Town of Hillsborough New Hampshire
Former Contoocook Mills and Bridge along Route 149 and Contoocook River, Business District Hillsborough Photos accessed on Panoramio/Google Maps 05-10-16
Adopted by the Hillsborough Board of Selectmen January 10, 2017
NHHSEM/FEMA Approved February 22, 2017
Town of Hillsborough New Hampshire
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017
Adopted January 10, 2017 NHHSEM/FEMA Approved February 22, 2017
Town of Hillsborough PO Box 7 27 School Street Hillsborough, NH 03244 Phone: (603) 464-3877 web: www.town.hillsborough.nh.us
Central NH Regional Planning Commission 28 Commercial Street, Suite 3 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 226-6020 Web: www.cnhrpc.org
NH Department of Safety NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management 33 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03305 (Mailing Address)
Incident Planning and Operations Center 110 Smokey Bear Blvd Concord, NH 03301 (Physical Address) Phone: (800) 852-3792 or (603) 271-2231 Web: www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/hsem
US Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency 99 High Street, Sixth Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Phone: (617) 223-9540 Web: www.fema.gov
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
1 PLANNING PROCESS ...... 1 Certificate of Adoption, 2016 ...... 1 Plan Process Acknowledgements...... 3 Authority...... 4 Methodology ...... 5
2 COMMUNITY PROFILE ...... 9 Geographic Context ...... 9 Population and Housing Growth ...... 12 Land Use and Zoning ...... 14
3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 16 What are Goals, Objectives and Actions ...... 16 Overall Hazard Mitigation Plan Goals ...... 17 General Hazard Mitigation Objectives ...... 17
4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT ...... 19 Hazard Risk Assessment Ratings ...... 20 Central NH Region Major Disaster Declarations, 1973-2016 ...... 26 Recent Disaster Events Summary ...... 28 Local Climate Changes and Extreme Weather ...... 44 Detailed Hazard Events in Hillsborough ...... 51 Existing and Potential Future Hazards ...... 92 Hillsborough’s Built Environment Changes Since the 2011 Plan ...... 101
5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND LOSS ESTIMATION ...... 104 Critical Facilities ...... 105 Community Facilities ...... 108 Potential Losses from Natural Disasters...... 110 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) ...... 118
6 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT ...... 123 Local Mitigation Capabilities ...... 124 Review of Existing Plans ...... 141
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7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION ...... 142 Action Status Determination ...... 143 Review of 2011 Actions ...... 144 New Actions from Community Vulnerability and Capability Assessments ...... 149 Potential Action Evaluation ...... 150 Natural Hazards Evaluated for Which Specific Actions Were Not Identified ...... 154
8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN ...... 156 Hillsborough’s Mitigation Action Plan 2017 ...... 156 Action Evaluation and Prioritization Methods ...... 161
9 ANNUAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION ...... 164 Annual Monitoring and Update of the Mitigation Action Plan ...... 164 Tasks of the Plan Update ...... 167 Implementing the Plan through Existing Programs ...... 169 Continued Public Involvement ...... 173 Implementation and Evaluation of the Plan ...... 174
10 APPENDICES ...... 176 A Critical and Community Facility Vulnerability Assessment ...... A-1 B Annual Interim Plan Evaluation and Implementation Worksheets...... B-1 C Meeting Information ...... C-1 D Plan Approval Documentation ...... D-1
11 MAPS ...... 177 Map 1 - Potential Hazards ...... 11x17 folded at the end Map 2 - Past Hazards ...... 11x17 folded at the end Map 3 - Assets and Risks ...... 11x17 folded at the end Map 4 - Potential Hazards and Losses ...... 11x17 folded at the end
Page ii Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17
1 PLANNING PROCESS
Plan Process Acknowledgments
The Board of Selectmen-appointed Hazard Mitigation Committee was comprised of these individuals who met between December 2015 through May 2016 to develop the Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017:
Dana Brien, Hillsborough Health Department Officer / Senior Services Director / Welfare Officer Peter Brigham, Hillsborough Health Department Deputy / Youth Services Director Laura Buono, Hillsborough Town Administrator / Staff Coordinator William Goss, Hillsborough Public Works Department Foreman Scott Murdough, Hillsborough Fire Department / Emergency Management Director Robyn Payson, Hillsborough Land Use Department Planning Director David Roarick, Hillsborough Police Department Chief Kenneth Stafford Jr, Hillsborough Fire Department Chief /Deputy Emergency Management Director
The following Central NH Regional Planning Commission staff contributed to the development of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update:
Stephanie Alexander, CNHRPC Senior Planner Craig Tufts, CNHRPC Principal Planner (GIS Mapping)
Members of the public* and other individuals attended one or more Committee meetings and/or contributed information to the content of the Plan: * member of the public Larisa Djuvelek-Ruggiero, Hillsborough Citizen* Patricia Parenteau, Hillsborough-Deering-Washington-Windsor SAU #34 Assistant Superintendent* Don Decowski, Hillsborough Citizen* Roland Bovio, Hillsborough Fire Department EMS Captain Michael Borden, Hillsborough Building Inspector John Segody, Hillsborough Citizen* Janet Byron, Hillsborough Citizen* David Fullerton, Hillsborough Board of Selectmen member Alan Urquhart, Hillsborough Board of Selectmen Chairperson
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Authority
In 2000, the President enacted the Disaster Mitigation Act 2000 (DMA) which requires states and municipalities to have local natural hazard mitigation plans in place in order to be eligible for disaster and mitigation funding programs such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs, including Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. New Hampshire is awarded funds based upon the completeness of its State Plan and upon the number of local plans in place.
As a result of the DMA, funding was provided to state offices of emergency management, including the New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management, to produce local (municipal) hazard mitigation plans. To remain in compliance with the DMA, the Town of Hillsborough is required to submit for FEMA approval a revised Hazard Mitigation Plan Update every five years.
The New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NH HSEM) produced its latest State of New Hampshire Hazard Mitigation Plan 2013. The development of the State’s Plan allows for New Hampshire to receive funding programs to provide to communities in the event of disasters or for mitigation.
Prior versions of the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan are noted in the Final Plan Dates section.
This Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017 has been developed in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and the FEMA Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide October 1, 2011 and effective one year later. The most recent Plan development standards provided by FEMA Region I have also been incorporated. The planning effort of the Town is a regular process and this Plan is considered to be a “living document.”
The 2016 Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee was established by the Board of Selectmen in 2015 and guided the development of the Plan. The Committee consisted of the Town’s Fire Department/Code Enforcement, Town Administration, Police Department, Emergency Management, Highway Department, Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and Conservation Commission.
The attendees of the meeting process are noted in the Acknowledgements. The Central NH Regional Planning Commission, of which Hillsborough is a member, contributed to the development of this Plan by facilitating the meeting and technical processes, working with the Committee and its members to obtain information, preparing the document, and handling the submissions to NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management and FEMA.
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Methodology
The Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017 was developed over a six-month period, with a group of Town staff members and volunteers and the CNHRPC comprising the majority of the Hazard Mitigation Committee. The 2016 methodology for Plan development is summarized in this section. This Hazard Mitigation Plan is designed differently from the 2011 Plan with the intent to develop a shorter, less redundant Plan for utility purposes, with easier updating and implementation while meeting FEMA’s requirements. The Plan roughly follows the FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Handbook, 2013 by using its terminology and some of its tasks, ensuring Hillsborough’s Plan Update 2017 begins to follow a standardized approach to Plan construction and content endorsed by FEMA. Supporting sections of the 2017 Plan Update will be contained in the 10 APPENDICES A-D.
Meetings and Duties The meetings and tasks of the Hazard Mitigation Committee were dictated by Agendas and how much the Committee was able to complete for each Agenda is displayed in Table 1. Work Sessions were designed to accomplish what could not be completed at meetings due to time constrains.
Table 1 Meeting Schedule and Agenda Activities Meeting Date Agenda Activities Meeting 1 11/10/15 Discuss Process and Schedule, Hazard Risk Assessment, Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment, Review & Revise Maps 1-2-3, Schedule Meetings Work Session 1 11/24/15 Hazard Risk Assessment, Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment, Review & Revise Maps 1-2-3 Meeting 2 12/15/15 Review & Update Goals and Objectives, Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment, Review Former Existing Measures -> Now Capability Assessment, Develop List of Existing Mitigation Plans and Documents Work Session 2 01/12/16 Continue Capability Assessment Work Session 2.2 01/26/16 Complete Capability Assessment Meeting 3 03/15/16 Review 2011 Actions and Determine Status, Develop New Actions from Problem Statements (Community Vulnerability Assessment) and Capability Assessment's Future Improvements, Potential Action Evaluation, Mitigation Action Plan and STAPLEE Ranking Score Prioritization Work Session 3 03/29/16 Continue Potential Action Evaluation, begin Mitigation Action Plan
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Table 1, continued Meeting Schedule and Agenda Activities Meeting Date Agenda Activities Work Session 3.2 04/12/16 Determine Action Timeframe, Cost, Responsibility & Funding for Each Action, Prioritize Actions using STAPLEE Meeting 4 05/10/16 Complete Meeting 3 Tasks; Schedule Public Information Meeting, Potential Future Hazards
Work Session 4 05/17/16 Review Entire Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan, Appendices, and Maps, Rate Hazard Severity of Recent Hazard Events, Prepare for Public Information Meeting, Review Plan Approval Process Public 06/02/16 HMC members present sections of the Plan to members of the Information public in a question and answer format. Maps will be available. Meeting Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee Agendas, 2015-2016
For each meeting, all meeting attendees signed attendance sheets and meeting match timesheets, documenting their time at the meetings. Members of the public assisted with completing the Agendas, including developing the Hazard Risk Assessment, Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment, Capability Assessment, and Mitigation Action Plan, completing the STAPLEE Action Prioritization, etc. along with the Committee members. The agendas and attendance sheets are included in APPENDIX C of the Plan.
The specific meeting tasks are described in detail on the Agendas in APPENDIX C. CNHRPC staff facilitated the Committee meetings and Work Sessions. Information needed on the Agenda Tasks indicated above was collected from any attendees present, including any members of the public, by CNHRPC, during discussions among attendees. The new and updated information was described in each Chapter under the 2017 Plan Update section. Maps were reviewed and updated by the Committee and guests and revised in a GIS by CNHRPC.
In between meetings, Town staff and volunteers and CNHRPC staff researched and collected information for the Chapters. CNHRPC updated and rewrote Chapters, tables, and sections as appropriate. The Chapters were also updated by revising the document to the current FEMA standards.
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Opportunity for Public Participation Public Outreach Strategy Public Input from the Hazard Mitigation Many individuals were personally invited to attend and Committee Meetings participate in the Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan The public extensive notification is described in Committee meetings. They included representatives from the Hillsborough School District SAU #34, Emerald Lake the Public Outreach Strategy sidebar. However, Village District, and Historical Society. Emergency one member of the public attended the meetings Management Directors from the neighboring communities of as indicated in the Acknowledgements and by Bradford, Deering, Henniker, Antrim, Windsor and Washington were also specifically invited by Hillsborough’s the Attendance Sheets in APPENDIX C Town Administration to fully participate in the Hazard Meeting Information. In this instance, “the Mitigation Committee discussions and help guide the Plan’s direction. The NH Homeland Security and Emergency public” means “a person who is not a Town, Management (NHHSEM) Field Representative was invited School, state, or federal government staff and attended several meetings. member or other staff person paid for by local The Hazard Mitigation Committee itself was appointed by tax dollars, or who is not a current Town the Board of Selectmen to comprise all primary Town Departments, including Town Administration, Public Works, volunteer.” The public had the opportunity to Fire, Recycling/Solid Waste, Police, Health, and Emergency attend and participate in the 11 posted meetings Management Departments and the Town Boards of or to contact the Town Administrator for more Selectmen and Planning and the Commissions of information. Conservation and Water and Sewer. The public process for this Plan included sending out media
releases to The Messenger (weekly regional to 35 towns) and Public Input from the Public Information The Villager (weekly local to 12 towns) and the Concord Meeting Monitor (daily regional to 41 towns). All interested parties were invited to participate, including media, residents, The Public Information Meeting (PIM) was held businesses, organizations, local communities, non-profits, on June 7, 2016. The Hazard Mitigation and State and federal agencies. The colorful public meeting Committee members presented portions of the notice flyers were posted on the Town’s website at www.town.hillsborough.nh.us and the Town Calendar online, Plan and had the Maps available for display. The on the Town Hall bulletin board and at the Post Office. All agenda and attendance sheet are included in local interests had an opportunity to attend and participate APPENDIX C. Input from the public was in the meetings. Copies of publicity for the Plan are included in APPENDIX C. received during the Meeting according to the The Central NH Regional Planning Commission, a quasi- meeting summary also included. As a result, the governmental regional organization of which Hillsborough is Radiological section of the Hazard Risk a member, contributed to the development of this Plan by Assessment was inserted. facilitating the meetings and guiding the planning process, and preparing the Plan documents, Appendices, and Maps. As a final attempt to obtain additional public input, a specially noticed Public Information Meeting was held on Public Input from the Board of Selectmen June 7, 2016 with postings on the Town’s website and at the Adoption Meeting and the Town Calendar online, on the Town Office Bulletin Board, at the Post Office. A press release was published in The Board of Selectmen meeting to adopt the The Messenger and Villager newspapers and sent to the Hazard Mitigation Plan was held on January Concord Monitor. All meetings were publicly noticed as described. The attendees and publicity of the public planning 10, 2017. Although the Plan’s APA had been process are noted in the Acknowledgements.
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1 PLANNING PROCESS received, the Board permitted public comment prior to adoption although Plan changes could not be made at this time. Discussion was held prior to the unanimous adoption of the Plan by the Board.
Completion of the Plan Steps and Dates On August 19, 2016 and again on September 12, 2016, copies of this Plan were submitted to the NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NHHSEM) for their review and revision. When deemed compliant, the Plan was subsequently transmitted by NHHSEM to FEMA for FEMA’s approval.
On November 4, 2016, Hillsborough received an Approvable Pending Adoption (APA) notification from FEMA, stating the Plan will be approved by FEMA after proof of adoption by the local governing body, which is the Board of Selectmen, is submitted.
On January 10, 2017, the Board of Selectmen adopted the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update for the Town at a duly noticed public meeting. Copies had been made available at the Town Hall for public review on November 30, 2016. Copies of the public notice and flyers are included in APPENDIX C. The signed Certificate of Adoption was sent to NHHSEM/FEMA.
On February 22, 2017, Hillsborough received a Notification of Formal Approval from NHHSEM, with the Plan approval granted effective that day. A Letter of Formal Approval from FEMA confirming the notification will be forthcoming]. The next Hazard Mitigation Plan update is due five (5) years from this date of approval, on February 22, 2022.
Final Plan Dates The following is a summary of the required dates which guide the adoption and update of the Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan. Included is the history of the Plan approvals and expiration dates as shown in Table 2. Table 2 Plan Adoption History Year of FEMA-Approved Adoption by FEMA’s Formal Plan Expiration Hazard Mitigation Plan Hillsborough Board of Approval Selectmen Original 2005 March 30, 2005 May 19, 2005 May 19, 2010 Update 2011 June 22, 2010 May 26, 2011 May 26, 2016 Update 2017 January 10, 2017 February 22, 2017 February 22, 2022
Page 7 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 2 COMMUNITY PROFILE
2 COMMUNITY PROFILE
It has been five years since the last Plan was written, with the new decennial Census 2010 having been taken. The best available new data has been used in this Chapter to portray the population, housing, and overall demographic picture of present day Hillsborough. The former Relation to Natural Hazards section has been updated within 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT. Community and critical facilities that support the Town tie the fabric of the community into the most likely natural, human, and technological hazard events which could occur in those areas. These will be described in 5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND LOSS ESTIMATION.
A simplified description of how the Town’s population and housing have grown within the last four decades follows. Relationships of the locations of people and buildings to natural hazard events are generally explored. Examination of this information will allow the Town to better understand the land use and demographic trends within its borders and how emergency and preventative services can best serve the growing and changing population and landscape.
Geographic Context
The Town of Hillsborough is located in Central New Hampshire within Hillsborough County. It is bordered by the small Towns of Washington to the northeast, Bradford to the north, Henniker to the east, Deering and Antrim to the south and Windsor to the west. The Town’s southeastern section (20%) is considered the Business District, bisected by US Route 202 and NH Route 9. This is where the majority of the population lives and where economic development is attracted. The Contoocook River and its floodplain lie south of the Business District area and is a potential constant flooding threat to many sections of the Business District.
The northern section (75%) of the community is primarily rural in nature. These locations are at much higher elevations than the Business District. Loon Pond in the middle of the community is the Town’s drinking water source. The second largest community (5%) in Town lives along developed roads circling Emerald Lake (also known as Gould Pond). The community has its own Emerald Lake Village District for services taxation and services purposes but is still a part of the municipality of Hillsborough. NH Route 31 begins on Main Street and travels in a northwesterly direction into Windsor.
Hillsborough County borders Massachusetts and includes the cities of Manchester and Nashua. The county is the most populous in New Hampshire. The County contains 31 communities and major transportation corridors of US Route 3 and Interstates 93 and 293.
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Concord and Hillsborough are about 50 miles from the Massachusetts state border. Hillsborough is about 25 miles west of Concord and about 25 east of the Vermont state border, the mid-way point between Concord and Keene on NH Route 9/US Route 202. The Central NH Region itself is generally a 1- hour drive from the Maine state border, the seacoast and the White Mountains traveling along New Hampshire’s Interstates, US Routes, NH Routes, and local roadways. Hillsborough’s context within Hillsborough County and the State of New Hampshire is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Hillsborough in the State
Source: Central NH Regional Planning Commission
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Hillsborough is closely associated with the Central NH Region, one of 9 designated planning regions in the State. The Town is a voluntary member of the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission. The 19 Towns and 1 City comprising the Central NH Region contain several rivers and important highways. The Town Hillsborough is one of 2 communities in the Central NH Planning Region from Hillsborough County, with 18 communities in Merrimack County, including the City of Concord.
A map of the Central NH Region and Hillsborough’s location within is displayed in Figure 2.
Figure 2 Hillsborough in the Region
Source: Central NH Regional Planning Commission
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Population and Housing Growth
Hillsborough is finishing the development of an updated Master Plan in 2016. Chapters include detailed information on Community Profile, Land Use, Natural and Scenic Resources and Open Spaces, Transportation, Town Services and Facilities, Housing, Education, Economic Development and Regional Planning. The following data was taken from the most recent sources available during Hazard Mitigation Plan development to portray accurate demographic data of the community.
The following tables in contain the newest available data on housing and population growth which depict development trends over time. Hillsborough’s decennial population and housing rates have varied since the 1980-1990 growth boom in New Hampshire. The 2010 Census counted 6,011 people and 2,896 housing units in Hillsborough.
Table 3 Overall Population and Housing Growth Trends in Hillsborough, 1970-2014 Growth Population Net Change Housing Net Change # % Units # % 1970 Census 2,775 N/A 0 1,015 N/A 0 1980 Census 3,437 662 23.9% 1,620 605 59.6% 1990 Census 4,498 1,061 30.9% 2,157 537 33.1% 2000 Census 4,928 430 9.6% 2,326 169 7.8% 2010 Census 6,011 1,083 22.0% 2,896 570 24.5% Total Change from --- 3,236 116.6% --- 1,881 185.3% 1970 – 2010 Census 2014 Population & 5,966 -45 -0.7% 2,901 5 0.2% Housing Estimates* 44 years of increase + Population + Housing Sources: 1970-1990 US Census CPH-2-31 Table 9 Population and Housing Unit Counts; US Census 2000 & 2010 Data *includes all housing units, including vacant and seasonal NH Office of Energy and Planning Population Estimates 2014, 08-15 and NHOEP Housing Estimates 2010-2014
In Table 3, Hillsborough’s 2010 Census population of 6,011 shows an overall increase of about 117% in population over the previous four decades, up from 2,775 people in 1970. Between 2000 and 2010, the Town’s population increased by 22% (1,083 people) and housing by about 25% (570 units). These numbers trend similarly compared to other moderate-sized communities’ growth in the Central NH region over the 2000-2010 period. The overall 117% population growth rate (percentage) from 1970- 2010 is lower than most medium-sized communities in the Central NH region.
The number of housing units in Hillsborough increased by a higher rate than population since 1970, growing from 1,051 units in 1970 to almost triple that number to total 2,896 in 2010, an overall growth
Page 11 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 2 COMMUNITY PROFILE rate of 185%. This housing rate (percentage) is also lower than many medium-sized communities in the Central NH region.
The population (117%) and housing (185%) growth percentages did not grow equally since 1970. This can most simply be reviewed by determining the number of people who have lived in each housing unit over each decade. In 1970, the Town saw its highest number of people per housing unit, at 2.7 people. Since then, the number has remained fairly stable at 2.1 in each decade, 1980-2010 and in the estimates of 2014. Hillsborough’s overall population growth since 1970 increased by 3,236 people and 1,881 homes by 2010.
Table 4 Population Density in Hillsborough, 1970-2014 Municipality Size Persons per Square Mile Land Land Area in 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2014 Acreage Square Miles 27,968 43.7 64 79 103 113 138 137 Sources: Table 3, Office of Energy and Planning’s GIS acreage calculations, 2014
A good measurement of community population and housing change is population density, or how many people live in a square mile of land area. In Table 4, the overall population density has increased about 115%, from 64 people per square mile in 1970 to 103 people in 1990 and to 138 people in 2010. Between the 2000-2010 Census, the increase of 25 people per square mile indicates a greater increase than the previous decade of 1990-2000 (10). Hillsborough is a relatively large community in land area at about 44 square miles in size with development opportunities still available.
Table 5 New Construction Permits Issued by Building Type, 2010 – 2015 Building Type 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 6-Year Totals Single Family 3 1 1 2 4 6 17 Homes Multi-family 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Homes Manufactured 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 Homes Non-Residential 13 12 13 6 13 11 68 Buildings Totals 16 13 14 9 19 17 88
Source: Town of Hillsborough Town Reports, 2010-2015
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In Table 5, Hillsborough’s new construction permits over the last six years started low but began to increase in 2014. Between 2010-2015, a total of 17 single family homes received new construction permits. No (0) new multi-family homes, 3 new manufactured homes, and 68 new non-residential buildings were granted permits, showing significant economic growth in the Town. Within the 2010- 2015 timespan, the number of permits for single family homes ranged between a low of 1 in 2011/2012 to a high of 6 in 2015. Non-residential building permits remained steady, from 16 in 2010 to 17 in 2015, averaging 14 per year. However, it is likely the Town Reports included all construction permits instead of new construction permits, at least for the non-residential based on these figures.
Land Use and Zoning
According to NH Office of Energy and Planning’s 2013 geographic information system (GIS) calculations, Hillsborough has a total land area of 27,968 acres, or 43.7 square land miles. An additional 639 acres (1 square mile) is water. The acreage figure is moderately comparable to the Town’s May 2016 assessing database records of 26,968 acres for the Town. This difference between the actual taxable land calculations from the assessing records and the acreage from the basic GIS calculations is not unusual.
For New Hampshire and specifically the Central NH Region, Hillsborough is considered a moderate-sized community in terms of population as well as a moderate-sized community in terms of land area.
From Table 6, current use land is the predominant land use type, comprising 63% of the Town’s land area. Current use land could be forest, agricultural or wetland areas. Residential land use comprises 18% of the community. The remaining 19% of Hillsborough is comprised of 3% commercial and industrial land, 19% municipal, state, federal land or tax exempt land.
Table 6 Land Use Land Use Category Acres % of Town
Residential 4,925 18.3% Commercial 810 3.0% Current Use 16,802 62.3% Non-Taxable 4,431 16.4% Total 26,968 100.0% Source: Town of Hillsborough Assessing Database April 2016
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The perspective of the Town’s Zoning Districts offers another way to view how the land is utilized within Hillsborough in Table 7. A full table of uses is located in the Zoning Ordinance that states which property uses are allowed within each district. Tables of dimensional and density requirements pertaining to lot frontages and lot sizes, contiguous frontage, maximum structure height, maximum building coverage, and minimum open space per lot complement the table of uses.
Table 7 Zoning Districts, 2016 Zoning District Abbreviation
Rural --- Residential --- Commercial --- Central Business --- Emerald Lake Village --- Residential Village Residential --- Lower Village Residential --- Zoning Overlay District Abbreviation None --- Source: Town of Hillsborough Zoning Ordinance 2016
Overlay districts are superimposed upon the underlying zoning districts so additional regulations shall apply. For any conflicting regulation, the more restrictive shall apply. Although the Town has a compliant Floodplain Development Ordinance, it does not serve as a specific overlay district. There are currently no overlay districts in Hillsborough. The Zoning Ordinance has sections amended every year at the annual March Town Meeting and is vigorously used and applied by the Land Use Department.
The community’s Relation to Natural Hazards describing how and where the community has grown and to which hazards vulnerable areas as susceptible will be described in 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT.
Page 14 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The overall purpose of this Plan is to reduce future life and property losses caused by hazard events before they occur by the identification of appropriate Actions that are implemented during the five-year duration of this Plan.
Inspired by the State of New Hampshire Hazard Mitigation Plan, the following Goals were initially developed in a previous Plan version and thus were reviewed and updated as applicable by the Hazard Mitigation Committee during a public meeting. While the hazard incidents have remained essentially the same as from the 2011 Plan with a few disaster additions over the course of the last five years, it was important to reassess the continued relevancy of Goals and Objectives to influence the development of the best and most relevant hazard mitigation Actions.
What Are Goals, Objectives and Actions
Goals, Objectives and Actions are used in the Hazard Mitigation Plan to define different levels of meaning. Their relationship is displayed in Figure 3.
The overall Goals of this Hazard Mitigation Plan provide a macro-level view of what emergency managers want to accomplish to keep the Town’s life, property and infrastructure safer from natural disasters. Statements of overall Goals, beginning with “To”, describe the desired vision of mitigation and safety for the community. Goals enable the development of thoughtful hazard Objectives designed to generally fulfill those Goals. Figure 3 Relationship of Goals, Objectives and Actions
Specific Actions General Hazard Objectives Specific Actions Overall Goals Specific Actions General Hazard Objectives Specific Actions
Page 15 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Objectives begin to narrow down the focus of the overall Goals into hazard minimization statements. Main hazard categories of Flood, Fire, Severe Wind, Extreme Temperature (Cold-Hot), Human, and Technological guide the direction of mitigation efforts. These hazard Objective statements, beginning with “Minimize”, state Town’s desired outcome for each hazard category. The Objectives support the overall Goals by placing a focus on hazard mitigation or minimization.
Finally, Actions are the specific activities or projects which can be undertaken to accomplish an Objective. Actions begin with a verb to portray a direction for accomplishment. The Action is the target to reach to help mitigate hazards in the community. The completed Action fulfills the associated Objectives. The Actions will be listed and reviewed later in the Potential Action Evaluation and Mitigation Action Plan tables.
Overall Hazard Mitigation Plan Goals
The following 3 Goals for the Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017 were developed by the Hazard Mitigation Committee as the vision for the community with respect to the declared disaster declarations, general hazard events, seasonal weather events and changing climate patterns resulting Overall Hazard Mitigation Plan Goals in unexpected events. Collectively, the Goals guided the formulation of Objectives for each of the main hazard 1. To reduce the loss of life in the Town from all categories. These Goals were revised natural hazards and disasters and impacts from secondary hazards. from the 2011 Plan to emphasize hazard mitigation instead of preparedness, 2. To reduce the potential damages in Town to response and recovery which are covered public and private property, infrastructure, historic resources and the natural environment in the Emergency Operations Plan. by natural hazards and disasters.
3. To promote public awareness of hazard mitigation planning and activities to the Town’s residents, visitors, and businesses.
General Hazard Mitigation Objectives
Main hazard event categories, such as Flooding, are intended to encompass the full sub-hazards range described in this Plan. The general Objectives are developed by addressing the primary hazard events that could impact Hillsborough. They focus on minimizing or mitigating the hazard events to support the overall Goals while driving the direction of Action development later in the Plan.
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Although human and technological hazards are not natural disasters, many technological hazards in particular are secondary to (caused by) natural hazards such as Thunderstorms or Severe Winter Weather causing Power Failure. General Hazard Mitigation Objectives
FLOOD HAZARDS
1. Minimize the damages from floodwaters of the
Emerald Lake, the Contoocook River, Farrar’s Marsh, Beards Brook, Gleason Falls, Franklin Pierce Lake, Sand Brook, Black Pond, and other water bodies, to life, property, and infrastructure.
2. Minimize the damages caused by flooded roads, culvert washouts, dam breaches, or debris impacted infrastructure. HUMAN HAZARDS
FIRE HAZARDS 7. Minimize the damages from human threats such as sabotage/vandalism, terrorism, 3. Minimize the damages from fire, arson, lightning, hostage situations, and civil disturbance, to and wildfire to life, property, and infrastructure, life, property and infrastructure. including the areas of Fox State Forest, Low State Forest, Emerald Lake homes, Bible Hill tower and TECHNOLOGICAL (INFRASTRUCTURE AND other communication towers. SECONDARY) HAZARDS
SEVERE WIND HAZARDS 8. Minimize the impact to travelers through blocked transportation systems, including 4. Minimize the damages from severe wind the Route 202/9 bypass, Route 31, Bridge events, including thunderstorms, downbursts, Street/Route 149, School Street, Bog Road, hurricanes and tropical storms, and tornadoes, Old Henniker Road, Gould Pond Road, and to life, property, and infrastructure. Henniker Street/West Main Street. EXTREME TEMPERATURE (COLD-HOT) 9. Minimize the damages from multiple hazards HAZARDS to the operational efficiency of all 5. Minimize the damages from both severe winter communications systems, underground weather, including storms, snow, ice, and wind water and sewer utilities, dams, bridges, and chill events and from excessive heat events such transportation roadways. as heat waves, drought, energy consumption, air 10. Minimize the damages from electrical power and water quality, and climate warming, to life, failure to life, property, and infrastructure, in property and infrastructure. both rural and urban environments.
6. Minimize the threat of public health events 11. Minimize the damages from hazardous from the cold and warm weather seasons materials exposure, chemical spills, (communicable illnesses, Lyme disease, radiological materials incidents, or biological hypothermia, heat exhaustion, asthma, etc) to incidents to life, property, and the public, especially those in close quarters. infrastructure.
Page 17 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Natural disasters and technological, and human hazards that have occurred in Hillsborough or have the potential to occur in the Town were assessed in a Hazard Risk Assessment to determine their Overall Risk to the community. The major disasters declarations covering the Central NH Region (Merrimack County and Hillsborough County) have been inventoried and additional hazard events occurring in Hillsborough and the area have been described. FEMA Public Assistance funding to the Town is detailed for each disaster declaration. A review of climate changes is provided for region to provide perspective on how the weather may change over time.
The State of New Hampshire Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2013 recommends that municipalities examine multiple natural hazards. Two hazards, coastal flooding and snow avalanche, are not discussed in Hillsborough’s Plan because they have no relevance to the Town. Within the Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017, natural hazards under these basic categories have been incorporated:
Flooding Hazards Wind Hazards Fire Hazards Extreme Temperature (Cold-Hot) Hazards Earth Hazards Technological (Secondary) Hazards Human Hazards
Within these basic hazard categories are numerous related subcategories, all of which are detailed in a Hazard Risk Assessment. This Assessment provides a measure of Probability, Impact to the Town and Overall Risk for each hazard in a numerical format as determined by the Hazard Mitigation Committee. Scale definitions and the process to define hazards are discussed.
Many of these examined hazards discussed may pose little threat to the Town. The Hazard Mitigation Committee wanted to acknowledge their possibility as opposed to simply focusing on a handful of top hazards which will certainly occur in the community. Using this broad vision allows Hillsborough to contemplate the impact of a variety of hazards and to develop mitigation actions and design emergency planning programs as appropriate. Only the most predominant hazards, or even multiple hazards, will have mitigation actions developed to try to reduce the hazards’ impact. These are later discussed in Potential Mitigation Actions and prioritized in the Mitigation Action Plan.
Page 18 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Hazard Risk Assessment Rankings
Twenty-eight (28) natural, technological, and human hazards are evaluated within this Plan. The 17 natural hazards (including the technological hazard Dam Failure because of its close association with flooding) are ranked within in a Hazard Risk Assessment. Some hazards may be more likely to occur in the community than others based on past events and current conditions, and some hazards may have a greater impact than other hazards. How vulnerable Hillsborough could be to natural hazards can be measured in terms of Overall Risk.
The location of where each hazard has occurred either in the past or may be prone to future hazard occurrences is noted in the Hazard Locations in Town column.
Knowing where events may be likely to occur, the 2016 Hazard Mitigation Committee examined each potential hazard for its Probability of Occurrence and its potential Impact to the Town affecting people, property, and infrastructure based on past personal recollections and community hazard trends to determine the Overall Risk to the community.
The Committee identified each hazard’s Probability of Occurrence score on a 1-2-3-4 scale of Unlikely/1 (< 1 event in 100 years) to Highly Likely/4 (9-10 events in 10 years) as shown below.
Probability of Occurrence 1 Unlikely= 0 - 25% chance in 10 years 2 Possible= 25 - 50% chance in 10 years 3 Likely= 51 - 75% chance in 10 years 4 Highly Likely= 76 - 100% chance in 10 years
The Committee determined the likely Impact to the Town of an event based on a 1-2-3-4 scale of multiple characteristics – injuries, the length of time critical services are shut down, and/or property damage. Not all of these characteristics have to be expected as each hazard differs, but at least one of the characteristics should be met. The scale runs from Limited/1 to Catastrophic/4 and the more specific definitions are described below.
Page 19 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Impact to the Town 1 Limited= Injuries treatable with first aid; minor "quality of life" loss; shutdown of critical facilities/infrastructure/services for 3 days or less; property damaged less than 10% (and/or characteristics) 2 Significant= Significant injuries or illnesses result in no permanent disability; shutdown of critical facilities/infrastructure/services for up to 2 weeks; property damaged 10% to 25% (and/or characteristics) 3 Critical= Significant injuries or illnesses result in permanent disability; complete shutdown of critical facilities/infrastructure/services for at least 2 weeks; property damaged 25% to 50% (and/or characteristics) 4 Catastrophic= Multiple deaths; complete shutdown of critical facilities/infrastructure/services for 30 days or more; property damaged greater than 50% (and/or characteristics)
The technological and human hazards were not scored to ensure the natural hazards retained the focus of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017. However, Dam Failure and Debris Impacted Infrastructure were rated because of their close correlation to Flooding.
OVERALL RISK ASSESSMENT SCORES The highest possible score a natural hazard could be ranked using this Hazard Risk Assessment system is 8 while the lowest score a hazard could be ranked is 2. The Overall Risk numeric score is one which can help the community weigh the hazards against one another to determine which hazards are most detrimental to the community and which hazards should have the most Actions developed to try to mitigate those hazards. The Overall Risk is calculated simply by adding the two scores of Probability of Occurrence and Impact to the Town. The full results of the Hazard Risk Assessment are displayed in Table 8.
Out of the 17 ranked natural hazards, Hillsborough’s 7 highest ranking hazards scored an Overall Risk between 5 and 6:
Highest Risk 5-6 Hurricanes and Tropical Storms 6 Severe Winds and Thunder Storms 6 Dam Failure 6 Lightning 5 Wildfire 5 Severe Winter Weather and Ice Storms 5 Excessive Heat 5
Page 20 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Table 8 Hazard Risk Assessment Natural, Hazard Locations in Town Probability of Impact to OVERALL Technological, and Occurrence the Town RISK Human Hazard 1= Unlikely 1= Limited RANK Events 2= Possible 2= Significant Lowest= 2 3= Likely 3= Critical Highest= 8 4= Highly 4= Catastr- Likely ophic Floods and Flash Areas prone to flooding in the town of Hillsborough include 3 1 4 Floods Emerald Lake Village District to include Gould Pond Road, Beards Brook, Sand Brook, Rte 31, and Upper Village (Black Pond Area). Wide floodplains of Contoocook River result in expanded flooding, and damage from North Branch River, Shedd Brook and other large brooks are likely. Runoff from roadways or heavy rain can cause floods over the Entire Town. Areas: West Main Street/ Center, Emerald Lake Village District (ELVD) homes, the Business District, Emerald Lake outlet (if the dam is not managed properly),
Sandy Brook (Flash Flood), Grimes Field, Loon Pond Area, Lower
Village, and properties along the Contoocook River. Rapid Snow Melt runoff from impervious surfaces and roadways or from tree 2 1 3 Pack Melt cover and fields can cause floods over the Entire Town. Susceptible areas include West Mill Street and Bear Hill Rd, High Tide Restaurant area, area lakes, ELVD, and possibly Gould Pond or Loon Pond Flooding Hazards Flooding River Ice Jams Contoocook River has had ice jams in the past and could jam the 2 1 3 Route 9/202 overpass or the Beard Brook NH Route 9 overpass. Sites susceptible to debris impacted infrastructure (bridges and dams) on Bridge Street Dam, and Stone Arch Bridge Park, Jackman Dam at Franklin Pierce Lake Reservoir. Riverine Floodplains of Contoocook River, North Branch River, Beards 3 1 4 Scouring, Brook, Shedd Brook. These are the largest watercourses in Town Erosion, Channel and they run to Hillsborough Center. Movement Tornadoes Entire Town. Hillsborough Center (W Main Street area), Schools 1 2 3 and other populated areas. Vulnerable populations such as manufactured housing parks. Northern 3/4 of Town is fully wooded and would be difficult to access with trees and power lines down. Downbursts Entire Town. Manufactured housing parks, 55+ older living 2 1 3 facilities, Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf Senior Housing, Farmsteads of New England Group Care Facility, Schools, W Main Street/Hillsborough Center. Taller buildings,
telecommunications towers, aboveground utilities vulnerable. Hurricanes and Entire Town. Areas of particular concern include Jackman Dam, 3 3 6 Tropical Storms Emerald Lake area (Large Pine Barrens), Stonebridge Mobile Home Coop, Benway Mobile Home Park, Oxbow Campgroud, Bear
Hill Motel, any of the residential manufactured housing parks, and Wind Hazards Wind the Schools. Roadways (fallen trees) and electrical power utilities, local government infrastructure.
Severe Winds Entire Town. Roadways (fallen trees) and electrical power utilities, 4 2 6 and Thunder road washouts, loss of air conditioning or heat. Northern wooded Storms 3/4 of Town out of services until crews clear debris.
Page 21 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Table 8, continued Hazard Risk Assessment Natural, Hazard Locations in Town Probability of Impact to OVERALL Technological, and Occurrence the Town RISK Human Hazard Events Lightning Entire Town. Fox State Forest and North Hillsborough, points of 4 1 5 higher elevation than surrounding area. Aboveground utilities
transformers, telecommunications towers, ELVD & Town water towers, churches. Wildfire Heavily forested North Hillsborough, Town Forests, Fox State 3 2 5 Forest, Chute Forest, Low State Forest, the ELVD because of tree
Fire Hazards Fire density, or any open land could be locations of accidental fire ignition. Residential backyards and other recreation areas as identified in the Community Vulnerability Assessment tables. Severe Winter Entire Town. Roadways (fallen trees) and electrical power utilities, 4 1 5 Weather and Ice other infrastructure. Roof collapse anywhere. Heavily forested Storms North Hillsborough, Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf Senior Housing, Farmsteads of New England Group Care Facility, Schools, all may be subject to cold, snow, transportation
accidents, power failure and communications failure.
Drought Entire Town / region. Farms, orchards, private wells and town 2 1 3
Hazards water supplies. Drought means increased risk of brush fire with
dry vegetation.
Hot) Hot) - Excessive Heat Entire Town. Vulnerable populations most susceptible: 4 1 5
(Cold Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf Senior Housing, Farmsteads of New England Group Care Facility, Schools as identified in Appendix A. Shelter will need to be opened for cooling. Public Health Schools, clinics, eating establishments, populated areas and other 2 2 4 Epidemic public assembly venues - all of these locations increase the risk of exposure to and transfer of illness. In Hillsborough, some of these locations include the Schools, Masons, Moose Club, American
Extreme Temperature Temperature Extreme Legion, Catholic Church, Congregational Church, Valley Bible Chapel, Baptist Church, Sawmill Chapel, the Youth Center, apartment buildings, Osram-Sylvania and Shaws. Programs with public outreach such as Meals-on-Wheels, VNA, Seniors-Helping- Seniors. Other vulnerable populations and gathering places as identified in Appendix A. Earthquake Entire Town. Quakes regularly felt from area epicenters. Damage 2 1 3 to utility poles and wires, roadways and infrastructure (sewer plant, bridges, dams), underground utilities, community water systems, cisterns, old buildings, Town Center (W Main Street) particularly susceptible. Sites are identified in the Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment tables.
Landslide Slopes greater than 25%, including roads with steep ditching or 1 1 2 embankments. River and brook banks can also slide, better known
Earth Hazards Earth as erosion.
