Cape Cod, not only people with waterfront homes. Coastal storms can cause flooding, power outages, road closures and fallen trees well beyond the shoreline.
Read the Massachusetts Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Hazards.
For more local guidance, read our blog post Before the Wind and Rain: How to Prepare Your Cape Cod Home.
Free Coastal Conference Returns to Martha’s Vineyard
Scientists, planners, emergency management professionals, town officials and community members will gather for the free 2026 Islands Coastal Conference on Tuesday, October 6.
The conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, located at 79 Beach Road in Vineyard Haven.
This year’s agenda includes four sessions:
- Coastal processes, geology and community
- Emergency response and island storm recovery
- Fisheries, water quality and coastal habitat
- Salt marsh restoration
The event is free and open to coastal managers, environmental organizations, town staff and officials, conservation commissions, planning boards, consultants, researchers and interested members of the public.
Registration is requested by Friday, October 2.
View the full conference agenda and register for the 2026 Islands Coastal Conference.
Preparing Before the Next Storm
Floodplain regulations, homeowner resources and regional conferences may look like separate efforts. Together, they help residents and communities make informed decisions before coastal hazards affect their homes, roads and neighborhoods.
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension works with towns and regional partners to provide science-based information about coastal flooding, erosion, storm preparation and floodplain management.
Explore coastal flooding, erosion and hazard resources from Cape Cod Cooperative Extension.
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Learn more about all our programs at capecod.gov/extension..
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