TOWN OF GUILFORD NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN ADOPTED JUNE 4, 2012 MMI #2426-10-4 Prepared for: TOWN OF GUILFORD Town Hall 31 Park Street Guilford, Connecticut 06437 (203) 453-8015 http://www.ci.guilford.ct.us/default.htm The preparation of this report has been financed in part through funds provided by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection under a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The contents of this report reflect the views of the Town of Guilford and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. The report does not constitute a specification or regulation. Prepared by: MILONE & MACBROOM, INC. 99 Realty Drive Cheshire, Connecticut 06410 (203) 271-1773 www.miloneandmacbroom.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page CONTACT INFORMATION ....................................................................................................ES-1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................ES-2 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background and Purpose ................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Hazard Mitigation Goals .................................................................................................. 1-5 1.3 Identification of Hazards and Document Overview ........................................................ 1-6 1.4 Discussion of STAPLEE Ranking Method.................................................................... 1-12 1.5 Discussion of Benefit-Cost Ratio................................................................................... 1-15 1.6 Documentation of the Planning Process ........................................................................ 1-15 2.0 COMMUNITY PROFILE 2.1 Physical Setting ................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 Existing Land Use ............................................................................................................ 2-3 2.3 Geology ............................................................................................................................ 2-5 2.4 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 2-15 2.5 Drainage Basins and Hydrology .................................................................................... 2-15 2.6 Population and Demographic Setting ............................................................................ 2-18 2.7 Development Trends ...................................................................................................... 2-23 2.8 Governmental Structure ................................................................................................. 2-24 2.9 Review of Existing Plans ............................................................................................... 2-30 2.10 Review of Existing Regulations..................................................................................... 2-41 2.11 Critical Facilities, Sheltering Capacity, and Evacuation ............................................... 2-53 3.0 INLAND FLOODING 3.1 Setting .............................................................................................................................. 3-1 3.2 Hazard Assessment .......................................................................................................... 3-3 3.3 Historic Record ................................................................................................................ 3-6 3.4 Existing Programs, Policies, and Mitigation Measures ................................................... 3-9 3.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment ............................................................................. 3-11 3.5.1 Vulnerability Analysis of Private Properties ....................................................... 3-11 3.5.2 Vulnerability Analysis of Critical Facilities ........................................................ 3-13 3.5.3 Vulnerability Analysis of Areas Along Watercourses ......................................... 3-13 3.5.4 HAZUS-MH Vulnerability Analysis .................................................................... 3-21 3.6 Potential Mitigation Measures, Strategies, and Alternatives ......................................... 3-26 3.6.1 Prevention ............................................................................................................ 3-26 3.6.2 Property Protection .............................................................................................. 3-30 3.6.3 Emergency Services ............................................................................................. 3-32 NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT SEPTEMBER 2011; ADOPTED JUNE 2012 TC-i TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 3.6.4 Public Education and Awareness ......................................................................... 3-33 3.6.5 Natural Resource Protection ................................................................................ 3-33 3.6.6 Structural Projects ................................................................................................ 3-35 3.7 Summary of Recommended Mitigation Measures, Strategies, and Alternatives .......... 3-35 4.0 COASTAL FLOODING AND SHORELINE CHANGE 4.1 Setting .............................................................................................................................. 4-1 4.2 Hazard Assessment .......................................................................................................... 4-2 4.3 Historic Record .............................................................................................................. 4-10 4.4 Existing Programs, Policies, and Mitigation Measures ................................................. 4-13 4.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment ............................................................................. 4-15 4.6 Potential Mitigation Measures, Strategies, and Alternatives ......................................... 4-26 4.7 Summary of Recommended Mitigation Measures, Strategies, and Alternatives .......... 4-33 5.0 HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS 5.1 Setting .............................................................................................................................. 5-1 5.2 Hazard Assessment .......................................................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Historic Record ................................................................................................................ 5-5 5.4 Existing Programs, Policies, and Mitigation Measures ................................................. 5-11 5.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment ............................................................................. 5-14 5.6 Potential Mitigation Measures, Strategies, and Alternatives ......................................... 5-25 5.6.1 Prevention ............................................................................................................ 5-25 5.6.2 Property Protection .............................................................................................. 5-27 5.6.3 Public Education and Awareness ......................................................................... 5-28 5.6.4 Emergency Services ............................................................................................. 5-28 5.6.5 Structural Projects ................................................................................................ 5-29 5.7 Summary of Recommended Mitigation Measures, Strategies, and Alternatives .......... 5-29 6.0 SUMMER STORMS AND TORNADOES 6.1 Setting .............................................................................................................................. 6-1 6.2 Hazard Assessment .......................................................................................................... 6-1 6.3 Historic Record ................................................................................................................ 6-7 6.4 Existing Programs, Policies, and Mitigation Measures ................................................. 6-10 6.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment ............................................................................. 6-12 6.6 Potential Mitigation Measures, Strategies, and Alternatives ......................................... 6-14 6.7 Summary of Recommended Mitigation Measures, Strategies, and Alternatives .......... 6-15 NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT SEPTEMBER 2011; ADOPTED JUNE 2012 TC-ii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 7.0 WINTER STORMS AND NOR'EASTERS 7.1 Setting .............................................................................................................................. 7-1 7.2 Hazard Assessment .......................................................................................................... 7-1 7.3 Historic Record ................................................................................................................ 7-3 7.4 Existing Programs, Policies, and Mitigation Measures ................................................... 7-8 7.5 Vulnerabilities and Risk Assessment ............................................................................... 7-9 7.6 Potential Mitigation Measures,