Page 22 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Table 8, continued Hazard Risk Assessment Natural, Hazard Locations in Town Probability of Impact to OVERALL Technological, and Occurrence the Town RISK Human Hazard Events Dam Failure Downstream from Franklin Pierce Lake/ Jackman Reservoir Dam 2 4 6 High Hazard dam- the entire Business District could be flooded in minutes, and the same situation could be true for the ELVD outlet homes and roads. Jackman Dam has breached before. Power/Utility Entire Town, utilities and vulnerable populations as noted in the not rated not rated NR Failure Community Vulnerability Assessment tables. A regular occurrence from storms. Heavily forest North Hillsborough may experience longer delays. Communications Entire Town, Telecommunications Tower. Telephone lines often not rated not rated NR Systems Failure go down with power. Communications are detailed in the Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment tables. Communications failure would be worse if it occurred at the Fire and Police Depts, Highway Department or Town Offices, especially
during a holiday, or inhibited emergency dispatch and EOC
operations. Transportation US Route 202/9 bypass, NH Route 149, NH Route 31. See Map 4 not rated not rated NR Accidents for regular accident locations - at certain intersections (W Main & School Street), curves, straightaways, hills. Debris Impacted Dams and Bridges are listed in the Critical and Community not rated not rated NR Infrastructure Facilities Vulnerability Assessment tables. Culverts including those in need of upgrade are listed in the Plan Table. Hazardous Vehicular traffic US Route 202/9 bypass, NH Route 149, NH Route
Technological Hazards Technological not rated not rated NR
(often secondary hazards) secondary (often Materials Spills 31. Homes, businesses along local routes. See hazardous materials facilities in Appendix A. Radiological Radiological spills, leakage, or breach may be similar to the not rated not rated NR locations where hazardous materials spills can be found -main travel ways of US Routes 9/202, Route 149, Route 31, and Town roads that traverse the entire community as shortcuts, and other travel routes of transport trucks. Very unlikely to experience incident from decommissioned Vermont Yankee or active nuclear Seabrook power plant. Fire (Vehicle, Entire Town. W Main Street/Hillsborough Center, other populated Not rated Not rated NR Structure, and vulnerable sites. Many vacant foreclosure homes or seasonal Arson) buildings in Town, and buildings in densely populated areas such as ELVD or residential manufactured home parks. See the Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment tables. for potentially susceptible sites. Terrorism None, but possibly communication towers, Schools, Osram not rated not rated NR Sylvania (large quantities of haz materials), stores (Shaws), restaurants, high volume roadways (US 202/9), water supply infrastructure, or the Jackman Dam, Town Office, All Schools, Post Office, all governmental facilities, state facilities or churches. Sabotage/ Utilities, Town computer systems, Town buildings, Jackman Dam, not rated not rated NR
Human Hazards Human Vandalism Town & ELVD Water/Sewer Stations. Cemeteries, vacant buildings, under bridges.
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Table 8, continued Hazard Risk Assessment Natural, Hazard Locations in Town Probability of Impact to OVERALL Technological, and Occurrence the Town RISK Human Hazard Events Hostage None, but are isolated events. Locations in Hillsborough where not rated not rated NR Situation hostages could be taken include the Town Offices and other public buildings, Schools, banks, Post Office, workplaces, stores (Shaws), restaurants, high density population areas (the Business
District, manufactured housing parks, Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf), County Courthouse, and domestic home situations, banks. Civil None, but possibly during Town Meetings, voting day or during not rated not rated NR Disturbance/ visits from political candidates or at large events such as Old Home Day or Balloon Rally. Locations include School, sporting
Human Hazards Human Public Unrest events, Town Office, stores (Shaws), restaurants, establishments serving alcohol, high density population areas (the Business District, manufactured housing parks, Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf), Police/Fire stations, Courthouse at public meetings.
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee 2016
Page 24 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Central NH Region Major Disaster Declarations, 1973-2016
The Central NH region, which encompasses parts of Merrimack County (18 communities) and Hillsborough County (2 communities), has been damaged by 21 multiple presidentially-declared major disasters in the last 43 years, between 1973-2016.
While a natural disaster typically befalls multiple counties in New Hampshire, only those damaging either Merrimack County or Hillsborough County were identified in this section. Over the last 11 years (2005- 2016), the number of presidentially-declared natural major disasters have increased significantly compared to the first severe storm and floods of 1973 to the 1998 ice storm (25 years).
Between 2005-2016, the most recent round of major disasters afflicting the Central NH Region, 12 natural disasters within 11 years were declared for Merrimack and/or Hillsborough Counties, 5 of which were floods, 5 snow/ice storms, and 2 rain/wind storms. No other major disasters were declared between 1998-2005 in the Central NH Region, bringing the total number of disaster declarations to 12 disasters within 18 years (1998-2016).
Emergency declarations are often proclaimed for counties in New Hampshire to help communities receive funding for less serious hazard events that may have caused more damage in nearby declared declaration counties or states. Emergency declarations that occurred between 2005-2016 are not counted within the 12 declared disasters and were not recognized unless the community applied for and received FEMA Public Assistance funding, such as Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Snow emergencies from the early 2000s are not included here.
However, the last declared disaster in Hillsborough County, in which Hillsborough resides, was in January 2015; as of June 2016, no new major disasters have been declared here. These details are displayed in Table 9. Most of these disasters will be described within the following Recent Disaster Events Summary section.
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Table 9 Central NH Region Major Disaster Declarations, 1973 to 2016 FEMA Local Disaster Name Incident Period FEMA Disaster Name Includes DR- County* Merr Hill 4209 2015 January Blizzard Jan 26-28, 2015 Severe Winter Storm and --- H Snowstorm 4105 2013 Snowstorm NEMO Feb 8-10, 2013 Severe Winter Storm and M H Snowstorm 4095 2012 Hurricane Sandy Oct 26-Nov 8, Hurricane Sandy emergency EM- EM- EM- 2012 declaration only for Merr and Hill M H 3360 Cty 4049 2011 Halloween Snow Storm Oct 29-30, 2011 Severe Storm and Snowstorm --- H 4026 2011 Tropical Storm Irene Aug 26-Sep 6, Tropical Storm Irene M --- 2011 1913 2010 March Flooding & Winds Mar 14-31, 2010 Severe Storms and Flooding M H 1892 2010 Winter Storm Feb 23-Mar 3, High Winds, Rain, Snow M H 2010 1812 2008 December Ice Storm Dec 11-23, 2008 Severe Winter Storm M H 1799 2008 Patriot's Day Flood Sep 6-7, 2008 Heavy Rains and Floods M H 1782 2008 July Tornado Jul 24, 2008 Tornado, Severe Winds, Heavy M --- Rains 1695 2007 April Spring Flood Apr 15-23, 2007 Severe Storms and Flooding M H 1643 2006 Mother's Day Flood May 12-23, 2006 Severe Storms and Flooding M H 1610 2005 Columbus Day Flood Oct 7-18, 2005 Severe Storms and Flooding M H 1231 1998 Flooding Jun 12-Jul 2, 1998 Severe Storms and Flooding M H 1199 1998 December Ice Storm Jan 7-25, 1998 Ice Storms M H 1144 1996 Severe Storms and Oct 20-23, 1996 Severe Storms and Flooding M H Flooding 1077 1995 Flood Oct 20-Nov 15, Storms and Floods M --- 1995 917 1991 Hurricane Bob Aug 18-20, 1991 Severe Storm --- H 876 1990 Flooding and Severe Storm Aug 7-11, 1990 Flooding and Severe Storm M H 789 1987 Severe Storms and Mar 30-Apr 11, Severe Storms and Flooding M H Flooding 1987 771 1986 Severe Storms and Jul 29-Aug 10, Severe Storms and Flooding --- H Flooding 1986 399 1973 Severe Storms and Jul 11, 1973 Severe Storms and Flooding M H Flooding Source: http://www.fema.gov/disasters/grid/state/33?field_disaster_type_term_tid_1=All
*M = Merrimack County (18 towns in CNH region) H = Hillsborough County (2 towns in CNH region)
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Recent Disaster Events Summary
The Town of Hillsborough has been affected by several significant natural disasters within the last decade, whether or not disaster funding was applied for and received. Natural hazard events are now occurring more frequently than in the past, even here in Hillsborough County. While these events on occasion disrupted the flow of the community and isolated residents for days, the disaster impacts were relatively mild as few injuries were reported. FEMA provided Public Assistance 75/25 funding to the Town for tasks such as cleanup, road repairs, tree and brush cutting, and culvert replacement.
The Hazard Mitigation Committee helped provide anecdotal descriptions of how the recently declared natural disasters or emergency declarations for the Central NH Region affected Hillsborough and its residents. Of the 11 disaster funding opportunities in Hillsborough County, the Town received Public Assistance funding for 5 disasters and 1 emergency declaration between 2005-2016 as shown in Table 10. Also identified were numerous hazard events that occurred locally in the community within the area.
Declared Disasters in Hillsborough County PA funding Received Other Hillsborough Local Hazard Event
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDING To help reclaim some of the costs these disasters wrought on town property and infrastructure to the limited Town budgets, Hillsborough applied for and received FEMA Public Assistance (PA) funds, Categories A-G, a 75% grant and 25% match program. These PA funds have been used for overtime wages for Town employees, equipment rentals, snow removal, washout repair, road reconstruction, bridge repair, debris removal, and more.
Funding was sought for and received by Hillsborough for 7 of the recent 13 declared disasters in Hillsborough County between 1993-2016, the farthest date in the past back the FEMA PA database has been made available to the public. In addition, Emergency Management declarations provided funding to Hillsborough for 3 snowstorm emergencies between 2001-2003. This data is available through FEMA at https://www.fema.gov/openfema-dataset-public-assistance-funded-projects-details-v1.
The most expensive disaster for Hillsborough in terms of Public Assistance funds received for recovery was the April 2007 Flood for which Hillsborough received about $118,000 for 21 projects to help repair the roads, intersections and bridges and culverts. The last time the Town was awarded funding was for Protective Measures and snow removal for the January 2015 Blizzard ($23,000). This was the last major disaster declaration for Hillsborough County as of June 2016. All funding to date totals the $469,139.
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Table 10 Local and Area Hazard Event and Disaster History Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough ELVD Drought No 2016 7/19/2016 No Moderate Drought (D1) The Emerald Lake Earth, Drought US Drought Monitor NH Emergency 2016 intensities are found in Village District has July 26, 2016, ELVD northern Hillsborough and water ban information website southern Merrimack on their website as of www.elvdnh.com Counties. Southern 07-19-16: Despite the Hillsborough County is recent rain, Emerald experiencing (D2) Severe Lake Village District is Drought intensity while still under a WATER northern Merrimack USE BAN for most County is in (D0) outdoor water uses. Abnormally Dry intensity. We still need more rain All counties in the State of to replenish the NH except for portions of groundwater system Grafton and Coos County before we can lift the are dry ban. Expect restrictions to run through the entire month of July and into August. Anyone using water in violation of this ban is subject to a fine of up to $250. The current rules include but are not limited to: - No watering of grass - No pressure washing - No washing of cars - No filling or topping off of pools - Hand watering of gardens only - Underground sprinklers MUST draw from lake and have signage visible from road stating as such., Earthquake 2.9M No 2016 Mar 21 N/A Epicenter in Reports were made to Earth, Earthquake USGS 2016 Warner Warner/Hopkinton area, the USGS from Epicenter 2.8 magnitude. Felt in the Hillsborough residents Central NH Region/most of feeling the earthquake Merrimack County, light in as a rumble or loud Hillsborough County. Felt noise. most strongly in Hopkinton, Henniker, Warner, Webster, Salisbury, Franklin, Canterbury, Concord, and Hillsborough Earthquake 2.2M No 2015 2-Aug N/A Epicenter around Epsom in N/A, although Earth, Earthquake Earthquaketrack.com 2015 Epsom the Central NH Region in Hillsborough is 5 Epicenter Merrimack County, felt in communities east of nearby locations including Epsom in the Central Concord, Pembroke, NH Region Allenstown, Loudon Chichester and Pittsfield
Tornado, Severe No 2015 Jul 31 N/A In Warner, NWS confirmed N/A, although Warner Wind, Tornado WMUR Thunderstorms an EF-0 tornado touched is 2 communities to the down in the evening. It had northeast of a maximum wind speed of Hillsborough 75 mph and was 100 yards wide. Town officials said the tornado ripped the roof off a barn, but there were no injuries reported.
Page 28 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Severe Winter 4209 2015 Jan 26-28 $23,100 The closest reporting Hillsborough received Extreme Temp, FEMA, CNHRPC Storm and weather station, Concord $23,100 in FEMA Public Snow, Wind Snowstorm - Airport (CON), had Assistance funding for January Blizzard accumulated 29” of heavy protective measures. 2015 snow, 50 mph whiteout The Town used funding wind conditions in the for 48-hour snow region removal. Non-essential personnel did not return to work. The EOC was on standby. No power failure was experienced Severe Winter 4105 2013 Feb 8-10 $27,500 Winter Storm "Nemo". Hillsborough received Extreme Temp, FEMA, Hillsborough Storm and FEMA-3360-DR. Blizzard $27,500 in FEMA Public Snow, Ice, Wind Hazard Mitigation Snowstorm - conditions with winds gust Assistance funding for Committee Winter Storm of 50-60 MPH and over 20 protective measures. NEMO inches snow hit New Non-essential Hampshire and the New personnel did not England area. Disaster return to work. The declaration received for EOC was on standby emergency protective Without power for measures in eight counties several days. Up to 20" of the State. of heavy wet snow, trees downed. Thankgiving Day No 2014 Nov 27 N/A Large amount of snowfall Hillsborough had no Extreme Temp, Concord Monitor, Snowstorm fell in a very short period of particular issues. No Snow, Wind Washington Post, time ahead of typical power failure - Jackman WMUR, NHPR, seasonal expectations. Hydro Dam source of Hillsborough Hazard Power outages were constant power. No Mitigation Committee prolific, with a peak of resident generator About 200,000 power checks needed. outages in NH, the 4th largest blackout in history. large amount of snowfall in very short time period. Merrimack County has about 6-12" of snow, far less than other counties. Extreme wind gusts reached 110 mph in Concord. Hopkinton Public No 2014 Fall N/A The New Hampshire N/A although Extreme Temp, Hopkinton Town Health EEE in Department of Health and Hopkinton is 2 Public Health, website, Hopkinton Human Human Services (DHHS) is communities to the Epidemic Hazard Mitigation announcing the second east of Hillsborough. Committee, NH DHHS human case of Eastern Due to this human Equine Encephalitis (EEE) case, the risk level for this season in New human illness in Hampshire, in an adult Hopkinton was be from Hopkinton. The first raised to high, and the human case of EEE in New surrounding towns to Hampshire this season was moderate risk by confirmed on August 22nd NHDHHS. in Conway, NH. Other EEE positive tests this year include 6 mosquito batches and a mule; there have been no positive test results so far for West Nile Virus (WNV). Earthquake 2.6M No 2013 11-Oct N/A Epicenter in Warner, 2.6 Reports were also Earthquake USGS 2013 Warner magnitude. Felt in the made to the USGS from Epicenter Central NH Hillsborough residents, Region/northern 2 communities away Merrimack County, most from Warner strongly in Hopkinton, Henniker, Warner,
Page 29 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Webster, Concord, Salisbury, Franklin Hurricane - 4095 2012 Oct 26-Nov No Merrimack County and Hillsborough likely Wind, Flood, FEMA, Nashua Telegraph Hurricane Sandy EM-3360 8 Hillsborough County experienced severe Severe Storm, received a disaster winds, moderate rain, Hurricane declaration for Emergency power failures, and Protective Measures. Five tree debris. counties experienced severe damage from heavy winds and moderate flooding, 218,000 customers without power. Fallen trees and debris closed roads, building and vehicle damage.
Allenstown No 2012 Feb N/A Six chemical bombs (made N/A, although Human Allenstown Hazard Chemical Bombs with common household Allenstown is 5 Mitigation Committee chemicals) were found at a communities to the 2016 NH DOT shed, and others at east of Hillsborough in houses. No damage of the Central NH Region consequence occurred.
Earthquake 4.0M No 2012 16-Oct N/A With the epicenter near Reports may have been Earthquake Concord Monitor 2012 Hollis ME Hollis Center, Maine, a 4.0 made to the USGS from Epicenter earthquake was measured Hillsborough with an and felt not only in Central earthquake of this NH, but throughout New magnitude as it was felt England. Reportedly around the Central NH sounding like a jumbo jet Region. and lasting for 10 seconds, calls came in to local Fire Departments inquiring about the event. By two hours later, no calls reporting damages or injuries had been received. Hopkinton No 2012 Jul 17 N/A About 20,000 electric N/A although Wind, Downburst, Hopkinton Hazard Microburst customers lost power Hopkinton is 2 Thunderstorm Mitigation Committee, during this summer wind communities to the WMUR and rain storm. Power lines east of Hillsborough. down & failure for several days. Trees and debris along roadways required clean up. Four main roads in Hopkinton were blocked for 2-3 days, including South Road, College Hill Road, Hatfield Road, and Thain Road. The 60-80 mph microburst traveled in a north-south direction crossing Route 127 and US Route 4/202. Property damage occurred.
Page 30 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Snowstorm- 4049 2011 Oct 29-30 $10,800 FEMA-4049-DR. Towns in Hillsborough received Snow, Extreme CNHRPC Halloween Snow Central NH were impacted $10,800 in FEMA Public Temp Storm by this shocking, early Assistance funding for severe snowstorm, protective measures. although a major disaster declaration was not declared in Merrimack County. Halloween festivities were cancelled in most communities, to the heartbreak of young children. In Hillsborough County, damages were at the equivalent of $5.11 per capita (400,721 people in 2010). The storm was also declared in Rockingham County. Tropical Storm- 4026 2011 Aug 26-Sep No Carroll, Coos, Grafton, and Hillsborough had FD Wind, Flood, FEMA, Hillsborough Tropical Storm 6 Merrimack Counties station coverage. Severe Storm, Hazard Mitigation Irene suffered severe impacts to Undertook limb debris Tropical Storm Committee roads and bridges as a clean up. Damages result of flooding from included localized Tropical Storm Irene, which flooding of storm also caused power outages. drains in the Business Merrimack County District and Cooledge reimbursement to towns Road washout. was $4.29 per capita (146,455 people in 2010), a total of $11m was allocated. Disaster was not declared for Hillsborough County. Bow Route 3A 4026 2011 Sep 5 N/A In nearby Bow, a 60mph N/A, although Bow is 3 Wind, Downburst, Union Leader Downburst microburst damaged or communities to the Debris Impacted destroyed a dozen campers southeast of Infrastructure in the area of Route 3A Hillsborough between Grandview and Down Road. No injuries were reported. Telephone service at the Town’s Police dispatch center was also disrupted. April Fool's No 2011 1-Apr N/A A Nor’easter snowstorm N/A, but Hillsborough Extreme Temp, wmur.com Snowstorm impacted the State, causing likely experienced Snow over 30,000 power some snow and outages, most by PSNH. inconvenience Snow fell in depths of up to 8”, but stopped by noon. Although dozens of accidents were reported, no serious injuries were reported. Concord Hospital No 2010 1-Oct N/A A bomb threat was called in N/A, although Concord Human, Terrorism Concord Hazard Bomb Threats to Concord Hospital as a is 3 communities to the Mitigation Task Force result of a child custody east of Hillsborough 2011 issue and the group known as the “Oathkeepers.” The FBI was contacted, but nothing was found in the Hospital during a bomb sweep. Phone lines were flooded with calls by the Oathkeepers to inhibit using the landlines. The incident was determined to be harassment instead of an actual event.
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Earthquake 3.4M No 2010 26-Sep N/A “A magnitude 3.4 Reports may have been Earth, Earthquake Union Leader, USGS 2010 Boscawen earthquake rattled made to the USGS from Epicenter buildings and nerves across Hillsborough with the much of New Hampshire epicenter about 15 Saturday night. The quake miles to the northeast occurred at 11:28 p.m. and in Boscawen. was centered about 10 miles north of Concord, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. State police said they received reports from residents across the state who reported what they thought was an explosion. The quake was felt in places like Fremont, Derry, Durham, Henniker, Penacook and Raymond. There were no reports of damage.” The quake was felt all over the state, Southern Maine and Massachusetts, but most reports were received from the Central NH region. Loudon Pleasant No 2010 21-Jan N/A Pleasant View Gardens N/A, although Loudon Fire Loudon Hazard View suffered a fire which is 4 communities to the Mitigation Committee Greenhouse Fire destroyed about 30,000 northeast of 2010 square feet of Hillsborough and is also greenhouses, plus a in the Central NH building. The cause is Region undetermined. A significant commercial fire. Severe Storms 1913 2010 Mar 14-31 No Severe storms and flooding No funding applied Flood, Wind FEMA and Flooding occurred over two weeks for/received. and damaged roads and bridges. Merrimack County reimbursement to towns for repair was $0.28 per capita (146,455 people in 2010), and in Hillsborough County reimbursements were $1.80 per capita (400,721 people in 2010)
Severe Winter 1892 2010 Feb 23-Mar No High winds, rain, and snow No funding applied Extreme Temp, FEMA, Unitil Storm 3 over a week-long period. for/received. Wind, Flood Primary impact was debris removal and repair reimbursement for fallen trees and powerlines. In the Concord area, 21,000 Unitil customers were out of power. Severe Winter 1812 2008 Dec 11-23 $122,200 Ice, snow, rain, and strong Hillsborough received Extreme Temp, FEMA, Hillsborough Storm - winds caused trees to fall $122,200 in FEMA Wind Hazard Mitigation December 2008 on roadways and Public Assistance Committee Ice Storm powerlines all over the funding for debris State. All 10 NH counties removal and protective were declared disasters. measures. The greater Merrimack County's part of Hillsborough reimbursement to towns went several days was the equivalent of without electricity and $10.07 per capita and communications. Hillsborough County's Numerous roads were damage was $6.35 per closed due to downed capita. This storm was the trees and power lines.
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough catalyst for electric Worst ice storm on companies to formulate record. There were better mitigation wide spread power strategies, tree trimming outages that lasted for programs, and pro-active up to 10 days in planning. Crews were Hillsborough. called from all over the country and Canada to help repair the utility line damages. Hillsborough No 2008 Nov N/A N/A The Town Office phone Sabotage, Hillsborough Hazard Town Office system was Cyberterrorism, Mitigation Committee Sabotage compromised. Over Technological 6000 international phone calls were made without the Town's knowledge. Severe Storms 1799 2008 Sep 6-7 No In Merrimack County, No funding applied Flood FEMA and Flooding - damage to road systems for/received. Patriot's Day totaled the equivalent of Flood $1.48 per capita (146,455 people in 2010) for town reimbursement. Hillsborough County’s damage was much higher at $6.90 per capita (400,721 people in 2010) Hillsborough No 2008 Circa N/A N/A A lightning strike near Lightning, Fire Hillsborough Hazard Lightning Strike the Town Highway Mitigation Committee garage damaged equipment at the Transfer Station, Police Station and at the Elementary School. Hillsborough No 2008 August N/A N/A Small explosion at the Fire, Explosion, Hillsborough Hazard Jackman Dam Jackman Power Station. Technological, Mitigation Committee Hydro Station This caused damage Power Failure Explosion and some power outages Tornado, Severe 1782 2008 Jul 24 N/A An F2-F1 tornado touched N/A, Hillsborough is in Wind, Tornado FEMA Winds, Heavy down in Rockingham the Central NH Region Rains County then proceeded where this area event into another county. Then occurred. Epsom & in Merrimack County, the Deerfield are 5/6 towns tornado was rated up to an to the east of F-3 and killed a woman in Hillsborough. Deerfield trapped in a collapsed house. In the county, there was substantial damage totaled the equivalent of $1.12 per capita (146,455 people in 2010) for the towns’ debris removal reimbursement costs. A total of 123 residences statewide were affected, with 17 destroyed and another 37 suffering major damage. Damage was estimated to exceed $10 million. Hillsborough County Hillsborough No 2007 Summer N/A N/A One of the side slopes Earth, Landslide, Hillsborough Hazard Landslide of the Rt.9 bypass slid Erosion Mitigation Committee into the roadway. This caused part of the highway and exit ramp to be closed. This was
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough due in part to heavy rain. Concord No 2007 27-May N/A Fifty-three businesses were N/A, although Concord Flooding, Concord Monitor Hazardous forced to close at the is 3 communities to the Technological, Materials Concord Center on Ferry east of Hillsborough Hazardous Flooded Street in Concord when Materials state officials discovered more than 70 buckets of formaldehyde, motor oil, roofing tar and cleaning solvents in the flooded basement. There were no reported injuries but some workers complained of headaches and dizziness. Severe Storms 1695 2007 Apr 15-23 $117,800 Extensive flooding caused Hillsborough received Flood, Wind, FEMA, USGS Flood of and Flooding - by severe storms impacted $117,800 in FEMA Debris Impacted 2007, Hillsborough April Spring seven counties, including Public Assistance Infrastructure Hazard Mitigation Floods Merrimack and funding. Projects were Committee Hillsborough. Across the for roads and bridges. region, indirect peak Many gravel roads and discharge measurements bridges were washed on stream gages on the out, including County Suncook River at Short Falls Road, Carter Hill Road, Road in Epsom were 14,100 Bible Hill Road, ft3, which was determined Boggy/Melody/Colby to be greater than 100-year Roads intersection and flood discharge levels. Stowe Mtn Road. A residence in Emerald Lake was destroyed and debris from its structure flowed down stream. Also, propane tanks were dislodged and floating, causing a potential risk to the EVLD community. Webster 1643 2006 May 15 N/A The Pillsbury Lake Dam in N/A, although Webster Flood Concord Monitor Pillsbury Lake Webster, holding back an is 3 communities to the Dam Breach artificial lake of about 70 northeast of acres, was breached by Hillsborough flooding due to heavy rains. Floodwaters punched out a 20-foot breach in the dam. The dam created the Pillsbury Lake District with about 180 households. The Lake’s level fell from 15 feet at its deepest point to about 2 feet at that same point following the event.
Bow Landslide 1643 2006 May 14-17 N/A Backyard material slid N/A, although Bow is 3 Earth, Landslide, WMUR News During Mother's toward a Bow home on communities to the Erosion Day Floods Mother’s Day catching a southeast of family, with one young Hillsborough child and expecting another, by surprise. No one was injured by the mudslide but thousands of dollars of property damage were caused. The debris and mud that slid and caused the damage came from land that didn’t belong to the family. They had to move out for 10
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough days until a contractor deemed the property safe. Suncook River 1643 2006 May 14-17 N/A The Suncook River through N/A, Epsom is in the Flood, Channel Concord Monitor Avulsion in Epsom changed its course Central NH Region Movement Epsom during this recent heavy where this area event rain event and its resultant occurred, 5 towns to flooding. The River shifted the east of hundreds of meters, Hillsborough. flowing around two dams, creating about a mile of new river through a sand pit a half mile from its original course, and leaving a similar length of dry riverbed. The water carved through peat bogs and tore away a corner of a sand excavation pit. Local communities of Epsom, Allenstown, and Hillsborough later dealt with siltation and erosion issues from the new river course Severe Storms 1643 2006 May 12-23 $26,600 Extensive flooding caused Hillsborough received Flood, Wind FEMA and Flooding - by severe storms impacted $26,600 in FEMA Public Mothers Day seven counties including Assistance funding Flood Merrimack and roads and bridges and Hillsborough. The USGS protective measures. recorded the highest flows Projects included on record for several rivers repairing gravel road including the Contoocook washouts and culvert River in Davisville village, upgrades. Soucook in Concord, and Piscataquog in Goffstown. Regional Train No 2006 29-Apr N/A A freight train sparked N/A, although Bow is 3 Fire, Technological WMUR News Wildfire brush fires along tracks in communities to the Bow, Hooksett and southeast of Manchester. In Bow, a 50’ Hillsborough by 350’ fire was spreading toward the woods when officials arrived on the scene. Concord Fire Chief said that fires sparked by trains are not unusual and they are typically caused by exhaust coming out of the stack. Concord No 2006 18-Mar N/A A reported 400 citizens N/A, although Concord Human, Public NH Independent Media Statehouse Iraq marched in Concord to is 3 communities to the Unrest, Civil Center Public Unrest recognize the 3 year east of Hillsborough Disturbance anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq. The protestors marched around downtown Concord and finished in front of the statehouse.
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Severe Storms 1610 2005 Oct 7-18 $97,400 Extensive flooding caused Hillsborough received Flood, Wind, FEMA, Hillsborough and Flooding - by severe storms impacted $97,400 in FEMA Public Debris Impacted Hazard Mitigation Columbus Day five counties. Alstead had Assistance funding Infrastructure Committee Flood several fatalities as the mostly for roads and result of dam failure. bridges but also for protective measures. The projects included repaired washed out gravel roads, culvert upgrades, bridge repair, paved road and shoulders damages repaired. The restaurant Sam Pan's propane tank became dislodged and floated down stream of the Contoocook River. Canterbury No 2005 23-Jan N/A A near-fatal explosion N/A, although Fire, Explosion, Concord Monitor Explosion at Gold occurred at the Gold Star Canterbury is 4 Technological, Star Sod Farm sod farm in Canterbury. communities to the Hazardous Gasoline fumes ignited a northeast from Materials propane heater, triggering Hillsborough in the a fiery explosion and fire Central NH Region that consumed a large workshop and part of the main storage building. Fire crews from several departments battled the fire and laid sand down as a buffer between a nearby river in order to prevent contamination as pesticides and other chemicals burned. Earthquake 2.2M No 2004 20-Jan N/A An earthquake measuring An earthquake Earth, Earthquake Concord Monitor, 2004 Henniker- 2.2 on the Richter Scale measuring 2.2 on the January 2004, USGS, Hopkinton was centered in the Richter scale hit Hillsborough Hazard Epicenter Henniker- Hopkinton area. Hillsborough and Mitigation Committee Shaking and noise were neighboring Hopkinton reported, but no damage and Henniker. Some occurred. residents reported rumbling that lasted for 10 seconds, but no damage was reported. Reports may have been made to the USGS from Hillsborough with the epicenter less than 5 miles to the east in Henniker/Hopkinton Snow Emergency EM-3193 2003 Dec 6-7 $17,300 Record snow fall event Hillsborough received Extreme Temp FEMA impacting much of New $17,300 in FEMA Public England. In NH, 8 counties Assistance funding for received emergency snow removal protective measures, including Merrimack and Hillsborough. Snow Emergency EM-3177 2003 Feb 17-18 $13,600 Record and near record Hillsborough received Extreme Temp FEMA snowstorm for 5 NH $13,600 in FEMA Public counties including Assistance funding for Merrimack and snow removal Hillsborough. Emergency protective measures declared for reimbursement.
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Drought No 2002 Aug N/A All counties in the State of N/A, although Earth, Fire Concord Monitor Emergency 2002 NH except Coos County. Hillsborough was likely 8/20/02, ELVD website One of the hottest Augusts affected too. The on record in Concord along Emerald Lake Village with drought conditions District has water ban since March made for a information on their high fire danger in New website in the event of Hampshire. Numerous a drought. forest fires were reported, including a 30-acre blaze in New Durham. Snow Emergency EM-3166 2001 Mar 5-7 $12,800 Record and near-record Hillsborough received Extreme Temp FEMA snowfall from late winter $12,800 in FEMA Public storm, emergency Assistance funding for declaration was issued for snow removal protective measures. Merrimack, Hillsborough and 5 other counties were declared eligible. Central NH No 1999 July N/A A downburst impacted High winds caused Wind, Macroburst Hillsborough Hazard Macroburst 1999 three counties in New power outages and Mitigation Committees, Hampshire, including tree damage. The NH HSEM, Local Haz Mit Merrimack County and the Emerald Lake area was Committees Central NH Region. It without power the resulted in 2 deaths. Also, longest. two roofs were blown off a tall building in Concord and widespread power outages occurred. The downburst was designated a macroburst (at least 2.5 miles in diameter). Concord Library No 1998 Oct N/A The lit fuse of a bomb left N/A, although Concord Human, Terrorism AP Online 11/01/98, NH and NHTI Bombs in the Concord Library is 3 communities to the Homeland Security and stacks set off smoke alarms east of Hillsborough Emergency Management that may have saved the lives of many people. The individual allegedly responsible for the bomb scare left notes complaining about state government. About a dozen buildings were evacuated after the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord received an anonymous call warning that three bombs had been placed on campus. This event followed the bomb scares at the Concord Library. Hopkinton Gould No 1998 July N/A A tornado touched down in N/A, although Wind, Tornado Hopkinton Hazard Hill & Putney Hill the Gould Hill and Putney Hopkinton is 2 Mitigation Committee Tornado Hill areas in Hopkinton communities to the impacting approximately east of Hillsborough five acres causing trees to be downed and roads to be closed. No injuries were reported. Severe Storms 1231 1998 Jun 12-Jul 2 No Heavy flooding in six As Hillsborough is Flood, Wind FEMA and Flooding counties, including within Hillsborough Merrimack and County, it is likely Hillsborough Counties. experienced heavy Damages of $3.4m for all rains and possibly some counties. flooding.
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Ice Storm of 1199 1998 Jan 7-25 No This ice storm was the first In Hillsborough, power Extreme Temp, Ice History of Hillsborough, 1998 to test our statewide and was out for six days in Storm, Power NH, 1960-2000, FEMA, local emergency some parts of town, Failure US Army Corps of management systems and and thousands of trees Engineers NH Storms utility providers. Tree and were damaged. database infrastructure damage was Forests, recreational extensive and power areas, and the maple failures lasted up to two sugar industry were weeks in some parts of the affected by the state. In The Central NH extensive tree damage. Region, many lost power for over a week. This ice storm had severe impacts throughout most of the State, with 52 communities impacted. FEMA Disaster Declaration #1199, Six injuries and one death resulted. Damage totaled $12,446,202. In addition, there were 20 major road closures, 67,586 people left without electricity, and 2,310 people without phone service. Bradford Milfoil No 1996 Summer N/A Milfoil was discovered on N/A, although Bradford Biological, Public Blaisdell Lake Property Lake the north end of Lake abuts Hillsborough to Health, Water Owners Association, Inc. Massasecum Massasecum in Bradford. A the north Quality August 3, 2002 10 to 11 acre portion of the lake was closed. Several chemical treatments were tried but failed to eradicate the milfoil. Eventually, the weed was harvested. Severe Storms 1144 1996 Oct 20-23 No Heavy rains caused flooding As Hillsborough is Flood FEMA, NH HSEM and Flooding in six counties, including within Hillsborough Merrimack and County, it is likely Hillsborough Counties. experienced heavy Damage totaled $2.3m for rains and possibly some all counties. flooding. Storms and 1077 1995 Oct 20-Nov N/A Four NH counties were No information Flood FEMA, Federal Register Floods 15 damaged by excessive rain, available high winds and flooding, including Merrimack (not Hillsborough).
Severe Storm- 917 1991 Aug 18-20 No data Public assistance was As Hillsborough is Wind, Hurricane FEMA Hurricane Bob available available for Hillsborough within Hillsborough County and 2 other County, it is likely counties (not Merrimack) experienced heavy as a result of damages rains, tree debris, caused by Hurricane Bob. power outages and The 2 seacoast counties possibly some flooding. fared the worst. Flooding and 876 1990 Aug 7-11 No data Moderate to heavy rains Heavy rains cause a Flood, Wind FEMA, NH HSEM, History Severe Storm available caused flooding in eight four foot sink hole in of Hillsborough, NH, counties, including front of the Sylvania 1960-2000 Merrimack and plant on Main Street. Hillsborough Counties. Damage totaled $2.3m for all counties Hillsborough No 1990 June N/A N/A, although this storm A thunderstorm Lightning, Wind, History of Hillsborough, Severe likely occurred in other brought hailstones the Hail, NH, 1960-2000 Thunderstorm Hillsborough or Merrimack size of mothballs, and Thunderstorm County communities in lightning killed a cow at Central NH. Ervin Lachut’s farm on Cooledge Road.
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Hillsborough No 1988 Mar-Apr N/A N/A, although this flood Heavy rains caused Flood, Wind History of Hillsborough, Flooding likely occurred in other roads all over town to NH, 1960-2000 Hillsborough or Merrimack close, including County communities in Gleason Falls, Bear Hill, Central NH. Beard Brook, Poverty Plains, the Second New Hampshire Turnpike, Mill Street, and Barden Hill Road. Longwoods and Johnson City mobile home parks were evacuated, and 300 people had to find alternate shelter. The water was 5 feet deep at the Pine Ridge Florist on Henniker Street. Severe Storms 789 1987 Mar 30-Apr No data Flooding caused by As Hillsborough is Flood, Wind FEMA and Flooding 11 available snowmelt and intense rain within Hillsborough was felt in seven counties, County, it is likely including Merrimack and experienced heavy Hillsborough Counties. rains and possibly some Nearly $5m in damages flooding.
Severe Storms 771 1986 Jul 29-Aug No data Severe summer storms The severe storm Flood, Wind FEMA, NH HSEM, and Flooding 10 available with heavy rains, caused power outages Hillsborough Hazard tornadoes, flash floods, and and downed trees. Mitigation Committee severe winds, damaged the road network statewide. Disaster declared in Cheshire, Sullivan and Hillsborough Counties (not Merrimack). Hillsborough No 1984 June N/A N/A, although this flood Seven inches of rain fell Flood, Wind History of Hillsborough, Flooding likely occurred in other in four days causing NH, 1960-2000 Hillsborough or Merrimack heavy flooding. The County communities in Contoocook River Central NH. overflowed causing one family to be evacuated by boat. Route 9 to Henniker and Route 202 to Antrim were closed. Cricenti’s grocery closed, and Chevrolet dealership body shop was flooded. Earthquake 4.5M No 1982 18-Jan-82 N/A An earthquake originating An earthquake Earthquake Earthquaketrack.com, Sanbornton near in Sanbornton in measuring 4.5 on the History of Hillsborough, Belknap County measured Richter scale hit NH, 1960-2000 4.5M and was felt in Hillsborough. The various locations quake lasted for forty throughout the State. The seconds, but no major area it was felt includes all damage was reported. of northern Merrimack County including the Concord area communities in Central NH. Hillsborough No 1980 17-May-80 N/A N/A A forest fire on Wildfire, Fire History of Hillsborough, Wildfire Thompson Mountain NH, 1960-2000 destroyed 60 acres of forest. While the fire may have been started by a campfire, the conditions were ripe for the fire to spread rapidly.
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Concord Beaver No 1979 Jul 27 N/A In Concord, a small twister N/A, although Concord Wind, Tornado Concord Monitor Meadow was sighted at Beaver is 3 communities to the Tornado Meadow, where 13 trees east of Hillsborough were toppled, including a 100-foot tall pine. The duration was about 15-20 seconds. Blizzard of 1978 No 1978 Feb 5-7 N/A RSI Index of Category 5 Although it is unknown Extreme American (Extreme). This snowstorm what Hillsborough Temperatures, Meteorological Society, is described as “a natural experienced, it is likely Severe Snow Northeast States disaster of major many of the same Storms, Windchill, Emergency Consortium proportions” and stunned depths occurred. Power Failure all of New England. The storm was caused by an intense coastal Nor’easter that produced winds in excess of hurricane force and very high snow totals. Most of southern New England received more than three feet of snow, 25-33” in NH and higher throughout New England. Abandoned cars along roadways immobilized infrastructure and blocked major interstates. For over a week, New England remained paralyzed by the storm. All of New Hampshire was impacted. Governor Meldrim Thomson Jr. declared a state of emergency. Hillsborough No 1977 --- N/A N/A An ice jam blocked Ice Jam, Extreme History of Hillsborough, Beards Brook Ice Beard’s Brook causing Temperatures, NH, 1960-2000 Jam it to flood for 200 feet. Debris Impacted Infrastructure Severe Storms 399 1973 Jul 11 No data All counties in the State of No information Flood, Wind FEMA and Flooding available NH experienced storm available damage and were declared disaster areas, including Merrimack and Hillsborough Counties. Hillsborough No 1968 20-Aug N/A N/A, although it is likely The Hillsborough Town Wind, Tornado Hillsborough Hazard Tornado other communities History describes this Mitigation Committee experienced wind damage tornado as “a freak in the Central NH region in twister, lasting only Hillsborough County. several minutes, ripped a crazy course through Hillsborough with nightmarish terror and damage.” This tornado inflicted severe tree damage in its path from Bear Hill to the Sodom area in Hillsborough to Weare. It also lifted the roof off of a building where 17 girls were camping on East Hillsborough Road. At the Peter Wood Farm, maples planted during the Civil War were uprooted and some automobiles had been picked up. The barn
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough also went down and debris was scattered all over. A section of the barn was found later near the Weare Reservoir, a mile and a half away. Older Hurricanes No 1954 to 1991 N/A Many older hurricanes Hurricane Carol (1954) Wind, Flood, NH Homeland Security have impacted New did not cause nearly as Power Failure and Emergency Hampshire including the much damage as the Management, 1954 – 1991 Hurricanes: Hurricane of 1938; Hillsborough Hazard Carol on August 31, 1954 however some damage Mitigation Committee (tree and crop damage), was done to roads. Edna on September 11, Several other 1954, Donna on April 12, hurricanes have 1960 (heavy flooding), impacted NH and may Doria on August 28, 1971, have impacted Bell on August 10, 1976, Hillsborough, including Gloria on September 27, Donna (September 1985, and Bob in 1991. 1960), Gloria (September 1985), and Bob (August 1991), but their impact was not severe. Some heavy rains most likely occurred during these events. 10 Severe No 1940 to 1978 N/A Ten severe snowstorms are Although it is unknown Extreme American Snowstorms, mid documented in south- what Hillsborough Temperatures, Meteorological Society 1900s central New Hampshire experienced, it is likely Severe Snow during this time span, many of the same Storms, Ice, February 14-15, 1940 depths occurred for Windchill, Power (depths over 30” and high some of these storms. Failure winds), February 14-17, 1958 (20-33”), March 18- 21, 1958 (22-24”), March 2- 5, 1960 (up to 25”), January 18-20, 1961 (up to 25”, blizzard conditions), January 11-14, 1964 (up to 12”), January 29-31, 1966 (up to 10”), February 22-28, 1969 (24-98”, slow-moving storm), December 25-28, 1969 (12-18”), January 19- 21, 1978 (up to 16”). Accumulations ranged from 10-33 inches in the area and even to 98 inches in the western portion of the State. Hurricane of No 1938 Sep 21 N/A Hurricane made landfall as One of the worst Wind, Flood Wikipedia, Concord 1938 a 3 on the Saffir-Simpson natural disasters to hit Monitor, Freak Winds of Scale, killed about 682 Hillsborough was the New Hampshire, people and damaged or Hurricane of 1938; the Hillsborough Hazard destroyed over 57,000 Hillsborough Town Mitigation Committee, homes. Most deadly New History describes the History of Hillsborough, England hurricane. Central town as a disaster area. NH, 1921-1963 New Hampshire was According to one town inundated with water. historian, it rained Downed trees caused heavily for days extensive damage to preceding the homes, businesses and hurricane. The community infrastructure. Hillsborough Dam went President Roosevelt out. Town History ordered emergency aid be states that the sent to NH, including “damage was Merrimack County unbelievable”. It was as if a tidal wave was
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough roaring down the Piscataquog River, flooding fields, roads, taking out bridges, and tearing down trees and buildings. The volume of water washed out the Weare Dam. Roads were flooded, preventing access to the outside world, and shutting down the schools. The extensive flooding in Hillsborough became vital factors in the future flood control measures taken in the State. When this hurricane hit, the Contoocook River was already higher than it was in the flood of 1936. The Stone Bridge on Bridge Street gave out flooding Water Street, and water raced through the Hosiery and Woolen Mills. The hurricane that hit this day brought strong winds in addition to heavy flooding. Hundreds of trees were toppled. Electric and telephone lines were downed, and fallen trees blocked roads. At Breezy Point, 19 of 21 cabins were lost to blowing wind or falling trees. Grimes Field was filled with large nearby pines that were uprooted or broken Flood of 1936 No 1936 Mar 11-21 N/A Simultaneous high snowfall Warm weather and Flood, Ice Jams, Concord Monitor, Union totals, heavy rains, and heavy rains caused the Rapid Snow Pack Leader, Flood Waters, warm weather combined to Contoocook River, Melt New Hampshire 1936, hit all of New England. Beard Brook, and the Army Corps of Engineers Floods killed 24 people, North Branch River to Ice Jam Database, caused $133,000,000 in spill over their banks. History of Hillsborough, damage, and made 77,000 Several bridges were NH, 1921-1963 people homeless in New washed out and small England. The great flooding buildings at the Woolen of 1936 resulted from Mills broke apart. At its heavy rains and rapid snow peak, water was 12 pack melt. Snow north of feet deep in the boiler Concord contributed to the room of the Woolen higher waters in the Mill. Water Street was Winnipesaukee, washed out and Contoocook and buildings along it Pemigewassett rivers that vacated. The main were largely responsible for highway to Antrim was the destruction in Concord flooded as were roads and the surrounding area. to Keene and Henniker. NH issued boil water There were no warnings to everyone. casualties, but there was extensive property damage.
