Village of North Bennington Hazard Mitigation Plan June 15, 2017 North Bennington, Vermont
VillageofNorthBenningtonHazardMitigationPlan
June15,2017
NorthBennington,Vermont
TableofContentsListofTables............................................................................................2
ListofFigures..........................................................................................3
I. Introduction.................................................................................4A. Purpose............................................................................................................................................4
B. MitigationGoals...............................................................................................................................5
II. VillageProfile...............................................................................5A. RegionalContext..............................................................................................................................5
B. DemographyandLandUse..............................................................................................................5
C. EconomicandCulturalResources....................................................................................................6
D. CriticalFacilities................................................................................................................................7
III. PlanningProcess..........................................................................7A. PlanningTeam..................................................................................................................................7
B. PublicInvolvement...........................................................................................................................8
C. HazardAssessment..........................................................................................................................8
IV. HazardAssessment...................................................................10A. FloodingandFluvialErosion...........................................................................................................10
B. WinterStorms................................................................................................................................19
C. HighWindEvents...........................................................................................................................23
D. Hail.................................................................................................................................................29
E. TemperatureExtremes..................................................................................................................31
F. Drought..........................................................................................................................................32
G. Wildfire...........................................................................................................................................34
H. Earthquake.....................................................................................................................................36
I. Landslide........................................................................................................................................38
J. InvasiveSpecies..............................................................................................................................40
K. HazardousMaterialSpill................................................................................................................43
L. WaterSupply..................................................................................................................................44
M. InfectiousDiseaseOutbreak..........................................................................................................45
V. VulnerabilityAssessment..........................................................46A. PrioritizationofHazards.................................................................................................................47
B. ListofPriorityHazards...................................................................................................................47
VI. MitigationMeasures.................................................................49A. HazardMitigationGoals.................................................................................................................49
B. 2005HazardMitigationPlan..........................................................................................................49
C. VillagePlan.....................................................................................................................................52
D. StateandRegionalPlansandPrograms.........................................................................................52
E. CurrentProgramsSupportingMitigation.......................................................................................55
F. VillageCapabilities.........................................................................................................................56
G. MitigationActions..........................................................................................................................60
VII. PlanMaintenance......................................................................67A. AnnualMonitoringandContinuedPublicInvolvement.................................................................67
B. PlanEvaluationandUpdate...........................................................................................................67
C. PostDisasterReviewandRevision.................................................................................................68
VIII. References.................................................................................69A. LiteratureandReports...................................................................................................................69
B. MapDataSources..........................................................................................................................73
C. PersonalCommunicationSources..................................................................................................74
AppendixI.CommentsReceived...........................................................75
