SANDY HOOK–Westport residents are being asked to share their experiences with natural hazards as part of a regional planning effort led by the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG).

WestCOG has launched a brief five-question online survey to help shape its 2026–2031 Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, a document that evaluates risks from natural disasters and outlines strategies to reduce their impact. 

The survey, which takes about two minutes to complete, allows participants to describe any impacts they’ve experienced from events such as flooding, severe storms or power outages since 2020.

Residents can access the survey here:

According to WestCOG, Hazard Mitigation Plans are updated every five years and play a critical role in helping communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters. They also serve as a prerequisite for many federal and state grant opportunities that fund resilience and infrastructure improvements. WestCOG develops both regional and local components of the plan for its 18 member municipalities, which includes Westport.

Through this effort, WestCOG aims to identify practical actions that can reduce risks associated with a range of hazards, including flooding, high winds, winter storms, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and earthquakes.

The tropical systems of 2021, when Elsa, Fred, Henri, and Ida caused power outages and road closures in the state, along with the severe flooding in August 2024, underscore the importance of proactive planning. 

WestCOG officials consider community input a key part of the process. In addition to completing the survey, residents can sign up for updates and learn about upcoming public meetings tied to the planning process.