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Event Declared Year Date FEMA Area Effects Local Effects Hazard Source Disaster Public Surrounding Occurring in Category DR- Assistance Hillsborough Hillsborough Hillsborough No 1921 4-Jul N/A N/A, although this flood On July 4, 1921 an Flood, Extreme Hillsborough Hazard Flood of 1921 likely occurred in other unusually cold day for Temperatures, Mitigation Committee Hillsborough or Merrimack summer was also the Cold County communities in day of heavy flooding in Central NH. West Hillsborough. There was a frost in the morning and the temperature did not reach above forty degrees. Hillsborough/ No 1911 --- N/A Regional fire, example of On Sodom Hill, this fire Fire, Wildfire Deering Hazard Deering Wildfire mutual aid with Deering covered five hundred Mitigation Committee (500) acres and caused $24,000 in damage, destroying one home and endangering many others, causing some residents to pack up their belongings in case they had to flee their homes. Residents fought this fire for 3 or 4 weeks before a light rain finally helped to put it out. The Town History states, “James Locke, Hillsborough Fire Warden, was praised for the masterly manner in which he organized the plans, especially with the backfire by Dudley Pond, that culminated in stopping this fire that had seemed beyond all human control.” The Hillsborough Town History also describes this as an extremely dry year.
Source: Compilation of Events by Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee; CNHRPC
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Local Climate Changes and Extreme Weather
In the State and the Central NH Region, like any other areas, exist our own “micro-climate” areas that can be analyzed for future susceptibility to disasters and hazard events. New Hampshire has obtained high costs of damage over time due to hazardous weather and declared disasters. A review of the state and area history can provide a perspective on what Hillsborough can expect to see in terms of extreme weather in the future.
Table 11 Summary of Hazardous Weather Fatalities, Injuries, and Damage Costs in NH, 1998-2014
Year Fatalities Injuries Total Damages $ $50 2014 0 2 $3,700,000
2013 0 30 $11,250,000 $40
2012 1 4 $5,280,000 $30 2011 1 2 $27,280,000 2010 1 6 $14,630,000 $20 2009 1 0 $1,130,000 2008 2 5 $48,890,000 $10 2007 0 3 $16,150,000
Millions $0
2010 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2012 2014 2006 1 9 $18,200,000 1998 2005 4 9 $21,500,000 2004 0 11 $1,200,000 2003 2 29 $3,800,000 Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric 2002 0 7 $900,000 1 Annual Hazardous Weather Damages in NH 2001 0 2 $6,200,000 Administration, last accessed 2/10/16 2000 2 6 $800,000 http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.shtml 1999 3 17 $1,300,000 1998 1 23 $32,400,000
Injuries to people and the costs of damages in New Hampshire have increased as a result of hazardous weather. These increases of injuries and damages can be generally applied to the major disasters declared in the State. As displayed in Table 11, the highest numbers of damage costs correlate to the 1998 ($32m) and 2008 ($49m) ice storms between 1998 and 2014.
The number of injuries and fatalities have a less distinct association, with the highest numbers shown in 2013 (30) and 2003 (31). However, the greatest number of fatalities during this time period occurred in 2005 (4), likely during the time of the Columbus Day floods that hit the southwestern section of the State very hard.
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Much of the rest of the discussion in this section has been directly excerpted or paraphrased from the Central NH Regional Plan 2015. The Central NH Region’s weather history is summarized to provide a view of the trends around the Concord area where the weather measurements have taken since 1939 at the Concord Airport. Hillsborough abuts the City of Concord, so these measurements should have some reasonable basis in Hillsborough.
Figure 4 displays Concord’s average annual temperature between 1942 (46.0oF) and 2013 (46.4oF). Earlier data was not available. As with typical New Hampshire weather, the seasonal temperatures can vary year after year and without obtaining an average, changes are difficult to see. The displayed trend line allows a definitive way of averaging all of the temperatures and illustrates a +2.8oF increase in average annual temperature during this 70-year time period.
Figure 4 Average Annual Temperature for Concord, 1942-2013
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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For precipitation changes, Figure 5 displays Concord’s average annual precipitation rates between 1939 and 2013. Varying seasonal rainfall amounts continue over the decades. The trend line serves the same purpose to illustrate an overall increase of +14.48” in precipitation over the 74-year time period from 1939 to 2013.
Figure 5 Average Annual Precipitation for Concord, 1939-2013
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Similar to temperature and precipitation, annual snowfall amounts as reported by NOAA were observed for Concord starting in the 1938-1939 winter season through the 2010-2011 winter season. Snowfall data from 2011-2013 was not available. As displayed in Figure 6, the amount annual of snowfall has varied greatly over the past century. Overall, the trend line indicates a slight increase in annual snowfall inches, from about 60” in the 1938/39 season to about 68” in 2010/11, totaling an increase of +8” of snowfall over the 72-year time span.
Figure 6 Average Annual Snowfall for Concord, Winter Seasons 1938/39 - 2010/11
Concord, New Hampshire, Annual Snowfall, Winter Season Annual Snowfall '38-39' to '10-'11 Seasonal Snowfall Trend 120 3008
100 2508
80 2008 Inches 60 1508
40 1008
20 508
74-75 89-90 38-39 41-42 44-45 47-48 50-51 53-54 56-57 59-60 62-63 65-66 68-69 71-72 77-78 80-81 83-84 86-87 92-93 95-96 98-99 01-02 04-05 07-08 10-11
Source: NOAA Compiled by: CNHRPC
Although Hillsborough is 20 miles away from Concord and is allocated to a different county, this climate data may certainly be relevant to the entire Central NH Region which includes the Town. The Central NH region climate summation is that the temperature is getting warmer, the precipitation is increasing, and the snowfall is slightly increasing according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s data collection at the Concord airport. There are no indications to see these trend lines reverse although the snowfall varies greatly from one season to the next, almost in an alternating pattern.
The Southern NH Climate Change Assessment, formally entitled Climate Change in Southern New Hampshire: Past, Present, and Future, 2014 by the University of New Hampshire, reviewed current climate conditions and projected future conditions of Southern New Hampshire under potential low and high emission scenarios. Their past and future climate overview is illustrated in Figure 7.
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Figure 7 Southern NH Climate Assessment Projections As a result of anticipated extreme weather continuing and climate changes in Central Past Data and Future Climate Overview NH and Hillsborough, consideration should SOUTHERN NH CLIMATE ASSESSMENT Projections be given for potential impacts to the TEMPERATURE community. A few new issues are What have we seen since 1970? → Average maximum temperatures have warmed by considered, although the list is not detailed. 2.0oF (annual) and 2.9oF (winter) For more information on these topics, refer → Average minimum temperatures have warmed by to the Central NH Regional Plan 2015. 3.2oF (annual) and 6.1oF (winter) What can we expect? o More Human Health Emergency Events → Summers will be hotter: 16-47 days above 90 F Illnesses such as heatstroke, → Winters will be warmer: 20-45 fewer days below 32oF fainting, and heat exhaustion RAINFALL Excess heat especially dangerous What have we seen since 1970? → Annual precipitation has increased by 8-22% for the aging population and → Frequency and magnitude of extreme events residents without air conditioning What can we expect? Increase in greenhouse gas → Precipitation annual average will increase: 15-20% emission, energy demand, and air → More frequent and severe flooding conditioning use and cost SNOW More favorable conditions for What have we seen since 1970? insects carrying viruses and → Fewer days with snow cover diseases, such as West Nile Virus → Lake ice-out dates occurring earlier Increases risk of waterborne What can we expect? illnesses caused by pollutants → Significant decrease of 20-50% in number of snow covered days entering the town’s water supply, Source: Climate Solutions of New England, 2014 commonly through stormwater runoff and sewage overflow Infrastructure failure by adding additional stress, leading to potential injury or loss of life More air pollution, leading to asthma and breathing disorders
Natural Environment Disruption
Too much water and/or lack of water can disrupt trees and plants natural growing cycle, potential leading the tree, plant, and surrounding area to die Additional water and drought conditions affect wetland discharge, stream flow, and water quality, affecting the habitat’s quality of life and species’ health within the area
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Debris will be a result of harsh flooding, including trash and downed trees, polluting waters, harming habitats, and damaging property and infrastructure
Declining Forest Health Large weather events such as heat stress, drought, and periods of winter thaw followed by intense cold can lead to loss of trees Become susceptible to invasive species and diseases, such as the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Loss of trees can have a direct impact on portions of the region’s economic components, including declining tourism
Fewer Recreation Opportunities
Weather Impacts on Recreational Trails such as debris, flooding and erosion Snowmobiling, ice fishing, snow shoeing, skiing and snowboarding provide numerous sources of winter recreation and winter tourism, enhancing the quality of life and economy, will be affected with shorter seasons
Risks to the Built Environment Critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, culverts, stormwater drainage systems, water and wastewater treatment facilities, natural gas lines, electric lines and poles might be at risk of severe damage or failure if the anticipated extreme weather events occur Damaged infrastructure cannot provide services to homes and businesses, disrupting the economy and may endanger public health Culverts are at risk to extreme precipitation events, including rain, snow, and ice Residents who experience damage with flooding to their homes and personal belonging may lack proper flooding insurance, placing the resident in financial hardship. Dams with High Hazard and Significant Hazard classifications are the most likely to cause the largest amount of damage or loss of life
Increasing Municipal Transportation Systems Maintenance Needs
Volume of flooding is expected to increase, potentially closing roads and increasing the travel time for drivers and increasing the cost and energy use
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Flooding can also cause damage to pavement and embankments, increasing maintenance, repair, and replacement costs to municipalities Extreme precipitation will also increase erosion, decreasing certain infrastructure components design life span
Aging and Inadequate Stormwater Infrastructure
Stormwater infrastructure such as catch basins, pipes, discharge points, and culverts that redirect stormwater runoff can impacted by flooding and cannot perform their function Blocking of water can lead to flooding of the area and roadways, potential leading to the closure of nearby roads Components of stormwater infrastructure are outdated, and increased flows are added stress to the system, more money to maintain and higher replacement costs Increased development with increased amounts of impervious surface adds the volume of stormwater runoff within more urban area
Decreasing Water Resources
Water quality and quantity are both threatened by projected changing weather events, with threats of flooding, drought, erosion and stormwater runoff By preventing groundwater from replenishing, additional runoff and sediments can lead to intensify flows in rivers and streams with higher contamination levels of unwanted nutrients and pathogens Additional water treatment may be necessary, potentially overloading treatment systems Contamination can pollute sewage, threatening the performance of wastewater treatment facilities Increased occurrences in flooding can also intensify flows, causing overloading of treatment system When the ground is frozen, rapid snow melt from warm days or intense rain is not able to infiltrate the ground, leading to drought conditions
Changing Food and Agriculture Production
Merrimack County is the top county in the State for agriculture sales of higher temperatures will promote a longer growing season for most crops, benefiting a larger number of local crops
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Negative impacts can potentially alter the region to a climate not suitable for growing valuable local crops such as apples and blueberries Temperature are expected to slow weight gain and lower the volume of milk produced by dairy cows Higher overnight temperatures are anticipated to prevent the dairy cows and cattle from recovering from heat stress Warmer temperatures and increase in carbon dioxide in the air creates a more ideal environment for pests and weeds, potentially increasing the use of herbicides and pesticides on crop
This is a sampling of how changing climate and severe weather impacts can affect communities in New Hampshire, in the Central NH Region, and Hillsborough. Consideration should be given to applicable items during the development and update of the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Detailed Hazard Events in Hillsborough
A compilation of hazards that have occurred in Hillsborough and the Central NH Region area is provided in the prior Table of Local and Area Hazard Events. Hazard Locations in Town are areas to watch, areas of particular susceptibility and may be vulnerable to future events. Potential Future Hazards are determined based on the past hazard events, possibilities, and existing issues in Town to provide focus to future potential problem areas and to help with mitigation action development.
Each hazard is generally described and then is noted how and where it could occur in Hillsborough. For all hazards examined in this Plan, a table of the Hazard Locations in Town and the Potential Future Hazards is provided at the end of this Plan Chapter.
Hazard events were researched using a wide variety of sources for the original Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan 2004 which were the basis for many of the past disaster events and updated to the present. The Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2011 provided recent information on many of the extreme disasters experienced between 2005-2008. Sources and techniques included interviewing local townspeople, researching Town Histories and related documents, and collecting information from governmental or non-profit websites. Presidentially declared disasters or other significant hazard events are described for the surrounding area or Hillsborough County for the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017 and some of them may have affected the community. These disasters were also considered by the Committee when determining the risk evaluation.
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Committee member experiences, knowledge, and recollections generally comprise the Local and Area Hazard Events and Hazard Locations in Town. While additional hazards might have occurred in Town, those events in the Plan are what the Committee chose to list, or were familiar with to list, to comprise the hazard events within the in Tables. The same is true for the Potential Future Hazards section.
FLOODING HAZARDS
Floods are defined as a temporary overflow of water onto lands that are not normally covered by water. Flooding results from the overflow of major rivers and tributaries, storm surges, and/or inadequate local drainage. Floods can cause loss of life, property damage, crop/livestock damage, and water supply contamination. Floods can also disrupt travel routes on roads and bridges. However, floods can be beneficial to the low lying agricultural areas which are used for active farm lands by enriching the soil.
Floodplains are usually located in lowlands near rivers, and flood on a regular basis. The term 100-year flood does not mean that a flood will occur once every 100 years. It is a statement of probability that scientists and engineers use to describe how one flood compares to others that are likely to occur. It is more accurate to use the phrase 1% annual chance flood. This phrase means that there is a 1% chance of a flood of that size happening in any year.
Inland floods are most likely to occur in the spring due to the increase in rainfall and melting of snow; however, floods can occur at any time of year. A sudden thaw during the winter or a major downpour in the summer can cause flooding because there is suddenly a lot of water in one place with nowhere to drain. Flooding is the most common natural disaster to affect New Hampshire, a common and costly hazard.
There are several types of flooding hazards examined in the Hazard Risk Assessment:
Floods and Flash Floods Rapid Snow Pack Melt Ice Jams Fluvial Hazard Flooding, Erosion, Channel Movement
Magnitude of Flooding Flooding magnitude, or how bad flooding could get in Hillsborough, can be measured by the following scale. “Flooding” encompasses all types of flooding including Floods and Flash Floods, Rapid Snow Pack Melt, River Ice Jams and Fluvial Hazard Erosion and Channel Movement.
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Table 12 Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) Zones on 2009 DFIRMS
Special Flood Hazard Areas on Hillsborough DFIRMs Zone A 1% annual chance of flooding 100-year floodplains without Base Flood Elevations (BFE) Zone AE 1% annual chance of flooding (with or 100-year floodplains with Base Flood Elevations (BFE) without some identified as floodways with stream channel and/or adjacent floodplain areas floodways) areas must be kept free of encroachment so 1% annual chance of flood will not substantially increase flood height Zone X 0.2% annual chance of flooding 500-year floodplain without Base Flood Elevations (BFE) sheet flow flooding less than 1-foot deep stream flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile areas protected from 100-year floodplains by levees OR areas determined to be outside the 0.2% annual chance of flood (see DFIRMs) Sources: FEMA and NH Geographically Referenced Analysis and Transfer System (NH GRANIT) websites
Hillsborough DFIRMs can be viewed online at and downloaded from the NH Geographically Referenced Analysis and Transfer System (NH GRANIT) website. Alternatively, the DFIRMs’ respective paper FEMA 2009 Floodplain Maps in the Town Office could be consulted. Should the Zone A or Zone X or Zone AE flood to either the 100-year or 500-year level, the DFIRM areas will help measure the location of the floodplain and potential magnitude of the flood.
Flooding in Hillsborough Hillsborough is unique in the Central NH Region to have a vast number of actively flooding, large watercourses and waterbodies. Numerous individual rivers, brooks, and ponds in Hillsborough contribute to flooding these and other areas:
Contoocook River, North Branch River, Beards Brook, Shedd Brook, Sand Brook, Bagley Brook, Sulphur Brook, Black Pond Brook, Lyman Robins Brook, Nelson Brook, Tributary A, Tributary C, Island Pond Brook.
Gould Pond (Emerald Lake), Jackman Reservoir/ Franklin Pierce Lake, Loon Pond, Carter Pond, Contention Pond.
Roads in Hillsborough are occasionally vulnerable to washouts and floods. A listing of past and future potential road washouts is shown on Map 1 Potential Hazards and Map 2 Past Hazards. A Table of undersized Town-owned culverts to be upgraded to ensure their carrying capacity is located in 5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT.
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The most common road washouts have included and/or may include in the future are these:
Coolidge Road Bog Road Route 31 Stowe Mountain Road Mill Street Bear Hill Road Bridge Street Bridge
However, the wide Contoocook River floodplain, the North Branch River, the large Beards Brook, Sand Brook, Black Pond Brook, and Shedd Brook and the presence of several lakes and ponds makes the Town particularly susceptible to flooding. The following areas have been identified by the Hazard Mitigation Committee as being immediately susceptible to the impacts to flooding:
Emerald Lake Village District homes and Gould Pond (Emerald Lake) Hillsborough Center/West Main Street/Lower Village (from both the Jackman Reservoir/Franklin Pierce Lake and the Contoocook River) Areas of Beard Brook and Sand Brook Grimes Field Upper Village (Black Pond Area)
Special Flood Hazard Areas (SHFAs) Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are abundant along the many rivers and brooks on the Hillsborough County (#D33011C) Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) panels of September 25, 2009. The Town has a grand total of 20 DFIRMs. Most of these panels have important BFE information that emergency personnel will want to become aware of.
The primary DFIRM panels identifying floodplains in Hillsborough (Community #330090) are along the Contoocook River, North Branch River, Beards Brook, Sand Brook, Black Pond Brook, and Shedd Brook: #0126D, #0127D, #0131D, #0132D, #0151D, #0038D, #0039D, #0045D, #0044D, #0063D, #0017D, #0036D and #0037D. These (13) DFIRMs include regular BFEs along their watercourse spans through Town and have SHFA Zone AE (1% annual risk of flooding) with floodways mapped out. These DFIRM panels are highlighted gray in Table 11.
Three (3) more DFIRM panels display only the 1% annual risk of flooding without floodways, SHFA Zone A (100-year): #0020D, #0009D, and #0035D. Two (2) other DFIRMS on #0016D and #0030D display only Zone X locations of 0.2% annual risk of flooding (500-year). One (1) DFIRM (#0128D) did not have SFHAs in
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Town and the last (1) DFIRM panel #0016D was not printed because there are no SFHAs to map. These DFIRM panels in Table 13 are not highlighted.
Table 13 Locations of Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) on 2009 DFIRMS Panel NH SFHA Hillsborough Base Flood Panel Contains Community Location on Panel D33011C Flood ZONES Elevations Water Body Areas #330090 (BFEs) #0126D AE, X- Black Pond Black Pond- Black Pond Brook, Western-southwest edge of Town Brook. A - Bagley 976' -> 944' Bagley Brook bordering Windsor. Area contains Brook. Hall Road, Sulphur Hill Road. #0127D AE, X - Beard Brook, Beard- Beard Brook, Shedd South-southwestern edge of Town Shedd Brook, North 637' Brook, Jackman bordering Antrim. Area includes Branch River. A - Shedd- Reservoir/ Franklin West Main Street, Keene Road, Jackman Reservoir/ 747' -> 641' Pierce Lake, North Jackman Reservoir/Franklin Pierce Franklin Pierce Lake, N Branch- Branch River, Lake. Bagley Brook. X - 740' -> 673' Sulphur Brook, Sulphur Brook, Bagley Brook. Jackman Reservoir/ Franklin Pierce Lake. #0131D AE, X - Beard Brook, Beard- Beard Brook, Shedd Southern central edge of Town Shedd Brook, 637' -> 597' Brook, Contoocook bordering Antrim and Deering. Contoocook River, Shedd- River, North Branch Contains West Main Street, Saw North Branch River. 641' -> 632' River. Mill Road, US Route 202 Contoocook- 595' -> 594' N Branch- 673' -> 595' #0132D AE, X - Contoocook Contoocook- Contoocook River, Southeastern edge of Town River. A- Unnamed 594' -> 557' Multiple Unnamed bordering Deering. Contains Main Streams (Longwoods Streams Street, Route 149, Deering Center to Deering Center Road, Longwoods Road. Rd). X- Unnamed Streams (W & E of Longwoods Rd). #0151D AE, X - Contoocook Contoocook- Flooding effects Southeastern corner of Town River flooding 557' from Contoocook bordering Deering and also effects. River Henniker in Merrimack Cty. #0038D AE, X - Black Pond Black Pond- Black Pond Brook, Western central area of Town Brook. A - Shedd 945' -> 851' Shedd Brook, including Second NH Turnpike, Brook. X - Unnamed Unnamed Stream, Poverty Plains Road, Stow Stream, Unnamed Unnamed Wetland Mountain Road, Gleason Falls Road, Wetland Windsor Road, Farley Road. #0039D AE, X - Shedd Brook, Beards- Shedd Brook, Central-western area of Town, Beards Brook. A - 816' -> 627' Beards Brook, Loon includes Gleason Falls Road, East Loon Pond, Unnamed Shedd- Pond, Unnamed Washington Road, Shedd Road. Wetland 845' - 748' Wetland
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Panel NH SFHA Hillsborough Base Flood Panel Contains Community Location on Panel D33011C Flood ZONES Elevations Water Body Areas #330090 (BFEs) #0045D AE - Beards Brook, Beards & Beards Brook, Central-eastern section of Town to Unnamed Stream. A - Unnamed- Lyman Robins eastern border with Henniker. Area Lyman Robins Brook, 637' Brook, Sand Brook, contains Center Road, Concord End Sand Brook, Nelson Nelson Brook, Road, North Road, Bog Road. Brook. X - Unnamed Unnamed Stream, Wetland. Unnamed Wetland #0044D AE, X - Sand Brook, Sand - Contoocook River, Southeastern area of Town Gould Pond, 671' -> 555' Sand Brook, Gould bordering Merrimack County town Contoocook River. Contoocook- Pond aka Emerald of Henniker. Area contains Old 557' -> 555' Lake. Henniker Road, Hillsborough Bypass, Emerald Lake Village. #0063D AE, X - Contoocook Contoocook- Contoocook River Southeastern edge of Town River. 556' -> 553' bordering Henniker in Merrimack County. Contains Old US Route 202 & NH 9. #0017D AE, X - Beards Brook. Beards- Beards Brook, Northwestern edge to Western A - Tributary C. X - 864' -> 846' Tributary C, Island edge area, includes Jones Hill Road, Island Pond Brook, Pond Brook, East Washington Road. Unnamed Wetland. Unnamed Wetland. #0036D AE, X - Beards Brook. Beards- Carter Pond, Central-northwestern area, A - Carter Pond, 846' -> 817' Tributary A, contains East Washington Road, Tributary A, Tributary Tributary C, Beards Cooledge Road C, Contention Pond. Brook, Contention Pond. #0037D AE, X - Beards Brook. Beards- Beards Brook, Central-northeastern area, contains A - Contention Pond, 817' -> 816' Contention Pond, East Washington Road, County Loon Pond. Loon Pond Road #0128D N/A N/A N/A Southwestern corner of Hillsborough bordering Antrim and Windsor. #0107D Panel not printed N/A N/A Very small western edge of Hillsborough bordering Windsor. #0020D A - Shedd Brook N/A Shedd Brook Western edge of Town bordering Windsor. Area contains Second NH Turnpike, Valhalla Farm Road. #0016D X - Island Pond Brook N/A Island Pond Brook Northwestern corner, borders Washington and Sullivan County. #0009D A - Tributary C. N/A Tributary C Northern edge, west of Mud Pond bordering both Merrimack (Bradford) and Sullivan (Washington) Counties. #0030D X - Unnamed Stream. N/A Unnamed Stream Northern-central edge, Unnamed Stream along County Road, bordering Bradford in Merrimack County. #0035D A - Lyman Robins N/A Lyman Robins Brook Northeastern corner, borders Brook Bradford and Henniker in
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Panel NH SFHA Hillsborough Base Flood Panel Contains Community Location on Panel D33011C Flood ZONES Elevations Water Body Areas #330090 (BFEs) Merrimack County. Area contains Carter Hill Road, Colby Hill Road, Kimball Road. A = 1% annual chance, no BFE (100-year) BFE = Base Flood Elevation AE = 1% annual chance, Floodway with BFE (100-year) Primary DFIRM Panel # X = 2% annual chance (500-year) 05-25-2009 DFIRMS Sources: FEMA and NH Geographically Referenced Analysis and Transfer System (NH GRANIT) websites
Figure 8 displays the relative location of each of the DFIRM panels in the community. This set of DFIRMs is excerpted from the Hillsborough County Flood Insurance Study (FIS) of 2009.
Figure 8 DFIRM Panel Location, 2009
Source: NH GRANIT last accessed 05-10-16
Figure 9 displays an example of a zoomed-in view of the Hillsborough West Main Street area DFIRM to illustrate the DFIRM appearance, a significant upgrade from the previous series of paper maps.
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Figure 9 Zoom View of Hillsborough Center DFIRM Panel Location #0131D
Source: FEMA DFIRMS 2009 for Hillsborough NH, #0131D
Rapid Snow Pack Melt Warm temperatures and heavy rains cause rapid snowmelt. The water cannot seep into the frozen ground in early spring and so it runs off into streets and waterways. Quickly melting snow coupled with moderate to heavy rains are prime conditions for flooding.
There is the possibility of damages from the rapid snow pack melt because of the flooding along the roads, and through the culverts of the various brooks. Locations in Hillsborough that may be vulnerable to rapid snow pack melt include undersized or unmaintained culverts, roads, driveways, slopes, yards or fields, or swollen brooks, or any of the Town’s fast moving brooks or ditches. Damage to roads is expected.
Magnitude of Rapid Snow Pack Melt Rapid snow pack melt is a type of flooding. On its own, it has no known magnitude measurement. However, the hazard can share Flooding’s Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) table.
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Rapid Snow Pack Melt in Hillsborough In years past, the Contoocook River, Beard Brook, and the North Branch River has spilled over their banks by rapid snow pack melt. The many moderate-sized brooks in Town drain into the Contoocook River watershed, roughly following US Route 9/202 into Concord, until the Contoocook reaches the Merrimack River in Boscawen/ Penacook. This would also have adverse impact on local dams such as Jackman Dam as well as the local road system. Buildings such as High Tide Restaurant, along Mill Street and Bear Hill Road, or the Emerald Lake Village District have potential to be inundated.
River Ice Jams Rising waters in early spring often break ice into chunks, which float downstream, pile up and cause flooding. Small rivers and streams pose special flooding risks because they are easily blocked by jams. Ice in riverbeds and against structures presents significant flooding threats to bridges, roads, and the surrounding lands. A visual of how ice jams often form is displayed in Figure 10.
Figure 10 Typical Ice Jam Commencement
Source: USGS, Internet Accessed May 2014
Magnitude of River Ice Jams There is no known widely-used magnitude scale for river ice jams. River ice jams can cause debris impacted infrastructure when they apply pressure to bridges and dams.
River Ice Jams in Hillsborough Ice jams have been known to have occurred in the past in sections along the Contoocook River but not in Hillsborough although the potential exists. An ice jam on Beards Brook caused flooding for 200 feet four decades ago. Major rivers, including Contoocook, North Branch, Beard Brook and Sand Brook have flow
Page 59 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT which could have potential ice form and movement during high water levels in spring and during severe rain fall. River ice jams may have future potential to occur on the (Contoocook River) Route 9/202 overpass or the (Beard Brook) NH Route 9 overpass, or road, bridge, dam and property damages may occur, such as the Bridge Street Dam and Stone Arch Bridge Park on Contoocook River.
Fluvial Erosion, Bed Scouring and Channel Movement Fluvial erosion is the wearing away of the river/stream bank and floodway. Bed scouring is the wearing away of the bed of the river or stream, typically shown as a pool type formation at downstream culvert outflows. Watercourses with high elevation change (stream gradient) are particularly prone to flash- flooding conditions and most vulnerable to erosion and scouring. During flooding or even high flow events, rivers can erode their banks and migrate into their floodplains. A migrating river, when channel movement is occurring, has the potential to impact nearby structures (berms, dams, buildings, etc.) or infrastructure such as river or stream crossings (culverts and bridges) or transportation features (roads, drainage structures, rail, etc.) in its migration path. Figure 11 displays visual bank erosion characteristics.
Figure 11 Bank Erosion Characteristics
Source: US Geological Survey (USGS)
Magnitude of (Fluvial) River Bank Erosion River and streambank erosion magnitude can be measured by the US EPA Bank Erosion Prediction Index (BEHI), which is used with the Near Bank Stress (NBS) quantification. Taken into consideration for the BEHI are the bank height versus bankfull depth, bank angle, density of roots, soil stratification, and particle size at a river reach. Figure 12 displays the visual version of the index.
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Figure 12 Bank Erosion Prediction Index (BEHI)
Source: US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
Fluvial Erosion, Bed Scouring and Channel Movement in Hillsborough Erosion along the Contoocook River or North Branch River could occur at locations along its banks. The Town should remain alert for potential developing erosion sites. The many brooks in Hillsborough can also be prone to erosion or scouring of the bed especially those with a floodway, Beard Brook, Shedd Brook, Black Pond Brook, Sand Brook or along Gould Pond (Emerald Lake), Franklin Pierce Lake, Contention Pond or Loon Pond. The residential property that could be the most vulnerable is the ELVD. Depending on the nature of channel relocation or scouring, homes and businesses may need to be evacuated and/or relocated from this area or the lower section of West Main Street/Hillsborough Center closest to the Contoocook River.
The Hazard Mitigation Committee identified the following as existing known locations of minor fluvial erosion and scouring:
Beard Brook at the north end of Coolidge Road Grimes Field area from the Contoocook River
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WIND HAZARDS Hurricane season begins on June 1 and continues through the end of November. August and September are the most active hurricane months. It is not uncommon for New England to be impacted by a hurricane more than once in a season. River and flooding due to heavy rains is a risk to Hillsborough during hurricanes. Numerous hurricane events in recent history have occurred in the State, region, and the local area surrounding Hillsborough that may have also had an impact on the Town.
Wind is also found in severe winter snow and ice storms, making this hazard likely to occur during the entire year. Significantly high winds occur especially during hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and thunderstorms any time of the year. Falling objects and downed power lines are dangerous risks associated with high winds. Property damage and downed trees are common during high wind occurrences.
All utilities, including power lines, are at risk and their damage or destruction would create a hazard to the Town. A communications interruption or failure resulting from damage to telecommunications towers could affect the capabilities of emergency personnel to respond to the hazard event.
There are several types of wind hazards examined in the Hazard Risk Assessment:
Tornadoes Downbursts Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Severe Wind and Thunderstorms
Tornadoes Significantly high winds that occur especially during hurricanes, winter storms, and thunderstorms, but can also exist independent of other storms. Falling objects and downed power lines are dangerous risks associated with high winds. In addition, property damage and downed trees are common during high wind occurrences.
A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel shaped cloud. They develop when cool air overrides a layer of warm air, causing the warm air to rise rapidly. The atmospheric conditions required for the formation of a tornado include great thermal instability, high humidity, and the convergence of warm, moist air at low levels with cooler, drier air aloft. Most tornadoes remain suspended in the atmosphere, but if they touch down they become a force of destruction.
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Tornadoes produce the most violent winds on earth, at speeds of 280 mph or more. In addition, tornadoes can travel at a forward speed of up to 70 mph. Damage paths can be in excess of one-mile wide and 50 miles long. Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause the most structural damage.
Magnitude of Tornadoes A tornado occurring in Hillsborough would cause considerable damage. Roofs could be torn off frame houses; dams could be damaged; large trees snapped or uprooted; and light object missiles would be generated as a result of an EF-2 Tornado. Tornado magnitude is measured by the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, a 2007 update from the original F-scale (Fujita Scale), which are provided in Table 14.
Table 14 Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale Fujita (F) Scale 2007 – Present replaced F Number with F Number with 3-Second Gust mph 3-Second Gust mph EF0 F0 65-85 mph 45-78 mph EF1 F1 86-110 mph 79-117 mph EF2 F2 111-135 mph 118-161 mph EF3 F3 136-165 mph 162-209 mph EF4 F4 166-200 mph 210-261 mph EF5 F5 over 200 mph 262-317 mph Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center
Tornadoes in Hillsborough Although none have yet been reported, the whole Town could be impacted by a tornado. Populated areas include the Hillsborough Center (West Main Street) or vulnerable populations such as the Elementary, Middle and High Schools, the over age 55 and assisted living facilities, Stonebridge Mobile Home Coop, Benway Mobile Home Park, Jackman Dam, Emerald Lake area (large Pine Barrens), Oxbow Campground, Bear Hill Motel, Grimes Field and more (see APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facility Vulnerability Assessment for a list of sites). The heavily forest North Hillsborough runs a risk of
Page 63 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT isolation through debris impacted infrastructure (trees down on roads and powerlines) resulting in power failure with little emergency access until the way is cleared.
Downbursts A downburst is a severe localized wind blasting down from a thunderstorm. These "straight line" winds are distinguishable from tornadic activity by the pattern of destruction and debris. Downbursts are capable of producing winds of up to 175 mph and are life threatening. Downbursts are quite common during Central NH’s hot weather months. Microbursts and macrobursts (wet) have been known to occur here in the region.
Downbursts of both sizes are capable of producing strong wind shear - or large changes in wind speed and direction over a short distance. Trees are regularly snapped off in a singular direction as a result of a macroburst or microburst. Downbursts typically originate from thunderstorm clouds, with air moving in a downward motion until it hits the ground level and then spreads outward in all directions. In fact, the wind pattern of a downburst is the opposite of a tornado’s wind pattern, shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13 Microburst Forming from Thunderstorm Clouds
Source: Internet (Encyclopedia Brittanica)
Magnitude of Downbursts Downburst magnitude is rated on the same NOAA Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale as tornadoes. In addition, downbursts fall into two categories:
microburst, which covers an area less than 2.5 miles in diameter and macroburst, which covers an area equal to or greater than 2.5 miles in diameter.
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Downbursts in Hillsborough Downbursts are considered a greater threat than tornadoes in Hillsborough although none have yet been reported in Town. Their effects can be similar but in a more targeted area. Populated areas include the Hillsborough Center (West Main Street) or vulnerable populations such as the Elementary, Middle and High Schools, the over age 55 and assisted living facilities, Stonebridge Mobile Home Coop, Benway Mobile Home Park, Jackman Dam, Emerald Lake area (large Pine Barrens), Oxbow Campground, Bear Hill Motel, Grimes Field and more (see APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facility Vulnerability Assessment for a list of sites). The heavily forest North Hillsborough runs a risk of isolation through debris impacted infrastructure (trees down on roads and powerlines) resulting in power failure with little emergency access until the way is cleared. Historic resources and exposed, taller buildings, communications towers, and utilities could also be affected.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms A hurricane is a tropical cyclone in which winds reach speeds of 74 miles per hour or more and blow in a large spiral around a relatively calm center. Flooding is often caused from the coastal storm surge of the ocean and torrential rains, both of which accompany the storm. The floods and high winds can result in loss of life and property. Hurricanes, high wind and rain events, and thunderstorms can damage Hillsborough just like any other community in Central New Hampshire. Forested lands and trees along the transportation infrastructure can be blown down across roads; the above-ground powerlines along the sides of the road can be snapped either by trees or high winds and fall onto the roads or nearby objects; and runoff flooding and stream/brook and river flooding can occur as a result of hurricanes and severe storms.
Magnitude of Hurricanes and Tropical Storms The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale measures the magnitude of wind event on a 1 through 5 rating basis. The definitions of Category 1 through 5 sustained wind miles per hour and their respective threats to people, different types of homes, shopping centers, trees, power lines, water, and more are displayed in Table 15.
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Table 15 Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Category Sustained Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds Winds Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly 1 74-95 mph rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could 96-110 sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted 2 mph and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks. Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of 3 111-129 roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. major mph Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of 4 130-156 most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power major mph outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total 5 157 mph roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power major or higher outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms in Hillsborough Hillsborough has experienced all of the hurricanes and tropical storms to have been presidentially declared disaster or emergency declarations, including Tropical Storm Irene (2011) and Hurricane Sandy (2012) and those prior to the 2000s. These high wind and rain events caused many roads to temporarily close while the Public Works Department cleared them of debris. Trees and limbs fell onto the roadways and onto powerlines. If vehicles had been traveling on these roads while the hurricane was in progress, they would have been in danger.
When hurricanes or tropical storms occur in Hillsborough, the entire Town’s electrical utilities of Eversource (formerly Public Service of NH or PSNH) will continue to be prone to power outages. The response time to these outages could be several days in the more remote or densely populated areas of Town. Areas particularly vulnerable to the combination of flooding, wind, tree debris and power failure include the heavily forested North Hillsborough and residences in forested locations such the heavily populated Emerald Lake Village District. Radio operability for emergency communications would be adversely affected. Land line utilities are at risk of failure during severe storm weather.
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Severe Wind and Thunder Storms More commonly experienced are severe wind storms and thunder storms. The severe wind storms occur during all months of the year while the thunder storms tend to erupt during periods of humidity. On occasion, precipitation in the form of rain or hail is experienced during these storms. Thunderstorms can also bring lightning hazards.
Magnitude of Severe Wind and Thunder Storms Many of the severe wind storms Hillsborough experiences are not hurricanes but are severe wind storms or thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are common in New Hampshire, particularly during the hot weather months. The Thunderstorm Category Criteria scale in Table 16 measures the magnitude of thunderstorms with their various weather components, including rain, wind, hail, tornado, and lightning.
Table 16 Thunderstorm Criteria Scale Thunderstorm Rainfall Wind Hail Tornado Lightning Darkness Aspect Overall Thunderstorm Impact Categories Inches Gust Size in Potential Frequency per hour max Highest per 5 mph Category minutes T-1 Slightly Dark 1. No damage. Weak Few strikes Sunlight may be 2. Gusty winds at times. 0.03" to Thunderstorms < 25 mph None None during entire seen after storm 0.10" or storm Thundershowers Moderately Dark 1. Heavy downpours. Heavy downpours 2. Occasional lightning. T-2 might cause the 3. Gusty winds. 0.10" to 25-40 Occasional Moderate None None need for car 4. Very little damage. 0.25" mph 1 to 10 Thunderstorms headlights 5. Small tree branches might break. 6. Lawn furniture moved around. 7. Power outages are possible. Dark 1. Minor damage. Car headlights 2. Downpours produce some flooding T-3 used. Visibility low on streets. Heavy Occasional to in heavy rains. Cars 3. Frequent lightning could cause house 0.25" to 40-57 1/4" to Thunderstorms EF0 Frequent might pull off the fires. 0.55" mph 3/4" 1. Singular or 10 to 20 road. 4. Hail occurs with the downpours. lines of storms 5. Small tree branches are broken. 6. Shingles are blown off roofs. 7. Power outages are likely.
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T-4 Very Dark 1. Moderate damage. Intense Car headlights 2. Heavy rains can cause flooding to Thunderstorms used. Some streams and roadway flooding occurs. 0.55" to 58-70 1" to Frequent streetlights come 3. Hail can cause dents on cars and 1.weaker EF0 to EF2 1.25" mph 1.5" 20 to 30 on. cause crop damage. supercells 4. Tornado damage. 2. Bow echoes or 5. Power outages will occur. lines of storms Pitch Black 1. Severe damage to trees and T-5 Street lights come property. Damage is widespread. Extreme on. House lights 2. Flooding rains. Thunderstorms might be used. 3. Damaging hail. Frequent to 1. Supercells with 1.5" to 4. Damaging wind gusts to trees and 1.25" to 4" > 70 mph EF3 to EF5 Continuous family of 4" buildings. > 30 tornadoes 5. Tornadoes EF3 to EF5 or family of 2. Derecho tornadoes can occur. Tornadoes cause Windstorms total devastation. 6. Widespread power outages. Source: Adapted from Accuweather.com, Henry Margusity, Senior Meteorologist
Incidentally, hail can accompany thunderstorms, hurricanes, or severe wind events. The Hail Size Description Chart describes the potential size of hail during a hurricane or severe storm event, which could occur anywhere in Hillsborough. The chart is shown below along with a Hail Size Comparison Chart which is a visual representation of some of the relative sizes of hail (note this chart image is not shown to scale). The Table 17 hail size description and Figure 14 size comparison scales measure the magnitude of hailstones that could fall on Hillsborough during severe storm events.