ListofTablesTable1.Numberofbuildingsbytype.........................................................................................................6Table2.NorthBenningtonCriticalFacilities................................................................................................7Table3.Planningteammembers................................................................................................................8Table4.Datesofplanningmeetingsandpublicandagencyreview...........................................................8Table5.TotalnumberoffloodeventsbytypeandyearforBenningtonCounty.....................................12Table6.Monthswhererainfallexceededthe90thpercentile(precipitationtotals,ininches,inparentheses)ofmonthlyprecipitationatthePeru,PownalandSunderlandCooperativeObserverStationsfrom1990to2013.......................................................................................................................17Table7.StructuresbytypeinfloodhazardareasinNorthBennington,VT..............................................18Table8.TotalnumberofwinterstormeventsbytypeandyearforBenningtonCounty.........................19Table9.SummaryofwindeventsinBenningtonCounty..........................................................................24Table10.Pownalnormaltemperaturesandprecipitationfor1981to2010............................................31Table11.YearsandnumberofmonthswhenthePHDIindicatedsevereorextremedroughtsfrom1985to2015.......................................................................................................................................................33Table12.Wildlandfiresizeclasses............................................................................................................34Table13.EarthquakeMagnitudeandintensityscaledescriptions...........................................................37
Table14.EarthquakesinVermont............................................................................................................38Table15.Landslideanddebrisflowtypes.................................................................................................39Table16.DesignatedClassBnoxiousweedsinVermont.........................................................................40Table17.AquaticinvasivespeciesinVermont..........................................................................................41Table18.Vulnerabilityassessmentfactors(VermontHazardMitigationPlan2014)...............................47Table19.Vulnerabilityassessment...........................................................................................................48Table20.Mitigationactionslistedinthe2005BenningtonCountyMulti-JurisdictionalHazardMitigationPlanAnnexforNorthBennington.............................................................................................................50Table21.ComparisonofhazardsconsideredinthedraftVermontHazardMitigationPlanvs.theNorthBenningtonHazardMitigationPlan...........................................................................................................53Table22.CapabilitiesoftheVillageofNorthBennington.........................................................................58Table23.Rankingofmitigationactions.....................................................................................................60
ListofFiguresFigure1.Typicalfloodplain........................................................................................................................17Figure2.Rivercorridors............................................................................................................................18Figure3.Plotofearthquakesandmagnitudeforoccurrenceswithin100milesofNorthBennington,Vermont.....................................................................................................................................................36Figure4.DiseasecasesinBenningtonCountyfrom2006to2015............................................................46
ListofMaps(followendofdocument)Map1.VillageofNorthBenningtonMap2.NorthBenningtonLandCoverMap3.NorthBenningtonLandUseDesignationsMap4.NorthBenningtonCriticalFacilitiesMap5.NorthBenningtonFloodHazardAreasMap6.NorthBenningtonWildfirePotentialMap7.NorthBenningtonLandslidePotentialMap8.NorthBenningtonAshSurveyResultsMap9.NorthBenningtonTransportationSystemMap10.NorthBenningtonCompositeHazardAssessment
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I. Introduction
A. Purpose
Hazardmitigationactionsaredesignedtoreducepotentiallossesfromnaturalhazardssuchasflooding,landslides,wildlandfire,andsimilarevents.Hazardmitigationplansidentify,assessandprioritizethosehazardsandpresentactionsthatacommunitycanundertaketoreducerisksanddamagefromthosenaturalhazards(FederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013a).
Thisplanisintendedtoidentify,describeandprioritizepotentialnaturalhazardsthatcouldaffecttheVillageofNorthBenningtoninBenningtonCounty,Vermontandprovidespecificmeasurestoreduceoravoidthoseeffects.TheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA),withintheU.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurityandtheVermontDivisionofEmergencyManagementandHomelandSecuritybothadvocatetheimplementationofhazardmitigationmeasurestosavelivesandpropertyandreducethefinancialandhumancostsofdisasters.
Theformatofthisplanisasfollows.SectionIIprovidesaprofileoftheVillage,including
adiscussionoftheenvironmentalsetting,demographicsandsettlementpatterns.SectionIIIdescribestheplanningprocessalongwithlistsofmembersoftheplanningteamanddatesofmeetingsandpublicandagencyreview.SectionIVanalyzesthefollowinghazards:
• FloodingandFluvialErosion• WinterStorms• HighWindEvents• Hail• TemperatureExtremes• Drought• Wildfire• Landslides• Earthquake• HazardousMaterialsSpill• WaterSupply• InfectiousDiseaseOutbreak• InvasiveSpecies
SectionVassessesvulnerability,andSectionVIdiscussesmitigationgoalsandactions,
includingcurrentprogramsandVillagecapabilities.SectionVIIdescribeshowtheplanwillbemaintainedandupdated.
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B. MitigationGoalsTheVillageidentifiedthefollowingmitigationgoals:
1. Reduceinjuryandlossofliferesultingfromnaturaldisasters.2. Reducedamagetopublicinfrastructure,minimizedisruptiontotheroadnetworkand
maintainbothnormalandemergencyaccess.3. Establishandmanageaprogramtoproactivelyimplementmitigationprojectsforroads,
bridges,culvertsandothermunicipalfacilitiestoensurethatcommunityinfrastructureisnotsignificantlydamagedbynaturalhazardevents.
4. Designandimplementmitigationmeasuressoastominimizeimpactstorivers,waterbodiesandothernaturalfeatures,historicstructures,andneighborhoodcharacter.
5. IncreasetheeconomicresiliencyofNorthBenningtonbyreducingtheeconomicimpactsincurredbymunicipal,residential,agriculturalandcommercialestablishmentsduetodisasters.
6. Incorporatehazardmitigationplanningintoothercommunityplanningprojects,suchastheVillagePlan,CapitalImprovementPlan,andLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan.
