English Español Português Kreyòl Ayisyen नेपाली 简体中文 繁體中文 Türkçe العربية

Community Health & Resiliency

Not everyone in Somerville will be impacted by climate change in the same way, or to the same degree. Climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities in Somerville and perpetuates and exacerbates systems of inequality despite low-income and marginalized communities contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions and climate pollution.

As Somerville builds its resiliency, incorporating principles of climate justice is vital. As Somerville works to strengthen our social and system infrastructure, individuals and communities can prepare for hazards like flooding and extreme heat to help ensure a safe, healthy, and resilient tomorrow.

As such, Community Health & Resilience is a key focus area in Somerville’s Climate Forward Plan. The Plan lays out the actions our community will take to prepare the community for the risks from climate change and ensure all residents have access to resources to meet their basic needs. Somerville is committed to building a resilient city where everyone can continue to thrive in the face of a changing climate.

Jump To:

Life Preserver
Extreme Heat and Flooding
People
Preparedness
Check Mark
What You Can Do
View Contact Information

The OSE team works remotely from time to time, so please call their cell phones if you are unable to reach them at their office extensions.

Hours

Monday - Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Email

ose@somervillema.gov

Address

City Hall Annex
50 Evergreen Ave.
Somerville, MA 02145

View All Staff Contacts

 

Extreme Heat and Flooding

Keep Cool Somerville

Climate projections show us that extreme heat is on its way, and hotter temperatures are already starting to arrive. Keep Cool Somerville is an initiative to improve community resilience to extreme heat. The initiative began in 2020 as a collaboration between the City of Somerville and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to address the health impacts of climate change.

The program recently awarded grants to help community members:

  • Pay their utility bills
  • Purchase A/C units
  • Stay cool outside with cooling kits
     
Information and stories about heat waves and extreme heat were posted in Somerville open spaces in 2021.
A map of the hottest areas in Somerville.


Flood Ready Somerville

Whether water is backing up your street or your basement is flooding more frequently, Somerville is here to help. Flood Ready Somerville is a municipal program designed to help educate and equip residents with the tools they need to identify and manage flooding effectively.

As sea levels continue to rise and we experience more frequent rainstorms, flooding becomes more and more of a threat to our homes, businesses, and institutions. Let the City help you become Flood Ready!
 

The Somerville Flood Ready program provides information about how community members can prepare for flooding and what the City is doing to mitigate flooding.
A map showing areas that are projected to experience more stormwater flooding because of climate change.



Preparedness

City Alert Network

The City operates an emergency alert network which has over 70,000 subscribers and offers alerts in five languages. The system allows the City to quickly notify citizens of extreme weather or other emergencies.

Alert networks like Somerville's are vital to ensuring residents are prepared and ready for dangerous climate hazards like major hurricanes, blizzards, or flash floods.
 

 

What You Can Do

Stay Safe. Be Resilient.

A community member drinking water during a heat wave.

 

  • Learn tips for heat safety using Keep Cool Somerville
  • Sign up for emergency alerts through the Somerville Alert Network
  • Learn practical tips for dealing with flooding using Flood Ready Somerville

     


 Check out SustainaVille, the home of Somerville’s climate action initiatives.

 

 

Programs & Initiatives

HP 12C calculator alongside a stack of coins

Technical Assistance Programming

If you are a business, consultant, or non-profit that may be able to support Somerville’s business community, we encourage you to respond to our Request for Information (RFI).

School Construction Advisory Group (CAG)

Members will develop a recommendation to the Mayor on both the location and scope of a renovated or new school to meet the needs of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School and potentially the Benjamin G. Brown School.
View All City Programs & Initiatives

Feedback

Please submit website feedback using this form. Be sure to include:

A description of the issue (if any)
A link to the affected pages

Thank you for your feedback!