There are 161 Berkshire County dams rated by the state as a "high hazard" to life and property should they fail. Plus at least one that the state didn t know
Flooding, storms and dam failures are the biggest environmental threats facing North Adams, and climate change is exacerbating those risks.
The city outlined the dangers in a draft Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan published Monday. Under federal law, the city must prepare the plan to be eligible for mitigation project grants.
The report also details potential threats from droughts, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, insect-borne illnesses, invasive species and cyberattacks.
Former City Administrator Michael Canales led the committee that was formed last year to create the report. The committee included representatives from North Adams public safety agencies, various city departments and the public schools system. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission worked with the city to gather data and develop the plan.