7. Ensurethatmembersofthegeneralpubliccontinuetobepartofthehazardmitigationplanningprocess.
II. VillageProfile
A. RegionalContext TheVillageofNorthBenningtonislocatedinthenorthwesternportionoftheTownofBenningtoninthesouthwesternpartofBenningtonCounty,Vermont(Map1).TheVillageisaseparatemunicipalityandissurroundedbythetownsofBenningtonandShaftsbury.ThemajorroutethroughtheVillageisVTRoute67/67A.ArailroadfromNewYorkpassesthroughthenorthernendoftheVillageonitswaytoRutland.ThetracksplitsintheVillagewiththesoutherntrackpassingjustsouthofLakeParantoanareawhererailcarsarestoredonthetrack.ThesoutherntrackcontinuesontoBennington,butthatportionofthetrackisnolongerinuse.SometimesrailcarsarestoredonthetrackjustsouthofLakeParan.
B. DemographyandLandUse Thepopulationasof2010was1,643(U.S.CensusBureau2010).TheVillagepopulationincreased15.1%from2000.InNorthBennington,54%ofhousingunitsareowner-occupied,38%arerenter-occupiedand4%areseasonal(BenningtonCountyRegionalCommission2015). NorthBenningtonoccupiesatotallandareaof2.1squaremiles,centeredonParanCreek,whichbisectstheVillageandflowsfromLakeParan,inthenorth,totheWalloomsacRiveratthesouthernmunicipalboundary.TheVillagecenterislocatedinthenorth-centralpartofthecommunityalongVTRoute67A(WaterStreet).Commercialdevelopmentislimitedto
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theareainandaroundtheVillagecenter,andindustrialdevelopmentareasfollowthelowvalleyalongParanCreek.TheeasternandwesternpartsoftheVillageconsistofscatteredresidentialdevelopmentandpatchesofopenfieldsandwoodlandareasamongrollinghills.ThehighestdensityofhousingexistsaroundtheVillagecenterandinthesouthernpartoftheVillagealongandnearVTRoute67A(Map2).
Mostlandisatrelativelylowelevationandslopesaregenerallynotverysteep.Otherthansmalldrainageways,surfacewaterresourcesarelimitedtoParanCreekanditsassociatedmillpondsandwetlands,LakeParanandtheWalloomsacRiver.
C. EconomicandCulturalResources
Economicresourcesarebestsummarizedbythetypesofuses.ThedifferentlandusesbybuildingtypefoundinNorthBenningtonarelistedinTable1.Map3showsthelandusedesignationsfromthe2013NorthBenningtonVillagePlan.
TheVillagehousesamarket,smallprofessionaloffices,library,restaurants,smallbusinesses,churches,anelementaryschoolandprivateschool,partoftheBenningtonCollegecampus,andapostoffice.PartoftheBenningtonCollegecampusisalsolocatedinNorthBennington.Therearenolarge-scalecommercialdevelopmentsfoundintheVillage.IndustrialbusinessesoccupybuildingslocatedalongParanCreek,whichwasonceusedforpowergenerationformanufacturing.
Largecommercialbusinesses,suchasgrocerystoresandlargeretailstoresarelocatedintheTownofBennington.Thehighschoolandmiddleschool,aswellasSouthwesternVermontMedicalCenterandsupportingpersonalservicebusinessesarealllocatedinBennington.
NorthBenningtoncontainsaconcentrationofhistoricstructuresintheVillagecenter.
ThisareaformsadistrictthathasbeenrecognizedbytheVermontDivisionforHistoricPreservationandincludedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.TheVillagehasadoptedhistoricdistrictdesignstandardsasapartofthemunicipalzoningbylaws,andhasreceived
Table1.Numberofbuildingsbytype.Source:VCGI2016E911dataSingle-familyResidential 326
MobileHome 13Multi-familyResidential 38
OtherResidential 15
Commercial 28OtherCommercial 9
Industrial 2
VillageOffice 1VillageGarage 1
FireDepartment 1Education(E911datashowedinaccuratedataandmultiplefacilitiesforBenningtonCollege,thoughitwasincludedonceinthistable)
4
PostOffice 1HouseofWorship 5
PublicGathering/Recreation 3
Museum 1AccessoryBuilding 2
Utility 2
Other 11Total 463
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VillageCenterdesignationthroughtheVermontAgencyofCommerceandCommunityDevelopment,whichprovidesincentivesforhistoricpreservationactivities(Map3).
DuetotherelativelysmalltaxbaseintheVillage,damagetolargerlocalbusinesses
wouldimpactthetaxcollectionandputafinancialstrainontheVillage.Inaddition,damagetoinfrastructure,suchasabridgeorpublicbuilding,wouldhaveasubstantialimpactonNorthBennington’sbudget.