Table 17 Figure 14 Hail Size Description Hail Size Comparison Hailstone Diameter Size Description (inches) < 1/4 bb 1/4 Pea Size 1/2 Mothball Size 3/4 Penny Size 7/8 Nickel Size Severe Criteria 1 Quarter Size 1 1/4 Half Dollar Size 1 1/2 Walnut or Ping Pong Ball 1 3/4 Golf Ball Size 2 Hen Egg Size 2 1/2 Tennis Ball Size 2 3/4 Baseball Size Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric 3 Teacup Size Administration (NOAA), National Weather 3 4/5 Softball Size Service (NWS) 4 Grapefruit Size
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Severe Wind and Thunder Storms in Hillsborough All of Hillsborough has experienced severe wind, rain, and thunderstorms. When these events occur in Town, the entire Town’s electrical utilities of Eversource (formerly Public Service of NH or PSNH) will continue to be prone to power outages. The response time to these outages could be several days in the more remote or densely populated areas of Town. Areas particularly vulnerable to the combination of flooding, wind, tree debris and power failure include the heavily forested North Hillsborough and residences in forested locations such the heavily populated Emerald Lake Village District. Communications failure would also be experienced.
FIRE HAZARDS Fire can be caused by a number of agents and can spread rapidly to consume property and endanger lives. This Plan examines fire (vehicles, structure, arson, explosions), lightning, and wildfire.
Explosions are violent releases of energy due to a sudden increase in volume within a given space. Explosions produce extremely high temperatures and release gases. Urban fires in unoccupied buildings are particularly dangerous - they are sometimes deliberate and sometimes accidental. Urban fires have the potential to cause widespread property damage and place both occupants and neighbors in danger. Wildfire is a significant concern and can quickly get out of control without good infrastructure and procedures. Lightning can cause fire or wildfire.
There is a risk of explosion in households that use gas or oil burners or who store such gases or chemicals in an unsafe manner. Business and industrial sites would also be at potential risk of explosion where flammable materials and gases and/or other chemicals are stored.
Locations of older narrow graveled roads or densely packed residential areas are among the most vulnerable locations for fire and wildfire hazards.
There are several types of fire hazards examined in the Hazard Risk Assessment:
Fire (Vehicle, Structure, Arson) Lightning Wildfire
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Magnitude of Fire The fire often associated with vehicles, structure or hazardous materials spills, sometimes including an explosion is a technological hazard while arson is a human-caused hazard. No magnitude scales were defined for these types of non-natural fires.
Fire in Hillsborough In 2008, a small explosion at the Jackman Dam Hydro Power Station. This caused damage and some power outages. Above ground propane tanks have posed a threat during flooding events as they’ve been seen to be bobbing in the floodwaters. Explosion did not occur but could continue to be a possibility. A list of hazardous materials facilities which could cause fire or explosions in Town is available in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facility Vulnerability Assessment.
Lightning All thunderstorms contain lightning. During a lightning discharge, the sudden heating of the air causes it to expand rapidly. After the discharge, the air contracts quickly as it cools back to ambient temperatures. This rapid expansion and contraction of the air causes a shock wave that we hear as thunder, a shock wave that can damage building walls and break glass. Lightning strikes can cause death, injury, and property damage. Lightning is often referred to as the “underrated killer”.
Magnitude of Lightning Lightning can be measured to determine how likely it may be for starting fires. Using a Level system of 1 to 6 corresponding with storm development and the number of lightning strikes, the Lightning Activity Level (LAL) measures the magnitude of lightning strikes as displayed in Table 18.
Table 18 Lightning Activity Level (LAL) Level LAL Cloud and Storm Development Cloud to Cloud to Ground Strikes Ground Strikes per 5 Minutes per 15 Minutes LAL 1 No thunderstorms n/a n/a LAL 2 Isolated thunderstorms. Light rain will occasionally reach the 1 to 5 1 to 8 ground. Lightning is very infrequent, 1 to 5 cloud to ground strikes in a 5- minute period. LAL 3 Widely scattered thunderstorms. Light to moderate rain will 6 to 10 9 to 15 reach the ground. Lightning is infrequent, 6 to 10 cloud to ground strikes in a 5-minute period.
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Level LAL Cloud and Storm Development Cloud to Cloud to Ground Strikes Ground Strikes per 5 Minutes per 15 Minutes LAL 4 Scattered thunderstorms. Moderate rain is commonly 11 to 15 16 to 25 produced Lightning is frequent, 11 to 15 cloud to ground strikes in a 5-minute period. LAL 5 Numerous thunderstorms. Rainfall is moderate to heavy. > 15 > 25 Lightning is frequent and intense, greater than 15 cloud to ground strikes in a 5-minute period. LAL 6 Dry lightning (same as LAL 3 but without rain). This type of 6 to 10 9 to 15 lightning has the potential for extreme fire activity and is normally highlighted in fire weather forecasts with a Red Flag Warning. Source: National Weather Service
Lightning in Hillsborough Lightning regularly strikes in town. In 2008, a lightning strike near the Town Public Works Department garage damaged equipment at the Transfer Station, Police Station and at the Elementary School; there were no reported injuries. Farm animals have been killed in fields in years past.
Specific sites which would cause the greatest impact if struck by lightning include the utilities, ELVD water towers, communication towers on Bible Hill and those located on Crotched Mountain are prone to lightning strikes. The water wells at Emerald Lake and Loon Pond are also prone to lightning damage. The heavily forested North Hillsborough and Fox State Forest are remote and difficult to access by emergency vehicles as are the older, narrow gravel roads.
Wildfire Wildfire is defined as any unwanted and unplanned fire burning in forest, shrub or grass. Wildfires are frequently referred to as forest fires, shrub fires or grass fires, depending on their location. They often occur during drought and when woody debris on the forest floor is readily available to fuel the fire. The threat of wildfires is greatest where vegetation patterns have been altered by past land-use practices, fire suppression and fire exclusion. Because fire is a natural process, fire suppression can lead to more severe wildfires due to vegetation buildup.
Increased severity over recent years has decreased capability to extinguish wildfires. Wildfires are unpredictable and usually destructive, causing both personal property damage and damage to community infrastructure and cultural and economic resources.
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Magnitude of Wildfire The standard of measuring wildfire magnitude is by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)’s wildfire classification scale. Table 19 displays the wildfire classification size according to the number of acres burned.
Table 19 Wildfire Classification Scale Fire Class Sizes in Acres Class A 1/4 acre or less Class B > 1/4 acre to < 10 acres Class C 10 acres to < 100 acres Class D 100 acres to < 300 acres Class E 300 acres to < 1,000 acres Class F 1,000 acres to < 5,000 acres Class G 5,000 acres or more Source: National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildfire in Hillsborough Past wildfires have devastated areas of remote forested land, including Stowe Mountain and Thompson Mountain. The heavily forested North Hillsborough and Fox State Forest are remote and difficult to access by emergency vehicles. Any debris left over from flooding, winter storms, or wind events are a wildfire hazard. When droughts or drier conditions occur, the dry vegetation becomes a significant hazard to the Town Fire Department.
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EXTREME TEMPERATURE (COLD-HOT) HAZARDS Extreme temperature hazards include diverse hazards such as severe cold and snowstorms, excessive heat, drought, and public health. The snow and ice component often results in communications & power failure for a large segment of the Town. This category is meant to encompass all of the hazards which can be influenced by the extreme weather temperatures and climate changes that New England, New Hampshire, the Central NH Region, and Hillsborough are experiencing.
There are several types of extreme temperature (cold-hot) hazards examined in the Hazard Risk Assessment:
Severe Winter Weather, Cold, and Ice Storms Drought Excessive Heat Public Health (Epidemics)
National Weather Service in Gray, Maine which covers New Hampshire collects and reports climate data in addition to issuing warning and advisories. Winter 2015-2016 was the warmest and one of the least snowy on record in Concord, their most local reporting station. The average temperature this season since 1868 was 30.9 degrees, topping the previous record of 30.4 degrees in the season of 1879-1880. Precipitation was 2.01 inches above normal this winter, totaling 10.53 inches. Total snowfall was 24.7 inches, 20.2 inches below normal. Warmest temperature records were also set during 2015.
Severe Winter Weather, Cold, and Ice Storms Ice and snow events typically occur during the winter months and can cause loss of life, property damage, and tree damage. Severe winter storms, including Nor’easters, typically occur during January and February. However, winter storms can occur from late September through late May.
A winter storm can range from moderate snow to blizzard conditions. Blizzard conditions are considered blinding, wind-driven snow over 35 mph that lasts several days. A severe winter storm deposits four or more inches of snow during a 12-hour period or six inches of snow during a 24-hour period.
An ice storm involves rain, which freezes upon impact. Ice coating at least one-fourth inch in thickness is heavy enough to damage trees, overhead wires, and similar objects. Ice storms also often produce widespread power outages.
A Nor’easter is a large weather system traveling from South to North, passing along or near the seacoast. As the storm approaches New England and its intensity becomes increasingly apparent, the resulting
Page 73 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT counterclockwise cyclonic winds impact the coast and inland areas from a Northeasterly direction. In the winter months, oftentimes blizzard conditions accompany these events. The added impact of the masses of snow and/or ice upon infrastructure often affects transportation and the delivery of goods and services for extended periods.
Extreme cold temperatures are associated with continental Arctic air masses. The actual temperatures reached depend specifically on the nature of the cold air mass and where it originated. In general, those from the Arctic regions are the coldest. Though cold temperatures are dangerous in their own right, they become more so in conjunction with strong winds. The combination produces a wind-chill factor – heat loss measured in Watts per meter squared (Wm-2). A wind-chill factor of 1400 Wm-2 is equivalent to a temperature of -40 degrees F. At 2700 Wm-2, exposed flesh freezes within a half-minute.
Numerous severe winter events in recent history have occurred in the State, region, and the local area surrounding Hillsborough that may have also had an impact on the Town. Unlike the relatively infrequent hurricane, New Hampshire generally experiences at least one or two Nor’easters each year with varying degrees of severity. These storms have the potential to inflict more damage than many hurricanes because the high storm surge and high winds can last from 12 hours to 3 days, while the duration of hurricanes ranges from 6 to 12 hours.
All winter storms make walking and driving extremely dangerous. The elderly and very young are at high risk during winter storms and may be affected by hypothermia and isolation. During winter storms, there is an increased risk of fire because people experience power failure and use candles, portable gas stoves, and other flammable sources of heat and light.
Magnitude of Severe Winter Weather Severe Winter Weather magnitude in can be measured for windchill, ice accumulation and snowfall using several different scales and indices including the NWS Windchill Chart, Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index (SPIA) and NCDC Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) for the Northeast. Figure 15 displays the Windchill Temperature Index which measures the wind and temperature leading to how quickly frostbite can occur.
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Figure 15 Windchill Temperature Index
Source: National Weather Service
Table 20 displays the Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index (SPIA) which measure the magnitude of ice damage from severe winter weather. The index is compared to the tornado and hurricane scales note above. Storm total rainfall converted to ice accumulation, wind, and temperatures during the storm period are used to develop SPIA.
Table 20 Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index (SPIA) Ice Average NWS Ice Wind Speed Ice Damage and Impact Descriptions Damage Amount mph Index in Inches 0 < 0.25 < 15 Minimal risk of damage to exposed utility systems. No alerts or advisories needed for crews, few outages. 1 0.10 to 0.25 15 to 25 Some isolated or localized utility interruptions are possible, typically lasting only a few hours. 0.25 to 0.50 > 15 Roads and bridges might become slick and hazardous. 2 0.10 to 0.25 25-35 Scattered utility interruptions expected, typically lasting 12 to 24 hours. Roads and 0.25 to 0.50 15-25 travel conditions might be extremely 0.50 to 0.75 < 15 hazardous due to ice accumulation. 3 0.10 to 0.25 > = 35
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0.25 to 0.50 25 - 35 Numerous utility interruptions with some 0.50 to 0.75 15 - 25 damage to main feeder lines and equipment expected. Tree limb damage is excessive. 0.75 to 1.00 < 15 Outages lasting 1-5 days. Warming sites needed. 4 0.25 to 0.50 > = 35 Prolonged and widespread utility interruptions with extensive damage to main distribution 0.50 to 0.75 25 - 35 feeder lines and some high voltage 0.75 to 1.00 15 - 25 transmission lines/structures. Outages lasting 5-10 days. Shelters or warming sites needed. 1.00 to 1.50 < 15 5 0.50 to 0.75 > = 35 Catastrophic damage to entire exposed utility systems, including both distribution and 0.75 to 1.00 > = 25 transmission networks. Outages could last 1.00 to 1.50 > = 15 several weeks in some areas. Shelters needed. > 1.50 Any Source: www.spia-index.com (adapted by CNHRPC)
The Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) for the Northeast is used to categorize significant snowstorms. The RSI ranks snowstorm effects on a scale from 1 to 5, similar to the Enhanced Fujita Scale for tornadoes or the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale for hurricanes. The RSI differs from these other indices because it includes population, a social component. The RSI is based on the spatial extent of the storm, the amount of snowfall, and the juxtaposition of these elements with population. The Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) displayed in Table 21 is a measurement of the magnitude of a snowstorm in the Northeast, which includes New Hampshire. Table 21 Regional Snowfall Index (RSI) for the Northeast Storm RSI Snow Category Value Description 1 1–3 Notable 2 3–6 Significant 3 6–10 Major 4 10–18 Crippling 5 18.0+ Extreme Source: www.ncdc.noaa.gov/snow-and-ice/rsi/ (adapted by CNHRPC)
Severe Winter Weather in Hillsborough Winter weather events are as common in Hillsborough as they are in the other areas of Central New Hampshire. The worst storm on record was the December 2008 Ice Storm with wide-spread power outages that lasting for up to 10 days. Hillsborough’s bisection of its community by the main state highways of US Routes 9/202, NH Route 149 and Route 31 and its abundant water features suggest a
Page 76 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT potential for road icing (transportation accidents), communications failure, power failure, extreme cold and local road impassibility when ice and snow storm events hit. Areas above 800 feet in elevation and the heavily forested Northern section of Town are particularly vulnerable.
Drought A drought is defined as a long period of abnormally low precipitation, especially one that adversely affects growing or living conditions. Droughts are rare in New Hampshire. They generally are not as damaging and disruptive as floods and are more difficult to define. The effect of droughts is indicated through measurements of soil moisture, groundwater levels, and streamflow. However, not all of these indicators will be minimal during a drought. For example, frequent minor rainstorms can replenish the soil moisture without raising ground-water levels or increasing streamflow. Low streamflow also correlates with low ground-water levels and commonly cause diminished water supply because ground water discharge to streams and rivers maintains streamflow during extended dry periods.
In the case of drought, residential and town water supplies would be threatened. Most homes in Town rely on well water which is not easily replenished during periods of drought. All farms and orchards in town, including the tree farms, would be affected by drought. Additionally, wildfires would have the potential of being more severe and commonplace during periods of drought.
Magnitude of Drought Table 22 displays overall drought magnitude, measured by the Palmer Hydrological Drought Index (PHDI) the extent of hydrological drought in the form of long-term, cumulative monthly moisture conditions. The indices are developed by algorithms taking into consideration precipitation, temperature data, and the local Available Water Content (AWC) of the soil.
Table 22 Palmer Drought Conditions Hydrological Drought Classification
Extremely Moist +4 and above Very Moist +3 to +3.99 Moderately Moist +2 to +2.99 Mid-Range -1.99 to +1.99 Moderate Drought -2 to -2.99 Severe Drought -3 to -3.99 Extreme Drought -4 and below Source: www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/drought (as compiled by CNHRPC)
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Drought in Hillsborough Periods of drought in Hillsborough would occur Town-wide and could cause property damage and economic losses. The lack of water would become a community problem to keep people hydrated and the failure of agricultural crops, products, and farm animals can occur. Increased likelihood of wide-spread brush fire and wildfire will occur with drier vegetation. Lightning strikes could contribute to wildfire risk during droughts. Dug wells can dry up during droughts and interrupt personal water supplies. Property damage and personal injuries or death could occur from drought-related fires or dry wells. The Emerald Lake Village District employs a water ban for outdoor use when a drought has been declared for the County to help prevent further drawdown of Emerald Lake (Gould Pond).
Excessive Heat A heat wave is a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and unusually humid weather that typically lasts two or more days. The Heat Index is used to measure humidity against temperature to develop a “real feel” temperature. Heat disorders on the body are quick and can be deadly.
Excessive Heat in Hillsborough Hillsborough has experienced heat waves where temperatures exceeded 90 degrees for several days. During these times, many specific population sites in Town particularly susceptible to excessive heat, including the Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf Senior Housing, and Farmsteads of New England Group Care Facility, must have access to air conditioning. Excessive heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and more serious illnesses. Other vulnerable facilities are indicated in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment.
Magnitude of Excessive Heat Excessive heat is measured by the NWS Heat Index and the NWS Excessive Heat Warning Classifications. As both the air temperature and the humidity rise, so will the danger level to people. Heat disorders will become more likely with prolonged exposure or strenuous activity as shown in Figure 16.
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Figure 16 Heat Index (Temperature and Humidity)
Source: weather.gov
Public Health (Epidemics) Public health issues can be measured in many different ways. Students and the elderly are vulnerable to seasonal health outbreaks as they tend to congregate in large numbers and in shared environments where physical contact is common. Large groups can make bioterrorism more effective.
It is difficult to predict where an epidemic would occur due to human and wildlife mobility. Commonly occurring epidemics following extreme heat or cold can include influenza, rotovirus, Lyme disease, EEE, West Nile, and any could occur in Hillsborough. The Town has swampy areas around its multiple ponds and rivers which are prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. Large deer herds that can be present do carry deer ticks in the Town’s heavily forested Northern section and State Forests.
Magnitude of Public Health Because public health is not considered a natural hazard, its magnitude is not measured in the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Public Health in Hillsborough Although to date there have not been any reported widespread public health issues in Hillsborough, the same populations identified as particularly susceptible to Excessive Heat would be most vulnerable to public health issues and epidemics. In addition, Hillsborough Elementary School, Middle School, High
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School, the miscellaneous restaurants and gathering places (see APPENDIX A) are prime locations for pick up or transfer of diseases and illnesses.
To help combat local and area public health issues, Hillsborough is the site of a regional Point of Distribution (POD), a location where vaccines or other medicines are provided to people during an emergency.
EARTH HAZARDS Earth hazards include geologic events such as the small earthquake NH residents experience. As our state is situated on bedrock, radon rising through the bedrock cracks can affect public health from either the water or air. Landslides are eroding earth or ledge which could occur during earthquakes or flooding events, or through time weakening the soil and foundation. Radon is present through all of New Hampshire and is addressed on an individual basis. Some residents have taken individual measures against radon in well water and in basements.
There are several types of earth hazards examined in the Hazard Risk Assessment:
Earthquake Landslide
Earthquake An earthquake is a rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth's surface. Earthquakes can cause buildings and bridges to collapse, disrupt gas, electric and phone lines, and often cause landslides, flash floods, fires, and avalanches. Larger earthquakes usually begin with slight tremors but rapidly take the form of one or more violent shocks, and end in vibrations of gradually diminishing force called aftershocks. The underground point of origin of an earthquake is called its focus; the point on the surface directly above the focus is the epicenter. The magnitude and intensity of an earthquake is determined by the use of scales such as the Richter scale and Mercalli scale. Geologic events are often associated with California, but New England is considered a moderate risk earthquake zone.
Earthquakes in Hillsborough Multiple small scale earthquakes, about 1 quake every 1-2 years, have been felt by Hillsborough, with their epicenters averaging less than 5-20 miles away since 2002 to present day. The Central NH Region is a heavy low-seismic area. No damage or injuries have been reported from these events. It is likely Hillsborough residents will continue to feel earthquakes it the future. Older buildings along West Main
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Street could be particularly susceptible to earthquake damage. Water towers, old stone walls, stone arch bridges and historic resources could be susceptible. While Jackman Dam may not be particularly susceptible, if a dam failure occurred as a result of earthquake, its flood waters would quickly reach Hillsborough Center.
Magnitude of Earthquake Hazards Earthquake hazard magnitude can be measured by the Richter Scale as shown in Figure 17. To better place the Richter Scale magnitude in perspective, the Mercalli Scale describes the intensity felt at different magnitudes in Figure 18.
Figure 17 Descriptive Richter Scale
Source: US Geological Survey (USGS)
Figure 18 Earthquake Impacts on the Richter and Modified Mercalli Scales
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
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Landslide A landslide is the downward or outward movement of slope-forming materials reacting under the force of gravity including: mudflows, mudslides, debris flows, rockslides, debris avalanches, debris slides, and earth flows. Landslides have damaged or destroyed roads, railroads, pipelines, electrical and telephone lines, mines, oil wells buildings, canals, sewers, bridges, dams, seaports, airports, forests, parks, and farms. A display of different types of landslides is shown in Figure 19.
Figure 19 Basic Types of Landslides
Source: US Geological Survey (USGS)
Magnitude of Landslide Hazards There is no known standardized measurement of landslide magnitude available.
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Landslides in Hillsborough A significant landslide occurred in Hillsborough around 2007 when one side of the US Route 9/202 bypass slid onto the roadway, causing closure of the exit ramp and part of the highway. Landslide is a possibility in limited areas of Hillsborough where certain topological conditions are met. Development in close proximity to areas of steep slopes (greater than 15%) could present a risk to residents. Most potential landslides will be in conjunction with another hazard event, such as flooding or severe rain, or from the construction of buildings or infrastructure in a topologically vulnerable area. Roads could experience landslide erosion during heavy rain events and a large scale landslide could damage only a limited number of structures, such as during flooding events.
TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARD EVENTS Many technological hazards could be construed as secondary hazards, as they often occur as the result of a primary (natural) hazard. For example, power failure or transportation accidents (technological) can result from severe winter weather (natural). Scientific measures of magnitude are generally not available for individual technological hazards, but they are provided for debris impacted infrastructure and dam failure which are closely related to flooding and for hazardous materials spills and radiological incident.
There are several types of technological hazards examined in the Hazard Risk Assessment:
Dam Failure Power/Utility Failure Communications Systems Failure Transportation Accidents Debris Impacted Infrastructure Hazardous Materials Spills Radiological Incident
Magnitude of Technological Events Magnitude of most technological hazards are not addressed in this Plan. The only exception is Dam Failure because of its close relationship with flooding using the NH DES Dam Hazard Classifications.
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Dam Failure Dam breach and the resulting failure cause rapid loss of water that is normally impounded by the dam. These kinds of floods are extremely dangerous and pose a significant threat to both life and property as they are quick, unexpected, and if they occur during a flooding event, dam failures can overload an already burdened water channel.
Magnitude of Dam Failures Although dam failure is considered a Technological Hazard, it is often a secondary hazard caused by flooding conditions. Classifications of dams and their magnitude of failure can be measured by the NH DES Dam Hazard Classifications shown in Table 23. Table 23 New Hampshire Dam Hazard Classifications
NON-MENACE Structure Inspection Means a dam that is not a menace because it is in a location and of a size that failure or misoperation of the Every 6 years NM dam would not result in probable loss of life or loss to property, provided the dam is: if criteria met Less than six feet in height if it has a storage capacity greater than 50 acre-feet; Less than 25 feet in height if it has a storage capacity of 15 to 50 acre-feet. LOW Hazard Structure Inspection Means a dam that has a low hazard potential because it is in a location and of a size that failure or Every 6 years misoperation of the dam would result in any of the following: No possible loss of life. Low economic loss to structures or property. Structural damage to a town or city road or private road accessing property other than the dam owner’s LH that could render the road impassable or otherwise interrupt public safety services. The release of liquid industrial, agricultural, or commercial wastes, septage, or contaminated sediment if the storage capacity is less than two-acre-feet and is located more than 250 feet from a water body or water course. Reversible environmental losses to environmentally-sensitive sites. SIGNIFICANT Hazard Structure Inspection Means a dam that has a significant hazard potential because it is in a location and of a size that failure or Every 4 years misoperation of the dam would result in any of the following: No probable loss of lives. Major economic loss to structures or property. Structural damage to a Class I or Class II road that could render the road impassable or otherwise interrupt SH public safety services. Major environmental or public health losses, including one or more of the following: Damage to a public water system, as defined by RSA 485:1-a, XV, which will take longer than 48 hours to repair. The release of liquid industrial, agricultural, or commercial wastes, septage, sewage, or contaminated sediments if the storage capacity is 2 acre-feet or more. Damage to an environmentally-sensitive site that does not meet the definition of reversible environmental losses. HIGH Hazard Structure Inspection Means a dam that has a high hazard potential because it is in a location and of a size that failure or Every 2 years HH misoperation of the dam would result in probable loss of human life as a result of:
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Water levels and velocities causing the structural failure of a foundation of a habitable residential structure or commercial or industrial structure, which is occupied under normal conditions. Water levels rising above the first floor elevation of a habitable residential structure or a commercial or industrial structure, which is occupied under normal conditions when the rise due to dam failure is greater than one foot. Structural damage to an interstate highway, which could render the roadway impassable or otherwise interrupt public safety services. The release of a quantity and concentration of material, which qualify as “hazardous waste” as defined by RSA 147-A:2 VII. Any other circumstance that would more likely than not cause one or more deaths. Source: NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Dams Bureau, 2012
Dam Failures in Hillsborough Dam failures, or breaches, are a potential danger to people and property within the dam failure inundation area(s). The 19 active dams in Hillsborough are listed in APPENDIX A.
One (1) dam is of a High Hazard dam classification, Jackman Reservoir Dam (Murray) at North Branch Contoocook River. One (1) dam is classified as a Significant Hazard dam, Hillsborough Sewage Lagoon Dam (Town). Two (2) dams are classified as Low Hazard dams, Hosiery Mill Dam (Town) at the Contoocook River and Farrar Marsh Dam (NHF&G) at Sand Brook. The remaining 15 dams are Non-Menace classified or are exempt from classification. The Significant and High Hazard dams located in Hillsborough could cause property damage or loss of life if dam failure occurs. Those residents most in danger of a dam breach are located in Hillsborough Center, the West Main Street area. This very large location, the bottom quarter of Town, is the lowest elevation in Hillsborough and part of the Contoocook River floodplain in which buildings, historical sites and recreational areas existed prior to regulation.
Jackman Dam has been breached before in 2008 by an explosion. This hydro-power facility is of significant concern to local responders.
Power/Utility Failure Utilities systems exist everywhere and are subject to damage from construction work, accidents and extreme weather. Many utilities are protected by back-up generators to prevent failure, whatever the cause may be. Nuclear power plants produce roughly 20% of the nation’s power, they exist in nearly all states and 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant. The greatest risk to life resulting from a nuclear power plant failure is radiation contamination resulting from radiation release into the environment. People in the immediate vicinity are at greatest risk of radiation contamination. Another common source of energy, coal, can be potentially hazardous because coal power plants emit chemicals such as mercury and sulfur dioxide.
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New Hampshire contains nuclear, coal and natural gas power plants. There is only one (1) coal power plant in New Hampshire, the Eversource Merrimack Station in Bow. The Merrimack Station is the largest coal-fired electrical generating station owned by Eversource (formerly PSNH) and supplies power to 190,000 households. The greatest health concerns over the Merrimack Plant in Bow are the release of particulates into the air and area water bodies, such as the Merrimack River not more than one-quarter mile away from the Bow facility, and the nearby Bow landfill that receives coal ash from the Merrimack Station on a regular basis.
In the harsh environment that New Hampshire residents are subjected to, power and utility failures on an isolated level are commonplace. During nearly every heavy snow storm, ice storm, or other severe weather event, someone, somewhere, loses power and/or other utilities.
Power Failure in Hillsborough For most storm events, some residents and businesses have experienced power failure. Hillsborough receive electricity from Eversource. Residents in the heavily forested North Hillsborough have waited up to 2 weeks to have their power restored and the Emerald Lake Village District is a large population to easily disrupt by debris impacted infrastructure. The assisted living facilities and 55+ housing developments where the elderly reside may require the most and fastest assistance. The Hillsborough High School converts to an emergency shelter and can be opened upon need and staffing availability.
Power failure can cause inconvenience, loss of economy, extra Town expenditures, restrict emergency and response because the typical power failure is a secondary hazard caused by a severe wind or severe winter weather event. This problem is applicable to the Hurricanes and Tropical Storms, Downbursts, Tornadoes, and Severe Winter Weather, Cold, and Ice Storms hazard events described earlier as well as Debris Impacted Infrastructure and Transportation Accident hazard events in the following sections.
Communications Systems Failure Communications systems, like utilities, are found everywhere and are subject to damage by construction work, severe weather and traffic accidents. Because communications systems depend on electricity, any power outage may cause an interruption in a communications system. In addition, many communications systems have buried cables which are particularly vulnerable to being cut. Communications systems interruptions can negatively impact a region, town, neighborhood or household in the case of a natural disaster, catastrophe or other emergency. Power lines often share cables and poles with communications systems. When power fails, cable, telephone and radio services frequently fail as well.
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Communications Systems Failure in Hillsborough Any communications failure can mean lack of emergency services or delayed emergency services. Police/Fire are now using digital service and are members of the effective Central NH Mutual Aid Compact Dispatch service. However, for residents, services can be disrupted easily. Those at greatest risk are the same as those for power/utility failure. There has been a steady migration to cell phone use only with people dropping their landline telephones. If the Verizon tower on Wolf Hill becomes inoperative, most of Hillsborough would be without phone communication (cell).
Transportation Accident Automobile accidents could occur on any roadway in the Central NH region. A major accident would have the greatest impact for travelers on I-89, I-93 and I-393, as these roads experience high traffic volume and vehicles travel at high speeds. In addition, several rail lines create the potential for a transportation accident. Many motor vehicle accidents occur at train crossings. Trains could potentially derail, causing injuries or fatalities and hazardous materials spills. In the Central NH Region, the Concord-Lincoln Line runs 73 miles between Concord and Lincoln. The New Hampshire Maine Line runs between Concord, Nashua and Lowell, MA. Several communities through which these lines travel have expressed the concern about hazardous material spills due to transportation accidents or sabotage.
Transportation Accidents in Hillsborough Traffic accidents may be the most likely future transportation hazard in Hillsborough on US Route 9/202, NH Route 31 and NH Route 149 or at difficult intersections, hills, curves or straightaways with the potential for deadly accidents. Nearby Deering has a local airport which has experienced a few plane crashes over the last couple of decades. As vehicular traffic increases or as the weather turns bad, there is the likelihood that transportation accidents will occur in these and other areas.
Debris Impacted Infrastructure Debris impacted infrastructure regularly occurs along the Central NH Region’s rivers and streams and also along roadways. Rivers or brooks flowing under bridges or through culverts could get clogged or damaged by woody material or leaves in the watercourse. Culvert maintenance is particularly important before and during heavy rainfall and floods. Tree limbs falling onto power lines and onto roadways, disrupting both electricity and the roadway, occur during wind or winter storms.
Debris Impacted Infrastructure in Hillsborough Hillsborough’s watercourses, including the Contoocook River, North Branch River, Beards Brook, Shedd Brook, Sand Brook, Bagley Brook, Sulphur Brook, Black Pond Brook, Lyman Robins Brook, Nelson Brook,
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Tributary A, Tributary C, Island Pond Brook have a tendency to flood their banks, overflow culverts, or washout roads during certain conditions. Trees and limbs falling on roads and power lines cause power failure or road blockage. Infrastructure in Hillsborough can refer to roadways, powerlines, utility lines, culverts, water towers, bridges or dams. These features inventoried in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Vulnerability Assessment are those which should be watched carefully before and after storms and should be checked and maintained regularly to reduce the risk of significant debris impacted infrastructure events.
Hazardous Materials Spills Hazardous materials and hazardous wastes contain properties that make them potentially dangerous or harmful to humans. They can be liquids, solids, contained gases or sludge. Hazardous wastes can be the by-product of manufacturing, as well as discarded commercial products. Most households contain cleaning agents that become hazardous waste when disposed of improperly. Chemicals have numerous benefits but can also cause hazards during their production, storage, transportation, use or disposal. Hazardous materials can have adverse health related effects and may even cause death in certain cases. In addition, hazardous materials may damage homes, businesses and other property, as well as natural ecosystems. Chemical accidents in plants or chemical spills during transportation may often release hazardous chemicals.
The risk from hazardous materials spills or releases into groundwater is present as long as consumers and homeowners make irresponsible decisions regarding the disposal of household chemicals. These household chemicals can contaminate drinking water in wells and cause damage to various ecosystems. Most people contaminate without being aware that they are doing so. Further education may be needed in order to reduce hazardous waste contamination.
Hazardous Materials in Hillsborough Transportation of hazardous materials on Routes 9/202, through the Main Street and the Business District area of the community, and along Route 149 and Route 31 is likely an everyday occurrence. These trucks could rollover and spill their contents onto these significant roadways.
There are several health care, school, manufacturing and occupational facilities in Town that handle, store, or use hazardous materials. Any of these facilities could have a spill or an incident at their location. A listing of facilities which could store or could use hazardous materials has been inventoried in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Vulnerability Assessment.
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Radiological Incident Radiological accidents occur primarily at nuclear power plants when radioactive gases are released. They can cause widespread contamination to people and ecosystems as were the cases in Chernobyl and 3-Mile Island. Their cleanup may take centuries because of the extreme saturation of contaminants in the soil, in buildings and in water supplies.
The Central New Hampshire region is geographically located between Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Vernon, VT and the Seabrook Nuclear Station in Seabrook, NH. These facilities present the greatest risk of radiation contamination to the region in the case of a meltdown or other catastrophic event. As more nuclear facilities are decommissioned, the mobilization of nuclear wastes will increase, augmenting the risk of exposure. Small underground shelters or concrete basements may provide a level of protection. Personal household supplies of iodide, purchased in advance, can help limit the uptake of radiation in the thyroid.
The Vermont Yankee Plant in Vernon, Vermont was de-commissioned in December 2014. The State of NH 2013 Hazard Mitigation Plan acknowledges this plant and the Seabrook plant as potential hazards to New Hampshire but rates them as having a very low overall risk. There is no detail or data in the State Plan as to potential hazards or radiation plumes. Plants have 10-mile radius emergency planning zones (EPZ). None of the Central NH towns are in the Seabrook EPZ nor the Vermont Yankee EPZ. The NH Dept of Safety and Homeland Security conduct regular drills in Seabrook. Before the decommissioning of Vermont Yankee, the State regularly participated in drills at the facility with Vermont officials.
If a transportation vehicle radiological spill or leak occurred in Hillsborough, it would be entirely abnormal. Because of secure packaging regulations of radioactive products, there has never been a transportation- related accident recorded by the US DOT. Any radiological incident occurring in Town would most likely be from a stationary site, such as a medical facility, science lab or other facility using radiological materials in small quantities.
Radiological Incidents in Hillsborough Although transportation accident of the vehicles that transport radioactive material are of concern, there is little risk an incident would occur because of regulation. The most likely scenario is an occupational accident occurring in health care facilities, science labs and manufacturing operations. These stationary incidents occurring near major transportation routes of US Routes 9/202, NH Route 31 and NH Route 149 or near populated areas bring the greatest risk. Vulnerable areas generally include homes, businesses, the schools and through Hillsborough Center. Radioactive spills, leakage or vapors could affect these areas more quickly than the remainder of Hillsborough in the event of an isolated local incident. Hillsborough facilities are listed in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment.
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HUMAN HAZARD EVENTS Events of human nature include terrorism (ecological, cyber and chemical), sabotage/vandalism, hostage situations, and civil unrest. These are often “behind the scenes” hazards that local Police Departments handle on a regular basis. These events are all caused by direct human action.
There are several types of human hazards examined in the Hazard Risk Assessment:
Terrorism Sabotage/Vandalism Hostage Situation Civil Disturbance/Public Unrest
Human Hazards are examined by descriptions of the types of human hazards and in the Potential Future Hazards. Scientific measures of magnitude are not available for individual human hazards.
Terrorism The use of force or violence against people in order to create fear, cause physical harm and/or intimidation or for reasons of ransom. Terrorists often make threats in order to create fear and change public opinion. Cyber terrorism consists of hackers who threaten the economy by attacking the intricate computer infrastructure, affecting business and communication. Biological and chemical terrorism refers to those infectious microbes or toxins used to produce illness or death in people or animals. Terrorists may contaminate food or water, thus threatening an unprotected civilian population. Eco-terrorism refers to the destruction of property by persons who are generally opposed to the destruction of the environment or to make a visible argument against forms of technology that may be destructive to the environment.
Terrorism in Hillsborough It is unlikely that the Town would be the target of any act of international terrorism. Domestic terrorism has not occurred in Hillsborough although it had occurred elsewhere in the Central NH Region in the 2000s. Possible targets could be the Town Hall, the Hillsborough Schools, Post Office, the Jackman Dam, Osram Sylvania (large quantities of haz materials), stores (Shaws), restaurants, high volume roadways (US 202/9), water supply infrastructure, all governmental facilities, State facilities or churches.
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Sabotage/Vandalism Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at someone or some institution in order to weaken that person’s or institution’s integrity and reputation through subversion, destruction, obstruction or disruption. Sabotage may occur in war, a workplace, in the natural environment, as a crime, in politics or as a direct attack against an individual.
Sabotage /Vandalism in Hillsborough Acts of sabotage have occurred in Town, including exploitation of the Town Office phone system in 2008 to make thousands of international phone calls. Any incident of sabotage in Hillsborough could come from within Hillsborough or any nearby Town, or outside of the State or country, but some sabotage efforts would require perpetrators to be on site. Technological systems such as computer systems at the Town Offices, utilities, telecommunications towers or the municipal water and sewer systems could be vulnerable.
Vandalism has been reported at many of the Town’s vacant foreclosed buildings and can also be present at cemeteries and under bridges. While a nuisance, vandalism has a lower potential to harm than sabotage.
Hostage Situation A hostage situation is an incident where an innocent civilian is held by someone or some group of persons demanding something from another person or group of persons not related to the person or persons being held hostage. The person or persons held are done so pending the fulfillment of certain terms.
Hostage Situations in Hillsborough Hostage situations can occur anywhere, are isolated events and are nearly impossible to predict; none have been reported for this Plan. The Hillsborough sites where hostages could be taken include the Town Offices and other public buildings, Schools, banks, Post Office, workplaces, stores (Shaws), restaurants, high density population areas (the Business District, manufactured housing parks, Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf), Hillsborough County Courthouse, and domestic home situations.
Civil Disturbance/Public Unrest This hazard refers to types of disturbances that are caused by a group of people, often in protest against major socio-political problems including sit-ins or protests against wars and any general and public expression of outrage against a political establishment or policy. Many instances of civil disturbance and
Page 91 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT public unrest are quelled by a use of force from police. Participants may be victims of personal injury in severe cases.
The most probable locations of larger civil disturbance and/or protest in New Hampshire are at the State House in Concord and at the universities and colleges. They have also occurred at political locations, such as feminist health centers or political party headquarters.
Civil Disturbance/Public Unrest in Hillsborough Although none have been reported, large scale incidents of civil disturbance and public unrest are unlikely in Hillsborough. Locally, the highest potential for public unrest could take place during Town Meetings, voting day or during visits from political candidates, or at large events such as Old Home Day or Balloon Rally. Locations where civil unrest could occur include the Schools, sporting events at Grimes Field, Town Office, stores (Shaws), restaurants and establishments serving alcohol, high density population areas (Hillsborough Center, manufactured housing parks, Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf), the Police and Fire stations, and the Hillsborough County Courthouse at public meetings.
Existing and Potential Future Hazards
After the inventory of hazards types and past hazards in Town, hazards that currently exist or that need to be monitored in Hillsborough has been completed along with potential future hazards that could occur in other areas. This unique listing of Existing and Potential Future Hazards was compiled so the Town can be aware of areas that might need to be watched for recurring hazardous problems or that may experience some of these hazards for the first time. The listing was developed by knowledge of the Hazard Mitigation Committee and past experiences of hazards.
Included in Table 24 is the Overall Risk factor between 2-8 from the Hazard Risk Assessment. The name of the magnitude or extent scale of the hazard is represented for ease of reference. Technological and human hazards were not rated for their Overall Risk to retain the importance of maintaining a natural hazard perspective for the Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017.
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Table 24 Existing and Potential Future Hazards Hazard Risk Overall Hazard Locations in Town – Potential Future Hazards Magnitude/ Assessment Risk Past or Existing Extent Hazards Measure- ment Scale Floods and Flash 4 Areas prone to flooding in the Roadways in Town may be prone to washouts such as Mill Special Flood Floods town of Hillsborough include Street, Bear Hill Rd and the Bridge Street Bridge, preventing Hazard Areas Emerald Lake Village District to traffic flow due to flooding events. Other potentially (SFHAs) on include Gould Pond Road, Beards vulnerable areas to flooding include the Emerald Lake Village 2009 Digital District (ELVD) homes, The Business District, Emerald Lake Brook, Sand Brook, Rte 31, and Flood Rate outlet (if the dam is not managed properly), Sand Brook (Flash Upper Village (Black Pond Area). Insurance Flood), Grimes Field, Loon Pond Area, Lower Village, and Wide floodplains of Contoocook Maps (Zones properties along the Contoocook River. Flooding can cause River result in expanded road closures, bridge washouts, septic system damages, and A, AE, X) flooding, and damage from flooding of homes, schools, and businesses. Building damage, North Branch River, Shedd Brook infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries and other large brooks are likely. or death could occur. Runoff from roadways or heavy rain can cause floods over the Entire Town. Areas: West Main Street/ Center, Emerald Lake Village District (ELVD) homes, The Business District, Emerald Lake outlet (if the dam is not managed properly), Sandy Brook (Flash Flood), Grimes Field, Loon Pond Area, Lower Village, and properties along the Contoocook
River.
