UMass Wins State, Federal Approval of Natural Hazard Plans

COURTESY OF UMASS-DARTMOUTH

BOSTON (AP) — The University of Massachusetts has won state and federal approval of plans to protect the system’s campuses from natural hazards.

School officials say it’s necessary to prepare for threats such as storms or flooding amid climate change and the extreme weather tied to it.

The university began preparing its plans four years ago. They were recently approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its state counterpart in Massachusetts.

The university has also been awarded $1 million in state grants to purchase emergency generators.

Having emergency plans approved by FEMA makes the university eligible for additional grants if a natural disaster does strike.

UMass officials say that only one other public university in New England, the University of Maine, has received state and federal approval for plans of this type.