D. CriticalFacilities
Table2listsanddescribescriticalfacilitiesincludingVillagefacilities,sheltersandsiteswithextremelyhazardoussubstances.ThesearelabeledandshownonMap4.
Thetransportationsystemalsorepresentsasetofcriticalfacilities.NorthBenningtoncontains9.78milesofTownHighway(1.67milesofClass1,0.08milesofClass2and8.0milesofClass3),and0.40milesofStateHighway(VermontAgencyofTransportation2015b).Table2.NorthBenningtonCriticalFacilities.Source:VCGIS,NorthBenningtonPlanningTeam,and2016LocalEmergencyOperationsPlan
Label Name Description
1 NorthBenningtonFireStation FireStation,EmergencyOperationsCenter,EmergencyShelter
2 NorthBenningtonVillageSchool EducationFacility,EmergencyShelter3 NorthBenningtonVillageOffice VillageOffice,EmergencyOperationsCenter4 NorthBenningtonVillageGarage VillageGarage,EmergencyOperationsCenter
5 NorthBenningtonWaterReservoir(locatedinShaftsbury) PublicWaterSupply
6 PublicWaterSupply(BasinBrooklocatedinShaftsbury) PublicWaterSystem
7 BenningtonWastewaterTreatmentFacility(locatedinBennington) WaterTreatmentFacility
8 PaulinInc. HazardousMaterialsStorageFacility9 SouthshireSchool EducationFacility
III. PlanningProcess
A. PlanningTeam TheBenningtonCountyRegionalCommissionbegandiscussionswiththeVillageondevelopingahazardmitigationplanin2015.TheNorthBenningtonTrusteesdecidedtoinitiateplanninginNovember2015.Thisisthefirststand-alonehazardmitigationplanforNorthBennington,thoughtheVillagewaspartofamulti-jurisdictionalplanthatexpiredin2010.ThehazardmitigationplanningteamconsistedofmemberslistedinTable3below.
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Table3.PlanningteammembersName Affiliation
JaniceLerrigo VillageTrusteeNormLeblanc VillageRoadForemanMartyCummings VillageDevelopmentReviewBoardEdMyers NorthBenningtonFireDepartmentEdHarrington NorthBenningtonFireDepartment
B. PublicInvolvement
NorthBenningtonstartedtheplanningprocessinJanuary2016andheldseveralplanningteammeetings.ThesemeetingswerewarnedaccordingtotheVermontOpenMeetingsLaw,anddatesarelistedinTable4.DuringtheMaymeeting,twoVillageresidentswerepresent.Theyprovidednocommentsontheplan.
Table4.DatesofplanningmeetingsandpublicandagencyreviewMeeting Date(s)
VillageTrusteesinitiateplanningprocess November10,2015Planningteammeeting January20,2016Planningteammeeting February3,2016Planningteammeeting March23,2016Planningteammeeting May10,20161stDraftmadeavailableforpublicandagencyreviewbytheplanningteam
February7,2017
PublicmeetingattheNorthBenningtonDepotBuilding February7,2017VillageTrusteesmeetingandvotetosendtoFEMA,pendingsubstantivecomments
February7,2017
VillageTrusteesadoptionofFEMAapprovedplan
TheplanwaspostedontheVillagewebsiteandonthewebsiteoftheBenningtonCountyRegionalCommission.TheplanwasalsosenttotheSelectBoardChairsofthesurroundingtownsofBenningtonandShaftsbury,andtheChairoftheLocalEmergencyPlanningCommittee7.Eachwereaskedtosharetheplanwithappropriatestaffandofficials.Commentswererequestedbyemail,phoneorletterandweretobesenttoJaniceLerrigooftheVillageTrustees,orAllisonStrohlattheBenningtonCountyRegionalCommission.CommentsreceivedwereaddedtothisplanandcanbeseeninAppendixI.
C. HazardAssessment
ThefollowingsectionsprovideadetailedassessmentofeachofthehazardsidentifiedbytheplanningteambasedondatafromthefollowingsourceslistedinSectionVIIIReferences:
a. Localknowledge.b. TheNationalClimateDataCenter(NCDC)stormeventsdatabase(mostrecentdatafrom
theirFTPsite).c. FEMAlistsanddescriptionsofpastdisasterdeclarations.