Rapid Snow Pack 3 Melt runoff from impervious All areas of town could be susceptible to rapid snow pack None specific Melt surfaces and roadways or from melt. Rapid snow melt flooding damage could also occur on known but tree cover and fields can cause roadways, such as flooding along West Mill Street and Bear can use floods over the Entire Town. Hill Rd that cause property damage. Other areas include the SFHAs Susceptible areas include West High Tide Restaurant area, area lakes, ELVD, and possibly
FloodingHazards Gould Pond or Loon Pond. Floodplains could become Mill Street and Bear Hill Rd, High inundated and evacuations might be necessary. Building Tide Restaurant area, area lakes, damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and ELVD, and possibly Gould Pond personal injuries or death could occur. or Loon Pond. River Ice Jams 3 Contoocook River has had ice River ice jams may have future potential to occur on the No known jams in the past and could jam Contoocook River Route 9/202 overpass or the Beard Brook widely-used the Route 9/202 overpass or the NH Route 9 overpass and debris impacted infrastructure scale Beard Brook NH Route 9 would result. Road, bridge, dam and property damages may measuring overpass. Sites susceptible to occur, such as the Bridge Street Dam, and Stone Arch Bridge the Park on Contoocook River, and damages to beneath the magnitude of debris impacted infrastructure bridges from debris impacted infrastructure. A jam on the river ice jams (bridges and dams) on Bridge Contoocook River could severely impact the traffic flow. Street Dam, and Stone Arch Floodplains could become inundated and evacuations might Bridge Park, Jackman Dam at be necessary. Building damage, infrastructure damage, Franklin Pierce Lake Reservoir. property damage and personal injuries could occur. Riverine 4 Floodplains of Contoocook River, The wide Contoocook River flows in a northerly direction EPA Bank Scouring, North Branch River, Beards through Hillsborough, Henniker, Hopkinton, and Concord Erosion Risk Erosion, Channel Brook, Shedd Brook. These are where it empties into the Merrimack River. Flooding, erosion, Index Movement the largest watercourses in Town and channel movement has the potential to occur at meander and they run to Hillsborough locations. Brooks and water bodies can erode or scour as well. Center. The property that could be the most vulnerable is the ELVD. Depending on the nature of channel relocation or scouring, homes and businesses may need to be evacuated and/or relocated. Water contamination, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries could occur.
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Tornadoes 3 Entire Town. Hillsborough Center In the event of a tornado, which has never struck Enhanced (W Main Street area), Schools Hillsborough, Town-wide property damage and possible Fujita (EF) and other populated areas. personal injuries could occur. The rural nature of Tornado Vulnerable populations such as Hillsborough, particularly the northern 3/4 of Town, makes Scale manufactured housing parks. downed trees a concern, which could damage and block roads Northern 3/4 of Town is fully and bridges, bring down power lines Town-wide and restrict wooded and would be difficult to the ability of emergency vehicles to reach people in need, access with trees and power resulting in a delay of assistance. If a tornado struck large- lines down. scale areas in Town, the most vulnerable locations could be any of the residential manufactured housing parks, Stonebridge Mobile Home Coop, Benway Mobile Home Park, Oxbow Campground, Bear Hill Motel or the Schools. Building
damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur. Tornado damages would be considered a significant community tragedy. Downbursts 3 Entire Town. Manufactured In the event of a downburst, areas of property damage and Enhanced
Wind HazardsWind housing parks, 55+ older living possible personal injuries could occur Town-wide. The rural Fujita (EF) facilities, Hillsborough House nature of Hillsborough, particularly the northern 3/4 of Town, Tornado Nursing Home, Maple Leaf makes downed trees a concern, which could damage and Scale Senior Housing, Farmsteads of block roads and bring down power lines Town-wide. Damaged New England Group Care Facility, infrastructure would restrict the ability of emergency vehicles Schools, W Main to reach people in need and would result in a delay of Street/Hillsborough Center. assistance. If a downburst struck a recreational area in use or Taller buildings, a residential area, this would be considered an isolated telecommunications towers, community issue. The same vulnerabilities to tornadoes aboveground utilities vulnerable. would be particularly vulnerable to a downburst. Potential fires could arise from downed wires. Building damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur. Hurricanes and 6 Entire Town. Areas of particular In the event of a hurricane or tropical storm, areas of Saffir- Tropical Storms concern include Jackman Dam, property damage could occur Town-wide. Both wind and Simpson Emerald Lake area (Large Pine flooding events can cause different damages to the Hurricane Barrens), Stonebridge Mobile community. The rural nature of Hillsborough, particularly the Wind Scale Home Coop, Benway Mobile northern 3/4 of Town, makes downed trees a concern, which Home Park, Oxbow could block roads and bring down power lines Town-wide. Campground, Bear Hill Motel, Damaged infrastructure would restrict the ability of any of the residential emergency vehicles to reach people in need and would result manufactured housing parks, in a delay of assistance. Areas of particular concern include and the Schools. Roadways Emerald Lake area (Large Pine Barrens), Stonebridge Mobile (fallen trees) and electrical Home Coop, Benway Mobile Home Park, Oxbow Campground, power utilities, local government Bear Hill Motel, any of the residential manufactured housing
Wind HazardsWind infrastructure. parks, and the Schools. Dam malfunctions could occur, including at Jackman Dam. A hurricane or tropical storm in the community could become a full-scale emergency, with power failure, communications failure, road washouts or downed trees, loss of heat or air conditioning, and damaged housing with people in need of shelter. Potential fires could arise from downed wires. Building damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur.
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Severe Winds 6 Entire Town. Roadways (fallen In the event of severe wind and thunder storms, areas of Accuweather and Thunder trees) and electrical power property damage could occur Town-wide. All roads and Thunderstor Storms utilities, road washouts, loss of bridges could be vulnerable to wind and rain (flooding). Both m Criteria air conditioning or heat. wind and flooding events can cause different damages to the Scale, Hail Northern wooded 3/4 of Town community. The rural nature of Hillsborough, particularly the Size Scale out of services until crews clear northern 3/4 of Town, makes downed trees a concern, which debris. could block roads and bring down power lines Town-wide. Damaged infrastructure would restrict the ability of emergency vehicles to reach people in need and would result in a delay of assistance. Lightning strikes could occur in forested locations or strike taller buildings in the the Business District area, causing fires. If a severe wind, rain, hail, and lightning storm struck large-scale areas in Town, the most vulnerable locations could be any of the residential manufactured housing parks, Stonebridge Mobile Home Coop, Benway Mobile Home Park, Oxbow Campground, Bear Hill Motel or the Schools. A severe wind or thunderstorm in the community could become an emergency, with power failure, road washouts or downed trees, potential communications failure, and loss of heat or air conditioning. Potential fires could arise from downed wires. Building damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur. Lightning 5 Entire Town. Fox State Forest A lightning strike in Hillsborough could occur anywhere in the Lightning and North Hillsborough, points community and result in property damage. Particularly Activity Level of higher elevation than vulnerable areas could include open recreation areas in use, (LAL) surrounding area. Aboveground Communication Towers, Water Tower, Cell Tower, churches. utilities transformers, The potential for power failure and communications failure telecommunications towers, exists. Fire could result from a lightning strike, including ELVD & Town water towers, structure fires, forest fires, and wildland urban interface fires. churches. Historic wood buildings, tall buildings, or structures at a higher elevation, or a structure in a flat open area could
attract lightning. When the trees fall after a lightning strike,
power failure and structure (or home) damage could result. Building damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur. Wildfire Heavily forested North Wildfire in the community is Town-wide, although the north NWCG Fire HazardsFire 5 Hillsborough, Town Forests, Fox or northeastern half of Hillsborough could be the most Wildfire State Forest, Chute Forest, Low vulnerable due to its rural, forested nature. Roads that are Classification State Forest, the ELVD because not easily accessible to emergency vehicles could sustain the of tree density, or any open land most damage from wildfire. Town Forests, Fox State Forest could be locations of accidental Chute Forest, Low State Forest, the ELVD because of tree fire ignition. Residential density, or any open land could be locations of accidental fire backyards and other recreation ignition. Because a large number of the Town's population is areas as identified in Appendix A. diffused in along rural roads, wildfire could result in property damage and personal injuries. If structures are damaged and are inhabitable from wildfire, the Town's tax base will decline.
Severe Winter 5 Entire Town. Roadways (fallen Severe winter weather, ice storms, wind chill occur in Town- NWS Weather and Ice trees) and electrical power wide in Hillsborough. All areas of the Town are susceptible to Windchill Storms utilities, other infrastructure. property damage and downed tree limbs or wires can ensure Index, Roof collapse anywhere. Heavily long-term power failure and communications failure. Sperry-Piltz forested North Hillsborough, Additional storms and ice put a strain on Highway Ice Hillsborough House Nursing Department personnel, equipment and supplies of sand and Accumulation Home, Maple Leaf Senior salt above the budgeted funding available. Deliveries of sand (SPIA), NCDC Housing, Farmsteads of New and salt from the suppliers could be hampered by the road Regional England Group Care Facility, conditions. There can also be a problem relocating the over- Snowfall Schools, all may be subject to abundance of snow in order to keep the roads clear for traffic. Index (RSI) Extreme TemperatureHazards cold, snow, transportation All roadways would be affected by any type of severe winter for Northeast
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accidents, power failure and weather event and trees themselves are particularly communications failure. susceptible to damage. A severe winter weather event in the community could become an emergency, with isolated residents, power failure, road closures with downed trees or downed lines, communications failure (and inability to dial 911), and loss of heating for a number of days. In extreme situations, roof/building collapse, personal injuries or death could occur. Infrastructure such as roads are subject to frost heaves and buckling, thereby damaging the roads and costing the Town money to repair. Drought 3 Entire Town / region. Farms, Periods of drought in Hillsborough would occur Town-wide Palmer orchards, private wells and town and could cause property damage and economic losses. The Hydrological water supplies. Drought means lack of water would become a community problem to keep Drought increased risk of brush fire with people hydrated and the failure of agricultural crops, Index (PHDI) dry vegetation. products, and farm animals can occur. Increased likelihood of wide-spread brush fire and wildfire will occur with drier vegetation. Lightning strikes could contribute to wildfire risk during droughts. Dug wells can dry up during droughts and interrupt personal water supplies. Property damage and personal injuries or death could occur from drought-related fires or dry wells. Excessive Heat 5 Entire Town. Vulnerable Excessive heat events in Hillsborough would occur Town-wide NWS Heat populations most susceptible: and could cause property damage, personal injury, and Index Hillsborough House Nursing economic damage. The increased use of air conditioning puts Home, Maple Leaf Senior pressure on the electrical grid and possible power failure. The Housing, Farmsteads of New severe heat would become a community problem to keep England Group Care Facility, people hydrated and cool, and the failure of agricultural Schools as identified in Appendix crops, products, and death of farm animals could occur. A. Shelter will need to be opened Excessive heat is responsible for heat cramps, heat for cooling. exhaustion, heat stroke, heat rash, sunburn, and other medical emergencies. The Town Fire and Police Departments would be responding to more calls. The most vulnerable populations include persons over age 65, infants and young children, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses or those who are mobility restricted. Vulnerable locations include Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf Senior Housing, Farmsteads of New England Group Care Facility, and the Schools. In extreme situations, personal injuries or death could occur. Public Health 4 Schools, clinics, eating Public health is a community issue and can occur Town-wide N/A Epidemic establishments, populated areas particularly in the cold and hot months of the year. People and other public assembly can become sick through cold-and heat- influenced epidemics venues - all of these locations such as influenza, West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, and more. increase the risk of exposure to Property damage could also occur as a result, such as the and transfer of illness. In growth of mold and mildew after a flood in the hotter Hillsborough, some of these months. Those most vulnerable to public health epidemics, locations include the Schools, and those who are most likely to spread illnesses, include Masons, Moose Club, American people in close quarters (schools, daycares, churches, assisted Legion, Catholic Church, living facilities, large employers), populated areas and other Congregational Church, Valley public assembly venues (churches, clubs, and associations) - Bible Chapel, Baptist Church, all of these locations increase the risk of exposure to illness. In Sawmill Chapel, the Youth Hillsborough, some of these locations include the Schools, Center, apartment buildings, Masons, Moose Club, American Legion, Catholic Church, Osram-Sylvania and Shaws. Congregational Church, Valley Bible Chapel, Baptist Church, Programs with public outreach Sawmill Chapel, the Youth Center, apartment buildings, such as Meals-on-Wheels, VNA, Osram-Sylvania and Shaws. Programs with public outreach Seniors-Helping-Seniors. Other such as Meals-on-Wheels, VNA, Seniors-Helping-Seniors could vulnerable populations and carry illnesses to the next vulnerable person. Populations
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gathering places as identified in such as seniors, young children who have not completed Appendix A. vaccination protocols, and those with chronic illnesses can be most vulnerable. Personal injury, permanent disability or death could result from an epidemic. Earthquake 3 Entire Town. Quakes regularly An earthquake reaching Hillsborough is often felt Town-wide Richter felt from area epicenters. and could cause massive property damage or personal injury Magnitude Damage to utility poles and or death in extreme situations. Any area of Town could be Scale wires, roadways and susceptible. A strong earthquake would be a region-wide infrastructure (sewer plant, event, depending on the location of its epicenter. Trees could bridges, dams), underground be downed, causing power failure or road closure. Damage to
utilities, community water utility poles and wires, roadways and infrastructure (sewer systems, cisterns, old buildings, plant, bridges, dams) can create other problems such as Town Center (W Main Street) flooding, debris impacted infrastructure, and utility and particularly susceptible. See communications failure. In Hillsborough the most vulnerable Appendix A for specific sites. locations could include historic buildings, any structure not EarthHazards built to code or that are built on steep slopes, underground (water, sewer, gas, electric) utilities, and buildings where large numbers of people congregate. Potential fire dangers exist from broken poles and hanging live wires as a result of earthquakes. Although earthquakes have not yet been severe in Hillsborough, building damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur. Landslide 2 Slopes greater than 15%, Landslides could be caused by rain, erosion, or geologic No known including roads with steep movement and would carry trees, soil, buildings downslope. widely-used ditching or embankments. River Steep slopes and ledges along highways would be particularly scale and brook banks can also slide, susceptible. The Contoocook River's banks could erode over measuring better known as erosion. One of time or due to powerful flooding, causing bank mass failure the the side slopes of the Rt.9 bypass (landslide) to occur. In Hillsborough the most vulnerable magnitude of
slid into the roadway in 2007, locations could include roadways, any structure (or home) not landslides due in part to heavy rain. This built to code or that are built on steep slopes. There may be caused part of the highway and difficulty reaching residents in need due to roads being exit ramp to be closed. blocked. Building damage (collapsed homes), infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur from landslides. Dam Failure 6 Downstream from Franklin There are many dams along the Contoocook River and NHDES Dam Pierce Lake/ Jackman Reservoir multiple brooks in Hillsborough. If a dam failure occurred at Hazard Dam High Hazard dam- the the High Hazard Jackman dam, the entire downtown could be Classification entire Business District could be flooded in minutes, and the same situation could be true for either/or flooded in minutes, and the the ELVD outlet homes and roads. Areas downstream of dam criteria same situation could be true for failures can experience sudden flooding damage to *Dam Failure the ELVD outlet homes and infrastructure such as roads, bridges (Bridge Street bridge) causes
roads. Jackman Dam has and utilities and the destruction of property (structures, flooding and
breached before. vehicles, land, secondary dams). Overall flash flooding in the therefore is floodplain could place nearby Sandy Brook or Contoocook included as River residents and property, particularly those in the Lower natural in Village, at risk. Property damage, personal injury or death this instance could occur. Building damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur. Power/ Utility Entire Town, utilities and Power failure is typically a secondary hazard to a natural N/A TechnologicalHazards NR Failure(oftensecondary hazards) vulnerable populations as noted hazard event, such as severe wind or severe winter weather. in Appendices A. A regular All areas of Hillsborough are susceptible to power failures, but occurrence from storms. Heavily particularly vulnerable areas include the Schools, Hillsborough forest North Hillsborough may House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf Senior Housing, Farmsteads experience longer delays. of New England Group Care Facility and other areas with high concentration of vulnerable individuals. Utility companies are now responding to outages in a more organized, faster manner. Power failure is often the result of downed trees and
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the poles are shared by telephone land lines which can also be disrupted. Communications failure is also likely with power failure. A public safety issue arises if the Town is without power for a long period of time or if infrastructures requires technology to run, such as lighted intersections. In the case of an EMP device causing the power failure, Fire/Police Dispatch services, emergency response vehicles would be inoperable. The loss of heat during the severe winter weather or excessive heat is a concern for isolated or vulnerable populations. Other utility failures such as water or gas might be more localized events and have less of an impact on the Town. Long-term outages could result in spoiled food in homes, shortages in food supplies at grocery stores and limited ability to obtain fresh water or use flush toilets in homes, resulting in possible public health hazards. Power and utility failure are fairly common especially as a secondary hazard event. Communications NR Entire Town, A communications systems failure (telephone, cable, internet, N/A Systems Failure Telecommunications Tower. radio failure) is typically a secondary hazard to a natural Telephone lines often go down hazard event, such as severe wind or severe winter weather, with power - see Appendix A. and would usually accompany power failure. Communications Communications failure would failure would be worse if it occurred at the Fire and Police be worse if it occurred at the Fire Depts, Highway Department or Town Offices, especially and Police Depts, Highway during a holiday, or inhibited emergency dispatch and EOC Department or Town Offices, operations. Communications in Hillsborough would be especially during a holiday, or disrupted Town-wide, and public safety becomes a concern inhibited emergency dispatch because the 911 system could be unavailable to residents and and EOC operations. could delay emergency response to those in need. In rare situations, emergency communications may be limited if telecommunications towers are damaged, as Town vehicle radios and cell phones could be compromised. Radios with better range or that work off other towers might be needed. Getting critical information to residents would become more difficult and an interruption in emergency services could result. Transportation NR US Route 202/9 bypass, NH Transportation accidents are often secondary hazards to a N/A Accidents Route 149, NH Route 31. See natural hazard event, such as a snowstorm. With roadways Map 4 for regular accident covering the entire community, accidents could occur Town- locations - at certain wide and could cause personal injury and property damage. intersections (W Main & School Locations particularly prone to vehicle accidents include the Street), curves, straightaways, high-speed US Routes 9/202 corridor. When an accident hills. blocks the roadway and traffic is diverted, it can restrict the ability of emergency vehicles to reach people in need,
resulting in a delay of assistance. Transportation accidents
involving hazardous materials spills can be severe and time consuming to get under control; possible locations include the area immediately adjacent to the Route 9/202 bypass (hazmat spills) and the Route 202/9 overpass at Antrim Road. Accidents have caused structural damage in the past and continue to do so. Accidents may cause fires depending on the severity of the accident. Building damage, infrastructure damage, property damage and personal injuries or death could occur from traffic accidents.
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Debris Impacted NR Dams noted previously, bridges As a secondary hazard, floating debris down rivers and N/A Infrastructure in Appendix A. Culverts including streams such as leaves and woody materials can block those in need of upgrade (see culverts, or very large items such as trees or vehicles could Table in Plan) flow up against bridge abutments or dams during periods of high flooding. Since the community is bisected by the meandering Contoocook River and has multiple brooks entering the river from higher in the watershed, woody debris, propane tanks, vehicles, etc. impacting bridges and dams along the Contoocook River can potentially cause property damage. Trees or branches fallen onto power lines or onto roadways are also debris impacted infrastructure. Any trees downed by storms or leaf debris could block roads and/or culverts, causing possible water diversion onto roads, road closures and additional travel hazards. This flooding can restrict the ability of emergency vehicles to reach people in need, resulting in a delay of assistance. Debris impacted infrastructure events could occur over the entire community during periods of high flooding and can cause road closures, bridge washouts, septic system damages, and flooding of homes, schools, and businesses. Hazardous NR Vehicular traffic US Route 202/9 Hazardous materials spills can occur Town-wide on roadways, N/A
Materials Spills bypass, NH Route 149, NH Route rail lines in neighboring towns, or in businesses which can
31. Homes, businesses along result in property damage and possible personal injury. Main local routes. See hazardous travel ways of US Routes 9/202, Route 149, Route 31, and materials facilities in Appendix A Town roads traverse the entire community, and travel routes of transport trucks will typically stay to the state Routes. Any haz mat spill requires containment and cleanup, can have a negative effect on public health, and may require the services of the Central NH Haz Mat Team. Hazardous materials spills
TechnologicalHazards can have long-term consequences to the environment and (oftensecondary hazards) may require massive evacuations to protect the health of people in the area. Spills can cause contamination of water supplies and soil and winds may carry hazardous fumes to surrounding buildings/populations. Potential haz mat spill locations of greatest concern include the area immediately adjacent to the US Route 202/9 bypass (hazmat spills), the area surrounding the Transfer Station, and the area surrounding Osram Sylvania. Radiological NR Radiological spills, leakage, or The most likely, everyday event regarding radiological spills, N/A Events breach may be similar to the leakage, or breach may be similar to the locations where locations where hazardous hazardous materials spills can be found. Main travel ways of materials spills can be found - US Routes 9/202, Route 149, Route 31, and Town roads that main travel ways of US Routes traverse the entire community as shortcuts, and other travel 9/202, Route 149, Route 31, and routes of transport trucks may be the main transportation Town roads that traverse the problems. Buildings using radiological materials including entire community as shortcuts, medical centers, dentist offices, and others are thought to be and other travel routes of of a more limited nature. The greatest threat is exposure to transport trucks. Very unlikely to the West Main Street/ Hillsborough Downtown area where experience incident from much of the population travels, lives, shops, recreates, and decommissioned Vermont goes to school. A radiological truck rollover on the bypass Yankee or active nuclear endangers this area. Seabrook power plant.
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Fire (Vehicle, NR Entire Town. W Main While a fire resulting from an explosion, arson or is limited to N/A human- Structure, Arson) Street/Hillsborough Center, a structure or vehicle can occur anywhere in Hillsborough, caused fire other populated and vulnerable property damage would occur. These types of fire may remain hazard sites. Many vacant foreclosure an isolated problem in a distinct area, so a minimal number of homes or seasonal buildings in people would be at risk. Particularly vulnerable structures
Town, and buildings in densely include the many vacant foreclosure homes or seasonal
populated areas such as ELVD or buildings in Town, and buildings in densely populated areas residential manufactured home such as ELVD or residential manufactured home parks. parks. See Appendix A for Vacant buildings attract individuals for vandalism, arson, or potentially susceptible sites. other illicit activity. Depending on the location of the fire, building damage, property loss or personal injury or death could occur. Terrorism NR None, but possibly Terrorism may be a rare incident, but if it were to occur in N/A communication towers, Schools, Hillsborough the likely areas would be public facilities or the Osram Sylvania (large quantities gas facilities in Town. Gathering locations where large of haz materials), stores (Shaws), numbers of people are congregated are prime locations for restaurants, high volume terrorism. Communication towers, Schools, Osram Sylvania roadways (US 202/9), water (large quantities of Haz Mat), stores (Shaws), restaurants, high supply infrastructure, or the volume roadways (202/9), water supply infrastructure, or the Jackman Dam, Town Office, All Jackman dam could be the most prominent targets. Schools, Post Office, all Terrorism incidents could cause property damage and governmental facilities, state personal injury or death.
facilities or churches. Sabotage/ NR Utilities, Town computer Sabotage or vandalism can take many forms, including the N/A Vandalism systems, Town buildings, intent to make mischief, hurt someone, or destroy property. Jackman Dam, Town & ELVD Potential locations for sabotage include public buildings, Water/Sewer Stations. computer systems/networks, Town & ELVD Water/Sewer
Human HazardsHuman Cemeteries, vacant buildings, Stations, communication towers, dams, public water supplies, under bridges. vacant homes (foreclosures) or seasonal homes, the Transfer station, Woods Woolen Mill site and the numerous gas facilities. Depending on the type of sabotage event, this could be a community concern. Specific location damage could cause road/bridge closures and require evacuations. Sabotage to infrastructure could result in intended property damage and personal injury or death. Vandalism is typically more on the mischief or destruction of property end of the spectrum and does not involve personal harm but may include property destruction such as arson or fires. Hostage NR None, but are isolated events. A hostage situation would be one of the worst hazard events N/A Situation Locations in Hillsborough where or disaster scenarios emergency officials in Hillsborough could hostages could be taken include encounter as this is a very personal event. There is a greater the Town Offices and other likelihood for personal injury or death. Locations in public buildings, Schools, banks, Hillsborough where hostages could be taken include the Town
Post Office, workplaces, stores Offices and other public buildings, Schools, banks, Post Office, (Shaws), restaurants, high workplaces, stores (Shaws), restaurants, high density density population areas population areas (downtown, manufactured housing parks, (downtown, manufactured Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf), County housing parks, Hillsborough Courthouse, and domestic home situations. Evacuations
Human HazardsHuman House Nursing Home, Maple might be needed and a hostage situation could result in Leaf), County Courthouse, and school/business closures. A hostage situation could domestic home situations, realistically occur anywhere within the Town and would banks. continue to negatively affect the overall morale and feelings of well-being and safety within the community long after the situation was resolved.
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Civil NR None, but possibly during Town If they were to occur in Hillsborough, civil disturbances or N/A Disturbance/ Meetings, voting day or during public unrest would be most likely to occur at the School, Public Unrest visits from political candidates or sporting events, Town Office, stores (Shaws), restaurants, at large events such as Old Home establishments serving alcohol, high density population areas Day or Balloon Rally. Locations (downtown, manufactured housing parks, Hillsborough House include School, sporting events, Nursing Home, Maple Leaf), Police/Fire stations, Courthouse, Town Office, stores (Shaws), at public meetings or at locations where demonstrations or restaurants, establishments political events could occur. Possible riots could occur, and serving alcohol, high density destruction of property or personal injury could result. population areas (downtown, manufactured housing parks, Hillsborough House Nursing Home, Maple Leaf), Police/Fire stations, Courthouse at public meetings.
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Although there are many potential hazards in Hillsborough’s future, the community has a handle on where some of the worst occurrences might result with this descriptive Potential Future Hazards inventory. A comprehensive, specific community location inventory that indicates each site’s Primary Hazard Vulnerabilities is found next in 5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT.
Hillsborough’s Built Environment Changes Since the 2011 Plan
The locations of where people and buildings are concentrated now or where new lands may be developed should be compared to the changing locations of potential natural hazards in order to best mitigate potential property damage, personal injury or loss of life. The overall vulnerability of the Town to natural disasters is believed to have increased with the population and development increases.
AREAS OF HIGHEST DENSITIES The highest density of population in Hillsborough is located in the downtown area. This area originally contained several mills located on the Contoocook River. Main Street and Route 202/9 run parallel to much of Contoocook River, and therefore downtown remains the center of commercial development. The second highest density is in the Emerald Village Lake District. The West Main Street area or Hillsborough Center, the lowest in the community, is prone to flooding, but the Route 202/9 corridor which is at a higher elevation is not. Technological hazards like transportation accidents or natural hazards like severe winter weather may be the greatest threats to the population living along major transportation routes or in the Emerald Village Lake District.
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Changes from the 2011 Plan New and replacement commercial development has occurred in Hillsborough, particularly in the lower elevation Hillsborough Center. New businesses include Tractor Supply, Family Dollar and Sanel beyond Antrim Road’s intersection with West Main Street commercial district. The Town has better financial stability with more businesses in this area. The lower downtown area is where much of the Town’s floodplains are located. More traffic congestion along Routes 9/202 mean more traffic accidents and potential evacuation issues.
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS Three other areas of town, the Emerald Lake Village District, Lower Village and Hillsborough Center surround or are near lakes or ponds. The Emerald Lake District is comprised of year-round residences and summer homes on Gould Pond (Emerald Lake). The Lower Village includes Franklin Pierce Lake, and Loon Pond is near Loon Pond. The Emerald Lake District and Loon Pond area have the potential to flood. Franklin Pierce Lake is a dammed reservoir (Jackman Dam), so flooding can be managed there. Numerous large brooks could endanger residents or infrastructure if debris impacted infrastructure were to occur.
People living in higher areas which are not located on main travel routes or susceptible to flooding have the potential to be isolated from emergency services due to road blockages, ice, heavy snow, or fire. The relatively undeveloped northeastern portions of Town may encounter these difficulties in a disaster.
Changes from the 2011 Plan School enrollment of all three schools has decreased by about 100 students since 2011, a trend found all around the Central NH Region. This enrollment includes Deering students. Farmsteads expanded in 2011 or 2012, adding capacity for 12 residents and development continued in Town. Benway manufactured housing park added 12 new manufactured homes on Henniker Street. Businesses came into Town, left, or expanded: Riverside Precision Sheet Metal on West Main Street, General Dollar built, Family Dollar expanded, Chrysler dealership (2012) on Antrim Road. Restaurants are using existing buildings, many have cycled through on West Main Street, including Tourismo, Taco Beyondo, Mediterrano, Mama McDonough’s, and Brickhouse. Ming Du moved from West Main to a new building on West Main. To help accommodate the new commercial and residential development in the downtown, including the additional calls placed from the unique needs of vulnerable populations, the Fire Department went to a full-time staff per-diem staffing around the clock. These facilities are located near the floodplain which might impact existing roadways in the downtown area if flooding conditions occur or an evacuation needed to be undertaken.
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN HILLSBOROUGH Development in Town has been growing over the five years. The Emerald Lake Village District is in its fifth year of a building moratorium. The primary project at this time is a multi-use plaza and housing complex on Antrim Road which may contain a grocery store, a restaurant, retail stores, and 65 units of 55 and older units. This area may be most vulnerable to fire and severe weather events and transportation accidents. Two unbuilt subdivisions, one on Black Pond Road (never built, may not be built, PB may revoke) for 29 house lots and one on Beard Brook for 23 house lots (not yet built), will also be vulnerable to these hazards as well as to flooding.
If future development were to occur in the currently undeveloped rural areas away from the rivers, the new population would have a series of roadway options that should be less vulnerable to flooding but more vulnerable to ice, wind and snow damage and power failure. However, even though more growth can be expected, it will not be at levels high enough to create areas of relatively high density or new commercial centers. The primary concern for new development in rural areas is potential isolation in emergency situations and the inability to evacuate.
Changes from the 2011 Plan The aforementioned multi-use plaza and housing complex on Antrim Road which may contain a grocery store, a restaurant, retail stores, and 65 units of 55 and older units is finally breaking ground. An assisted living facility with 85 units of senior housing will be built on Antrim Road, with its final phase not within this Plan’s 5-year lifespan. Minor residential subdivisions have occurred. These newest buildings to the lowest geographic quarter of Town could incur the same problems already facing Hillsborough Center, such as potential flooding and fire, hazardous materials spills, more traffic accidents and evacuation issues.
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5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND LOSS ESTIMATION
The Hazard Mitigation Committee developed and/or updated as needed each of the assets tables within this Chapter. Sites were added or removed, and contact information was revised. Modifications were made to the Primary Hazard Vulnerability column to reflect changes over the last five years. Revisions were made to the future development section, which now includes a clear table. The Plan’s maps were also updated from the 2011 Plan.
The identification of Critical and Community Facilities within Hillsborough is integral to determining what facilities may be at risk from a natural disaster. Every Critical and Community Facility can be damaged by multiple hazards listed in 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT. A tabular inventory of facilities in Hillsborough is provided in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment. The 911 Street Address and Phone number of each facility is supplied, the assessed Structure Replacement Value $, and the Primary Hazard Vulnerabilities to which the facility is most susceptible are listed. The hazards identified are primarily natural disasters but regularly include the technological (and secondary disasters) such as power failure and communications systems failure as well as human hazards such as vandalism/sabotage.
The majority of the sites appear on Map 3: Critical and Community Facilities and Map 4: Potential Hazards and Losses.
Potential dollar losses for each of the facilities’ Structure Replacement Value $ (not land) have been obtained through the Avitar Assessing software May 2016 database to provide a starting point of the financial loss possible should these structures become damaged or require replacement. These community facility losses are estimated for the value of structure and does not include land (unless indicated), contents, or infrastructure.
Problem Statements were then generated for each type of facility when issues were identified by the Hazard Mitigation Committee during discussion of the facility characteristics and Primary Hazard Vulnerabilities. These Problem Statements are listed here.
Potential dollar losses to buildings in the Hillsborough from flooding and other natural hazards are provided using the methods described in the chapter. The Town’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers a way for individuals to obtain insurance coverage for flooding. The Town’s history with NFIP claims and repetitive losses are examined.
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The detailed information for this Chapter is available in APPENDIX A:
A Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment Facility Name Street Address Phone Structure Replacement Primary Hazard (911) Value* $ Vulnerabilities
Critical Facilities
Critical facilities are categorized as those town or state buildings or services that are first-responders in a disaster. The Fire Department, Police Department, Highway Department, and Town Offices are crucial in providing and coordinating the emergency services. Other critical facilities would include educational facilities, hospitals, and emergency shelters. Utilities or utility features, such as cisterns, culverts, dry hydrants, pump stations, water and sewer lines, and electric transmission lines are included because of communication and power/water services provided.
Many such facilities are located in Hillsborough. The assessed structure/building only value is provided for each facility where available, otherwise estimates are provided to help ascertain the financial impact a disaster can have on the community. To view the detailed Critical Facilities sites and tables, see APPENDIX A. Most of these critical facilities sites appear on Map 3 Community and Critical Facilities.
Essential Facilities include: Hillsborough Fire Station, Hillsborough Police Station, Hillsborough Town Hall, Public Works Garage, NH DOT State Highway Shed, National Guard Armory, Transfer Station. Assessed structure (only) replacement values for these essential facilities total $12.0m.
Utilities include: Granite State Telephone, TDS Telecom, Telecommunications Tower (Town), Granite State Telephone Telecommunications Tower, Jackman Hydro Station, Hosiery Mill Power Dam, Eversource Water Tower, Bible Hill Water Supply Storage Tank, Loon Pond Reservoir Water Treatment Facility, Hillsborough Wastewater Treatment Plant; Switching Stations: Jackman Eversource, TDS, Center Road Eversource; Wastewater Pump Stations; Dry Hydrants: Emerald Lake, Main Beach, Cooledge Road, Upper Stowe Mtn Road; Cisterns: Beard Brook, Madison Circle, Bradford, Valhalla Farm, Tractor Supply (Private), Farmsteads of New England (Private); Infrastructure: Wastewater Sewage, Town Water, ELVD Water, ELVD Water Treatment Facility, ELVD Water Storage Tank & Main Pumphouse Facility; ELVD Wells: Meetinghouse, Hummingbird, Mary Rowe, Patten Hill (3), Patten Hill Wells (2). Assessed values for all utilities in Town total $73.3m.
Dams include: 1 High Hazard Dam: Jackman Reservoir Dam (Murray) at North Branch Contoocook River; 1 Significant Hazard Dam: Hillsborough Sewage Lagoon Dam (Town); 2 Low Hazard Dams: Hosiery Mill Dam (Town) at the Contoocook River and Farrar Marsh Dam (NHF&G) at Sand Brook. The remaining 15
Page 105 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND LOSS ESTIMATION dams are Non-Menace classified or are exempt from classification. Classification definitions are located in the Hazard Risk Assessment. Estimated structure (only) repair values for these dams total $12.5m.
Bridges include: 21 Town bridges, 2 Emerald Lake Village District dams and 14 State bridges. Estimated structure (only) rehabilitation values for these bridges total $64.4m.
Shelters, Schools, and Medical Facilities include: Hillsboro-Deering Elementary School; Hillsboro-Deering Middle School, Hillsboro-Deering High School, Hillsborough-Hillsborough School District SAU Office, Hillsborough Christian School, Hillsborough Child Development Center, Stonebridge Montessori School, Concord Hospital - Hillsborough Deering Family Health, Bara Dental (Old), Bara Dental (New), Puleo Dental, Hillsborough Chiropractic Center, Lee Chiropractic, Foxbend Veterinary Clinic, Brookside Counseling. Assessed structure (only) replacement values for these schools, medical facilities and shelters total $81.6m.
PROBLEM STATEMENTS During discussion of these Critical Facilities, the Hazard Mitigation Committee identified specific issues or problems that could be further evaluated. Problem Statements were developed after ascertaining the Primary Hazard Vulnerabilities to the sites and known existing issues. These potential hazards were typically those from the Hazard Risk Assessment.
No emergency power at Town Hall and Transfer Station. Aging water and sewer system pipes should be considered for upgrade and replacement. Install a security system at Town at tower telecommunications tower. Security of water systems (protection from sabotage) is needed - biological hazards could be a problem. If Jackman Dam fails, downstream could experience disastrous/catastrophic impacts; many hazardous waste facilities exist, densely populated area, floodplain changes could occur. Funding for bridge repair is difficult to obtain and permitting requirements/costs are high. Maintenance of the historic stone arch bridges is a more expensive activity than typical bridges. No generator at Middle School, which would serve as a better shelter space than the High School.
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All schools and shelters are next to Route 202, which could result in evacuation issues or haz mat problems. Route 202/9 could need to be shut down during active shooter situation.
Many of these problem statements were developed into Actions discussed later in 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION and 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN.
Culverts are responsible for carrying volumes of water safely under roadways, and with the prior severe flooding events it is necessary to keep Town infrastructure in adequate condition. Table 25 displays the issues of culverts in need of upgrade and approximately when the upgrades can occur. The approximate cost for replacement of all these culverts is $610k.
Table 25 Town-Owned Culverts in Need of Upgrade Road Name of Number of Intersecting Water Issue(s) Estimated Total Approx. Culvert(s) Culverts Upgrade Year $ Cost for All Stowe Mountain 1 Smith Pond Brook Too small, need 2018 $300,000 Road box culvert and is rotting out County Road 1 Nelson Brook Rotting Out 2017 $3,000 Gleason Falls 1 N/A (drainage) Drainage culvert/ 2017 $3,000 Road Old/Rotting Bog Road 1 Sand Brook Too small, need 2020 $300,000 (Concord End) box culvert and is rotting out Sleeper Road 4 Seasonal Brook Rotting out 2017 $4,500 Totals 8 $610,500 Source: Highway Department 2016
Presently, the Highway Department usually upgrades culverts on an as-needed basis because there are hundreds of Town culverts in Town. With the update of the Master Plan, a culvert inventory may be developed to help the community begin formulation of a culvert upgrade and maintenance plan. Knowing the location and condition of all culverts to help guide their replacement, maintenance, and monitoring regularly will help alleviate some of the reactive upgrades to run-off and overtop flooding conditions in Hillsborough, particularly those related to washouts.
Some of the culverts listed in Table 25 were developed into Mitigation Action Plan items in 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN.
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Community Facilities
The Community Facilities inventoried in APPENDIX A generally vulnerable to disasters and in need of careful consideration. Some facilities are vulnerable populations, places where people gather, the economic assets of the community, contain the history of the town, or could release hazardous materials during hazard or disaster events. While Critical Facilities are strong with emergency preparedness and mitigation measures, Community Facilities are typically not as well attuned to these issues and would require more emergency services during a hazard event disaster.
Vulnerable Populations include: Southern NH Services/ Head Start; Stonebridge Preschool and Daycare (20 Children Max); Hillsboro House Nursing Home Assisted Living (33 beds), Farmsteads of NE Adult Assisted Living (23 Farmers and at least 3 staff), Mapleleaf Village Senior Subsidized Housing (EJL Management) (44 1br units), Bear Hill Manufactured Housing Park (7 sites), Barretts Manufactured Housing Park (16 sites), Stonebridge Cooperative Manufactured Housing (44 sites), Willow Rock Apartments (Keystone) (40 units), Hillscomb (Stewart Ppty Mgmnt) (24 units), Contoocook Mills Apartments (Brown and Koelewijn) (30 units), Bear Hill Rd Apartments (Fair Deal Mgmnt) (12 units), 19 Bridge Street (MBF Enterprises) (14 units), Bear Hill Motel (4 units in Hillsborough), 1830 House Motel (13 units). Assessed structure (only) replacement values for these vulnerable populations total $15.0m.
Economic Assets include those businesses and services that employ a large number of people or contribute to the local economy. They include Osram Sylvania Plant, Shaws Grocery Store, Hillsborough Ford, Wyman’s Chevrolet, Hillsboro Chrysler, Tractor Supply, Sanel Autoparts, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Morse Sporting Goods. Assessed structure (only) replacement values for these economic assets total $36.1m.
Cemeteries and Churches include: Hillsboro Baptist Church, Smith Memorial Congregational Church, Valley Bible Chapel, Hillsboro Bible Fellowship, Hillsboro United Methodist Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church. St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kimball Hill Cemetery, Gerry Cemetery, Harvey Memorial Cemetery/St. Charles, Pine Hill and Maple Avenue Cemetery, Bible Hill Cemetery, Preston Cemetery, Dascomb Cemetery, Kimball Cemetery, Farrar Cemetery, Cooledge Cemetery, Hillsborough Center Cemetery, Monroe Cemetery, Clark Cemetery, Codman Cemetery, Bear Hill Cemetery, Robbins Cemetery. As cemeteries do not contain structures, the estimated value of headstone replacement was provided. Assessed structure replacement or land values for these cemeteries and churches total $3.9m.
Hazardous Materials Facilities in Town are often major employers too and may or may not be Tier 2 facilities. They include: Hillsborough Municipal Landfill; Hillsborough Highway Dept; Irving Gas, Sue's Superette, Mobil Gas, Sunoco, Cumberland Farms, Barrett and Gould (Osram Annex), Agway Fertilizer,
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Rymes Fuel, JB Vaillancourt. Assessed structure (only) replacement values for these hazardous material facilities total $5.0m.
