LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017 Update Westerly, Rhode Island PREPARED FOR Town of Westerly 45 Broad Street Westerly, RI 02891 PREPARED BY 1 Cedar Street, Suite 400 Providence, RI 02903 401.272.8100 NOVEMBER 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gina M. Raimondo Governor RI Emergency Management Agency Peter T. Gaynor, Director Samantha Richer, State Hazard Mitigation Officer Jessica Henry, Former State Hazard Mitigation Officer Town of Westerly Town Council (2016-2018) Mario P. Celico John P. Carson, Sr. Philip M. Overton Edward P. Morrone William J. Aiello Jean L. Gagnier Karen A. Cioffi Former Town Council (2014-2016) James V. Silvestri, President Mario P. Celico, Vice President John P. Carson, Sr. Philip M. Overton Jean L. Gagnier Christopher A. Duhamel Louis P. Sposato, Jr Town Manager Derrik M. Kennedy Westerly Hazard Mitigation Committee Peter Chiaradio, Public Works Superintendent Paul Corina, Utilities Benjamin Delaney, Planning Associate Paul Duffy, Recreation Amy Grzybowski, Emergency Management Coordinator Blanche Higgins, Former Assistant Planner David Murphy, Building Official Jason Parker, Town Planner Marilyn Shellman, Former Town Planner Richard Silva, Chief of Police Edward St. Clair, Former Chief of Police Larry Stedman, Harbormaster David Thompson, Assessor Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Strategy ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.0 Background .................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1 Introduction to Hazard Mitigation ............................................................................................................................ 4 1.2 Community Planning Area ........................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2.1 Geography ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2.2 Demographics ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.2.3 Land Use and Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2.4 Community Development and Development Trends ............................................................................................ 8 1.2.5 Historic and Natural Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 9 1.2.6 Commerce ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.2.7 National Flood Insurance Program .................................................................................................................................. 10 1.3 Significant Weather Events........................................................................................................................................ 12 2.0 Planning Process .......................................................................................................................................13 2.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................................. 13 2.2 Building Support: Community Involvement ....................................................................................................... 13 2.2.1 Stakeholders ................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.2 Public ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.3 Neighboring Communities ................................................................................................................................................... 15 2.3 Understanding the Community’s Risks ................................................................................................................ 15 2.4 Updating the Mitigation Plan ................................................................................................................................... 16 2.4.1 Recovery ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 17 2.4.2 Identification and Review of Goals ................................................................................................................................... 18 2.5 Bringing the Plan to Life: Implementation and Maintenance ..................................................................... 19 2.5.1 Mitigation Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 2.5.2 Continued Public Involvement ............................................................................................................................................ 21 2.5.3 Plan Maintenance ........................................................................................................................................................................ 22 3.0 Risk Assessment ........................................................................................................................................23 3.1 Defining Risk and Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 23 3.2 Hazards ............................................................................................................................................................................. 23 3.2.1 Hazard Identification ................................................................................................................................................................. 24 3.2.2 Hazard Profiles .............................................................................................................................................................................. 25 3.2.3 Climate Change ............................................................................................................................................................................ 63 3.3 Vulnerability .................................................................................................................................................................... 66 3.3.1 Community Assets ...................................................................................................................................................................... 67 i Table of Contents \\vhb\proj\Wat-TS\72617.00\reports\State Submission\Westerly_RI_HMP_Draft_30Nov17.docx Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 3.4 Risk Analysis & Assessment ...................................................................................................................................... 80 3.4.1 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................................. 81 3.4.2 Exposure Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................................ 81 3.4.3 Historical Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................................ 82 4.0 Capability Assessment ..............................................................................................................................84 4.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................................. 84 4.2 Types and Evaluation of Capabilities ..................................................................................................................... 84 4.2.1 Local Government and Program Areas ......................................................................................................................... 85 4.2.2 National Flood Insurance Program, Community Rating System (CRS) ..................................................... 89 5.0 Mitigation Plan ..........................................................................................................................................96