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d. TheVermontDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreationdataonwildfires.e. HAZUSrunsonpotentialearthquakedamage.f. Cooperativeweatherobserverdataandstationnormalswhereavailable.g. PalmerHydrologicDroughtIndexcalculatedfrom1985to2014fromtheNational
OceanographicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA).h. HazardousmaterialsspillsfromtheVermontAgencyofNaturalResources(VTANR).i. InfectiousdiseaseoutbreakslistedfromtheVermontDepartmentofHealth.j. Observationsofinvasivespeciescomparedtothestateandfederallistsofnoxious
species.k. TheVermontHazardMitigationPlan(2013).l. NewEnglandWeather,NewEnglandClimate(ZielinskiandKeim2003),Vermont
WeatherBook(Ludlum1996).m. FederalEmergencyManagementAgency2010FloodInsuranceStudy,Bennington
County,VermontandIncorporatedareas,FederalEmergencyManagementAgencyStudyNumber5003CV000A.
n. NationalWeatherService2015.AdvancedHydrologicPredictionService,streamgaugeinformationfortheWalloomsacRivernearNorthBennington.Availablevia:http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=aly&gage=bntv1.
o. SpatialHazardEventsandLossesDatabase(SHELDUS)recordswhichwerenotascompleteasNCDCand,therefore,notused.
p. FueltypesandpotentialforwildfirefromLANDFIRE(http//:www.landfire.gov)andtheVermontDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreation.
q. VermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesandVermontAgencyofAgriculture,FoodandMarketsoninvasivespecies.
r. AshtreesurveytodeterminethepotentialthreatfromtheemeraldashborerbyJulianaQuant(2016).
s. IdentificationofrankingofthepotentialforlandslidesbyJoshDuncan(2015),astudentatGreenMountainCollegeusingamodifiedprotocolbasedonCliftandSpringston(2012).WithrespecttoNCDCdata,therehavebeennumerouschangestothatdatabaseinjust
thelastfewyears.WhileNCDCdatagoesbackto1950,therewasadramaticchangein1996inthewaydatawerecollected.Thenumberofeventsrecordedinyearspriorto1996isfarfewerthanfrom1996onward.Therefore,forthebestreliabledata,weusedonlydatafrom1996onwards.Wehavealsolookedattheothersourcesofhistoricalweatherdata.ThecooperativeweatherobserversforPeru,SunderlandandPownalinVermonthavethemostconsistentlong-termdata,thoughsomedatawasavailablefromtheNorthAdams,MAobserver,andprecipitation(rain)datawasavailablefromtheBenningtonMorseStateAirportStation.TheonlystreamgaugeforBenningtonCountyisinBenningtonneartheNewYorkborderontheWalloomsac.Therearenoweatherstationsthatrecordorkeeplong-termdatarecordsinNorthBenningtonorBenningtonexceptforthecooperativeweatherstationslistedabovethatrecorddailyobservations,butnotthespecificsofstormevents.
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WehavecommunicatedwithUSGS,whichisworkingonmodelsofareasimpactedbydifferentstormeventsusingLidarandstreamgaugedata,buttheyarenotworkinginVermontyet,asfarasweknow.WelookedattheUSGShighwatermarksforIrene(MedalieandOlson2013).InNorthBennington,theywerelocatedalongportionsofParanCreekandtheWalloomsac.However,wereliedmostlyontheupdatedspecialfloodhazardmapsforpotentialfloodingextent.
Finally,wereviewedseveralstudiesonpotentialimpactsofclimatechangedeveloped
bytheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(Christensenetal2013),theVermontAgencyofNaturalResources(TetraTech2013),theUniversityofVermont(Galfordetal2014),theGlobalClimateChangeResearchProgram(Hortonetal2014),andtheU.S.ForestService(Rustad2012).Therelationshipbetweenclimatechangeandthefrequencyandextentofnaturalhazardsisadevelopingscience,andwedescribed,whereappropriate,howclimatechangemightaffecthazardsinthefuture.IV. HazardAssessment
A. FloodingandFluvialErosion
1. Descriptiona. FloodingFloodingandassociatedfluvialerosionarethemostfrequentanddamagingnatural
hazardsinVermont.TheNationalWeatherService(2010)definesafloodas“anyhighflow,overflow,orinundationsbywaterwhichcausesorthreatensdamage.”Aflashfloodis…”arapidandextremeflowofhighwaterintoanormallydryarea,orarapidwaterriseinastreamorcreekaboveapredeterminedfloodlevel.”Theseareusuallywithinsixhoursofsomeevent,suchasathunderstorm,butmayalsooccurduringfloodswhenrainfallintensityincreases,therebycausingrapidriseinflow.TheNWSusesthefollowingimpactcategories:
• MinorFlooding-minimalornopropertydamage,butpossiblysomepublicthreat.• ModerateFlooding-someinundationofstructuresandroadsnearstream.Some
evacuationsofpeopleand/ortransferofpropertytohigherelevations.• MajorFlooding-extensiveinundationofstructuresandroads.Significantevacuationsof
peopleand/ortransferofpropertytohigherelevations.• RecordFlooding-floodingwhichequalsorexceedsthehigheststageordischarge
observedatagivensiteduringtheperiodofrecordkeeping.