Historic Sites and Buildings include: Franklin Pierce Homestead Museum, Hillsborough Historic District (zoning), Bear Hill National Historic District, Mill National Historic District. Assessed structure (only) replacement values for these historic sites total $600k.
Recreational and Gathering Sites of either land and buildings also include private businesses providing recreational opportunities: American Legion, Hillsborough Masonic Temple, Hillsboro Family Center (Moose Lodge), Grimes Field, Community Building/Fuller Public Library, Manahan Recreation Facility, Fire Museum, Fox State Forest (NHDRED), Beards Brook Recreation Area. Assessed structure and land value for these recreational facilities total $1.8m.
Future Development includes a multi-complex with grocery restaurant and retail and two large residential subdivisions (23 and 29 lots) yet to be built. Assessed future development values total $4.1m for land value only.
PROBLEM STATEMENTS During discussion of these Community Facilities, the Hazard Mitigation Committee identified specific issues or problems that could be further evaluated. Problem Statements were developed after ascertaining the Primary Hazard Vulnerabilities to the sites and known existing issues. These potential hazards were typically those from the Hazard Risk Assessment.
Barretts Manufactured home parks and Maple Leaf Senior Assisted Living have only 1 egress/limited access in the event of an emergency. Most vulnerable pops are densely populated, there will be fewer cars owned, and VP are more difficult and take more time to evacuate VP are more susceptible to human hazards. Higher density pops are more susceptible to public health issues. There are multiple cemeteries in the floodplains below the Jackman Dam, downtown, Grimes Field, Church Street, and around the Town. Town might not be aware of exactly what materials businesses have on site or are transporting on roads. Problems with flooding of propane facilities, where residential tanks do float away (Sam Pan Chinese Restaurant down Contoocook). Sabotage is a concern with tanks and fuel storage.
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Many historic sites are in the floodplain (Beehive Oven), and it's impossible to replace these resources once they are gone. Bacteria e. coli level of Manahan on Contoocook has caused beach closings due to potential public health issues. Growing potential for mosquito-borne illnesses on the waters and recreation areas in Town. Limited Town services would be available for residential or commercial types of future development.
Many of these problem statements were developed into Actions discussed later in 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION and 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN.
Potential Losses from Natural Disasters
Natural disasters, including floods, wind events, severe winter storms and ice storms, secondary disasters as a result of the natural disasters (such as power loss) and to a lesser degree, human and technological hazards as documented in 4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT have occurred in Hillsborough This section estimates Town-wide structure/building damage in Town from natural hazard events. It is difficult to ascertain the amount of damage caused by a hazard because the damage will depend on the hazard’s location and magnitude, making each hazard event somewhat unique. Human and technological hazards are typically even more incalculable. Human loss of life was not included in the potential loss estimates for natural hazards, but could be expected to occur, depending on the severity of the hazard.
While this Plan focuses on being pro-active in those geographic areas of Hillsborough most prone to recurring hazards (like flooding), some initial estimates of measurable property damage and building damage have been discussed by utilizing simple techniques such as the numbers of structures and assessed valuation. This two-dimensional approach of calculating dollar losses from tangible structures offers a basic yet insightful tool to begin further loss estimation analyses.
TOOLS FOR COMMUNITIES WITH GIS For gauging more three-dimensional estimation of damages, FEMA has developed a software program entitled HAZUS-MH (for multi-hazard), which is a powerful risk assessment software program for analyzing potential losses from floods, hurricane winds and earthquakes. In HAZUS-MH, current scientific and engineering knowledge is coupled with the latest Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to produce estimates of hazard related damage before, or after, a disaster occurs. Developed for ARCGIS
Page 110 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND LOSS ESTIMATION which produced the Maps for this Plan, HAZUS-MH takes into account various effects of a hazard event such as:
Physical damage: damage to residential and commercial buildings, schools, critical facilities, and infrastructure; Economic loss: lost jobs, business interruptions, repair and reconstruction costs; and Social impacts: impacts to people, including requirements for shelters and medical aid.
Federal, State and local government agencies and the private sector can order HAZUS-MH free-of-charge from the FEMA Distribution Center. Hillsborough should first ascertain whether a municipal geographic information system (GIS) of hardware and software is appropriate, and if so, consider training staff to perform models. With many Town existing and under-development infrastructure GIS data layers available, HAZUS-MH could prove very helpful for estimating losses for the community on a disaster- specific basis. However, much staff time is necessary to train staff and maintain a GIS system. Official map generation is typically subcontracted out to other agencies at this time, including Avitar Assessing and the Central NH Regional Planning Commission.
METHOD OF POTENTIAL DOLLAR LOSSES BY NATURAL HAZARDS A more manageable technique was used for loss estimation for the purposes of this Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Natural hazard losses are calculated based on dollar damage ranges over the entire community, or in the case of flooding, buildings in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are counted and their value is collected. The number of total parcels in the community as of March 2016 is 4,051. Using May 2016 assessment data, the total assessed value of all residential and non-residential structures in Hillsborough ($45,862,700) is the basis for loss estimation calculations.
Potential Building Dollar Losses by SFHA Flooding Parcels within the floodplain were identified using Hillsborough’s 2016 tax maps concurrently with the September 25, 2009 FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs). Next, parcels containing buildings were identified using the Town tax assessor’s database for the Town. Building type was characterized into one of four categories. The categories are single-family homes, multi-family homes, manufactured homes, and non-residential buildings. Building value was taken from the assessing database. Land value and building content value were not considered in these calculations.
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Table 26 Building Value in the Special Flood Hazard Areas Building Type Number of Total Value of Average Buildings Buildings Replacement Value Single Family Homes 478 $57,327,400 $119,932
Multi-family Homes 10 $1,335,700 $133,570
Manufactured Homes 60 $1,596,900 $26,615
Non-Residential Buildings 74 $31,978,100 $432,136
Totals 622 $92,238,100 -----
Sources: Town of Hillsborough Avitar Assessing System 05-27-16; 2009 DFIRMs
In Table 26, 478 single family residential homes, 10 multi-family homes, 60 manufactured homes, and 74 non-residential buildings were considered to be situated the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). The average replacement value is $120,000 for a single-family home, $134,000 for a multi-family home, $27,000 for a manufactured home and $432,000 for a non-residential building. The total value of all buildings in the Special Flood Hazard Areas is about $92.2m for the 622 structures.
In the following calculations, the average replacement value was calculated by adding the assessed values of all structures in the special flood hazard areas and dividing by the number of structures. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed a process to calculate potential loss for structures during flooding. The potential loss was calculated by multiplying the average replacement value by the percent of damage expected from the hazard event, and then by multiplying that figure by the number of structures.
The costs for repairing or replacing infrastructure such as bridges, railroads, power lines, roads, drainage systems, telephone lines, or natural gas pipelines, and land value and the contents of structures have not been included in these estimates in the following figures.
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Table 27 Dollar Damage Ranges for Total Buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) Building Type Total Value of Total Value of Potential Damages in SFHAs by Buildings in Respective Building Type SFHA Eight-Foot Four-Foot Flood Two-Foot Flood Flood 49% 28% Damage 20% Damage Damage Single Family Homes $57,327,400 $28,090,426 $16,051,672 $11,465,480
Multi-Family Homes $1,335,700 $654,493 $373,996 $267,140
Manufactured Homes $1,596,900 $782,481 $447,132 $319,380
Non-Residential $31,978,100 $15,669,269 $8,953,868 $6,395,620 Buildings Sources: Town of Hillsborough Avitar Assessing System 05-27-16; 2009 DFIRMs (See Table 26); FEMA
Table 27 represents the worst case scenario of all single-family homes, multi-family homes, manufactured homes, and non-residential buildings within the Special Flood Hazard Area that are damaged by a flood hazard event.
If all of the 478 single family homes were damaged by a Two-Foot Flood (20% Damage), the dollar damage to the buildings only could be $11.5m while an Eight-Foot Flood (49% Damage) could yield $28.1m in damage. If all of the 74 non–residential building in the SFHA were damaged in the same Two- Foot Flood (20% Damage), projected building damages could total $6.4m versus an Eight-Foot Flood (49% Damage) of $15.7m in damage. Dollar damage estimations vary according to the standard percentages of damage levels associated with flooding levels set by FEMA. Table 28 Dollar Damage Ranges for Individual Buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) Building Type Average Individual Value of Potential Damages in SFHAs Value of by Respective Building Type Individual Eight-Foot Four-Foot Two-Foot Buildings in Flood 49% Flood 28% Flood 20% SFHA Damage Damage Damage Single Family Homes $119,932 $58,767 $33,581 $23,986
Multi-Family Homes $133,570 $65,449 $37,400 $26,714
Manufactured Homes $26,615 $13,041 $7,452 $5,323
Non-Residential $432,136 $211,747 $120,998 $86,427 Buildings Sources: Town of Hillsborough Avitar Assessing System 05-27-16; 2009 DFIRMs (See Table 26); FEMA
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Table 28 also represents the worst case scenario, but of individual single-family homes, multi-family homes, manufactured houses, and non-residential buildings within the Special Flood Hazard Area that are damaged by a flood hazard event.
If one single family home was damaged by a Two-Foot Flood (20% Damage), the projected dollar damage to the building only could be about $24,000 while an Eight-Foot Flood (49% Damage) could yield $59,000 in damage. If damage was sustained to one non-residential building, the projected dollar damage could be $86,000 from a Two-Foot Flood (20% Damage) and $212,000 for an Eight-Foot Flood (49% Damage).
Potential Building Dollar Losses by Other Natural Hazards Flooding is often associated with heavy rains and flash floods, hurricanes, ice jams, rapid snow melting in the spring, and culvert washouts. These are all types of flooding hazards discussed or evaluated previously but can also occur outside of the SHFA.
Building damage by natural disasters in New Hampshire is not limited to SFHA flooding alone, which is easier to quantify and predict. Simple calculations can be made based upon generalizations of a disaster impacting a certain percentage of the number of buildings in the Town. The assessed value of all residential, commercial, and industrial structures in Hillsborough is $45,862,700 (no land). Disaster damages are often illustrated in the following section utilizing a percentage range of town-wide building damage. At 2,896 housing units in Hillsborough from the US Census 2010, a disaster impact to 10% of them would yield 289 damaged units.
The inventory of Town sites or buildings in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment indicates which hazards each site is most susceptible to and provides its assessed valuation. This dollar value can be used as a damage estimate from the natural hazard events listed below. Yet the potential losses discussed in this section involve all buildings across the community to provide a more distinct portrait of potential losses using the assessed valuation of all town buildings. Damages from natural hazards to anything other than buildings, such as infrastructure, land, humans or building contents, are not examined here. Specific individual studies would be needed to assess more detailed scenarios.
Wind Events Damage caused by wind events such as hurricanes, downbursts, and rain and thunderstorms can be both excessive and expensive. The assessed value of all residential, commercial, and industrial structures in Hillsborough is $45,862,700 (no land).
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With a scenario range of 1% to 5% of buildings damaged by wind events throughout the Town, a wind event could potentially cause up to $458,000 (for more localized downburst, high winds, or tornadoes) to $2.3m (for more damaging and widespread tropical storms and hurricanes) in building-only damage costs alone, not including contents, infrastructure, or land.
Severe Winter Weather Power outages, extreme cold, and impacts to infrastructure are all effects of winter storms that have been felt in Hillsborough in the past. All of these impacts are a risk to the community, including isolation, especially of the elderly, and increased traffic accidents. Damage caused as a result of this type of hazard varies according to wind velocity, snow accumulation, and duration.
With a scenario range of 1% to 5% of buildings damaged throughout the Town, severe winter storms could potentially cause up to $458,000 to $2.3m in building-only damage costs.
Rapid Snow Pack Melt Flooding caused by rapid snow pack melt is often found along roadways and from watercourses such as rivers like the Contoocook River, and the many brooks in Town. Those locations which are particularly susceptible would be the floodplain, along roadways, and especially along hilly gravel roads, but anywhere the water cannot yet percolate into the frozen ground could be vulnerable.
With a scenario of 0.5% of buildings flooded throughout the Town, rapid snow pack melt flooding could potentially cause up to $230,000 in building-only damage costs.
River Ice Jams and Debris Impacted Infrastructure Although it would be very unusual, ice jams on the Contoocook River or other flooding on the River and the many brooks in Town listed above could cause flooding and debris impacted infrastructure in Hillsborough. Multiple bridges on US Route 202, NH Route 9, NH Route 31 and other state and local roads that rest on top of these watercourses were identified previously. Multiple additional small streams culverts and drainage systems abound. The 2017-2026 NH Department of Transportation Ten Year Plan (TYP) provides many examples of basic cost estimates bridge replacement and rehabilitation. Within or near the Central NH Region rehabilitation of small local bridges can average $450,000 while replacement of small local bridges can average over $600,000.
This average figure of $600,000 can be used for one (1) local bridge replacement in Hillsborough due to the physical damage caused by river ice jams or debris impacted infrastructure. The same bridge damaged by ice or debris which only requires rehabilitation could cost $450,000.
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Or, if half of the 478 (239) single family homes in the floodplain were damaged as a result of two-foot flooding resulting from river ice jams or debris impacted infrastructure, there could be up to $28.6m in building damage costs.
Earthquake Earthquakes can cause buildings and bridges to collapse, disrupt gas, electric, and phone lines and are often associated with landslides and flash floods. Buildings that are not built to a high seismic design level could be susceptible to structural damage. Hillsborough Village could be more vulnerable as buildings are older, closer together, and the area is heavily populated.
With a scenario of 0.5% of buildings damaged throughout the Town, an earthquake could potentially cause up to $230,000 in building-only damage costs.
Fire / Wildfire The risk of fire is difficult to predict based on location. Forest fires are more likely to occur during years of drought. In addition, areas and structures that are surrounded by dry vegetation that has not been suitably cleared are at high risk. However, fire danger is generally universal and can occur practically at any time. Dollar damage would depend on the extent of the fire, the number and type of buildings burned, and the amount of contents destroyed within the buildings.
With a scenario of 1.0% of buildings damaged in the Town, a wildfire could potentially cause up to $458,000 in building-only damage costs.
Lightning Damage caused by lightning would not be Town-wide because it typically strikes in smaller areas. Few places in Hillsborough are at specific risk but lightning strikes can cause fires. In the future, damages will vary according to the value of the structure and home and the contents inside, and dollar amounts would depend on if the hazard hit an area with a high density of buildings.
With a scenario of 0.5% of buildings damaged throughout the Town, a lightning could potentially cause up to $230,000 in building-only damage costs through fire spreading.
Drought Drought is often declared on state-wide or region-wide basis, and sometimes by individual town. Dollar damage caused by drought would be difficult to quantify, but would most likely impact the agricultural
Page 116 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND LOSS ESTIMATION and economic base of a community. Although everyone could be charged to conserve water, orchards, farms, and nurseries would be most affected.
As physical damage is usually isolated to specific locations, the effects of potential disasters at certain facilities could be researched utilizing the Town’s assessor’s database for valuation on targeted land. Agricultural land may be among the most affected by drought. People who rely on well water, which is nearly all of the community, might find their wells running dry.
Critical Facilities Buildings These dozens of essential facilities, utilities, dams, bridges, and shelters and medical facilities inventoried in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment provide the Structure Only Value $ from the Avitar Appraisal System. Multiple hazards are identified which may damage each inventoried building. Therefore, if the Town wanted to ascertain the damage cost from any natural hazard to an individual critical facility, this dollar value is available for evaluation.
Community Facilities Buildings Dozens of community facilities such as vulnerable populations, recreation and gathering sites, historic sites, economic assets, hazardous materials facilities, and more are inventoried in APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment provide the Structure Only Value $ from the Avitar Appraisal System. Multiple hazards are identified which may damage each inventoried building. Therefore, if the Town wanted to ascertain the damage cost from any natural hazard to an individual critical facility, this dollar value is available for evaluation.
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National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities such as Hillsborough agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding. For more information on the National Flood Insurance Program, visit https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/about/nfip_overview.jsp.
Hillsborough has been a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since 1979, the date of the Town’s first effective National Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The original Flood Insurance Study (FIS) was dated December 1978 although initial identification of flood hazard areas occurred May 10, 1974 and the Flood Hazard Boundary Maps were revised December 24, 1976 and the final effective date was June 15, 1979.
In the present day, Hillsborough’s effective FIRMs are digital (DFIRMS) are dated September 25, 2009. The revised Hillsborough County Flood Insurance Study (FIS) which includes Hillsborough (community #330090) is also dated September 25, 2009; individual community FIS are not being developed. These newest documents were adopted by the Board of Selectmen and supercede all previous FIRMs and FISs. Table 29 summarizes the historical background of the Town’s NFIP effective dates.
Table 29 NFIP History of Hillsborough – Effective Dates Flood Insurance Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Rate Maps December 1978 June 15, 1979
September 25, 2009 September 25, 2009 Source: Hillsborough County Flood Insurance Study (FIS), Table 9, 2009
HILLSBOROUGH’S NFIP STATISTICS In Table 30 is a cumulative history of the trends and overall totals of flood insurance policies and losses of those property owners utilizing the NFIP insurance in Town. Three snapshots in time, one from each of Hillsborough’s Hazard Mitigation Plan versions, display the number of NFIP policies in force and paid loss statistics between December 2003 and March 2016.
In December 2003, the number of NFIP flood insurance policies in force was 14, which rose to 42 in February 2009, then fell to 37 policies by March 2016. The increase between 2003 and 2009 can be
Page 118 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND LOSS ESTIMATION explained by the significant flooding events damaging properties in Hillsborough between 2005-2008. The lack of further purchase could be influenced by the recent changes is flood insurance regulation and policy cost or the lack of public awareness of the NFIP.
By March 2016, 37 NFIP policies were in force in Hillsborough, covering these properties from flood damage. Over the 13-year period, the number of paid losses to individuals through the NFIP since 1978 increased from 14 losses by Dec 2003 ($32,637 paid) to 17 more losses by Feb 2009 ($408,393 more paid). Then by Mar 2016, the number grew by 1 more loss ($33,941 paid) to total 32 losses and $475,071 paid to Hillsborough residents for flood damages over the period.
Table 30 History of NFIP Policy and Paid Loss Statistics Date NFIP Flood Insurance Number of Total Flood Policies Coverage in Paid Losses Losses Paid in Force Force Since 01-01-78 Since 01-01-78 December 2003 14 $5,246,100 14 $32,637 February 2009 42 $6,975,900 31 $441,130 March 2016 37 8,213,600 32 $475,071 Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan 2011, FEMA records as of 03-31-16
Table 17 also illustrates that while all of the property owners in the entire Town of Hillsborough are eligible to purchase flood insurance, only 37 parcels out of the 4,051 total parcels in the community are insured against flooding. As described previously, a total of 622 homes and non-residential buildings are approximated to be situated in the Special Flood Hazard Areas. This leaves many uninsured for when the next flooding event occurs in Hillsborough.
REPETITIVE LOSS PROPERTIES A specific target group of properties is identified and serviced separately from other NFIP policies when repetitive losses occur on the same properties. The group includes every NFIP-insured property that, since 1978 and regardless of any change(s) of ownership during that period, has experienced four or more paid flood losses of more than $5,000 each or two or more separate claim payments (building payments only) where the total of the exceeds the current value of the property. Two of the claim payments must have occurred within 10 years of each other. The loss history includes all flood claims paid on an insured property, regardless of any changes of ownership, since the building's construction or back to 1978.
Hillsborough has 3 repetitive loss properties, all of which are single family properties. While 1 repetitive loss occurred prior to the recent flooding, the other 2 occurred during the heavy flooding hazard events of 2005-2008. This data correlates to the NFIP Policy and Loss Statistics in Table 30. Table 31 displays the repetitive loss claims in Hillsborough:
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Table 31 Number of Repetitive Loss Properties Building Type Number of Repetitive Loss Properties as of 12-12 Single Family 3 Multi-Family 0 Non-Residential 0 Total Properties 3 Source: NH Office of Energy and Planning on behalf of FEMA, December 2012
FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE A major objective for floodplain management is to continue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Communities that agree to manage Special Flood Hazard Areas shown on NFIP maps participate in the NFIP by adopting minimum standards. The minimum requirements are the adoption of the Floodplain Ordinance and Subdivision Regulation / Site Plan Review requirements for land designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Flood insurance is available to any property owner located in a community participating in the NFIP.
Community Assistance Visits in Hillsborough A Community Assistance Visit (CAV) is a process required by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as a way of reviewing a town’s compliance with established floodplain regulations to be sure that they meet NFIP requirements. If the Town is not in compliance with regulations in any way, the officials that conduct the CAV provide assistance and guidance to assist with correcting any violations.
If the NH Office of Energy and Planning (NHOEP) identifies Hillsborough as a repetitive loss community, which is based upon Table 31 data, a new CAV will be undertaken every five years or if there is a severe flooding event. In past years, Hillsborough has had knowledgeable Land Use Department planning staff who were experienced with NFIP policies.
On April 19, 2001, a Community Assistance Visit (CAV) was held in Hillsborough to review compliance with NFIP policies and educate staff on the policies. Two minor concerns were noted during this visit, but no violations were identified. Edits to the floodplain development ordinance and subdivision and site plan review regulations were suggested. The flood plain ordinance was amended at Town Meeting in March 2002, and subdivision and site plan regulations were amended by the Planning Board.
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In 2008, another CAV was conducted in Hillsborough which reviewed progress from the previous 2001 CAV and considered new NFIP policies. A few small Floodplain Ordinance corrections were made in 2008. This was the last known CAV, although a follow-up telephone call may have been made by NHOEP after 2012 to review Land Use Department procedures and the contents of the Floodplain Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations and Site Plan Review Regulations. Following this basic schedule, another call would be anticipated for around 2017.
Floodplain Ordinance Amendments The Town of Hillsborough has a Floodplain Development District and has adopted all the required FEMA revisions to its ordinance, the last of which were March 2008 to correct language and in 2009, when the Town adopted the new FEMA effective Digital Flood Insurance Rate (DFIRM) maps dated September 25, 2009. In March 2009, the Town also adopted the amended Floodplain Development Ordinance incorporating the necessary FEMA revisions. A listing of recent revisions is displayed in Table 32.
Table 32 Recent Floodplain Ordinance Amendments Date of Floodplain Floodplain Ordinance Updates or Revisions Ordinance Revision 3/12/02 Amended ordinance with new and additional language 3/13/07 Clarify several definitions and section on alteration or relocation of watercourse March 2008 Ordinance language corrections March 2009 To recognize and accept the 2009 FEMA Maps Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan 2011 and Zoning Ordinance 2016
NFIP Familiarity in Hillsborough According to NFIP policies, when an applicant files a request for a building permit in the floodplain, the applicant must include an elevation certificate in order to be in compliance. In addition, if an applicant intends to fill onsite, a letter of map of revision must be submitted along with the application. According to NFIP requirements in the Floodplain Ordinance, building permits should be reviewed to assure sites are reasonably safe from flooding and require anchoring to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement and construction out of flood resistant materials.
Ongoing attention and familiarity with the NFIP will keep Town staff and volunteers in top form. In order to reduce flood risks, Land Use Department, including the Code Enforcement Officer and Planning Director and other Town staff whose duties include review/inspection of development or construction, should be familiar with the Floodplain Ordinance and the NFIP.
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Because of their unique position to ensure development conforms with ordinances prior to approval, the Planning Board should be familiar with NFIP policies, especially those regulations that are required to be incorporated into the Subdivision and Site Plan Review regulations. A workshop sponsored by the NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NHHSEM) or the NH Office of Energy and Planning (NHOEP) would be appropriate to educate current staff and volunteers. Or, for online training taken at the convenience of the individual, see the FEMA Emergency Management Institute’s current training course index for flooding: https://www.training.fema.gov/is/searchis.aspx?search=Flood&all=true.
An essential step in mitigating flood damage is Town and property owner participation in the NFIP. Hillsborough should work to consistently enforce NFIP compliant policies to continue its participation in this program. Currently, Town staff are fielding many property owners who are asking for assistance because their mortgage lenders are asking for proof that the properties in question are not located in a Special Flood Hazard Area to determine whether NFIP flood insurance is required. The only way to rectify this growing problem is to have a survey done of the property to complete a Certificate of Elevation to keep on file at the Town Office. If the property is shown to be located out of the floodplain, a Letter of Map Amendment should be completed by the owner or by the Town to ensure future flood maps are corrected.
This time of interaction with property owners is emotional and intense and may therefore not be the best time to advertise the availability of flood insurance. When possible, Town staff should try promote flood insurance to property owners in Town; only 37 properties out of the 4,051 parcels in Hillsborough are protected by flood insurance and currently take advantage of the NFIP insurance opportunity.
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6 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
Local mitigation capabilities are existing authorities, plans, ordinances, policies, mutual aid, programs, staffing, technical skills and assets, funding, outreach, public education, and resources that reduce hazard impacts or that could be used to help implement hazard mitigation activities. These capabilities were inventoried for the Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017.
The Capability Assessment contains an inventory of locally-important existing mitigation support activities, or capabilities, which have a positive impact on the way hazard events are handled within the community. Most capabilities are not hazard mitigation Actions but support the Action Plan and help decrease the community’s hazard risk. These community-strengthening capabilities are not STAPLEE- rated (Social Technical Administrative Political Legal Environmental and Economics questions) like the Actions, but instead the capabilities serve to sustain and assist the community to maintain and accomplish its hazard mitigation Actions and priorities. Selected Future Improvements to some of these capabilities were able to be later considered as Actions in 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION and 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN.
Capability Assessment Types
Planning & Regulatory
Administrative and Technical
Financial Resources
Education and Outreach
There are four overall Capabilities considered for which an inventory of mitigation support items was identified by the Hazard Mitigation Committee, Planning & Regulatory, Administrative and Technical, Financial Resources, and Education and Outreach.
Each Capability had inventoried the latest version or adoption Date; a Description of the item; the location of the capability in Town; the Level of Effectiveness of the Capability; which Department, Board or other has Responsibility for the capability; what Changes were made to the capability since the 2011 Hazard Mitigation Plan; and Future Improvements to the Capability.
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Local Mitigation Capabilities
A summary of the items within the four Capability tables is provided here to offer a portrait of resources Level of Hillsborough has at hand to assist with mitigation. Careful Effectiveness Description consideration of each Capability’s Level of Effectiveness Capability is working well High and is regularly followed helped the Departments to determine any clear Future Improvements to undertake. Many of the Town’s Moderate Capability could use some revisions but is followed Capabilities involved existing plans, procedures, reports, policies, regulations, and resource documents from Low Capability is not working and needs revisions individual Departments. These plans and documents were reviewed and incorporated into the Capability Assessment. Future Improvements to these documents were identified and many later became Action items in 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN. Capabilities of all Town Departments and the School District as related to hazard mitigation are detailed within the following tables.
PLANNING AND REGULATORY CAPABILITIES The planning and regulatory capabilities displayed in Table 33 are the plans, policies, codes, and ordinances that prevent and reduce the impacts of hazards. There are 3 categories: Plans, Codes, and Regulations. Most of the documents listed below are the Town’s documents, but others are School, local, regional, state and federal which support the Town’s the hazard mitigation goals, objectives, and/or Actions.
Table 33 Planning and Regulatory Capabilities Latest Capability Description Location of Level of Respons- Changes Since Last Future Adoption Assessment: Related to hazard Capability Effective- ibility Haz Mit Plan (2011) Improvements or Planning and mitigation planning Entire Town ness to Plans Version Regulatory and coordination or Selected Date Resources Areas PLANS May 2011 Hazard Mitigation Latest FEMA approved Entire Town Moderate Emergency Replaced redlisted Implement Haz Plan Update Haz Mit Plan has expired Management bridges, culvert Mit Plan to (June 2015), currently upgrades ensure actions updating as of 12-15 are completed and Plan is evaluated Current to Emergency Updated EOP, ESFs Entire Town Moderate Emergency Updating as of 12-15 Add ESF for date as of Operations Plan included, WebEOC, Management Animal 12-15 NIMS training, 2015 Sheltering, template update agreement with
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Echo Lane Kennels, and Review the finished EOP with all Depts and Dispatch 2011-2016 Capital Can contain haz mit Entire Town Moderate Planning Increased funds, new Update the CIP Improvements Actions funded in CIP, Board capital reserves for FD to 2016-2021 Program infrastructure equip, Building improvements. Outlines Maintenance, Bridge future spending for fire, Fund police, highway, and planning among other depts. The CIP ensures future needs for emergency personnel are considered. 1999 Master Plan Improve Town Entire Town Moderate Planning The 1999 MP has been Update the MP infrastructure, protect Board undergoing a town- to finish in 2016 environmental, guideline wide update initiated for Depts, basis for by the Planning Board. ordinances and regulations 1999. Recommends creating aquifer and slope protection ordinances. 2002 FD Resource List of Fire Department would Entire Town Moderate Fire Out of date list, no Update supply Supplies like to have an updated Department longer used. Need to resource list list of where to get develop official update certain supplies in an emergency. This list could be quickly referenced is supplies were needed. November Designated Regional High School is now a Hillsborough- High Emergency Drill with School in Nov Develop a 2014 Shelter Plan regional shelter due to Deering High School Management 2014 written back-up power School agreement with capacities and shower the School facilities. Planning with District to use FEMA, NHDHS and Red the High School Cross. Also a shelter for other towns, but need to write up agreements June 1, Jackman Reservoir A plan was completed to Jackman Moderate Board of Revised annually by Encourage Town 2013 Dam Plan assess the hazards Reservoir Dam Selectmen Eversource document Departments and (Eversource) associated with Jackman reviewed by Army First Responders Reservoir Dam and the Corps to Become Town’s response Familiar with actions. Known locally as Jackman Pierce Lake in Town, not Reservoir Dam Jackman. Reservoir. Emergency Owned by Eversource Response Plan 2009 Emerald Lake Village Plan was developed in Emerald Lake High ELVD Continued following Continue to District Emergency 2009. It identifies Village District Commission Plan review and Management Plan systems, chain of monitor for command, emergency compliance with notification, system Haz Mit Plan components,
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restrictions, etc. The main responsibility is for dam maintenance Not WWTF Evaluation Evaluated the WWTF on WWTF on Low Water & Document was Continue to available on Norton Drive for Norton Drive for Norton Drive Sewer completed; new FEMA review and Potential Flooding potential Flooding Commission maps are followed monitor for utilizing FEMA Flood compliance with mapping Haz Mit Plan Current to Culvert Developed by NH DOT Culverts, High Highway Replaced with open Undertake a date as of Replacement Plan inspect large roadways Department bottom box culverts (2) formal inventory 12-15 culvert/bridges once per of culverts year. PWD is currently obtaining a GIS program from UNH December Natural Resource Evaluates water, wildlife Entire Town Moderate Conservation Used to write MP Investigate 2014 Inventory habitat, soil, aquifer, Commission Chapter whether a bedrock, flora, etc wetlands resources in and ordinance is provides maps of needed resources and evaluates wetlands by importance November School District Emergency response School District High School update annually, drills, Update to 2014 Emergency plan covers all schools. District revised evacuation include Alert- Management Plan Each building has sites Lockdown- (School) specific plan of Inform- Counter- evacuation routes, etc. and Evacuation training. Not Osram Sylvania Internal document on Osram High Osram Updated annually Encourage available Business Emergency several dozen potential Sylvania Sylvania Osram Sylvania Management Plan incidents with plans in (private) to add active (private) place to continue shooter to EMP business Not Shaws Business Internal document on Shaws N/A Shaws Private - newly added Obtain Shaws available Emergency several dozen potential (private) capability to the Town EMP Management Plan incidents with plans in Haz Mit Plan (private) place to continue business Not Concord Hospital Internal document on Concord N/A Concord Private - newly added Obtain the CH available Family Health several dozen potential Hospital Hospital capability to the Town Family Health Business Emergency incidents with plans in Family Health Family Haz Mit Plan EMP Management Plan place to continue Health (private) business (private) BUILDING CODES, PERMITTING, INSPECTIONS Current to FD Inspection of Part of enforcement of Entire Town Moderate Fire Added 1 inspector to Need more date as of Assembly Places the state life safety Department assist, still need more inspectors to 12-15 code. This program help help with ensures that public overwhelming assembly places are work load property constructed, and thus are likely to withstand a natural hazard. Includes Windsor 2009 State Building Code Contains a suite of Entire Town Moderate Building Inspector skills have Increase the residential, commercial, Inspection been utilized hours of the plumbing, electrical, (building/construction), Building mechanical, energy, and enforcement improved Inspector to
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existing buildings, accommodate designed to ensure that new commercial buildings are growth constructed well. This can mean that they can withstand natural hazards better September FEMA Flood New Maps adopted by Floodplains High Board of Newly received paper Investage the 25, 2009 Insurance Rate Town in 2009, used for Selectmen maps, use digital maps purchase of a GIS Maps Contoocook River, online mapping system streams, brooks before obtaing Obtain the FP layer from NHGRANIT onc 2009 State Fire Code Sets construction Entire Town Moderate Fire continue to follow Adopt the standards related to life Department Residential safety, fire prevention, Sprinkler Code fuel, and gas by NH Depart of Safety and National Fire Protection Assn. 2012 NHDHHS Health Contains a group of Entire Town High Health Some State regs are Discuss whether Officer's Manual health related State Enforcement new, such as bedbug, adopting a Town RSAs including, bedbugs, others are updated Property housing standards, Maintenance infections diseases, Code would be trash, nuisance, etc applicable LAND USE PLANNING, ORDINANCES, REGULATORY 03-10-15 Stream and Prohibits building or Waterbodies High Planning Updated in 2015 to Continue to Shoreline Protection impervious surface Department include "impervious review and Ordinance (Zoning) construction within 75’ surface" monitor, but no of the average mean changes to the high water level of any Ordinance are lake, pond or stream under with normal year round consideration at flow. this time 03-13-02 Telecommunications Sets maximum height Entire Town High Planning Discussion about Ordinance is out Tower Ordinance for cell towers. This Board reviewing current of date and (Zoning) ordinance can ensure ordinance and needs to be that towers are place updating when needed update to reflect where they will receive current FCC laws and create the least amount of damage in a natural hazard event such as a wind storm 08-11-09 Floodplain Complies with NFIP, Floodplains High Planning Continued following Update the Development updated 2009. Standard Department ordinance Floodplain Ordinance (Zoning NFIP ordinance. The Ordinance when Ordinance) ordinance requires new federal changes structures in the are necessary floodplain to meet certain standards. Doesn’t prevent construction. Doesn’t apply to non-substantial improvements
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03-09-10 Small Wind Energy Purpose to provide for Entire Town Moderate Planning Continued following Continue to Systems small wind energy Department ordinance review and systems in appropriate monitor, but no locations while changes to the balancing the desirability Ordinance are of alternate energy under sources and consideration at consideration of all this time impacts 03-10-81 Waterfront States minimum Waterbodies Moderate Planning Continued following Language Development frontage of 50', 400 sqft in Town Board ordinance concerning Ordinance (Zoning) of beach area, and 200 variances needs sqft of parking area per to be clarified-no dwelling unit/lot. Docks changes every 15' of shoreline, currently building setback at least proposed 75' of shoreline, and a Loon Pond 200' building setback 03-10-15 Zoning Ordinance Originally enacted 03- Entire Town Moderate Planning Reviewed and updated Review and 02-76, amended Board yearly by the Planning update the regularly, and recodified Board zoning ordinance 03-14-89. Purpose of annually. promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the community. Regulations consider character and suitability for particular uses of area in the Town, the conservation of buildings and encouragement of the most appropriate use of land. 03-14-06 Cluster Ordinance discourages Entire Town Moderate Planning Continued following Modify language Development sprawl, facilitate Board ordinance to ensure Ordinance (Zoning) economical provision of designated "open public services, provides space" must be more efficient land use contiguous. of land in harmony with natural characteristics, preserves more usable open space 3/7/16 Seasonal Permits Selectmen to Class VI Roads High Board of Post roads every spring Continue to post Restrictions on Class post roads to restrict Selectmen roads based VI Highways access during vulnerable upon seasonal times needs and conditions 8/16/2006 Road Design and Specifies method of Entire Town High Highway Continued following Continue to Construction construction and Department, standards review and Standards materials. Contains NH Board of monitor, but no (Subdivision DOT roadway and Selectmen changes to the Regulations) drainage standards. Subdivision Regulations are under consideration at this time
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01-08-12 Site Plan Review Regulate development Entire Town Moderate Planning Landscaping revisions Under constant Regulation of large residential Board in 2012 review and Requirements properties and updated as commercial properties. needed. Includes design and landscaping standards that support water infiltration April 2010 Subdivision Regulate residential Entire Town Moderate Planning Continued following Continue to Regulation development. Contains Board the regulations review and Requirements Section 201-7 Special monitor, but no Flood Hazard Areas to changes to the ensure more stringent Subdivision application procedures Regulations are are followed under consideration at this time
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES The administrative and technical capabilities in Table 34 include staff, volunteers, and their skills and tools that can be used for mitigation planning and to implement specific mitigation actions. Smaller jurisdictions without local staff resources often rely on public or shared resources. There are 3 categories: Admin Programs, Staffing, and Technical Capabilities.
