Deployables Day
A citywide training exercise on temporary flood protection.
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11:00am - 3:00pm -
1 City Hall Square
PlazaBoston, MA 02201 -
Contact:Environment Department
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Price:PriceFREE
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Neighborhood:NeighborhoodCitywide
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Published Date
Join us for Deployables Day, a citywide training exercise on temporary flood protection
Boston is among the most vulnerable cities in the country to flooding. As sea levels rise, damaging floods will shift from a rare occurrence to a common reality.
October 09, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Experience deployable flood barriers at City Hall Plaza.
Learn about the City’s flood protection measures, ways to stay safe during a flood, and whether a deployable is right for you at City Hall Plaza.
Visit deployable flood barriers across the city. A walking tour begins at 12 p.m. at the Aquarium T Station and will conclude at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall Plaza where we will hear from local climate leaders.
Explore how the City is being protected from flooding and what you can do to stay safe.
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11:00am - 3:00pm
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1 City Hall Square
PlazaBoston, MA 02201 -
Contact:Environment Department
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Price:PriceFREE
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Neighborhood:NeighborhoodCitywide
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Published Date
What is a deployable flood barrier?
A deployable is a flood barrier system that is put into place before or during a flood, and then taken down after the flood has passed. Deployable flood barriers can be more effective than traditional temporary barrier methods, such as sandbags, and can be quickly deployed with minimal setup time.
What does a deployable look like?
A deployable flood barrier is constructed from textile-based materials and metal posts that reside in a small container and are manually deployed. The supporting wall can belong to surrounding buildings or short to close-off doorways. The design is scalable to accommodate a range of water heights and layouts
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQsHow do I apply for a permit to install a deployable flood barrier?
Retrofitting your building with a deployable flood barrier will require an ALT Permit with the Inspectional Services Department.
If your proposed flood barrier is not completely contained within your privately-owned land parcel, you will need to apply for a Specific Repairs license from the City’s Public Improvement Commission. This requires several steps:
- Reach out to the Office of Emergency Management at OEM@BOSTON.GOV for input on how to incorporate your proposed flood barrier into existing emergency planning efforts in your area.
- Engage a building engineer to create engineered plans for your proposed barrier based on an existing conditions report which establishes property lines, building edges and sidewalk composition.)
- Reach out to the Public Improvement Commission at PIC@BOSTON.GOV to notify the Commission of your interest in applying for license
- With PIC’s approval, submit your request for a Public Hearing on your proposed project.
How do I know when to put up my deployable flood barrier?
- For liability reasons, the City does not provide specific guidance on when to deploy privately-owned barriers. You can reference the Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines and Zoning Viewer for new construction and building retrofits to understand more about flood risk at your specific building’s elevation.
- Best practice is to maintain a regularly-updated standard operating procedure (SOP) for when and how to deploy your flood barrier. Some factors to consider when creating an SOP include how long it takes to install, accessibility of entrances and exits when the barrier is deployed, and systems of notification for the building’s occupants
My building has a deployable flood barrier, how can I make sure it’s in compliance with City requirements and regulations?
Once installed, deployable flood barriers must be registered with the Office of Emergency Management via the Deployable Flood Barrier Registration Form. Building owners are responsible for keeping their registration information up to date
My building does not have a deployable flood barrier, how can I learn more about whether one is needed?
If you're a private building owner in Boston looking to assess whether a deployable flood barrier is suitable for your property, the City’s Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines can provide valuable insights. Here’s a step-by-step approach to using these guidelines effectively:
- Assess your flood risk: The Coastal Flood Resilience Overlay District (CFROD) includes areas of the City of Boston anticipated to be flooded with a 1% chance storm event in 2070 with 40-inches of sea level rise. You can determine whether or not your building is in the CFROD by consulting the Zoning Viewer.
- Evaluate Building Vulnerabilities: Identify the specific vulnerabilities of your building. This includes the potential entry points for floodwaters (such as doors, windows, and garage openings) and the critical areas that need protection.
- Review Recommended Protection Measures: The City’s guidelines outline various floodproofing strategies based on different flood scenarios and building floor elevations.
- Consult with Experts: Engage with an architect or building engineer who can help assess your building’s specific needs based on the guidelines. They can offer recommendations on the most effective deployable barrier systems and ensure that the chosen solution aligns with both the guidelines and your building’s requirements.
- Review Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the deployable barriers you consider meet local regulations and standards for flood protection. (See: How do I apply for a permit to install a deployable flood barrier? below)
- Plan for Integration: If deployable barriers are suitable, plan how they will be integrated into your building's flood preparedness strategy. This includes training for staff or occupants on deployment procedures and ensuring that the barriers are readily accessible when needed.
What types of deployable flood barriers exist?
Deployable flood barriers come in various types, each designed for different scenarios and levels of flood risk. Here’s a rundown of some common types:
- Inflatable Barriers: These are quick to deploy and typically consist of large, inflatable tubes that can be rapidly filled with air or water to form a barrier. They are often used in temporary or emergency situations.
- Modular Barriers: These systems consist of interlocking units that can be assembled to create a barrier of the desired length and height. They can be made from materials like plastic, metal, or composite materials and are useful for both temporary and semi-permanent installations.
- Hydraulic Barriers: These barriers use water pressure to create a seal. They typically consist of a flexible membrane supported by water-filled bladders or other hydraulic mechanisms. They can be effective for longer-term solutions and can adapt to various flood depths.
- Barrier Walls: These are often made from materials like concrete, metal, or reinforced plastic and can be erected or dismantled as needed. They can be either permanent or deployable.
- Sandbags and Water-filled Barriers: Traditional sandbags are still commonly used, though they are labor-intensive to deploy. Water-filled barriers are similar but use water instead of sand, offering quicker setup and removal.
- Rolling Barriers: These are large, roll-up barriers that can be unrolled and placed across an area to form a flood barrier. They are typically made from durable materials like heavy-duty fabrics or polymers and are often used for large-scale protection.
- Fabric and Composite Barriers: These barriers use advanced fabrics or composite materials to create a deployable barrier. They are often lightweight and designed for quick deployment and storage.
- Gates and Shields: These barriers can be deployed across doorways, driveways, or other openings. They are often used in combination with other types of barriers for added protection.
How do I talk to my building owner or super about deployable flood barriers?
If you are a tenant in a flood-prone building and aren't sure if your building manager or owner knows about flood deployables, share this page with them! It features a FAQ for property managers and owners to help them assess if a deployable flood barrier is right for their property.
How can I stay safe during a flood?
- Check out the Office of Emergency Management’s Tips for Dealing with a Flood.
- Sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston.
- Know your zone! Know your hurricane evacuation zone and route and be prepared to evacuate if directed by public officials.
- Find out how vulnerable your home is to flooding and, if your home is in a flood-prone area, contact the National Flood Insurance program to learn what mitigation measures you can take in advance.
- If you live in a flood-prone area, keep these materials on hand: sandbags, plywood, lumber, plastic sheeting, trash bags, shovels, work boots, and gloves.
- Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies, copies of critical information, and non-perishable food items.
