City of Newport, Rhode Island
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan 2016 Update
FEMA approval date January 5, 2017 Prepared for The City of Newport 43 Broadway Newport, RI 02840
Prepared by
1 Cedar St, Suite 400 Providence, RI 02903 City of Newport 2016 Hazard Mitigation Committee
City of Newport, Department Zoning and Inspections Guy E. Weston, Zoning Officer William A. Hanley, II, Building Official City of Newport, Department Zoning and Inspections, Planning Division Christine A. O’Grady, City Planner Helen Johnson, Preservation Planner City of Newport, Fire Department Peter Connerton, Chief & Emergency Management Director City of Newport, Police Department Gary Silva, Chief City of Newport, Department of Public Services William Riccio, Director City of Newport, Department of Utilities Julia Forgue, Director Newport Hospital, Director of Emergency Preparedness (Health Care Representative) Pamela Mace, Director of Emergency Preparedness Coast Guard – Castle Hill Station John Roberts, Commanding Officer Karl Anderson, Executive Petty Officer Environmental Representative – Coastal Resources Center at the University of Rhode Island Teresa Crean, Coastal Manager Community Representative Frank Ray, Esq. Utility Representative – National Grid Jacques Afonso, Prin Program Manager
City Manager
Joseph J. Nicholson, Jr., Esq.
Acting City Solicitor
Christopher J. Behan City of Newport 2013 Hazard Mitigation Committee
City of Newport, Department of Civic Investment Paul Carroll, Director Melissa Barker, GIS City of Newport, Fire Department Peter Connerton, Chief & Emergency Management Director City of Newport, Police Department Gary Silva, Chief Daniel Dvorak, Lieutenant (Cyber security specialist) City of Newport, Department of Public Services William Riccio, Director City of Newport, Department of Utilities Julia Forgue, Director City of Newport, Preservation Planner Matthew Weintraub Health Care Representative – Newport Hospital Patricia Grimes, Director of Emergency Services Coast Guard – Castle Hill Station John Roberts, Commanding Officer Scott Blackketter, Executive Petty Officer Regional Representative – Aquidneck Island Planning Commission Tina Dolen, Executive Director Business Community – Newport County Chamber of Commerce Jody Sullivan, Executive Director Environmental Representative – Coastal Resources Center at the University of Rhode Island Teresa Crean, Coastal Manager Community Representative Frank Ray, Esq. Utility Representative – National Grid Amy Willoughby, Lead Environmental Scientist
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...... 3 Approval and Adoption Documentation ...... 7 1.0 Background ...... 11 1.1 Introduction to Hazard Mitigation ...... 11 1.2 Community Planning Area ...... 11 1.2.1 Location Information ...... 11 1.2.2 Demographics ...... 12 1.2.3 Land Use and Infrastructure ...... 13 1.2.4 Community Development and Development Trends ...... 14 1.2.5 Historic and Natural Resource ...... 15 1.2.6 Commerce, Industry, Academic ...... 16 1.2.7 NFIP Status ...... 17 1.3 Significant Weather Events ...... 18 2.0 Planning Process ...... 20 2.1 Purpose ...... 20 2.2 Building Support: Community Involvement, Roles and Responsibilities ...... 20 2.2.1 Stakeholders ...... 21 2.2.2 Public ...... 21 2.2.3 Neighboring Communities ...... 21 2.3 Understanding the Community’s Risks ...... 22 2.3.1 Review and Incorporation of Information with Stakeholder and Public Exchange ...... 22 2.3.2 Updating the Risk Assessment ...... 22 2.4 Updating the Mitigation Strategy ...... 23 2.4.1 Identification and Review of Existing Goals ...... 24 2.4.2 Review and Incorporation of Stakeholder Exchange ...... 25 2.5 Bringing the Plan to Life: Implementation and Maintenance ...... 25 2.5.1 Mitigation Methodology ...... 26 2.5.2 Continued Public Involvement ...... 30 2.5.3 Plan Maintenance ...... 31 3.0 Risk Assessment ...... 33 3.1 Defining Risk and Methodology ...... 33 3.2 Hazards ...... 33 3.2.1 Hazard Identification ...... 33
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3.2.2 Hazard Profiles ...... 35 3.2.2.3.a Climate Change ...... 61 3.3 Vulnerability ...... 81 3.3.1 Community Assets ...... 81 3.4 Risk Analysis and Assessment Matrix ...... 97 3.4.1 Methodology ...... 97 3.4.2 Vulnerability Summary ...... 99 4.0 Capability Assessment ...... 109 4.1 Purpose ...... 109 4.2 Types and Evaluation of Capabilities ...... 109 4.2.1 Local Government and Program Areas ...... 109 4.2.2 National Flood Insurance Program, CRS ...... 124 4.3 Integration with Existing Plans and Local Processes ...... 126 4.4 Capability Needs/Challenges ...... 126 5.0 Mitigation Strategy ...... 128 5.1 Vision and Goals ...... 128 5.2 Update of Mitigation Strategy and Actions ...... 129 5.2.1 Identifying Types of Mitigation Actions ...... 130 5.2.2 Prioritization ...... 133 5.3 2016-2021 Action Plan ...... 135 5.3.1 Primary Actions Program ...... 135 5.3.2 Continuity Actions Program ...... 144 5.4 Table/Matrix ...... 147 5.5 Supporting Activities ...... 155 6.0 Moving Towards a Safe, Resilient, and Sustainable Rhode Island Community ...... 157 6.1 Evaluation: Progress & Challenges ...... 157 Appendices A Assessing Risk - Maps B Building Support: Planning Process Additional Documentation C Supplemental Information D Final Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool from Approved Plan E Glossary
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Executive Summary
PURPOSE: The purpose of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan update is to identify local policies and actions that can be implemented over the long term to reduce risk and future losses from hazards. These mitigation policies and actions are identified based on an assessment of hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks and the participation of a wide range of stakeholders and the public in the planning process.
Hazard mitigation is the process of reducing the potential severity of natural or naturally instigated hazards through anticipation and planning. Some hazards require engineering solutions, such as replacing a deteriorating seawall; other hazards, such as an imminent hurricane, require the implementation of an emergency response plan.
Pre-disaster planning and investment in preventative measures can significantly reduce the cost of tomorrow’s post-disaster recovery and help post-disaster operations become more efficient. By planning ahead, Newport minimizes the economic and social disruption that results from natural hazards including floods, severe weather and hurricanes which can result in the destruction of property, loss or interruption of jobs, loss of business and loss of life.
Mitigation strategies include a mix of physical initiatives to limit the impacts of natural hazards, such as rebuilding riprap walls to protect against coastal erosion, as well as regulatory/planning initiatives such as revised zoning ordinances, and maintaining land use regulations.
STRATEGY: The Newport Hazard Mitigation Strategy continues to advocate the concepts of disaster resilient and sustainable communities. Newport is building a disaster resistant community and achieving sustainable development through the commitment of state and local government and its policymakers to mitigate hazard impacts before disaster strikes.
Additionally, Newport is striving to be a disaster resilient city, and therefore a safer community, through the implementation of mitigation programs and policies. The City implements and institutionalizes hazard mitigation through its human, legal and fiscal resources; the effectiveness of intergovernmental coordination and communication; and the use of knowledge and tools at hand to analyze and cope with hazard risks and the outcomes of mitigation planning.
The Newport mitigation strategy provides a coordinated, consistent set of goals for reducing or minimizing human and property losses, major economic disruption,
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degradation of ecosystems and environmental critical habitats, and destruction of cultural and historical resources from natural and technological disasters.