Floodsmayreachthesemagnitudelevelsinoneormorereaches,butnotnecessarilyall.Runofffromsnowmeltinthespring,summerthunderstorms,andtropicalstormsandhurricanescanallresultinfloodinginNorthBennington.IcejamfloodingcanoccuronVermontriverswhensubstantialiceformsfollowedbyseveraldaysofwarmth,snowmeltandany
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rainfallleadingtoicebreakup.Astheicebreaksupontherivers,chunksoficeformjamswhichcauselocalizedfloodingonmainstemandtributaryrivers.IcejamsaremostprevalentduringtheJanuarythaw(lateJanuary)andinMarchandAprilasspringapproaches.
Flashfloodscanoccurafterspringmeltofmountainsnow,followinglargestormssuch
asTropicalStormIrene,oraftersignificantthunderstorms.Digitalfloodzonemaps(DFIRMs)becameeffectiveDecember2,2015andwereadoptedbyNorthBennington.Map5showsthelocationofbothfloodhazardareasandrivercorridors(formerlyfluvialerosionhazardzones).SeeSectionA.3.formoreinformationonfloodhazardareasandrivercorridors.
MuchofNorthBennington’sdevelopmentislocatedalongParanCreekandintheVillagecenter,witheightbuildingslocatedinthefloodhazardarea.Sincethe2005BenningtonCountyMulti-JurisdictionalHazardMitigationPlan,newdevelopmenthasoccurredonScareyLane.Thisnewdevelopmentislocatedintherivercorridor.Inaddition,afactoryalongWaterStreethasbeenturnedintoabout70rentalunits.Thisbuildingislocatedjustoutsidethefloodhazardareabutisalsolocatedintherivercorridor.TherehasnotbeenanynewdevelopmentinthefloodhazardareainNorthBennington.Therefore,thevulnerabilitytoNorthBenningtonhasnotchanged.Moreinformationaboutthe2005multi-jurisdictionalplancanbefoundinSectionVI.B.
NorthBenningtonhasfivedams.TheLakeParandamwascompletedin1851andis
ownedbytheStateofVermontAgencyofTransportation.Thisdam,listedintheNationalInventoryofDams,waslastinspectedin2012(U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers2015).AccordingtotheVermontDamInventory,managedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationandHydrologySection,thisdamisclassifiedashavinghighhazardpotential.
SouthoftheLakeParandambutonParanCreekarefourmoredams.Allofthesedamsareconsideredtobeoflowhazardpotential,accordingtotheVermontDamInventory.ThefirstisWhitesMilldam,ownedbytheVillageofNorthBennington.Thecompletiondateandlastinspectiondatearebothunknown.NextistheStarkMilldam,privatelyownedandbuiltin1918.Theinspectiondateisunknown.ThenthereistheCushmandam,privatelyownedbytheNationalHangerCompany.Thecompletiondateandinspectiondateareunknown.ThelastdamlocatedonParanCreek,beforereachingtheWalloomsacRiver,islistedasunknownandisprivatelyowned.Thecompletiondateandthelastinspectiondatearealsobothunknown.TheonlydamincludedintheNationalInventoryofDamsistheLakeParandam.
b. FluvialErosion
InVermont,mostriversflowthroughrelativelyconfinedvalleys,butstillmeanderovertimeacrossthefloodplain.Rivercorridorsprovideanareawithinwhicharivercanmoveacrossthelandscapeasitdissipatesenergyandtransportsanddepositssediments.Whereriversareconstrictedbybridgesandotherstructures,orriprap,thewatermovesathighervelocity,resultingindowncuttingandcollapseofthebanks.Thismayunderminestructureswithinthecorridor.
