Regional Adaptation Projects

As of 2022, five (5) areas of our state have developed comprehensive climate and health adaptation plans based on a CDC climate framework.

The southeast region of our state, with its lower elevations and proximity to the Gulf of Maine, has a warmer climate in summer and less severe climate in winter. The northern and western regions have higher elevations and latitude, so experience more extreme cold temperatures. All regions are covered by an overall hazard mitigation plan for the entire state.

Southwest Region - Monadnock

The Monadnock stakeholders identified extreme precipitation, flooding, and older adults as the key hazards and vulnerable populations.  They developed strategies to build individual resilience via home emergency preparedness and community resilience via inter-agency education and collaboration

Eastern Region - Seacoast

The Seacoast and Rockingham county stakeholders identified expanding tick habitat, tick bites as the main hazards and outdoor youth/workers as the most vulnerable populations.  They developed strategies to build individual resilience to ticks via training of youth caregivers (e.g. after school staff and camp counselors) and education outreach to the community.    

Northwest Region - Upper Valley of NH/VT

The Upper Valley stakeholders identified extreme rising temperatures, extreme heat as the key hazards with older adults living alone as the most vulnerable populations.  They developed strategies to build individual resilience via heat via training of an existing volunteer ‘Meals on Wheels’ program to educate and check in on elders living alone.  

Central Region – Lakes & Winnipesaukee

The Lakes Region stakeholders identified expanding tick habitat, tick bites as the main hazards and outdoor youth as the vulnerable populations.  They developed strategies to build individual resilience to ticks via training of youth caregivers (e.g. summer recreation camp counselors in Laconia & Tilton) in order to guide and teach young people playing outdoors. 

Southern Region - Nashua

The Greater Nashua stakeholders identified rising temperatures and heat stress as the main climate hazards with urban/suburban rental tenants as the vulnerable populations.  They developed strategies to build individual resilience via education materials for at-risk populations and training of emergency management professionals.

State Hazard Mitigation Plan

The NH Department of Safety maintains a state-wide plan to respond to weather, climate and other hazards that are likely to affect our citizens.  The plan includes a discussion of how increasing temperatures, extreme precipitation, and rising sea levels affect our state.

State Climate and Health Adaptation Plan

NH Division of Public Health Services and partners created a state-wide plan to address the public health impacts of extreme weather and a changing climate. The document includes a report on progress since a 2010 plan was initiated and proposed three strategies to reduce public health impacts via efforts to mobilize partnerships, inform communities, and develop policies.

Other Climate Regions

Not all Regional Public Health Networks applied for a grant to create a climate and health adaptation plan, so one may not exist for your specific location.  As an alternative, start by reading your local hazard mitigation plan.  Search your municipal website to find a local plan.