2018 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE – PORTSMOUTH, RI 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island PREPARED FOR Town of Portsmouth Town Hall 2200 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI 02871 401-683-3255 PREPARED BY 1 Cedar Street Suite 400 Providence, RI 02903 401-272-8100 November, 2018 This page intentionally left blank. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-01-14 A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF PORTSMOUTH AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF THE 2018 PORTSMOUTH HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE WHEREAS, the Town of Portsmouth recognizes exposure to natural hazards that increase the risk to life, property, environment, within our community; and WHEREAS; pro-active mitigation of known hazards before a disaster event can reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property; and WHEREAS, The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) established new requirements for pre and post disaster hazard mitigation programs; and WHEREAS; the 2018 Plan identifies mitigation goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property in Portsmouth from impacts of future hazards and disasters; and WHEREAS, adoption by the Town Council demonstrates their commitment to hazard mitigation and achieving goals outlined in the 2018 Portsmouth Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Portsmouth 1) Adopts in its entirety, the 2018 Portsmouth Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (the “Plan”) as the jurisdiction’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and resolves to execute the actions identified in the Plan that pertain to this jurisdiction. 2) Will use the adopted and approved portions of the Plan to guide pre- and post-disaster mitigation of the hazards identified. 3) Will coordinate the strategies identified in the Plan with other planning programs and mechanisms under its jurisdictional authority. 4) Will continue its support of the Hazard Mitigation Committee as described within the Plan. 5) Will help to promote and support the mitigation successes of all participants in this Plan. 6) Will incorporate mitigation planning as an integral component of government and partner operations. 7) Will provide an update of the Plan every five years. PASSED AND ADOPTED on January 14, 2019 __________________________________________________ Kevin Aguiar, Town Council President, Town of Portsmouth ATTEST: ____________________________________________ Jennifer M. West, Town Clerk, Town of Portsmouth Resolution 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Portsmouth, Rhode Island Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 2 Plan Purpose .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Hazard Mitigation and its Benefits ........................................................................................................................................ 2 Goals.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Background .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 History .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Demographics ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Government ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Land Use Patterns ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Law Enforcement ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Fire Protection ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Emergency Medical Services ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Roads and Bridges .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Dams .................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Utilities .............................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Forest and Open Space .............................................................................................................................................. 10 Water Resources ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Cultural and Historic Resources .............................................................................................................................. 13 Development Trends Since the 2009 Plan .......................................................................................................... 14 Planning Process .......................................................................................................................................... 16 Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Portsmouth Hazard Mitigation Committee .................................................................................................................... 16 The Planning Process ............................................................................................................................................................... 17 Public Input.................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Natural Hazards ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Hazards of Concern .................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Hurricanes (Tropical Cyclones) ................................................................................................................................ 25 Nor’easters ...................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Flooding (Coastal and Street/Urban) .................................................................................................................... 30 Snow Storm ..................................................................................................................................................................... 33 High Winds ...................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Ice Storm .......................................................................................................................................................................... 38 Extreme Temperatures ............................................................................................................................................... 40 Drought ............................................................................................................................................................................ 42 Brushfire ........................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Dam Failure ..................................................................................................................................................................... 47 i Table of Contents 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Portsmouth, Rhode Island Earthquake ...................................................................................................................................................................... 48 Hail ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Lightning/Thunderstorms ........................................................................................................................................