TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT MARCH 2015 MMI # 3101-14 Prepared for the: TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT 44 Main Street South Bridgewater, Connecticut 06752 (860) 354-2731 http://www.bridgewatertownhall.org Prepared by: MILONE & MACBROOM, INC. 99 Realty Drive Cheshire, Connecticut 06410 (203) 271-1773 www.miloneandmacbroom.com The preparation of this report has been financed in part through funds provided by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) under a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The contents of this report reflect the views of the Town of Bridgewater and do not necessarily reflect the official views of DEMHS. The report does not constitute a specification or regulation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & CONTACT INFORMATION This plan was prepared under the direction of the Town of Bridgewater. The following individual should be contacted with questions or comments regarding the plan: Curtis Read First Selectman Town of Bridgewater 44 Main Street South Bridgewater, CT 06752 (860) 354-2731 This Hazard Mitigation Plan could not have been completed without the time and dedication of the additional individuals at the local level: Anne Marie Lindblom, Assistant to First Selectman Brian Sullivan, Public Works Foreman Ron Rotter, Emergency Management Director David Hannon, Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO) The consulting firm of Milone & MacBroom, Inc. (MMI) prepared the subject plan. The following individuals at MMI may be contacted prior to plan update adoption with questions or comments regarding the plan update using the contact information on the title page or the electronic mail addresses below: Mr. David Murphy, P.E., CFM Associate [email protected] TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT MARCH 2015 AK-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & CONTACT INFORMATION .............................................................. AK-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ TC-1 LIST OF ACRONYMS .......................................................................................................................... TC-6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... ES-1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Hazard Mitigation Goals ............................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3 Identification of Hazards and Document Overview ..................................................................... 1-4 1.4 Discussion of STAPLEE Ranking Method ................................................................................... 1-8 1.5 Discussion of Benefit-Cost Ratio ................................................................................................ 1-10 1.6 Documentation of the Planning Process ..................................................................................... 1-10 1.7 Coordination with Neighboring Communities ............................................................................ 1-12 2.0 COMMUNITY PROFILE 2.1 Physical Setting ............................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Existing Land Use ......................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.3 Geology ......................................................................................................................................... 2-5 2.4 Current Climate Conditions and Climate Change ......................................................................... 2-5 2.5 Drainage Basins and Hydrology ................................................................................................... 2-9 2.6 Population and Demographic Setting ........................................................................................... 2-9 2.7 Governmental Structure and Capabilities ................................................................................... 2-11 2.8 Development Trends ................................................................................................................... 2-11 2.9 Critical Facilities, Sheltering Capabilities, and Emergency Response ....................................... 2-12 3.0 FLOODING 3.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Hazard Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 Historic Record ............................................................................................................................. 3-4 3.4 Existing Capabilities ..................................................................................................................... 3-6 3.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment .......................................................................................... 3-10 3.6 Potential Mitigation Strategies and Actions ................................................................................ 3-14 3.7 Summary of Specific Strategies and Actions .............................................................................. 3-20 4.0 HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS 4.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Hazard Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.3 Historic Record ............................................................................................................................. 4-2 TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT MARCH 2015 TC-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 4.4 Existing Capabilities ..................................................................................................................... 4-5 4.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment ............................................................................................ 4-6 4.6 Potential Mitigation Strategies and Actions ................................................................................ 4-12 4.7 Summary of Mitigation Strategies and Actions .......................................................................... 4-14 5.0 SUMMER STORMS AND TORNADOES 5.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Hazard Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Historic Record ............................................................................................................................. 5-5 5.4 Existing Capabilities ..................................................................................................................... 5-7 5.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment ............................................................................................ 5-9 5.6 Potential Mitigation Strategies and Actions ................................................................................ 5-10 5.7 Summary of Mitigation Strategies and Actions .......................................................................... 5-11 6.0 WINTER STORMS 6.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 6-1 6.2 Hazard Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 6-1 6.3 Historic Record ............................................................................................................................. 6-3 6.4 Existing Capabilities ..................................................................................................................... 6-8 6.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment ............................................................................................ 6-8 6.6 Potential Strategies and Actions ................................................................................................. 6-10 6.7 Summary of Mitigation Strategies and Actions .......................................................................... 6-11 7.0 EARTHQUAKES 7.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 7-1 7.2 Hazard Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 7-1 7.3 Historic Record ............................................................................................................................. 7-2 7.4 Existing Capabilities ..................................................................................................................... 7-4 7.5 Vulnerabilities and