Table 34 Administrative and Technical Capabilities Latest Capability Description Location of Level of Respons- Changes Since Future Adoption Assessment: Related to hazard Capability Effective- ibility Last Haz Mit Improvements or Version Administrative mitigation planning and Entire Town ness Plan (2011) to Plans Date and Technical coordination or Selected Areas ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS AND POLICIES 2009 Fire Investigation Find origin/cause of fires. Entire Town, Moderate Fire continue to utilize Need to add more Program NFPA One staff member is trained Windsor Department 2009 document trained 921 for this. This program can investigators help find the cause of natural or man-made fires or a combination of both. Includes Windsor January Fire & Rescue Also includes Windsor. Entire Town, High Fire Went from Continue to 2016 Mutual Aid Member of Capital Area Fire Windsor, Department Hillsboro Dispatch improve Agreement Compact, renews annually, Henniker, to Capital Area communications, also agreements with Deering, Capital Area is Henniker, Deering and Antrim, transitioning Antrim Capital Area SimulCast in 2016 Fire Compact to broadcast to communities
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2010 Police Renewed every two years Henniker and High Police MUA used at least When Henniker Department with surrounding towns. This Washington Department weekly, if not and Washington Local Mutual Aid policy provides additional daily. Hills usually Chiefs leave in the Agreements police personnel in case of provides to other near future 03-16, emergencies; such towns they will need to emergencies include road be re-signed closures and evacuations due to natural hazards 2015 PD Hillsborough All Chiefs in the County sign Hillsborough High Police MUAs are among Continue County Mutual for mutual aid County Department Chiefs, so have had participating in Aid to re-sign county mutual whenever Chiefs aid. ACTION: change Stoddard needs a PD MUA January Highway Member of NH Public Works Regional and High Highway new member as of participate in 2016 Departments Mutual Aid Compact. State Mutual Department 2016 network Mutual Aid Hillsborough, Washington, Aid Agreements Deering, Bradford, Antrim, and Henniker help each other. This policy allows Hillsborough to receive roadway help in all types of storms. March 2016 General Road Every year $250,000 is spent Roadways Moderate Highway added $100,000 Place road Maintenance on road reconstruction. This Department annually in funding maintenance Program is the primary means of program improving roads. Improved improvements roads are less susceptible to into the updated flooding and washouts. CIP December Procedure for The Town has a practice of Entire Town High Highway December 2015 Perform regular 2015 Utilizing a Rental utilizing a rental bulldozer Department bought one at maintenance to Bulldozer for for emergency clean up, so federal surplus keep in working Emergency Clean the process of obtaining one order Up is quick and efficient. A bull dozer is used to clear roads of debris or build berms in the case of flooding. Current as ELVD Policy for Downed trees are cleared Emerald Lake High ELVD PD continues to Continue to of 01-16 Clearing Downed from the roads during Village District Commission help clear if they remove trees and Trees Along weather events. Because of can do so debris from roads Roads the compact nature of the (ELVD) District and lack of evacuation options, the roads must be kept clear. December School Have practiced lock downs Elementary, High Police PD and FD Need to conduct 2015 Emergency Drills and evacuations. This Middle and Department, regularly mock campus program teaches kids how to High Schools Fire participated in evacuation drill evacuate schools in case of Department, drills (School) an emergency; such and School emergencies could be man- District made or natural hazards October Fire Department Standard Operating Entire Town, Moderate Fire SOGs updated Continue to 2013 Standard Guidelines recently updated, Windsor Department about every 5 review and add to Operating emergency response, years SOGs, including Guidelines operations, support, incident School Bomb (SOGs) command Threat
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Current as On-call Fire On-call Fire Rescue Entire Town, High Fire Now have 3 paid 8 Continue of 01-16 Rescue Coverage Coverage, 46-ish people Windsor Department hour shifts, when recruitment of total for Fire & Rescue, previously had on- volunteers to the different levels responding call Fire Department to all calls. Paid on call staff during nights/weekends & holidays Current as Cistern Program Fire Dept asks for a cistern New High Fire Continues to Add to Cistern of 01-16 when housing development Developments Department review but no new Program to SOGs reaches a certain number of development has units, perhaps 6 warranted a cistern Current as Police Follow General Policies & Entire Town Moderate Police Police Dept follows Continuously of 3/10/16 Department Rules of Conduct, and have Department regularly update contents, Standard training at Police Academy, update body Operating in-service training 8 hours armor use, add Procedures per year, and firearms taser policy, add (SOPs) yearly, CPR, first aid, batons PBT personal every 2 years etc. breath test, update domestic violence Feb 2015 Police Policy includes a list of roads Roadways Low Police New, but has not Develop a Police Department in Town that require Police Department yet been used or Dept Detail Policy Detail Policy detail for construction or adopted to Guide utility work or public events, Assistance on interfering with regular Utility Work and traffic flow. Sometimes Traffic Redirection flaggers are needed, has not been used. October Eversource FD, PWD need to follow the Roadways Moderate Multi Have been using it Ensure all 2015 Procedure on Eversource tree down Department successfully Department and Tree or Limb procedure on a priority Dispatch staff are Down Reporting basis. Aware of New Eversource Hazardous Tree Procedure 1980 Snow and Ice Cannot put snow in the Roadways High Highway PD enforces when Continue Chapter 189 road, cannot push across the Department necessary following state road is a state law law Current as Culvert and Highway Department Roadways Moderate Highway Maintains on a Develop an of 01-16 Storm Drain maintains systems and Department regular basis annual written Maintenance identifies areas that need culvert and storm Program improvement reactively. No drain written program maintenance program to prioritize location response date EOC in Fire Emergency Command Fire High EMD Added television Need to renovate Department Center in the Fire Dept. Have Department monitors, the EOC and radio antennas, Radios, upgraded room next door, computers, satellite computers, 75 cots monitors, phones television, telephone lines, for Efficiency emergency shelter trailer, generator, barriers. Oct 2015 Conservation NRI outlines areas for Entire Town Moderate Conservation purchased 2 in last Continue to Commission primary conservation Commission 2 years Purchase or Obtain Key
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Acquisition of Conservation Easements Lands for Permanent Preservation Current as Communication Work cooperatively during Entire Town High Multi- last used in 2008, Review EOP's of 01-16 Among Town emergencies. Use cell Departmental personnel changes Communication Departments phones and digital radio and Emergency personal communication. Support Function Multi-channel frequencies. (ESF) for direction 2014 Cellular Phone School previously did not High School High Emergency Recent purchase in Works fine at this Booster at High have cell signal during Management 2014 time, continue to School Town disaster and sheltering Department monitor Shelter events. Booster device effectiveness boosts everyone's signal Spring 2014 Multi- Regional shelter drill, fatal High School High Emergency Large multi-Dept Hold inclement Departmental car crash reality drill Management drill held in 2012 weather drill, and Drills undertaken lately (Project Department alternate sites Crash) in 2012 Summer Lifeguard Drills Now held annually, 6 per Manahan High Recreation New AED this year Continue drilling 2015 year held at Manahan Beach Beach Director different scenarios TOWN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS 8 Staff Administration 6 FT, with 1 PT Assessor on Town Office High Town Increasing the Consider a Town and Finance contract, with 1 PT Building Administration hours of building Manager position Department Inspector inspector over a Town Administrator 3 Board of 3 volunteers Town Office High Town volunteer changes Continue to Volunteers Selectmen Administration monitor the effectiveness and review status 1 Staff Planning and PT, works with Planning Town Office Moderate Town From FT to PT Go back to FT Land Use Board, Zoning, Economic Administration position Department Development Committee 8 Volunteer 6 members, 1 alt, 1 Town Office Moderate Planning Fewer alternates Need 3 more Volunteers Planning Board Selectmen ex-officio Board now alternate members 1 Staff Police 1 FT Police High Police continue Continue to Department Department Department monitor the Chief effectiveness and review status 29 Staff Police Officers & 29 include Officer, Police Moderate Police permanent adding 2 patrol Staff dispatchers, civilian Department Department investigative officers in a employees division and way couple of years handle animal control issues 1 Staff Fire Department 1 FT, also Rescue Director Fire High Fire continue Like to have Chief Department Department someone for Rescue Director position instead of Fire Chief 35 Paid Call Fire Fighter Level Get paid hourly for level of Fire Moderate Fire More recruitment Continuing 1, 2, 3 training. Most have been Department Department and retention recruitment and trained to Firefighter Level 2 since 2011 improving morale 80% 1 Staff Public Works 1 Full Time Public Works High Public Works None Anticipate Department Department Department retirement of Supervisor current Supervisor
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and evaluate options for the future. 9 Total Staff Public Works 5 Full Time, 4 Seasonal Public Works Moderate Public Works None Consistently Road Crew Department Department evaluate the need for staff to maintain infrastructure. 1 Volunteer Emergency 1 PT volunteer about 10 Fire Moderate Fire Whole program None at this time Management hours per week Department Department has grown Director dramatically 1 Staff Deputy EMD Also the Fire Chief Fire Moderate Fire None None at this time Department Department 1 Staff Rescue Director Also the Fire Chief Fire Moderate Fire None Like to have Department Department someone for position instead of Fire Chief 18 Paid Call Ambulance EMTs 2 EMR (First Responders), 11 Fire Moderate Fire More paramedics More personnel, and Paramedics EMTs, 2 AEMTs, 4 Department Department all levels Paramedics, 2 Staff Health Officer 2 PT staff, Welfare Admin,, Town Office High Town None, appointed More training Youth Services & Rec Administration position with no needed, especially Director. Inspections of any compensation on emergency health complaints. Enforce response and housing standards. Reactive opportunities to dept, are not actively be involved enforcing, rely on State Statutes 12 Staff & Hazard Staff & volunteer of around Fire Moderate Emergency new Committee Should have more Volunteers Mitigation 12 meets to update Plan Department Management appointed representation Committee from other Depts like Water and Sewer 8 Staff Safety 8 staff members on Town Office Low Town New Town Office Reinvigorate the Committee Committee Administration and Library, new Safety Committee PWD vests, PD to begin meeting armory procedures again 4 times per year 6 members Conservation 1 alternate vacancy. Town Office High Conservation purchased open Continue to seek + 2 Commission members monitor Commission space for appropriate alternates conservation properties preservation, NRI parcels for Volunteers annually, review NHDES and acquisition as PB apps funding allows TECHNICAL SKILLS AND RESOURCES 10 staff Relocated Town Moved the Town Offices out Town Office Moderate Board of Carriage House is Renovate the 2nd moved Office of the 2nd and 3rd and Selectmen functional as Town floor of the basement areas of the Office but some Library and make Library and Community programs are not ADA compliant. Building, into the Old in Town Office or Locate all public Carriage House, to protect offices are not ADA officials in one from life and fire danger accessible area N/A Relocated the IT The secure setting lessens Town Office High Board of Continued storage Double locking Center and the threat to or sabotage of Selectmen devices are Property Records public records. necessary. Digitize existing land use maps and files and require future
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submissions digitally. 12 Employee Panic Panic buttons are used Town Town Office High Board of Batteries replaced Test the Buttons Office & Water & Sewer & Selectmen and tested once employee panic Southern NH Services every 2 years buttons on an employees annual basis. 15 New Phone New phone system was Town Office + High Board of internet based Provide Town System upgraded to a newer FD, PD, PWD Selectmen upgrade from prior employees annual internet based phones phone system training on the system, saves money. PD new VOIP internet has separate phone system, phone system. redundunt POTS and VOIP- based. 15 FD Improved Improved technical rescue Fire High Fire Continued training Continue training. Technical Rescue training was conducted in Department Department Training December 2008 Unknown ELVD Water During power outages, ELVD High ELVD Continued using Need 3 propane Source water sources are protected Commission resource and 2 gas Protection by generators. Generators generators During Power must be maintained Outages 2 Advanced Life Two ALS ambulances Fire Moderate Fire Planned purchase Need more Support provide mutual aid to Department Department of new rig personnel to staff Ambulance surrounding towns. Having completed. ambulances an Advanced Life Support Ambulance reduces the impact of natural hazards on human life. Some towns in the region do not have ambulances 1 PD Continue maintaining and Crotched High Police Leased space on Evaluate need to Communications monitoring communication Mountain Department an existing tower upgrade Tower tower to allow police to instead of building transmission communicate better in case new capability of an emergency 13 PD Level C Gas masks and suits that are Police Low Police This equipment Should conduct Protection Suits at an appropriate level of Department Department has fallen out as it training on protection for police. This is obsolete and equipment usage program helps police due to staffing and “fit” tests of respond to potential changes. Sizing is gas masks secondary impacts of natural wrong on many disaster. For example, if a units. natural occurrence causes a facility to leak toxic substances, the police can respond 30 Emergency By end of 2009 it is Fire High Emergency Upgraded to Compliance with Management anticipated that all Department Management newer version of Federal mandates ANSI IV Vests emergency/public service this equipment personnel will be issued ANSI III compliant vests 9 PD Weapons of State sponsored training for Entire Town Low Police None New training is Mass Destruction general awareness. While Department necessary in the Training/Active designed for human-made next couple of Shooter Training disasters, this training has years. Need to applicability to natural ensure that all hazards officers have
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training. Look at including FD. 1 FD Installed Gives department the ability Entire Town High Fire New unit installed Continue to Generators to maintain emergency Department to replace old maintain and test. communication during activation of EOC or any other loss of electricity. 8 FD Portable Has 8 portables Entire Town High Fire None Continue to Generators Department maintain and test. 1 Full time FD Member Skills Almost all firefighters (43 Entire Town Moderate Fire None Continue to and 42 Paid Training members, three of which are Department maintain high on-call full-time including a Fire level of training. Chief) are at Firefighter Level Improve technical I. This training reduces the rescue training as impact of fire damage on well as EMS people and property by training ensuring that fire fighters are prepared to respond. Also includes Windsor Unknown # FD Hazardous Firefighters in Hillsborough Entire Town Moderate Fire Joined Capital Area Hazardous Materials Skills are often trained to DCON Department Hazmat Team. materials team Training level. This training reduces needs to be potential secondary impacts updated of natural hazards. For example, if a truck overturns because of ice, local fire personnel are trained to respond 11 FD Currently have 8 EMT, 3 Entire Town High Fire Changed from FT Get more EMT/Paramedic EMT-I,2 Paramedics. This Department to Per Diem personnel. Look Skills Training training reduces the impact coverage. into future 24- of natural hazards on human hour coverage life. For example, if someone shifts is seriously hurt during an ice or snow event, local fire fighters are trained to respond. Also includes Windsor 2 PD External Have two that are shared Mobile in Moderate Police None Should ideally Automatic among the seven police Police Department have a total of Defibrillators cruisers. This equipment Vehicles nine (9) AEDs (AEDs) helps police respond to injured people in natural and human made emergencies 13 School Public Schools Elementary/SAU Building 3 Public High School District Have purchased Continue keeping AEDs Automatic has 4, they are located: Schools AEDs as needed the proper Defibrillators outside health office, gym number of AEDs (AEDs) hallway, 5th grade hallway in schools and SAU. Middle School has 3, they are located: outer wall of Gym, one in Main Entry hallway, one inside health office. High School has 3, they are located: Gym hallway, second floor top of ramp and inside nurses office. The Athletic Dept.
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also has 2 portable AED’s which are kept in athletic trainer's office but are often off campus at events. Alt School has 1 located in main entry way. 1 High School High School is designated High School High School District Old unit replaced Continued Emergency emergency shelter and maintenance Generator Emergency Management 0 Portable Portable generators and Fire High Fire None FD & PD together Generators Mobile for emergencies at Department Department would like to night. These generators can purchase one be used to keep vital offices 25,000 Kw open or light emergency portable on a sites at night in the case of trailer with natural hazards portable lighting 1 EOC Base Station Hillsborough was awarded a EOC Moderate Emergency None Upgrade the Digital Radio base station digital radio Management interdependent system for the EOC radio system outside the “main” dispatch center, allows for more effective communications operations of EOC 29 Interoperability 20 mobile radios provided Mobile in FD High Fire These devices have More radios need Radio Grant by the state allow for Vehicles Department become outdated. to be available for communication between distribution every fire and rescue team. This equipment allows all of the fire and rescue staff across the state to communicate and respond better to all emergencies 74 Multi- Installed a digital mobile in Mobile in Moderate Emergency Upgrade Purchase 25 new Department Highway Loader and PWD, other Management completed portable radios Digital Radio portables were issued to Portables and 15 mobile Upgrades Town officials and EMD radios for Improved Communications of Emergency Services for Fire Department 8' Tall Chain Link Chain Link Security Fence Bible Hill Moderate Water & None Maintain and Security Fence around the Bible Hill Reservoir Sewer repair around the Bible Reservoir Commission Hill Reservoir 8.5' Tall Chain Link Chain Link Security Fence WWTF Moderate Water & None Maintain and Security Fence around the WWTF Sewer repair around the Commission WWTF 9' Tall Chain Link Chain Link Security Fence at Water Moderate Water & None Maintain and Security Fence at around the Water Treatment Sewer repair around the Treatment Facility Filters Facility Commission Water Treatment Facility Filters
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4 Transfer Station Attend classes on haz waste, Transfer High Highway none Continue Training Employee C&D, mixed paper, fire, etc Station Department as dictated by DES Training held by NHDES. To maintain certification, employees have to attend one workshop a year. One is certified in Haz Mat. 70 Town Staff Town Administrator trained Entire Town Moderate Department New staff have Continue to Trained in ICS in ICS & NIMS 200-700 Heads been trained as old ensure that the and NIMS staff have left appropriate staff has this training. 6 Highway One member attended Entire Town Moderate Highway Staff has remained Continue to train Department driver safety class Department stable. staff as necessary Training on Driver Safety Class 6 Highway Can learn safety and Entire Town High Highway Staff has remained Continue to train Department operation of chain saws (by Department stable. staff as necessary Training on Use professional loggers) during of Chain Saws tree and limb debris clearing after storms 91 Red Cross CPR 91 Town staff earned CPR Entire Town Moderate Various All summer staff Continue to Certification certifications Departments required to have maintain Red certification. Cross CPR certifications and train new staff. 35 Barricades New 10' barricades for road Roadways High Highway Purchased new Police closure and traffic detouring Department barricades Department will be given access to barricades on hand, All departments wish to purchase more in future. N/A Mapping of Tax Provides layout of all parcels Entire Town High Town Contracted with Update and clarify Parcels by CAI in town. Digital tax parcel Administration new company to maps yearly. Under Contract maps can overlay onto maintain maps critical facility sites and hazard event areas
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES The financial resources in Table 35 available for hazard mitigation projects are those the Town has access to, has used in the past, or may be eligible to use in the future for hazard mitigation projects. These often include FEMA Public Assistance Grants (Disaster Recovery Costs), Warrant Articles, Town Capital Improvements Program (CIP) 2016 Project Funding, Department Operating Budgets, Bonds and FEMA and NH Department of Transportation grants.
Page 137 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 6 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
Table 35 Financial Capabilities Latest Capability Description Location of Level of Respons- Changes Since Future Adoption Assessment: Related to hazard Capability Effective- ibility Last Haz Mit Improvements or Version Financial mitigation planning Entire Town ness Plan (2011) to Plans Date and coordination or Selected Areas FINANCIAL PROGRAM OR FUNDING RESOURCE FOR HAZARD MITIGATION 1/2015 FEMA Public PA recovery funding used Entire Town Moderate Town Used for new Continue to apply Assistance after disasters, last for Administration disasters for Public Grants (Disaster 2015 snow storm. Assistance Funds Recovery Costs) after a Disaster Strikes the County 3/2016 Warrant Could be used for Entire Town High Board of Used yearly Continue to use Articles structural projects, Selectmen articles to plan for emergency equipment emergency purchases, Zoning and management. code changes 3/2016 Town Capital Sets aside funds for large Entire Town High CIP Capital reserve Continue to fund Improvements equipment purchase or Committee funds have been CRF to ensure Program (CIP) maintenance projects established to plans are 2016 Project allow for implemented as Funding implementation of intended. all plans 2010 FEMA Annual competitive grant Entire Town Moderate Fire Applied numerous Continue to apply Assistance to program Department times, granted $ for grants as Firefighters twice projects come up Grants March 2016 Fire Purchased fire hoses, turn Entire Town High Fire New Fire Continue to fund Department out gear and equipment Department Equipment CRF mitigation Operating over the years projects Budget December Emergency Funds dry hydrants, Entire Town Moderate Emergency Bought cell signal Continue to fund 2014 Management training, specialized Management booster for high infrastructure Operating equipment, etc. school upgrade projects Budget Summer User Fees for Portions of water and Entire Town Low Board of Replaced aging Continue to fund 2015 Water, Sewer, sewer user fees could be Selectmen sewer pipes on mitigation Gas, or Electric set aside to upgrade (Sewer, Gas, Butler Street projects infrastructure Electric), Water Commission PROGRAMS WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY BE USED BY THE TOWN FOR FUTURE PROJECTS Could be Municipal Could be used for Entire Town Could be Board of Could be used in Could be used in used in the Bonds to Incur structural projects or land used in the Selectmen the future the future future Haz Mit Project conservation projects. future Debt Bonds are for expensive mitigation strategies, pay over time Could be NH Department Program can help Towns Entire Town Could be Public Works Could be used in Could be used in used in the of save for replacing red used in the Department the future the future future Transportation listed bridges future Bridge program?
Page 138 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 6 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
Could be NH Department Received four grants-STEP, Entire Town Could be Board of Could be used in Could be used in used in the of Safety DUI Enforcement, School used in the Selectmen the future the future future (NHDOS) emergency notification future Highway Grant and equipment Could be FEMA Hazard High competition for $, can Entire Town Could be Emergency Could be used in Could be used in used in the Mitigation fund mitigation projects used in the Management the future the future future Assistance future Grants Could be FEMA High competition for $, can Entire Town Could be Emergency Could be used in Could be used in used in the Emergency fund mitigation projects used in the Management the future the future future Management future Performance Grant Could be USDA Farm and 50% match, preserves Entire Town Could be Conservation Could be used in Could be used in used in the Ranch farmland used in the Commission the future the future future Protection future Program Could be NH Supports land Entire Town Could be Conservation Could be used in Could be used in used in the Conservation conservation, conservation used in the Commission the future the future future "Moose Plate" planning, BMPs, soil future Grant conservation and flooding, wildlife habitat, and water quality
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CAPABILITIES In Table 36, identifying Town Department education and outreach programs and methods already in place or those which could be implemented can supplement or encourage mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information to residents, businesses and the general public.
Table 36 Education and Outreach Capabilities Latest Capability Description Location of Level of Respons- Changes Since Future Adoption Assessment: Related to hazard Capability Effective- ibility Last Haz Mit Improvements or Version Education and mitigation planning and Entire Town ness Plan (2011) to Plans Date Outreach coordination or Selected Programs Areas PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM 10/2015 FD Fire This program teaches Entire Town Moderate Fire Opportunities for Continue to Prevention children & adults how to Department education are outreach year- Program protect themselves from all taken advatage of round fires no mater whether the when offered. cause is natural or human- made Current as Town Website Used by multiple Town depts, Entire Town, Moderate Town Website fully Continue to of 02-16 available to residents and General Public Administration redesigned 2015 update on a semi- visitors, hosts Zoning weekly basis amendment changes
Page 139 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 6 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
12/2015 NIXLE and Code People choose to receive Entire Town, High Emergency Updates to systems Continue to Red calls. Town has advertised for General Public Management handled by outreach year- people to join, used by PD, companies round PWD, FD 3/2016 Fire Department Sharing information on fire Entire Town, Moderate Fire New Program Continue to Facebook Page department daily business General Public Department outreach year- and alerts round 3/2016 Police Convey pertinent information Entire Town, High Police New Program Continue to Department on a timely fashion to the General Public Department outreach year- Facebook Page public we inform the public round on special activities at the PD and we use it as resource to return a lost dog. 7/28/2015 Police Procedure to assist residents Police High Police Installed in Police Advertise the Department with disposal of outdated Department Department Department Lobby Availability of the Drug Take Back prescription drugs PD's Drug Take Box Back Box 6/2015 Police Gathering at Park to check Entire Town Moderate Police No longer Continue to hold Department bike safety and refresh riders Department incorporated at yearly Bicycle Safety on rules of the road. and Youth schools Rodeo Services 2015 Transfer Station Household hazardous Transfer High Transfer None Continue to Hold Household material disposal program Station Station Annual Household Hazardous permits disposal of Hazardous Waste Waste Disposal dangerous materials in the Days at the Transfer Station: propane Transfer Station tanks, dried paint cans, waste oil, waste antifreeze, batteries, tires 1/2015 Variable Portable Speed and message Police High Police Purchased 8/2014 Continue to use. Message Sign display used to educate on Department Department community alerts, activities and safety. Used to encourage speed limit adherance on various problem streets 3/2016 Police MOU with School to do After Police Moderate Police New Program Continue to Department school classes in Car seat Department Department measure the School Classes safety, drug education, and School success of the Program District program and reevaluate when the MOU expires
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 140 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 6 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
Review of Existing Plans
As described above, during the Hazard Mitigation process and the identification of existing mitigation Capabilities, the Hazard Mitigation Committee used their knowledge of the existing plans, policies, procedures and other documents utilized for their Department duties to develop Capability Future Improvements. However, a number of additional documents not listed in the Capability Assessment are also utilized by the community and have a positive relationship to the Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017. Most of the documents below are not the Town’s documents, but the hazard mitigation goals, objectives, and/or Actions in this Plan are in agreement with the Mitigation Support and Resource Documents listed below in Table 37.
Table 37 Mitigation Support and Resource Documents Latest Mitigation Support and Resource Documents Adoption or Not Listed within Capability Assessment Tables Version Date February 2015 Central NH Regional Plan October 2013 State of NH Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update March 2015 NH Recovery Plan with Recovery Support Functions (RSFs) 1-6 April 2014 CNHREPC Central New Hampshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee Regional Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan June 2010 CAPHN Capital Area Public Health Network Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for the Capital Area 2013 NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting 2016 NFPA 1730: Standard on Organization and Deployment of Fire Prevention Inspection and Code Enforcement, Plan Review, Investigation, and Public Education Operations 2014 NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) and Handbook September FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Hillsborough County 2009 December NHDES Wetlands Subsurface Bureau 2015 Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee 2016
Page 141 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
With the completion of the inventory of the Overall Risks of hazards in the Hazard Risk Assessment, the historical recording of hazard events and declared disasters occurring in Hillsborough and what could happen in the future documented in the Potential Future Hazards, and the Town’s evaluation of its mitigation and support activities in the Capability Assessment have all provided the opportunity to develop mitigation Actions. These mitigation Actions can be evaluated using these tools to develop the Potential Action Evaluation. Mitigation Actions developed emphasize both new and existing buildings and infrastructure to better protect populations of Hillsborough.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2011 provided a basis to begin Action development. A review of the 2011 Actions is provided by the Hazard Mitigation Committee, determining which Actions have been Completed, Deleted, or Deferred to the 2017 Plan.
New Actions were evaluated using the Problem Statements discovered during discussion of critical facility and community facility sites’ potential vulnerability to hazards in the Critical Facility and Community Facility Vulnerability Assessment. Many of these problems were evaluated and later developed into mitigation Actions.
The Capability Assessment yielded a wealth of information from the Future Improvements of the plans, programs, ordinances, policies, agreements, technical skills, financial resources, and other resources the Town Departments, School District, and Stakeholders had available. Many of these were also evaluated and later developed into New Mitigation Actions.
The Chapter provides a summary discussion of the Actions the community can consider taking to help mitigate the effects of hazard events.
Page 142 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
Action Status Determination
The status of all Hazard Mitigation Plan Actions varies. Priorities over the previous five years can change, budgets are uncertain, and staff are allocated time for certain tasks. To accommodate the 2011 Plan’s 42 Actions in addition to the new Actions from the 2017 Plan, there are 4 designated Action types to describe the detailed Actions following within the 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION and/or 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN:
Completed Deleted Deferred New
Actions which were Completed from the 2011 Plan are listed in Table 38. The date of completion is provided.
Actions which were Deleted from the 2011 might have been no longer necessary or a priority to the Town, no longer relevant to the Town’s situation or objectives, could not realistically be undertaken, were not financially feasible, were modified and incorporated into other existing Actions, or duplicated existing efforts of Hillsborough’s activities. Deleted Actions are listed in Table 39.
Actions which were Deferred from 2011 are still important to the Town but were not completed because they did not have the staff capability or the funding to undertake them, other Actions took higher priority, more time was required for completion, or they may need to be repeated in order to be effective. These Deferred Actions are located in Table 40 and have been re-prioritized with the New Actions in the Mitigation Action Plan.
Changes in priority of the 2011 Actions occurred over the last five years. The 2011 Plan also used the 12-36 Priority Score STAPLEE system while the 2017 Plan included both a Ranking Score and an Action Timeframe to determine priorities. Both methods are described.
DEFINITIONS The following definitions were used to ascertain which Actions should be considered mitigation Actions versus which should be considered preparedness Actions more suitable for incorporation into the Town Emergency Operations Plan. The mitigation Actions are those which are carried forth in this 2017 Plan into the Mitigation Action Plan.
Page 143 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
Action Type Time Frame Definition or Characteristics Mitigation Long Term Action supports sustained risk prevention or reduces long- term risk to people, property and infrastructure. Best suited for Town Hazard Mitigation Plan. Preparedness Short Term Actions are preventative, responsive, preparedness, recovery, repeated or deferred maintenance activities. Best suited for Town Emergency Operations Plan.
Review of 2011 Actions
The 2011 Hazard Mitigation Plan was written in a different format and its content had to comply with less specific review guidelines before the Local Hazard Mitigation Review Guidebook (FEMA), 2011 became standardized and tailored by each FEMA Region over the years.
Hillsborough’s 42 Actions from 2011 were given Action Numbers and each Project’s status was determined by the Hazard Mitigation Committee as either Completed, Deleted or Deferred. Out of the 42 Actions, 11 were Completed as shown in Table 38. Twenty (20) Actions were Deleted as shown in Table 39. The remaining 11 were Deferred in Table 40 and appear within the Mitigation Action Plan.
Table 38 Completed Mitigation Actions Priority Action Action Completed Who is Approx. Hazards Addressed Score Number By Date Responsible Cost 34 #05- 2011 Replace Culverts on Kimball Fallll 2013 Highway $100,000 Flooding, Erosion, Landslide, Hill Road with Larger Department Debris Impacted Infrastructure, Rapid Snow Culverts for Better Pack Melt, Earthquake Stormwater Drainage 34 #06- 2011 Replace Culverts on Bog Fallll 2013 (1 Highway $100,000 Flooding, Erosion, Landslide, Road with Larger Culverts cullvert) Department Debris Impacted for Better Stormwater Infrastructure, Rapid Snow Pack Melt, Earthquake Drainage 30 #09- 2011 Reconstruct Gould Pond Fallll 2013 Highway $150,000 Flooding, Erosion, Landslide, Road to Correct Washout Department Debris Impacted Problem Infrastructure, Rapid Snow Pack Melt, Earthquake 30 #10- 2011 Reconstruct Barden Hill Fallll 2013 Highway $150,000 Flooding, Erosion, Landslide, Road to Correct Washout Department Debris Impacted Problem Infrastructure, Rapid Snow Pack Melt, Earthquake 30 #11- 2011 Reconstruct Pleasant Street Fallll 2013 Highway $150,000 Flooding, Erosion, Landslide, to Correct Washout Department Debris Impacted Problem Infrastructure, Rapid Snow Pack Melt, Earthquake
Page 144 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
30 #12- 2011 Replace Culverts on Upper Fallll 2013 Highway $100,000 Flooding, Erosion, Landslide, Beard Road with Larger Department Debris Impacted Culverts for Better Infrastructure, Rapid Snow Pack Melt, Earthquake Stormwater Drainage 30 #13- 2011 Replace Culverts on Carter Fallll 2013 Highway $100,000 Flooding, Erosion, Landslide, Hill Road with Larger Department Debris Impacted Culverts for Better Infrastructure, Rapid Snow Stormwater Drainage Pack Melt, Earthquake 34 #16- 2011 Subscribe to Code Red Oct-11 Emergency $7,500 Natural, Human, Notification System Management annually Technological Hazards
32 #17- 2011 Purchase Generator for Jull-14 Emergency $125,000 Power Failure, Severe Wind Middle School for its Management Storms, Winter Weather, Function as an Emergency Extreme Heat Shelter 27 #19- 2011 Protect Public Officials from May 2014 & Board of $15,000 Human Hazards, Public Human Threats Sep 2014 Selectmen Health 34 #37- 2011 Improve Subdivision 2011 Planning Board $0 Fire, Wildfire, Traffic Regulations for Road Design Accidents, Evacuation, Debris Impacted Infrastructure
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
The pink highlighted rows indicate the 20 Deleted Actions in Table 39. Many of the Actions were deleted because they were preparedness items and more appropriately belonged in the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan.
Table 39 Deleted Mitigation Actions Priority Action Action Deleted By Who is Approx. Why Deleted? Hazards Score Number Date Responsible Cost The Action… Addressed 35 #14- 2011 Purchase Additional Aug-16 Highway $3,500 Preparedness Traffic Accidents, Signage, Cones, Barricades Department Action Evacuations for Natural, Human and Tech Hazards 36 #15- 2011 Acquire More AEDs for Aug-16 Police $5,000 Preparedness Natural, Human, Police Department Department Action Technological Hazards 34 #18- 2011 Purchase Generator for Aug-16 Highway $2,000 Preparedness Traffic Accidents, Lighting the Night Time Department Action Evacuations for Operations Natural, Human and Tech Hazards 36 #21- 2011 Continue School Resource Aug-16 School District $0 Preparedness Human Hazards Officer Program and Police Action Department 36 #24- 2011 Increase Advanced Life Apr-16 Fire $200,000 Duplicates Natural, Human, Support Personnel Department existing efforts Technological Hazards
Page 145 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
36 #25- 2011 Undertake More Hazardous Aug-16 Fire $3,000 Preparedness Hazardous Materials Training by Fire Department Action Materials Department 36 #26- 2011 Continue Road Aug-16 Highway $1,800 Preparedness Flooding, Erosion, Reconstruction Training Department Action Landslide, Debris Impacted Infrastructure, Earthquake 36 #27- 2011 Undertake Hazmat Apr-16 Police $0 Was no longer Hazardous Equipment Training for Department necessary or a Materials, Public Police Department priority to the Health Town 33 #28- 2011 Upgrade Fire Department Aug-16 Fire $1,800 Preparedness Fire, Wildfire, Members Training to Include Department Action Technological and Public Assembly and Fire Human Hazards Investigation Training 36 #29- 2011 Undertake More Tactical Aug-16 Police $5,000 Preparedness Human Hazards, Training Exercises to Department Action Public Health Improve Reaction Time to Active Shooter Incidents 36 #30- 2011 Participate in National Flood Aug-16 Planning $500 Preparedness Flooding Insurance Program (NFIP) Department Action Training 28 #31- 2011 Continue Feasibility Aug-16 School $0 Preparedness Public Health, Research, Evaluation, and District Action Sabotage, Extreme Planning for Mass Heat, Biological or Immunization at Schools Radiological (School) 36 #32- 2011 Continue to Undertake Aug-16 Emergency $0 Preparedness Natural, Human, National Incident Management Action Technological Management System (NIMS) Hazards Training for Emergency Management Team 36 #35- 2011 Develop Plan to Protect Apr-16 Highway $0 Duplicates Severe Wind Power Line Areas Department existing efforts Storms, Winter Weather, Power Failure, Debris Impacted Infrastructure 35 #36- 2011 Evaluate Hazardous Material Aug-16 Fire $5,000 Incorporated into Hazardous Facilities in Floodplain Department another Action Materials, (Special Flood Hazard Areas) Flooding, Public Health, Fire, Evacuation 36 #38- 2011 Encourage Businesses to Aug-16 Emergency $0 Preparedness Flooding, Power Develop Site Specific Management Action Failure, Lightning, Emergency Response Plans Director Fire, Severe Wind, Sabotage/ of Procedures Vandalism 36 #39- 2011 Improve Evacuation Route Aug-16 Emergency $0 Preparedness Traffic Accidents, Plans in the EOP Management Action Evacuations for Director Natural, Human and Tech Hazards
Page 146 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
24 #40- 2011 Evaluate Wastewater Siphon Aug-16 Sewer $1,000 Preparedness Flooding, Debris under the Contoocook River Commission Action/Deferred Impacted Maintenance Infrastructure, Public Health, Lightning, Sabotage/ Vandalism 34 #41- 2011 Evaluate the West Main St Aug-16 Sewer $5,000 Preparedness Flooding, Power Sewer Pump Station Commission Action Failure, Debris Impacted Infrastructure, Public Health, Lightning, Fire, Sabotage/ Vandalism 34 #42- 2011 Evaluate the Bear Hill Rd Aug-16 Sewer $5,000 Preparedness Flooding, Power Sewer Pump Station Commission Action Failure, Debris Impacted Infrastructure, Public Health, Lightning, Fire, Sabotage/ Vandalism
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
The tan highlighted rows in Table 40 indicate the 11 Deferred mitigation Actions which also appear in the forthcoming Mitigation Action Plan for 2016.
Table 40 Deferred Mitigation Actions Priority Action Action Deferred Who is Approx. Why Deferred? Hazards Score Number Date Responsible Cost Because… Addressed 35 #01- 2011 Remove Hazardous Trees Apr-16 Highway $4,000 The Action needs Power Failure, Department annually to be repeated at Severe Wind Storms, Winter regular intervals Weather in order to be effective. 35 #02- 2011 Conduct Assessment for Apr-16 Water and $5,000- Other actions Flooding, Power Wastewater Treatment Sewer $10,000 took higher Failure, Debris Facility for Armoring and Commission priority. Impacted Protection Options from Infrastructure, Flooding Public Health, Lightning, Fire, Sabotage/ Vandalism 34 #03- 2011 Upgrade Drainage in Town Apr-16 Highway $100,000 The Action needs Flooding, Erosion, Department to be repeated at Landslide, Debris regular intervals Impacted Infrastructure, in order to be Rapid Snow Pack effective. Melt, Earthquake
Page 147 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
34 #04- 2011 Replace Culverts on Stowe Mt Apr-16 Highway $100,000 The Town did not Flooding, Erosion, Road with Larger Culverts for Department have the funding Landslide, Debris Better Stormwater Drainage to undertake the Impacted Infrastructure, Action. Rapid Snow Pack Melt, Earthquake 34 #07- 2011 Replace Culverts on County Apr-16 Highway $100,000 The Town did not Flooding, Erosion, Road with Larger Culverts for Department have the funding Landslide, Debris Better Stormwater Drainage to undertake the Impacted Infrastructure, Action. Rapid Snow Pack Melt, Earthquake 30 #08- 2011 Upgrade or Reconstruct More Apr-16 Highway $150,000 - The Action needs Flooding, Erosion, Roads in Town Department $250,000 to be repeated Landslide, Debris annually annually in order Impacted Infrastructure, to be effective. Earthquake, Traffic Accidents 36 #20- 2011 Conduct Outreach to Apr-16 Code $250 The Town did not Flooding, Fire, Manufactured Home Park Enforcement have the staffing Wildfire, Traffic Residents capability to Accidents, Evacuation, Debris undertake the Impacted Action. Infrastructure 24 #22- 2011 Print and Distribute Disaster Apr-16 Emergency $2,500 The Action needs Natural, Human, Informational Placards Management to be repeated at Technological regular intervals Hazards in order to be effective. 36 #23- 2011 Conduct Fire Prevention Apr-16 Fire $24,000 The Action needs Fire, Wildfire, Outreach Programs Including Department for trailer, to be repeated Human Hazards Firewise $3,200 annually in order annually to be effective. 36 #33- 2011 Conduct Floodplain Apr-16 Planning $25,000 The Town did not Flooding, Assessment to Evaluate Department have the funding Hazardous Structures along the to undertake the Materials, Evacuation, Debris Contoocook River Action. Impacted Infrastructure 36 #34- 2011 Update the Zoning Ordinance Apr-16 Planning $0 The Action needs Flooding to Comply with NFIP Board to be repeated at Requirements regular intervals in order to be effective.
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 148 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
New Actions from Community Vulnerability and Capability Assessments
After determining the status of the existing Actions, New Actions can be determined. The Hazard Mitigation Committee reviewed the Problem Statements from the Community Vulnerability Assessment and developed Actions out of them. The Committee also reviewed the Capability Assessment’s Future Improvements and developed Actions out of those requested by Departments.
All of these new (and the existing Deferred Actions from 2011) were assessed in Potential Action Evaluation Tables.
MITIGATION ACTION CATEGORIES The 2011 Plan used the following 5 Action categories when developing and categorizing their Actions. This grouping followed the general pattern of usage within the Central NH Region:
Prevention Property Protection Structural Protection Emergency Services Public Information and Involvement
However, the 2017 Plan utilizes are more standardized set of Action categories that follow FEMA’s own usage recommendation within mitigation handbooks:
Local Planning and Regulation
Structure and Infrastructure Projects
Natural Systems Protection
Education and Awareness
Preparedness and response activities are important to the community. They assist Departments with the procedures, training, regional coordination, and purchases needed to perform their duties effectively. These activities in turn increase the capability for mitigating hazard events. However, most of these non- mitigation Actions were not placed into the Hazard Mitigation Plan as they are more appropriate for the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan activities.
The previous Hillsborough Actions and its new Actions translate well over to these new Action categories which will be used for the Potential Action Evaluation and Mitigation Action Plan.
Page 149 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
Potential Action Evaluation
A listing of 11 deferred mitigation Actions from 2011 and eight (8) new mitigation Actions from 2016 important to the Town of Hillsborough was developed for evaluation. Each Potential Action is affiliated with at least one Hazard Specific Objective, a short Description is provided, and the Affected Location is provided to ensure easier understanding and reassessment of the Actions in the future during implementation.
The Potential Action Evaluation yields eight (8) New Actions in 2016 developed by the Hazard Mitigation Committee, plus the existing 11 Deferred Actions, totaling 19 Actions for the Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017. These are displayed in Table 41, Table 42, Table 43 and Table 44.
Table 41 Evaluation of Local Planning and Regulation Actions Fulfills Action Name of Potential Description of Potential Action Affected Hazard Number Action Location Objectives Flooding, #33- 2011 Conduct Floodplain The Town does not have a clear assessment Potential flood- Evacuation, Assessment to Evaluate of how many structures are in the floodplain affected areas, Traffic Accidents, Structures along the or what type of structures exist. It is known Floodplains, Dam Failure Contoocook River whether a property is all or partially in the especially floodplain, but it is not known if the Contoocook structure is within the floodplain. A River particular concern is whether a flood could cause a hazardous materials spill to occur to contaminate water supplies. An overall analysis of building location, type, content, and floodplain boundaries would be helpful. The floodplain maps may need to be updated first so they are more accurate to the building-level. Flooding #34- 2011 Update the Floodplain The Zoning Ordinance needs to be updated Floodplains Ordinance to Comply as new requirements to the National Flood with Federal NFIP Insurance Program are necessary for Requirements retention of NFIP participation. The Floodplain Ordinance protects life and property by regulating distance of structures to flood hazard areas, regulating elevation, clarifying definitions, regulating new structures and encroachments, stating duties of the Code Enforcement Officer, etc. The 2009 Floodplain Ordinance does not prevent construction in the in the floodplains and does not apply to non- substantial improvement. Flooding, Fire, #43- 2016 Revise the Subdivision Barrett’s Manufactured home park and All new Wind Events, and Site Plan Review Maple Leaf Senior Assisted Living have only subdivision and Evacuation, Regulations to Require developments
Page 150 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
Debris Impacted Road Elevation and/or 1 egress/limited access in the event of an Infrastructure More than 1 Egress for emergency. New Developments Flooding, Fire, #44- 2016 Develop an Much of the Business District is within the System-wide, Earthquake, Infrastructure Plan for floodplain area. Flooding must be Focus on Severe Wind, Extension of Sewer considered when planning for expansion of Business District Public Health, and/or Water Services safe and adequate water and sewer Town and Contoocook Power Failure, Sabotage/ services for residential or commercial types River Floodplain Vandalism of future development. Plan would include protection of existing assets (like water towers and lines) and expansion of services from flooding. Flood, Fire, Wind, #45- 2016 Update the Master Plan Improve Town infrastructure, protect Entire Town Extreme Heat (MP) to Finish in 2016 to environmental, guideline for Depts, basis for and Winter Enable New Ordinances ordinances and regulations 1999. Weather, and Regulations Recommends creating aquifer and slope Earthquakes, Landslides/ protection ordinances. With the Master Plan Erosion, update could come the evaluation whether a Technological, 15% slope ordinance would be more Human beneficial to Hillsborough’s potential flooding, erosion and landslide conditions.
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Table 42 Evaluation of Structure and Infrastructure Projects Fulfills Action Name of Potential Description of Potential Action Affected Hazard Number Action Location Objectives Flooding, Wind, #03- 2011 Upgrade More Drainage Secure more funds for storm water Entire Town Severe Winter Systems in Town drainage. Roads and houses sometimes Weather, Debris Impacted flood because of the poor drainage system. Infrastructure Roads with culverts in need of immediate upgrade include: County Road (2016) and Clark Road (2016). These roads have between 18” culverts to 5’ culverts that need to be replaced with larger sizes Flooding, Wind, #04- 2011 Upgrade Culverts on To keep roads and other properties from Stowe Mountain Severe Winter Stowe Mt Road with flooding proper sized culverts must be Road Weather, Debris Larger Culverts for installed and/or replaced. Stowe Mt Road Impacted Better Stormwater has flooded in past. Only has a 6’ culvert Infrastructure Drainage now and needs to be replaced with a 8x12 box culvert Flooding, Wind, #07- 2011 Upgrade Culverts on To keep roads and property from washing County Road Severe Winter County Road with Larger out due to flooding this road needs to be Weather, Debris Culverts for Better upgraded and proper drainage installed. Impacted Stormwater Drainage County Road has a heavy seasonal flow and Infrastructure the culverts are only 2’ and need to be upgraded to 4’
Page 151 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
Flooding, Wind, #08- 2011 Upgrade or Reconstruct Secure more funds for road reconstruction. Entire Town Severe Winter More Roads in Town Many roads have poor drainage and rough Weather, Debris surfaces. The area is subject to washouts. Impacted Roads in need of immediate upgrades Infrastructure, include: Henniker St, Clark Road, Preston St, Landslide West Main (Rite Aid to Route 9), Windsor Road, Hoyt Lane (2016).