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2. PreviousOccurrencesLudlum(1996)describesnumerousstormeventsthathaveaffectedVermontsince
settlement,butthelocalimpactsofthesearedifficulttotrace.The1927floodwasthelargestrecordeddisasterinthehistoryofthestate.Thestatereceivedoversixinchesofrain,withsomeareasreceiving8-9inches.FollowingarainyOctober,thisstormoccurredfromNovember2ndthroughthe4thcausingextensiveflooding.TwostormsoccurredinMarchof1936.Heavyrainsandsnowmeltcausedsignificantflooding.Twoyearslater,the1938hurricanecausedbothfloodingandextensivewinddamage.
Inadditiontotheseevents,theBenningtonEveningBanner,thelocalnewspaperatthe
time,recordedthreemorefloodevents.The1869floodoccurredafternearly36hoursofviolentrainfallandfloodeddowntownBennington.Astormin1948causeddowntown
BenningtontofloodandrenderedtheNorthStreetandRiverStreetbridgesimpassable.Lastly,thenewspapermentionedastormin1973thatclaimedlives,causedpropertydamageandfloodedseveralcommunitiesinVermont.
Table5showsatotalof49floodeventsin
BenningtonCountyfrom1996to2015,usingNCDCdata.Thesehavebeenprimarilyminorandaffectedeitherspecificstreams,suchastheWalloomsacandBattenKill,orspecifictownsorvillages.
Hurricanesandtropicalstormsthatform
intropicalwatershavehistoricallyaffectedNewEngland,butarerelativelyinfrequent.Besidesthe1938storm,TropicalStormBellebroughtsignificantrainstoVermontin1976andHurricaneGloriabroughtrainandwinddamagein1985.NorthBenningtonhasbeensubjectedtotwomajortropicalstormsinthepasttwentyyears.HurricaneFloydwasaCategory4stormbeforehittingNorthCarolina,andthenwasreducedtoatropicalstormwhenitreachedsouthernNewEngland.TropicalStormIrenewastheremnantof
HurricaneIrene,whichwasaCategory1hurricane.Acategory1stormhaswindsof74-95milesperhourandcoulddamageroofs,downshallow-rootedtreesanddamagepowerlines(http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php).
Thefollowingdescribes25moderateandextremeeventsthathaveoccurredsince1996,
usingtheNationalWeatherService(2010)categories,whichaffectedNorthBenningtonor
Table5.TotalnumberoffloodeventsbytypeandyearforBenningtonCounty.Source:NationalClimateDataCenter2015
Year FlashFlood Flood Total
1996 3 6 91997 1998 1 3 41999 2
2
2000 4 1 52001 2002 1
1
2003 2 22004 1 5 62005
5 5
2006
1 12007 1 1 22008 2009 2
2
2010 2011 3 3 62012 2013 4 42014 2015 Totals 22 27 49
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nearbyareas.TheseeventsweredescribedintheNationalClimateDatabaserecords(2015).Itshouldbenotedthatonlythethreeeventsoccurredinthewinter,withallothereventsinthespring,summerorfall.Icejamfloodingalsooccursandoneinstanceisdiscussedbelow.January19-20,1996(DR-11011/19to2/21996):AnintenseareaoflowpressurewhichwaslocatedovertheMid-AtlanticregiononFridaymorningJanuary19producedunseasonablywarmtemperatures,highdewpointsandstrongwinds.Thisresultedinrapidmeltingof1to3feetofsnow.Inadditiontotherapidsnowmelt1to3inchesofrainfellasthesystemmovednortheastalongthecoast.Thisresultedinnumerousroadwashoutsandthefloodingofseveralhomesacrossthecounty.*NotethatthiswasalsocategorizedasaHighWindevent.April24,1996:SignificantrainsonTuesdayeveningApril23resultedinfloodingalongtheWalloomsacandBattenKillRivers.TheWalloomsacRivercrested1.5feetoverfloodstageatNorthBenningtonandtheBattenKillcrested1footoverfloodstageatArlington.Thefloodingresultedinseveralroadclosuresbutmuchofthefloodingwasminor.May1,1996:HeavyrainonTuesdayeveningApril30causedtheWalloomsacRivertoflood.FloodingoccurredatPaperMillVillageinBennington.May11-12,1996:AlowpressuresystemtrackedacrossNewYorkStateandNewEnglandduringMay10and11.OnMay12thesystemmovedtotheeastcoastandintensified,thisprolongedtheperiodofprecipitation.Rainfallinexcessof2inchesfellduringthisperiodovermuchofwesternNewEngland.ThisresultedinfloodingalongtheWalloomsacRiver.Therivercrested2.5