5 1 0 2 R E B M E T P E S Town of North Provi dence, RI Hazard Mitigation Plan DRAFT Town of North Providence Hazard Mitigation Plan- September, 2015 ii Town of North Providence Hazard Mitigation Plan- September, 2015 Acknowledgements The Town of North Providence commends the efforts of its Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee in completing this important plan. The effort is sure to result in the protection of life and property and special thanks are extended to Committee members: Robert Howe, EMA Director Frank Bursie, Director of All Special Projects Mike Carnevale, Building Inspector Nicole Chellel, GIS Coordinator David Westcott, Town Planner Bernie Salvatore, Director of Public Works Lenny Albanese, Fire Chief Christopher Pelagio, Acting Police Chief Ralph Nahigian, Communications Technology Director Ray Medeiros, Battalion Chief, EMS Mayor Charles A. Lombardi North Providence Town Council Dina Autiello (President)- District 3 Mansuet Giusti- District 1 Stephen Feoloa- District 1 Raymond DeStefanis- District 2 William Warren- District 2 Kristen Catanzara- District 3 Alice Brady- Council-at-Large North Providence Town Hall 2000 Smith Street North Providence, RI 02911 iii Town of North Providence Hazard Mitigation Plan- XX, 2015 Executive Summary This Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is a product of the North Providence Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (NPHMPC). It has been approved by the North Providence Town Council, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. Its overview of past natural hazard occurrences verifies that the area is vulnerable to diverse events including winter storms and flooding. The discussion puts the likelihood of these events into historical perspective and recognizes that although the probability of thunderstorm, high wind and lightning events may be higher; the intensity and potential impacts from less likely events such as hurricanes and earthquakes can be far greater. The risk assessment portion of the plan confirms that the Town has much to lose from these events. The four highest ranking risks identified include flood prone drainage systems, potential dam failures, damage to care facilities, critical municipal hazard response facilities. To address these risks the 2015 Hazard Mitigation Plan puts forth a clear mission, a distinct set of goals and 19 specific mitigation actions. The Town’s hazard mitigation mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life, property and resources by identifying areas at risk and implementing appropriate mitigation actions. The specific goals include upgrading infrastructure, protecting property, integrating planning and management approaches, improving response effectiveness, and maintaining open space. Each of the subsequent mitigation actions for achieving these goals summarizes specific problems and possible solutions, details the primary tasks to be undertaken, identifies an appropriate lead and anticipated funding sources. iii Town of North Providence Hazard Mitigation Plan- XX, 2015 Table of Contents SECTION1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 6 1.1 PLAN PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................................ 6 1.2 HAZARD MITIGATION AND ITS BENEFITS .............................................................................................................. 6 1.3 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................................. 7 1.3 RECENT SIGNIFICANT NATURAL EVENTS ................................................................................................................ 9 SECTION2: PLANNING PROCESS ................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 PURPOSE, OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................... 10 2.2 BUILDING THE TEAM AND SUPPORT ................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 UNDERSTANDING THE COMMUNITY’S RISKS ........................................................................................................ 10 2.4 DEVELOPING THE MITIGATION STRATEGY ........................................................................................................... 10 2.5 BRINGING THE PLAN TO LIFE: IMPLEMENTATION & MAINTENANCE ........................................................................ 11 SECTION 3: RISK ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................................... 13 3.1 DEFINING RISKS AND METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................. 13 3.2 HAZARDS ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 Flood Related Hazards ................................................................................................................................. 15 Winter Related Hazards ............................................................................................................................... 17 Hurricanes .................................................................................................................................................... 19 Description .................................................................................................................................................... 19 Lightning Storms .......................................................................................................................................... 22 High Wind ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 Hail ............................................................................................................................................................... 26 Tornadoes ..................................................................................................................................................... 27 Geologic Related Hazards: Earthquakes ..................................................................................................... 27 Brushfire and Drought ................................................................................................................................. 29 Extreme Temperatures- Heat and Cold ....................................................................................................... 30 3.3 VULNERABILITY .............................................................................................................................................. 31 3.4 RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX .............................................................................................................................. 34 CHAPTER 4: PROGRAMMATIC CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT ............................................................................. 36 4.1 PURPOSE....................................................................................................................................................... 36 4.2 PRIMARY PROGRAMS ...................................................................................................................................... 36 4.2.1. North Providence Comprehensive Plan .............................................................................................. 36 4.2.2. North Providence Land Trust .............................................................................................................. 36 4.2.4. Zoning Ordinance ............................................................................................................................... 36 4.2.5 Rhode Island State Building Code ....................................................................................................... 36 4.2.6. Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) ..................................................................................................... 37 4.3 OTHER RESOURCES ........................................................................................................................................ 37 CHAPTER 5: IDENTIFICATION OF MITIGATION ACTIONS .............................................................................. 39 5.1 MISSION STATEMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 39 5.2 MITIGATION GOALS ........................................................................................................................................ 39 5.3 IDENTIFIED ACTIONS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................ 39 5.3.1 Flood Prone Drainage Systems and Streets ....................................................................................... 39 5.3.2 Dams .................................................................................................................................................... 41 5.3.3 Care Facilities/Special Needs Populations