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Table 43 Evaluation of Natural Systems Protection Actions Fulfills Hazard Action Name of Potential Description of Potential Action Affected Objectives Number Action Location Wind Events, #01- 2011 Remove Hazardous The Town routinely removes trees that Entire Town, Severe Weather, Trees appear to be hazardous in order to prevent Roadways Debris Impacted Infrastructure, them from doing damage during a weather Traffic Accidents event. Many of these trees are already dead or dying and pose significant hazard. Flooding, Power #02- 2011 Conduct Assessment for The plant is in the floodplain. Assessment of Norton Drive Failure, Debris Wastewater Treatment the impacts of flooding could help avoid Impacted Facility for Armoring potential flooding of the plant and water Infrastructure, and Protection Options contamination. Preliminary evaluation for Public Health, from Flooding elevations has been conducted, but further Lightning, Fire, Severe Wind, analysis needs to be completed. Sabotage/ Vandalism Flood, Fire, Wind, #46- 2016 Continue to Purchase or Conservation Commission acquires Town Wide with Extreme Heat or Obtain Key easements referencing the NRI which Focus on Parcels Cold, Earthquake, Conservation Lands for outlines areas for most important in the Landslide/ Permanent Preservation conservation. Many of these properties have Floodplains Erosion, multiple value, including flood storage and Technological, Human erosion or landslide protection. The CC should continue to purchase or obtain easements and conservation land that has a natural resource / human protection value. Flooding, Public #47- 2016 Complete Brownfields Mitigate existing hazards on location on Woods Woolen Health, Project at Woods banks of Contoocook River such as BPH, Mill property Hazardous Woolen Mill in the Lead, Asbestos, etc. These materials are Materials, Debris Contoocook River possibly leaching into the river and Impacted Floodplain groundwater. Full removal of these Infrastructure, Sabotage/ materials will protect the floodplain and Vandalism, Fire, increase water quality for the community Severe Wind and downstream.
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 152 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
Table 44 Evaluation of Education and Awareness Actions Fulfills Action Name of Potential Description of Potential Action Affected Hazard Number Action Location Objectives Flooding, Fire, #20- 2011 Conduct Outreach to A portion of the Stonebridge Cooperative Stonebridge Co- Wildfire, Traffic Manufactured Home Manufactured Home Park is in the op Accidents, Evacuation, Park Residents floodplain. Residents should be informed of Manufactured Debris Impacted the threat of flooding and/or severe storms Housing Park Infrastructure and how to deal with it. Natural Hazards #22- 2011 Print and Distribute In times of disaster, residents can place the Entire Town or Disasters Disaster Informational placards in their windows so emergency Placards personnel will immediately know when going door to door whether help is needed. A small number of placards have already been printed as a trial, and they have been received enthusiastically. Fire, Wildfire, #23- 2011 Conduct Fire Prevention The Fire Department conducts fire outreach Entire Town Human Hazards Outreach Programs prevention programs, including the Firewise Including Firewise program, for the public. Updating the training aids would make the sessions more effective. Ensure a Firewise program is conducted with homeowners. Flooding, Wind #48- 2016 Undertake Public Town has problems during flooding, Town Wide Events, Rapid Outreach for Proper residential and commercial medium-sized Snow Pack Melt, Propane Tank Tie -Down tanks regularly float away (Example- Sam Earthquake, Fire Pan Chinese Restaurant down the Public Health Contoocook). Place information on the Town's website and include hyperlinks to FEMA and NFPA resources that provide proper protocols. Flooding, Dam #49- 2016 Educate the Populations If Jackman Dam fails, downstream could Business District Failure, on Evacuation experience disastrous/catastrophic impacts; Evacuation Procedures in the many hazardous waste facilities exist, Business District Area densely populated area, floodplain changes could occur. Educate the public on how and where to evacuate. Using CodeRed would enable phone calls or texts to people in the area to immediately evacuate. Educate the populations on those evacuation procedures. Can feed plume data and any haz material data layers into CodeRed for public notification. Flooding, Dam #50- 2016 Encourage Residents As many Hillsborough residents as possible Business Failure, Downstream of the should sign up for CodeRed. This could save District, W Main Evacuation Jackman Dam and lives for any hazard event. Advertise the Street Village throughout the system at Town Events, mail an Community to Sign Up advertisement with Property Tax bills, send for CodeRed school Children home with a flyer.
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 153 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
Natural Hazards Evaluated for Which Specific Actions Were Not Identified
The Hazard Mitigation Committee assessed each of hazards and made determinations whether to specifically develop mitigation Actions for all natural hazards. Nearly all of the potential Actions can be applied to multiple natural or other hazards based upon the generality of the Action’s effect. Still, there could be no solutions or mitigation Actions developed for some of the more difficult to mitigate natural hazards. Many possible reasons are taken into account such as feasibility, prohibitive cost, jurisdiction, staff availability to develop and administer the project, lack of local support, unrealistic favorable outcome for the effort and more, all resulting in the point that for some natural hazards, potential Actions would not have worked for the Town. Those hazards for which no specific or feasible Action was identified are displayed in Table 45.
Table 45 Committee Assessment of Natural Hazards with No Mitigation Actions Natural Hazard Committee Assessment River Ice Jams The Committee is concerned about the proximity of the Contoocook River in general. Ice Jams may occur again, but they did not feel they could reasonably pursue specific mitigation Actions. The Town hopes to find funding to evaluate some of the Town-owned bridges for where structural improvements can be made. Riverine The Committee has some concern for River Erosion and Channel Movement. Although Scouring, monitoring proposals are suggested for certain locations and key conservation parcels will be Erosion, Channel targeted for mitigation, they did not feel specific mitigation Actions could be pursued. Movement Tornadoes The Committee felt Tornadoes would be an unlikely hazard event. Although if a Tornado were to occur, existing activities of the State Building Code, current Public Works Department's removal of hazardous trees and notification of PSNH are in place. They felt no additional Actions would be within the scope of their jurisdiction at this time. Downbursts The Committee's assessment of Downbursts is the same as Tornadoes. They did not feel specific mitigation Actions could be pursued.
Hurricanes and Hurricanes and Tropical Storms often carry heavy rains, debris, and flooding along with high Tropical Storms winds. The Committee's assessment looks to the other wind and flood hazards and felt they could not further mitigate these hazards beyond what was being proposed for related hazards. Severe Winds The Committee assessed Wind Storms, Rain Storms, Thunderstorms and felt they could not and Thunder further mitigate these hazards beyond what was being proposed for related hazards. Storms Lightning The Committee did not feel they could pursue specific mitigation Actions for Lightning, although it could benefit from Wildfire mitigation Actions. Many buildings have Lightning rods, the Fire Department is aware of lightning fire danger in these areas and the State could offer support in the Fox State Forest area. Severe Winter The Committee felt Winter Storms will continue to be prevalent and isolated residents or Weather and Ice vulnerable populations would need fast assistance. The Town is setting up an official shelter Storms in the Hillsborough High School and is looking to expand its limited EOC capabilities. The Public Works Department has storm plowing and debris clearing methods. The Committee did not feel additional mitigation Actions could be proposed beyond those which generally cover other the hazards noted.
Page 154 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION
Drought The Committee felt Drought is a wide-spread, long-term hazard for which no specific mitigations Actions could be proposed for the Town. The Emerald Lake Village District as of July 2016 has enacted a water usage ban for an indefinite time period to help conserve water. Excessive Heat The Committee feels similar concerns to Excessive Heat that they do with Winter Storms. The Fire Department is considering opening a "cooling shelter" and/or checking on residents in need as well as congregate care facilities. The Committee did not feel additional mitigation Actions could be proposed beyond those which generally cover other the hazards noted. Earthquake The Committee recognizes Earthquakes will continue in this area but are likely to be small in nature. Beyond the existing State Building Code, the Committee felt no mitigation Actions would be within the scope of their jurisdiction or would be financially feasible at this time. Landslide The Committee feels Landslide (and/or Erosion) is not a significant hazard in Town although one was once experienced. Steep slopes are currently allowed up to 25% and local roads are reconstructed as needed and when funds are available. At this time, the Committee felt no mitigation Actions could be proposed. Dam Failure The Committee recognizes that although Dam Failure is a technological hazard, its end result would be significant flooding of the Business District area. The Town has a relationship with the owner of the hydro-power Jackman Dam that it will continue to foster and grow. Other than the general Flooding mitigation Actions and public education, the Committee felt no specific mitigation Action for Dam Failure would be feasible within the scope of their jurisdiction.
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 155 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN
8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN
The Mitigation Action Plan is the culmination of the work of the previous Assessments, inventories, and evaluations from the previous Chapters. Actions to help Hillsborough mitigate the damages causes by disasters have been developed and prioritized by Hazard Mitigation consensus in consideration of both existing and new development.
As noted in 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION, each Action falls into one of 5 categories: Local Planning and Regulation Structure and Infrastructure Projects Natural Systems Protection Education and Awareness
Each Action, including the Deferred 2011 Actions and the New 2016 Actions, is evaluated by the relative ease of completion using a numeric Ranking Score generated by the STAPLEE prioritization, by the Action Timeframe by which the Hazard Mitigation Committee would like to see the Action implemented, and by a basic Cost to Benefit Analysis.
All of the Actions are numbered for easier tracking. The 2011 Actions received the designation of #1- 2011 through #42- 2011. The 2016 Actions picked up where the prior Actions left off, beginning with #43- 2016 through to #50- 2016. Over time, the Actions can be tracked to see which have been Deferred and to notice, with the missing numbers, how many have been Completed or Deleted.
The Responsible Department is indicated for each Action as the party who will ensure the Action gets completed. An Approximate Cost is provided, although no definitive cost estimates or quotes have been obtained at this time. Ways the Action can be Funded is identified and offered as an avenue to explore during implementation. The purpose is to offer an idea of how much funding is provided for each Action and how it may be paid for.
Hillsborough’s Mitigation Action Plan 2017
At the meetings, the Hazard Mitigation Committee identified by consensus these mitigation Actions from all of the Assessments and evaluations conducted. The process for Action development has been described in previous Chapters and sections. Combined with the visual Maps of the Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017, the Mitigation Action Plan should be able to guide future hazard mitigation efforts in the Town through an annual implementation process.
Page 156 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN
Eleven (11) deferred Actions from 2011 and eight (8) new Actions from 2016 combine to develop the 19 Actions of the 2016 Mitigation Action Plan.
Table 46 Local Planning and Regulation Actions Action Action Action Ranking Who is Approximate What Cost Will How Funded Number Timeframe Score Responsible Cost to Town Pay For #33- 2011 Conduct Floodplain Long Term 34 Assessing $0 Cost is for in- N/A Assessment to Evaluate 4-5 Years kind staff and Structures along the volunteer time. Contoocook River #34- 2011 Update the Floodplain Ongoing 36 Planning $0 Cost is for in- N/A Ordinance to Comply with Department kind staff and Federal NFIP volunteer time. Requirements #43- 2016 Revise the Subdivision Long Term 32 Planning $0 Cost is for in- N/A and Site Plan Review 4-5 Years Department kind staff and Regulations to Require volunteer time. Road Elevation and/or More than 1 Egress for New Developments #44- 2016 Develop an Infrastructure Long Term 32 Board of $25,000 to Engineering and Warrant article, Plan for Extension of 4-5 Years Selectmen $50,000 writing up the Undesignated Sewer and/or Water Plan Fund Balances, Services CDBG #45- 2016 Update the Master Plan Short Term 36 Planning $9,500 Cost is to hire a Funded through (MP) to Finish in 2016 to 1-2 Years Board professional General Enable New Ordinances consultant to Operating and Regulations update the MP Budget.
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 157 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN
Table 47 Structure and Infrastructure Projects Action Action Action Ranking Who is Approximate What Cost Will How Funded Number Timeframe Score Responsible Cost to Town Pay For #03- 2011 Upgrade More Drainage Short Term 35 Highway $100,000 Cost is for Highway Budget Systems in Town 1-2 Years Department culverts, then Ongoing materials, and labor for installation. #04- 2011 Upgrade Culverts on Medium Term 35 Highway $200,000 Engineering, Capital Reserve Stowe Mt Road with 3-4 Years Department Labor, Supplies Fund for Bridge Larger Culverts for Better Maintenance Stormwater Drainage and Repair #07- 2011 Upgrade Culverts on Short Term 35 Highway $100,000 Engineering, Capital Reserve County Road with Larger 1-2 Years Department Labor, Supplies Fund for Bridge Culverts for Better Maintenance Stormwater Drainage and Repair #08- 2011 Upgrade or Reconstruct Short Term 35 Highway $250,000 Engineering, Warrant Article More Roads in Town 1-2 Years Department Labor, Supplies at Town Meeting then Ongoing
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Table 48 Natural Systems Protection Actions Action Action Action Ranking Who is Approximate What Cost Will How Funded Number Timeframe Score Responsible Cost to Town Pay For #01- 2011 Continue to Remove Short Term 36 Highway $5,000 Tree removal Highway Hazardous Trees 1-2 Years Department Department then Ongoing Budget #02- 2011 Conduct Assessment for Medium Term 35 Water and $50,000 Contract Costs User Fees Wastewater Treatment 3-4 Years Sewer Facility for Armoring and Department Protection Options from Flooding #46- 2016 Continue to Purchase or Long Term 32 Conservation Unknown Dependent on Conservation Obtain Key Conservation 4-5 Years then Commission Property and Fund Lands for Permanent Ongoing Easement Preservation requirements #47- 2016 Complete Brownfields Long Term 35 Planning $2,000,000 Contract Costs Match, in-kind Project at Woods Woolen 4-5 Years Department and EPA Mill in the Contoocook Brownfields River Floodplain Grant funding
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 158 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN
Table 49 Education and Awareness Actions Action Action Action Ranking Who is Approximate What Cost Will How Funded Number Timeframe Score Responsible Cost to Town Pay For #20- 2011 Conduct Outreach to Short Term 36 Emergency $200 Printing and Emergency Manufactured Home Park 1-2 Years Management Mailing costs Management Residents Budget #22- 2011 Print and Distribute Short Term 36 Emergency $300 Printing Costs Emergency Disaster Informational 1-2 Years then Management Management Placards Ongoing Budget #23- 2011 Conduct Fire Prevention Short Term 36 Fire $1,000 Upgrade Fire Department Outreach Programs 1-2 Years then Department equipment Budget Including Firewise Ongoing #48- 2016 Undertake Public Short Term 36 Building $0 Cost is for in- N/A Outreach for Proper 1-2 Years Department kind staff and Propane Tank Tie -Down volunteer time. #49- 2016 Educate the Populations Short Term 36 Police $0 Cost is for in- N/A on Evacuation Procedures 1-2 Years Department kind staff and in the Business District volunteer time. Area #50- 2016 Encourage Residents Short Term 36 Police $200 Printing and Emergency Downstream of the 1-2 Years Department Mailing costs Management Jackman Dam and Budget throughout the Community to Sign Up for CodeRed
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 159 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN
Great Projects….But Look at the Realities of Project Implementation in New Hampshire
The mitigation projects identified in the Mitigation Action Plan represent the best case scenarios (or to some, “wish-list” items) for completion. There are many barriers to successful implementation of any project which is outside the typical duties of a Town staff member. The annual struggle to obtain municipal funding at Town Meetings and the uncertainty of political & local support needed for hazard mitigation projects, the limited staff time available to administer and complete the projects, and dwindling volunteer support to help locate grants and work on the Action Plan items all reduce the Town’s ability to complete successful hazard mitigation projects within the Plan’s 5-year lifespan. This statement is especially true for the Central NH region’s smaller communities that rely on voter support for staff hiring and/or hazard mitigation project budget funding, which is 19 out of 20 municipalities.
Projects are generally completed on an “as-needed basis” or on an “as-available basis” despite the different ways of evaluation and prioritization shown within the Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017. Small New Hampshire communities do the best they can with the resources available to them to make ends meet, particularly in times of economic duress or hardship and our aging population. Town Meeting voters decide whether to approve new zoning ordinances which can help mitigate hazards, vote to approve Department Budgets which usually are sustainable and do not allow enough flexibility to plan ahead, and vote to approve Warrant Articles for a hazard mitigation project. Town Volunteers are relied upon to do much of the hazard mitigation work as Town staff are already engaged in real-time, constant public engagement issues and have little additional time available for planning. Few younger people are stepping up to the plate of community volunteering when our existing volunteers are retiring.
NH communities are used to “toughing it out” and will try to accomplish all they can with the time, funding and resources available to them. However, many of these 2016 Actions may end up Deferred to 2022 simply because of the unique nature of our proud, independent State and community culture.
Page 160 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN
Action Evaluation and Prioritization Methods
A variety of methods were utilized to evaluate and prioritize the Actions. These methods include the enhanced STAPLEE (Social Technical Administrative Political Legal Environmental and Economics) criteria, designating the Action to be completed within a certain timeframe, and completing a basic Cost to Benefits Analysis, a later section. These prioritization methods are meant to enable the community to better identify which Actions are more important and are more feasible than others.
STAPLEE METHOD The Hazard Mitigation Committee ranked each of the mitigation Actions derived from the evaluation process. The total Ranking Score serves as a guide to the relative ease of Action completion by scoring numerous societal and ethical impact questions and does not represent the Town’s Action importance priority. Instead, the STAPLEE process evaluates each Action and attempts to identify some potential barriers to its success. A score of 36 would indicate that the mitigation strategy, or Action, would be relatively among the easiest Actions to complete from a social and ethical standpoint.
All STAPLEE answers are subjective and depend on the opinions of the Committee members discussing them. The Committee answered these 12 questions with a numeric score of “1” (indicating a NO response), “2” (indicating a MAYBE/PARTIALLY response), or “3” (indicating a YES response).
Does the action reduce damage and human losses? Does the action contribute to community objectives? Does the action meet existing regulations? Does the action protect historic structures? Can the action be implemented quickly? Is the action socially acceptable? Is the action technically feasible? Is the action administratively possible? Is the action politically acceptable? Is the action legal? Does the action offer reasonable benefits compared to its cost in implementing? Is the action environmentally sound?
The STAPLEE scores ranged from a high of 36 to a low of 32 as shown in Figure 20, all of which fell into the Easiest to Complete Action ranking category.
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Figure 20 STAPLEE Ranking of Mitigation Actions
Source: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee
Page 162 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN
ACTION TIMEFRAMES The Actions are also prioritized by an estimated Action Timeframe for completion based upon the other Town activities (hazard mitigation-related or not), funding potential for the Action, the need for the Action project, and possible staff time and volunteers available to complete the Action. This relative Action importance priority is measured by the time indicated for project completion. All Action projects within the Mitigation Action Plan have been assigned an Action Timeframe.
Those projects which are designated as Ongoing mean the Action should be undertaken on a regular basis throughout the five-year lifespan of the Plan. Actions that could qualify as Ongoing include public education, zoning ordinance or regulation revisions, essential mitigation maintenance and more.
Short Term projects are those which are the more important Actions and should be undertaken during Years 1-2 of the Plan’s lifespan if possible. Medium Term Actions are recommended by the Hazard Mitigation Committee to be undertaken during Years 3-4 of the Plan’s lifespan, while Long Term Actions are those which should wait until last, with suggested implementation undertaken during Plan Years 4- 5. It is important to remember the Action Timeframes are relative to each other and are another an indication of Action importance. If an Action cannot be completed within the Action Timeframe, it may still be a higher priority than other Actions but was unable to be implemented for some reason.
Both the Action Timeframe and the Ranking Score are incorporated into the Mitigation Action Plan to assist the Town with implementing the hazard mitigation Actions. The Actions can be sorted within their Action Category by either priority for easy display of the desired characteristic; Actions can also be sorted by Responsible Department to keep them all together for ease of completion.
COST TO BENEFIT ANALYSIS A simple Cost to Benefit Analysis ranking is contained within the STAPLEE criteria.
Page 163 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 9 ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
9 ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
The Town received FEMA approval for the prior Hazard Mitigation Plan in August 2011. The completion of a planning document is merely the first step in its life as an evolving tool. The Hazard Mitigation Plan Update is a dynamic document that should be considered by all Town Departments, Boards, and Committees within their normal working environments. While evaluating the effectiveness of Actions in its everyday implementation, everyone should be able to contribute to the relevancy and usefulness of the Plan and to communicate with the Hazard Mitigation Committee where changes should be made. An annual effort will be undertaken to complete Actions and add new Actions as old tasks are completed and new situations arise. This Chapter will discuss the methods by which the Town of Hillsborough will review, monitor, and update its new Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017.
Annual Monitoring and Update of the Mitigation Action Plan
The Board of Selectmen should vote to establish a permanent Hazard Mitigation Committee in Summer 2016, or shortly after the FEMA Letter of Approval has been received as indicated in 1 PLANNING PROCESS. The purpose is to meet on a regular basis to ensure the Hazard Mitigation Plan’s Actions are being actively worked on.
The Emergency Management Director or designee should continue to serve as Chair of the Committee for Hazard Mitigation meetings, and should be appointed in such a capacity by the Board of Selectmen. Current Hazard Mitigation Committee members can be appointed to continue to participate as members of the permanent Committee.
Committee membership should include the Emergency Management Director, Town Administrator, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Public Works Director, Planning Director, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer, Health Officer, 1 Selectman, 1 Planning Board member, 1 School District Representative and Members at large. Stakeholders who should be solicited to attend meetings and to participate equitably in the Plan development process include Business Community members, Non-profits, and local, State or Federal agency representatives. This provides a wide spectrum of potential interests and opportunities for partnership to develop and accomplish Actions.
Page 164 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 9 ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
This Committee will aim to meet up to 4 times per year with the following potential future meeting activities to update the Mitigation Action Plan and complete the Plan’s annual evaluation as displayed in Table 50.
Table 50 Hazard Mitigation Committee Preliminary Annual Future Meeting Activities Month Preliminary Interim Activities and/or Meeting Agenda Items December - Committee continues update to the Mitigation Action Plan using February Department Mitigation Action Progress Reports and an updated Action Status Tracking sheet. Committee provides revised copies to Department In between Heads, keeps original Word and Excel files accessible on Town computer meetings system. March Committee completes annual update of the Mitigation Action Plan and the Meeting associated Plan Chapter and sections. Annual funding is received from Town Meeting. Committee determines Action Plan items to pursue for next year, including $0 cost items. Committee informs Department Heads of Action priorities to begin working on and with getting next year’s high-cost Action Plan items into the CIP. June Begin planning for next year’s budget. With HMC help, Department Heads Meeting and Board Chairs should have been working on Actions since April. Committee provides a Progress Report #1 for all Actions to responsible parties for response by beginning of May. Committee prepares Annual Evaluation of the Plan. June - Committee to assist Department Heads with their budget requests to September include Action Plan items, and to determine which Action Plan items should In between have warrant articles. HMC continues assistance to Departments for Action meetings Plan items. Committee begins to update the Action Status Tracking Sheet. Committee ensures Haz Mit Actions are added into the CIP. Committee sends Progress Reports #2 to Departments for completion by beginning of September. September Budget funding amounts are in to Board of Selectmen. Committee Meeting continues to update the Action Status Tracking Sheet from Department/Board progress on their Actions. HMC attends Selectmen budget meetings and suggests warrant articles for Action Plan items. Committee attends Budget Committee meetings scheduled through January to champion Action item funding. Committee sends Progress Reports #3 to Departments for completion by beginning of November. December HMC assists Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee with getting their Meeting mitigation projects funded and written into budgets. Action implementation continues. Committee continues update to the Action Status Tracking Sheet using the Department Mitigation Action Progress Reports from November. Sources: Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Committee 2016
Page 165 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 9 ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
Annually, a simpler listing of the Hazard Mitigation Committee’s tasks should include:
Document New Hazard Events that Occurred in Town Hazard Risk Assessment Local and Area History of Disaster and Hazard Events Coordinate Completion of Annual Mitigation Actions by Assigning to Departments Appendix B Mitigation Action Progress Report Seek and Help Departments Acquire Funding for Actions & Fill in Tracking File Appendix B Mitigation Action/Project Status Tracking Evaluate Effectiveness of the Plan and Its Actions Yearly Appendix B Plan Evaluation Worksheet Obtain Semi-Annual Progress Reports from Departments & Update Tracking File Appendix B Mitigation Action/Project Status Tracking Update & Reprioritize Mitigation Action Plan and Update Supporting Plan Document Sections Mitigation Action Plan Enhanced STAPLEE Prioritization Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017 sections as needed (make a note of the new information added/changed) Repeat
For meetings, the Emergency Management Director (or Staff Coordinator) will invite other Department members, Board and Committee members, Town Staff, Hillsborough School District Staff, and other participants of the 2017 Plan Committee meetings. Identified and general members of the public will also be invited. Their purpose is to attend and participate in the meetings as full participants, providing input and assisting with decision making. Public notice will be given as press releases in local papers, will be posted in the public places in Hillsborough, and will be posted on the Town of Hillsborough website at www.town.hillsborough.nh.us.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan’s 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN will be updated and evaluated annually generally following the suggestions outlined within the Future Meeting Schedule’s Agenda tasks. All publicity information, Agendas, and Attendance Sheets, should be retained and compiled for inclusion into APPENDIX C Meeting Information.
Page 166 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 9 ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION
The Emergency Management Director and Department heads will work with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the funding of Action projects as part of the budget process cycle in the fall of each year. The projects identified will be placed into the following fiscal year’s budget request if needed, including the Capital Improvements Program (CIP), Town Operating Budgets, and other funding methods.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages communities to upload their Hazard Mitigation Plan Actions into an online database. The Mitigation Action Tracker follows municipal Actions through their completion. This added attention to the Town’s Actions could enable additional support for grant opportunities when it is shown the Town can complete its mitigation projects. The Town would need to set up an account to enter their Actions into the FEMA Mitigation Action Tracker at https://mat.msc.fema.gov.
Tasks of the Plan Update
A number of tasks will be accomplished for the complete (five-year, FEMA approved) update to the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Note that information from many Chapters will be used or referenced by other Chapters. The annual Mitigation Action Plan update tasks are indicated in Table 27, and are listed below under Chapter Update basic instructions.
1 PLANNING PROCESS Add the new Hazard Mitigation Committee members, contributors, and the public who participated in meetings. Add any new Agendas to the Table. Retain all meeting, attendance, publicity and invitation documents in updated APPENDIX C Meeting Information.
2 COMMUNITY PROFILE Revise the Tables with new demographic and housing information as it becomes available. Update the building permit figures. Revise land use data from the Avitar Appraisal System and compare to previous years’ data. Update any zoning changes. The text analysis will need to be revised to reflect all changes.
3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Review and update the general and hazard-specific objectives (Flood, Wind, Fire, Extreme Temperature, Earth, Technological, Human) to ensure their continued relevance.
4 HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT Review and update the Hazard Risk Assessment. Add new disasters, new Public Assistance funding received, and significant new hazard events since the last Plan into the Tables and Appendices. Determine the magnitude of new declared disasters. Add any specific narrative dialogue about new
Page 167 Board of Selectmen Adopted 01-10-17 9 ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION hazard events occurring in Hillsborough. Update Local and Area Hazard Event History with new disasters or hazard events and review the Hazard Risk Assessment for necessary changes. Update Potential Future Hazards to document the possible new hazards that could occur in Town based on historic or current evidence.
5 COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY AND LOSS ESTIMATION Review and update the APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facility Vulnerability Assessment Tables to ensure accuracy. Update the Structure Valuation cost when new Avitar assessing data becomes available. Generate additional Problem Statements that arise on account of the facilities. Update the Culvert Upgrade Table. Revise the number and type of buildings in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (floodplains) including new structure valuation and recalculate the discussion values. Once the new structure assessments are available, recalculate the building dollar losses by the other natural hazards. Update the NFIP Tables and changes to the Floodplain Ordinance.
6 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT Review and update the Capability Assessment for adoption date revisions, changes since the last plan, or future improvements. List additional example capabilities in the Chapter. Add additional mitigation support resource documents to the Table.
7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION Review the Actions for validity and revise as needed to place them in different categories: Completed, Deferred or Deleted. Explain why each Action was Deleted or Deferred and indicate when each Action was Completed. Determine any new Actions can be developed from new Problem or new Capability Assessment Future Improvements. List some examples of each type of the 5 actions in the Plan. Revise the Potential Action Evaluation to accommodate the Action changes.
8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN - ANNUAL UPDATE Remove Completed and Deleted Actions and move to 7 POTENTIAL ACTION EVALUATION. Add New Actions to the Mitigation Action Plan 2017 and ensure they are reviewed in the previous Chapter, listed above. Reevaluate Actions not yet completed, remove the Deleted, and evaluate any New Actions utilizing the enhanced STAPLEE Mitigation Action Prioritization matrix. Modify the approximate cost, date for completion, and funding changes as needed.
9 ANNUAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATING - ANNUAL ACTIVITY The Hazard Mitigation Committee (HMC) should be permanently appointed by the Board of Selectmen to hold up to 6 meetings yearly to review, implement, and evaluate the Plan. Updates any procedures or processes in the Chapter. Use the APPENDIX B Annual Plan Evaluation and Implementation Worksheets to guide the annual update of 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN. Keep track of publicity,
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Department Reports, and all progress made towards the identified Actions. Add progress since the last Plan for implementation programs. Review continued public involvement for accuracy. Add other new information to the Chapter or revise as needed if new information becomes available.
10 APPENDICES A series of 16 Appendices provides much of the “heart” of Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017. Revise the Appendices as needed to make the data and documentation work for Hillsborough. Ensure any and all of the publicity, Agendas, Attendance Sheets, revised files, and more are available for transfer to CNHRPC when the 5-year Plan update is due for placement into an updated APPENDIX C Meeting Information.
11 MAPS Update Map 1, Map 2, Map 3, and Map 4 of the Plan as needed to reflect the changes of the hazard event locations and site locations. Mapping assistance may be sought elsewhere, such as with the Central NH Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC).
Implementing the Plan through Existing Programs
In addition to work by the Hazard Mitigation Committee and Town Departments, several other mechanisms exist which will ensure that the Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017 receives the attention it requires for optimum benefit. Incorporating Actions from the Plan is often the most common way the Hazard Mitigation Plan can be integrated into other existing municipal programs, as described below.
MASTER PLAN
The Hillsborough Master Plan was adopted in 1999, developed by the Planning Board with assistance from the CNHRPC. The Planning Board is currently updating the Master Plan and might complete its update later in 2016.
The Planning Board should consider adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update as a separate Chapter to its Master Plan in accordance with RSA 674:2.II(e). The Hazard Mitigation Plan Update should be presented to the Planning Board after FEMA’s approval. The Plan can be considered for adoption after a duly noticed public hearing, just as any typical Chapter of a Master Plan.
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Process to Incorporate Actions The Hazard Mitigation Committee will present the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update to the Planning Board within 6 months after FEMA’s Letter of Formal Approval is received for consideration and adoption into the Master Plan after a duly noticed public hearing. The Hazard Mitigation Committee will oversee the process to begin working with the Planning Board to ensure that the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Actions are incorporated into the Master Plan.
Implementation Progress through the Master Plan Since the 2011 Plan
The existing 1999 Master Plan developed by the Planning Board does not contain the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2011 (or 2016) as an Appendix.
How Was This or Will This Be Accomplished?
The forthcoming newly adopted 2016 Master Plan should be completed in later 2016 or early 2017. This will be an opportune time to integrate the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Planning Board will be given a copy of the 2017 Plan and can choose to incorporate several Action items that pertain to the Planning Board or incorporate the entire Plan by reference. Several Actions include revisions to Board regulations and to Capital Improvements, Zoning Amendments, or Subdivision and Site Plan Review regulations. The Floodplain Ordinance under the purview of the Planning Board was updated since the last Plan, in 2011. The Emergency Management Director will recommend that the Board incorporate the identified Planning Board-responsibility Actions as appropriate into the Future Land Use, Implementation, and Community Facilities Chapters and include the Hazard Mitigation Plan into the Master Plan Appendix whenever the Planning Board updates the Master Plan.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
Hillsborough developed its newest Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for 2011-2016. The Planning Board intends to produce an update for 2017-2022. The HMC would like to ensure Actions requiring capital improvements funding from the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update will be inserted into the Capital Improvements Program for funding. Depending on the Town’s funding needs, a Capital Reserve Fund for Hazard Mitigation Program Projects may be established to set aside funding for the many projects identified in the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
Process to Incorporate Actions The Hazard Mitigation Committee will oversee the process to begin working with the Planning Board’s CIP Committee to incorporate the various Hazard Mitigation Plan projects into the yearly CIP. As the CIP is updated on a yearly basis, a representative from the Hazard Mitigation Committee could request to sit on the CIP Committee to ensure the projects are added.
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Implementation Progress through the CIP Since the 2011 Plan Hazard Mitigation Actions have not yet been completed through their placement into and purchase out of the Capital Improvements Program.
How Was This or Will This Be Accomplished? The Town Departments and Town Administrator will work together with Planning Board to identify the items needed for the Hazard Mitigation Plan Action implementation. The Actions identified will then added to the next updated CIP.
ZONING ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS Several of the implementation strategies proposed involve revisions to the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, and/or the Site Plan Review Regulations. The Town staff and Planning Board annually draft Zoning Ordinance amendments for Town Meeting approval, and will be requested to do so in order to accommodate Actions. The Regulations are updated by the Board as needed.
Process to Incorporate Actions A Hazard Mitigation Committee member, perhaps the Town Planner, will work with Planning Board to develop appropriate language for modifications to the Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision and Site Plan Regulations as they deem appropriate as appropriate to accommodate Actions in the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017. Other Committee members, if requested, could help Town staff draft language for respective changes to the Regulations or the Zoning Ordinance, and assist Town staff with presenting the language to the Planning Board for consideration.
The Hazard Mitigation Committee representative will request from the Planning Board a copy of future required language for any FEMA Zoning Ordinance Updates for incorporation into the Plan.
Implementation Progress through Zoning Since the 2011 Plan The Town adopted the September 25, 2009 NFIP DFIRM Maps and respective updates to the Zoning Ordinance. Other Zoning Ordinance changes did not pertain to mitigation.
How Was This or Will This Be Accomplished? The Planning Board directly obtains the required NFIP floodplain ordinance revision information from the NH Office of Energy and Planning and provides it to the Board of Selectmen for approval, a new legislative power granted to them. For any future updates to the Floodplain Development Ordinance not required by FEMA, the changes will have to be approved at Town Meeting.
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TOWN MEETING In Hillsborough, the annual Town Meeting is held in March where the voters of the Town vote to raise money for capital projects and approve the annual operating budget of the Town. This is an opportunity to get some of the Actions of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update funded.
Process to Incorporate Actions The Hazard Mitigation Committee members will work with the Budget Committee and Board of Selectmen to develop warrant article language for appropriate Actions. A representative from the Hazard Mitigation Committee will provide a copy of the Mitigation Action Plan to both the Budget Committee and Board of Selectmen and validate the need for funding at the annual Town Meeting to accomplish the projects. The representative will work with the Town Administrator to write warrant article language for approval Action items if needed or to get the items placed into Department Operating Budgets.
Implementation Progress through Town Meeting Since the 2011 Plan Town Meetings are used to accomplish many of the Action purchases. Mitigation Actions Completed Since 2011 were funded through separate warrant articles, warrant articles to remove funds from the Capital Improvements Program, or through adoption of Department Operating Budgets and the General Fund.
How Was This Accomplished? The Emergency Management Director, a member of the Hazard Mitigation Committee, brings Action items to be purchased to the Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee for consideration. Other Department heads bring their mitigation projects to the budget table. The Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee bring Actions to the Town Meeting via warrant articles, as well as the Operating Budgets, additional warrant articles which may include Action items in the CIP, and warrant articles to add funding into the capital reserve funds. Many of the Action items are funded in this manner.
OPERATING BUDGETS Many of the Actions will not require specific funding but are identified as requiring in-kind Staff labor to perform the work required to undertake the Actions. Town Departments and Staff have rigorous job functions that demand their undivided attention to the tasks required to run their respective Departments. Additions to the work load to accommodate the Actions can put a strain on their ability to serve the public during performance of their normal job duties. When possible, Hillsborough Departments and Staff will be able to prioritize their tasks to work on Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
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2017 Actions. The in-kind work performed comes out of the Operating Budget for that particular Department.
Process to Incorporate Actions With getting started help from the HMC, the Department or Board given the responsibility to ensure the Action gets completed will work on the Actions allocated to him/her or delegate the Action to another person, when their normal job duties permit. The funding for the Actions comes out of the Department’s operating budget as work is undertaken by the Staff person on an as-time-permits basis unless the Action is a component of the Staffs’ normal work duties.
Staff or volunteers will attempt to follow the Action Timeframe as a guideline for completion. A yearly review of the Mitigation Action Plan by the Hazard Mitigation Committee will reprioritize the Actions, and the members can report on their progress, asking for assistance or more time as needed.
Implementation Progress through Operating Since the 2011 Plan The Operating Budgets of the Town Departments typically served to implement many of the Actions displayed in Mitigation Action Plan.
How Was This Accomplished? Department heads who participated in the Hazard Mitigation Committee submitted their Action items to Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee for consideration. Individual Department needs are recognized as part of their respective Operating Budgets and are proposed to the Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee. All Operating Budgets go to Town Meeting for voter approval.
Continued Public Involvement
On behalf of the Hazard Mitigation Committee, the Emergency Management Director and the Staff Coordinator, under direction of the Board of Selectmen, will be responsible for ensuring that Town Departments and the public have adequate opportunity to participate in the planning process. Administrative staff may be utilized to assist with the public involvement process.
For each interim meeting in the annual update process, and for the five-year update process procedures that will be utilized for public involvement include:
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Provide personal invitations to the Town’s volunteer Board and Committee Chairs, including the Budget Committee; Provide personal invitations to Town Department heads, Library, Historical Society; Provide personal invitations to the following entities listed below; Post public meeting notice flyers on the Town’s website at www.town.hillsborough.nh.us and in the Town Hall and Post Office; Submit media releases to The Messenger (local weekly newspaper), The Villager (local weekly newspaper) and the Concord Monitor (a regional newspaper serving over 40 communities around the Central NH/Concord area).
Agencies and businesses to invite to future Hazard Mitigation Plan Update meetings include the Hillsborough School District, State of New Hampshire (Fox and Chute State Forests), the owner of Jackman Dam and representatives from the business and non-profit community (see APPENDIX A Critical and Community Facilities Vulnerability Assessment Tables: Vulnerable Populations, Economic Assets and Recreational and Gathering Sites). The Emergency Management Directors of the neighboring communities will again be invited as will the NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management Field Representative for Hillsborough County.
The Hazard Mitigation Committee will ensure that the Town website at www.town.hillsborough.nh.us is updated with the Hazard Mitigation meeting notices and information that first appear on the welcoming Home page. A number of Action Plan items which will be undertaken relate to public education and involvement. The website could be a good way to get the word out.
Implementation and Evaluation of the Plan
During the Committee’s annual review of the Mitigation Action Plan, the Actions are evaluated as to whether they have been Completed, Deleted, or Deferred. Those Action types are placed into their respective Tables. Any New Actions will be added as necessary. Each of the Actions within the updated Mitigation Action Plan will undergo the enhanced STAPLEE ranking as discussed in 8 MITIGATION ACTION PLAN.
A set of comprehensive Annual Interim Plan Evaluation and Implementation Worksheets available to assist the community with Plan implementation in APPENDIX B. These worksheets are to be used during the Hazard Mitigation Committee basic meeting schedule outlined previously in Table 50.
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The worksheets include administrative and organizational documents, those that are used with the Appendices spreadsheets developed, and a couple of Agendas to get started with HMC Interim Update meetings:
Purpose of the Permanent Hazard Mitigation Committee for the Selectmen’s Establishment and Committee Appointments
Board of Selectmen Appointed Permanent HMC 2016 Interim HMC Meeting Publicity Tracking 2016
Annual Interim Plan Update Evaluation Worksheet 2016 Hazard Mitigation Actions Status Tracking 2016 Department Mitigation Action Progress Report 2016
Attendance Sheet Example 2016 Agenda IM1 Example 2016 Agenda IM2 Example 2016
The five-year full Plan update will evaluate the Actions in the same manner in addition to fulfilling all of the TASKS OF THE PLAN UPDATE earlier in this Chapter.
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10 APPENDICES
The following APPENDICES A-D are included under a separate electronic or paper document to maintain the relative brevity of this Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
Listing of Hillsborough Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2017 Appendices
Some of these documents should be updated annually as part of the interim Action implementation and Plan evaluation process*. The remaining APPENDICES could be amended as a result of the new or revised annual information, but they are optional. It is necessary to establish a location for placing any new or updated hazard, Action, meeting or Plan data over the 5-year interim until the Plan is fully updated again.
A Critical and Community Facility Vulnerability Assessment B Annual Plan Evaluation and Implementation Worksheets * C Meeting Information * D Plan Approval Documentation
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11 MAPS
Four detailed Maps were created during the development of the Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017. Data from the previous Plan maps were used, new standardized data layers were available, and Hazard Mitigation Committee members added their own knowledge of sites and hazard events.
Plan Update 2017 Maps
Map 1 - Potential Hazards illustrates potential hazard event locations in Hillsborough that have the possibility of damaging the community in the future. The Map 1 legend includes (technology) infrastructure hazards such as dams, bridges, water lines, gas lines, sewer lines, electric transmission lines, and evacuation routes. Natural hazards are displayed such as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), locations of potential road washout, fire/wildfire, and more.
Map 2 - Past Hazards illustrates the locations of where hazard events have occurred in Hillsborough in the past, including areas of flooding, washouts, transportation accidents, fire, lightning, and more.
Map 3 - Critical and Community Facilities includes all of the infrastructure included in Map 1 Potential Hazards on a background of aerial photography to give readers a better, real world perspective. The locations of all critical facilities and community facilities as recorded in the Community Vulnerability Assessment are displayed on the Map. Each of these sites is numbered on a key listing the names of each facility.
Map 4 - Potential Hazards and Losses utilizes all the features of Map 3 on an aerial photography background and includes the Map 1 Potential Hazards and any realistic Map 2 Past Hazards locations where hazard events can occur again.
Map 1 - Potential Hazards Map 2 - Past Hazards Map 3 - Critical and Community Facilities Map 4 - Potential Hazards and Losses
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