TOWN OF WASHINGTON HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2014 MMI #3843-04 Prepared For: Town of Washington 2 Bryan Plaza Washington Depot, Connecticut 06794 (860) 868-2259 Prepared By: Milone & MacBroom, Inc. 99 Realty Drive Cheshire, Connecticut 06410 (203) 271-1773 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 Washington and do not necessarily reflect the official views of DEMHS. The report does not constitute a specification or regulation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & CONTACT INFORMATION This plan update was prepared under the direction of the Town of Washington. The following individual should be contacted with questions or comments regarding the plan: Mark Lyon First Selectman 2 Bryan Plaza Washington, Connecticut 06794 (860) 868-3103 [email protected] This Hazard Mitigation Plan could not have been completed without the time and dedication of the additional following individuals at the local level: Mr. Mike Ajello, Zoning Enforcement Officer Mr. RJ Rocky Tomlinson, Emergency Management Mr. Kevin Smith, Highway Department Ms. Janet Hill, Land Use Administrator The consulting firm of Milone & MacBroom, Inc. (MMI) prepared the subject plan. The following individuals at MMI may be contacted 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, Water Resources [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... ES-1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background and Purpose .............................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Hazard Mitigation Goals ............................................................................................................... 1-4 1.3 Identification of Hazards and Document Overview ..................................................................... 1-5 1.4 Discussion of the 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 ............................................................................ 1-17 2.0 COMMUNITY PROFILE 2.1 Physical Setting ............................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Existing Land Use ......................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.3 Geology ......................................................................................................................................... 2-4 2.4 Current Climate Conditions and Climate Change ......................................................................... 2-7 2.5 Drainage Basins and Hydrology ................................................................................................... 2-8 2.6 Population and Demographic Setting ......................................................................................... 2-11 2.7 Governmental Structure and Capabilities ................................................................................... 2-11 2.8 Development Trends ................................................................................................................... 2-12 2.9 Critical Facilities, Sheltering Capacity and Emergency Response Capabilities ......................... 2-12 3.0 FLOODING 3.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Hazard Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 Historic Record ............................................................................................................................. 3-5 3.4 Existing Capabilities ..................................................................................................................... 3-7 3.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment .......................................................................................... 3-10 3.6 Potential Mitigation Strategies and Actions ................................................................................ 3-13 3.7 Summary of Mitigation Strategies and Actions .......................................................................... 3-19 4.0 HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS 4.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Hazard Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.3 Historic Record ............................................................................................................................. 4-2 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 .......................................................................... 4-12 TOWN OF WASHINGTON HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN WASHINGTON, CONNECTICUT DECEMBER 2014 iii 5.0 SUMMER STORMS & 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 ............................................................................................ 5-8 5.6 Potential Mitigation Strategies and Actions .................................................................................. 5-9 5.7 Summary of Mitigation Strategies and Actions .......................................................................... 5-10 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 Mitigation Strategies and Actions .................................................................................. 6-9 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 Risk Assessment ............................................................................................ 7-4 7.6 Potential Mitigation Strategies and Actions ................................................................................ 7-10 7.7 Summary of Mitigation Strategies and Actions .......................................................................... 7-10 8.0 DAM FAILURE 8.1 Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 8-1 8.2 Hazard Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 8-1