Boston To Hold Flood Barrier Exercise Along Downtown Waterfront

The emergency preparedness exercise is part of the annual Deployables Day event.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Sep 30, 2026 10:01 AM EDT | Updated Sep 30, 2026 10:02 AM EDT

Deployable flood barriers are temporary systems that can be installed ahead of forecast flooding and removed once the threat has passed. (Jenna Fisher/Patch)

BOSTON, MA — The city will host a walking tour and emergency response exercise Wednesday to test temporary flood barriers designed to protect low-lying neighborhoods and properties from coastal flooding.

Boston's third annual Deployables Day is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. to approximately 1:15 p.m. at several locations along Boston Harbor. The event will include demonstrations of temporary flood barriers, an emergency rescue drill, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Michelle Wu marking the completion of a $12 million flood-resilience project at Harbor Towers.

The approximately one-mile tour will begin at 11 a.m. at Martin's Park on 64 Sleeper St., where city officials will discuss flood prevention efforts and a new deployable barrier installed to help protect the Seaport from flooding along the Fort Point Channel. The route will then continue through the downtown waterfront before ending at Harbor Towers.

At approximately 12 p.m., the Boston Fire Department and Boston Emergency Medical Services will conduct a technical rescue drill behind 280 Congress St. Firefighters will practice rescuing fire cadets over an AquaFence flood barrier before transporting them in one of the city's high-water vehicles to a casualty collection point, where Boston EMS personnel will conduct a simulated triage.

Wu is expected to join the tour at approximately 12:50 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Harbor Towers on 65-85 East India Row. The $12 million project was designed to protect the two 40-story residential towers from coastal flooding, extreme weather, and sea-level rise and is the first privately owned property along Boston Harbor to complete a project of its type, according to the city.

Harbor Towers began planning the flood protection project after coastal storms demonstrated the property's vulnerability to flooding. During storms in 2018, floodwaters came within inches of portions of the property. The resulting project includes permanent and temporary barriers, drainage improvements, waterproofing, and other measures designed to protect the waterfront complex from future flooding.

The system was designed to protect Harbor Towers against projected flooding from a 1% annual-chance storm in 2070, with an additional foot of protection included in the design. The project was also designed to limit changes to the appearance of the two towers, which were designed by I.M. Pei and Partners.

Deployable flood barriers are temporary systems that can be installed ahead of forecast flooding and removed once the threat has passed. Boston uses the barriers to protect properties and other locations vulnerable to flooding, including areas where permanent flood protection has not yet been completed or may not be practical. The city also maintains a registry of deployable flood barriers and can notify participating property owners when flooding is forecast.

The barriers are one part of Boston's broader effort to prepare waterfront neighborhoods for increased coastal flooding and sea-level rise. The city has developed coastal resilience plans for several areas, including Charlestown, East Boston, Downtown and the North End, South Boston and Dorchester. Those plans include a combination of raised waterfront areas, shoreline improvements, building floodproofing and temporary flood barriers.

Wednesday's exercise comes days after a late-September nor'easter brought heavy rain and strong winds to Massachusetts and prompted coastal flooding concerns across the region. Boston officials warned residents ahead of the storm about the potential for flooding in low-lying areas and other locations vulnerable to high water.

The walking tour is open to residents, property owners and other members of the public.