WORCESTER, MA — Worcester has received a major state grant to complete the final phase of a four-year effort addressing increased urban flooding linked to climate change.
The city was awarded a $900,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant, the city announced Wednesday. The money will fund the completion of Worcester's Integrated Flood Model, designs for a priority nature-based project and stormwater education at four elementary schools.
Work is expected to begin in early fall 2026 and conclude in June 2027, the city said.
The model will combine information about the city's stormwater system, drainage network, combined sewers and waterways. During the final phase, the city will fill remaining drainage data gaps and use monitoring records and historical flooding information to calibrate and validate the model.
Officials will use the completed model to assess current and future flood risks under multiple climate scenarios, including potential effects on Environmental Justice communities, critical infrastructure and community assets.
"We're excited to receive this funding to complete a four-year effort to better prepare Worcester for increased urban flooding due to climate change," Chief Sustainability Officer John Odell said. "Once complete, the flood model will let us make evidence-driven decisions about development and about where to invest in green and gray infrastructure improvements citywide."
An initial grant funded the city's Stormwater & Green Infrastructure Master Plan between 2023 and 2025. A second grant funded the development of the Integrated Flood Model between 2025 and 2026, along with stormwater and stream monitoring.
The Department of Sustainability and Resilience and the Department of Public Works will jointly implement the latest phase.
Worcester's project was among 38 selected for action grants in the latest funding round, the city said. The Healey-Driscoll administration's Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program supports local efforts to identify climate hazards, plan resilience strategies and complete adaptation projects.
Since the program began in 2017, 349 of Massachusetts' 351 municipalities have participated and more than $248 million has been awarded for local climate resilience planning and projects, according to the city.
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