D EnS Tama County, Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 - 2015 Executive Summary Submittal Date: September 3, 2010 Approval Date: TBD Update Deadline: TBD Plan Prepared By: Region 6 Planning Commission 903 E Main Street Marshalltown, IA 50158 Plan Authors: This is a multi-jurisdictional multi-hazard plan written in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulation, Alicia Rosman, Planner Title 44, Part 201 pending FEMA approval. Alyson Lutz, Planner Table of Contents Special Thanks…………………………………………………………………………………4 Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………………….5 Prerequisites……...…………………………………….………………………………………………………..7 Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………..11 Chapter 2: Hazard Mitigation Planning Process…………………………………………15 Chapter 3: Planning Area 3.1 - Planning Area Profile………………………………………………………………………..29 3.2 - Jurisdiction Descriptions and Capabilities……………………………………………….58 Chapter 4: Risk Assessment……………………………………………………………………………111 4.1 - Hazard Identification………………………………………………………………………….112 4.2 - Hazard Profiles…………………………………………………………………125 4.3 - Hazard Ranking………………………………………………………………166 4.4 - Vulnerability Assessment………………………………………………….172 4.4.1 - Vulnerability……………………………………………………………….173 4.4.2 - Community Assets…………………………………………………198 4.4.3 - Repetitive Loss Properties……………………………………………………………….231 Chapter 5: Mitigation Strategy………………………………………………………………………………..232 5.1 - Goals, Mitigation Actions, and Evaluation……………………………………………………232 Chapter 6: Plan Maintenance Process…………………………………………………………….295 6.1 - Monitoring, Evaluating, and Updating the Plan……………………………………………..295 6.2 - Incorporation into Existing Planning Mechanisms……………………………..297 6.3 - Continued Public Involvement…………………………………………………………………………….297 Chapter 7: Recommendations………………………………………………………………………..298 *Continue to next page for Appendices 2 Appendices A: Resolutions for Adoption B: Community Inventories C: Kick-off Meeting Materials D: Countywide Meeting #1 Materials F: Countywide Meeting #2 Materials G: STAPLEE Evaluations H: Chelsea Exception/Plan Approval Letter I: CodeRED Article J: Public Comment Documentation 3 Special Thanks The Region 6 Planning is extremely thankful to all of the people who helped in the development of this plan. We would like to specially thank Tama County Emergency Management and all other Tama County staff who assisted with plan development. We also would like to specially thank Tama County Economic Development for helping to assemble the Task Force, provide meeting space, and give support in organizing meetings. Finally, we thank the Task Force and city staff for participating in the plan development and providing the information that was essential for development and overall success of this plan. 4 Executive Summary This multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation grant is being submitted to FEMA by the Region 6 Planning Commission in Marshalltown, Iowa on behalf of one of its four jurisdictional counties, Tama County. This plan defines hazards - “any source of danger that threatens humans, property, and the environment” (FEMA 385-2/August 2001, Page iii) - and hazard mitigation planning - a proactive approach to prepare individual Tama County jurisdictions for hazards that could affect them. The entire mitigation process is outlined including the steps of organizing community resources, risk assessment and mitigation strategy, writing the plan, community comment period, submitting the plan, plan approval and adoption, and finally plan implementation by jurisdictions and counties. One of the most important steps is the risk assessment and mitigation strategy in which countywide meetings attended by each participating jurisdiction were held. Asset mapping, identifying critical facilities and vulnerable populations, as well as establishing goals and prioritizing mitigation actions are all exercises the participants completed to help Region 6 have a better idea as to the need of each jurisdiction. Background work and research was completed to produce a profile of the entire planning area, Tama County. Information including location, demographics, housing, transportation, and economic conditions gives a statistically detailed depiction of the planning area. Similar data is presented for the individual jurisdictions of Tama County, along with even more detailed information of the area including local government, services provided, resources employed, and previous mitigation efforts taken at the city level. Four school districts are also included in the planning area; profiles include enrollment and school building locations. In the Risk Assessment chapter, every hazard that could possibly affect Tama County is identified and profiled with the information of its description, historical occurrence, probability, vulnerability of the county, the maximum extent of its possible destruction, severity and speed of onset included. Based on the frequency and/or impact of each of these descriptors, the hazards are ranked with the highest, tornado, being the biggest threat to Tama County. The individual jurisdiction’s assets and vulnerable populations (identified at the countywide meetings) are displayed in the plan in order to gauge what/who needs priority when a hazard strikes. City facilities and grocery stores, and elderly and disabled populations are the most frequently identified as critical facilities and vulnerable populations. With these elements, along with the severity of the different hazards gauged, the vulnerability across all individual jurisdictions is calculated; the highest rated hazard still being, the tornado. Though all jurisdictions of Tama County are affected by several hazards, the City of Chelsea is of particular concern and priority in the plan. The Repetitive Loss Properties subsection of the plan identifies Chelsea as a jurisdiction with flood-insured properties that have been damaged by flooding repeatedly. 5 The mitigation strategy, produced by each jurisdiction takes into account their risk assessment and vulnerability to hazards to create goals with subsequent projects to help reach those goals. Some of the most popular goals include minimizing losses to structures, protecting the health and safety of residents, educating citizens of the dangers of hazards and continuity of operations of the jurisdictions and county. Projects identified to help achieve those goals include the installation of safe rooms, purchase of generators, elevation of roads, and the creation of emergency contact sheets and procedures. Projects are evaluated and ranked to set their priority to each community using the STAPLEE evaluation method. It is of the utmost importance that the maintenance and update of this plan continues in order to carry on proactive efforts in all jurisdictions of the planning area when it comes to hazards. Incorporating the plan and its ideals into everyday legislation, decisions and planning will ensure that hazards are considered in the future development and operations of cities. The opportunities of annual meetings to monitor and evaluate the plan, as well as publicizing success stories of projects will keep the public involved and informed of what hazard mitigation can and is doing for their city. Recommendations made by the plan authors give final input and advice on the smooth running and implementation of the goals set forth by each jurisdiction. 6 Prerequisites 44 CFR Requirement §201.6(c)(5): [The local hazard mitigation plan shall include] documentation that the plan has been formally adopted by the governing body of the jurisdiction requesting approval of the plan (e.g., City Council, County Commission, Tribal Council). For multi-jurisdictional plans, each jurisdiction requesting approval of the plan must document that it has been formally adopted. Note to reviewers: When this plan has been reviewed and approved pending adoption by FEMA Region VII, the adoption resolutions will be signed by the participating jurisdictions and added to Appendix A. The following 17 jurisdictions participated in the creation of this plan and have adopted the multi- jurisdictional plan. Refer to Figure 1 for a map of the jurisdictions included in this plan. o City of Chelsea o City of Traer o City of Clutier o City of Vining o City of Dysart o Tama County (Unincorporated) o City of Elberon o Union Community School District o City of Garwin o North Tama County Community School District o City of Gladbrook o South Tama County Community School District o City of Lincoln o Gladbrook-Reinbeck School District o City of Montour o City of Tama o City of Toledo It should be noted that the Meskwaki Settlement is located in Tama County along U.S. Highway 30 between Marshalltown and Tama. The settlement is completely independent from the county so it was not included in this hazard mitigation plan. Also, the Green Mountain-Garwin Community School District and the Benton Community School District were invited to participate in this plan process but did not respond to the invitation. Excepting the Meskwaki Settlement, the planning boundary for this multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan includes all of the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Tama County, Iowa. Also, all of the school districts and associated buildings that are located in Tama County are included in the planning boundary. Refer to Figure 1 on the next page. 7 Figure 1: Tama County Participating Jurisdictions Note: Some school districts that are included in this hazard mitigation plan cross county boundaries with some buildings located in an adjacent county. For