feetoverfloodstage.Route67inBenningtonwasfloodedduringthemorninghoursofMay12.ACooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalrecorded2.10inchesofrainonMay12.December2,1996:RainfallduringthelatefallseasonresultedinfloodingacrosspartsofBenningtonCounty.TheWalloomsacRiverfloodedinNorthBennington.SeveralhomeswerefloodedalongwithRoute67A.TheBattenKillatArlingtonfloodedwithseveralhomesaffected.January24,1999:ThecombinationofrainandverymildtemperaturesproducedrapidsnowmeltinsouthernVermont.ThisrunoffandicejamstriggeredfloodingontheupperBattenKillnearArlingtonandontheWalloomsacRivernearBennington.TheBenningtonMorseStateAirportrecorded0.69inchesofrainandmeltedsnow.September16-17,1999(DR-13079/16-211999):TheremnantsofHurricaneFloydbroughthighwindsandheavyrainfall(3-6inches)tosouthernVermont.Manysmallertributariesreachedorexceededbankfull.Estimatedwindgustsexceeded60mph,especiallyoverhilltowns.PoweroutagesoccurredacrosssouthernVermont.ACooperativeWeatherObserverrecorded4.60inchesofraininPownaland2.94inchesattheBenningtonMorseStateAirport. July14-17,2000(DR-13367/14-182000):ThunderstormscausedtorrentialrainfallwithflashfloodingwashingoutsectionsofroadwaysinnortheastBenningtonCountyandsouthernBenningtonCounty.Route7wasclosedduetofloodingandrockslidesand67wascloseddue
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toflooding.Numerousotherroadswereclosed,someevenwashedout.ThisrainproducedenoughrunofftocausetheBattenKilltoexceedthesix-footfloodstagebyaboutonefootatArlington,a47-yearhigh.TheswelledriverfloodedtheBattenKillCanoeCompanyandadjacentriverproperty.Specificamountsincluded3.00inchesatBennington.LightningfromathunderstormstruckamanwhilehewasjogginginBennington,injuringhim.TheBenningtonMorseStateAirportrecorded2.79inchesofrain.May28,2002:Scatteredthunderstormsdevelopedalongaquasi-stationaryfrontontheafternoonofMay28.ThesestormswereslowmovingandcontainedtorrentialrainfallacrosssouthernVermont.RainfallamountsreachedaroundthreeinchesinacoupleofhoursinBenningtonCounty.TheresultwaslocalizedflashfloodinginPownal.Routes346andsectionsofRoute7werefloodedinPownal.March29,2003:Anareaoflowpressure,movingalongaslowmovingcoldfrontonMarch29and30,producedupto2inchesofrainfallacrossextremesouthernVermont.Therain,combinedwithseasonablymildtemperatures,meltedmuchoftheremainingsnowpackacrossthisareaandproducedasignificantrunoff.BoththeWalloomsacandBattenKillRiversbrieflywentabovefloodstagesinsections.TheWalloomsacgageatBenningtoncrestedat8.19feet,comparedtothefloodstageof7.5feet.TheBattenKillgageatArlingtoncrestedat6.3feet,0.3feetaboveitsfloodstage.July21toAugust18,2003(DR-14887/21-8/182003):SeverestormsandfloodingaffectedVermontincludingBenningtonCounty.(Note:thiseventdoesnotappearintheNCDCdata.)BoththeBenningtonMorseStateAirportandtheCooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalrecordedsporadicandsometimeslargeamountsofprecipitationduringthisperiod.March31toApril2,2004:Asmuchas3inchesofrainfellbetweenMarch31throughApril2acrosssouthernVermont.Thisraincombinedwiththelastofthesnowmeltproducedanexcessiverunoffofwater.Asaresult,floodingtookplaceinBenningtonatthePaperMillVillagealongtheWalloomsacRiver.May25,2004:TheWalloomsacRiverexceededitsfloodstageof7.0',crestingat7.75'atthegageinBennington.September18,2004:TheWalloomsacRiverexceededitsfloodstageof7.0',crestingat7.21'attheBenningtongage.October9,2005:NorthBenningtonRoadatBenningtonclosedduetoflooding.November30,2005:OnNovember30,theWalloomsacRiverhadminorfloodingatBennington.Therivercrestedat8.51feet.
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January18-19,2006:Highwindand1to2inchesofrainfellacrosseasternNewYorkandwesternNewEngland.FloodingoccurredontheWalloomsacRiveratBenningtononJanuary18andJanuary19.Floodstageis7.0feet;therivercrestedat8.00feet.April16-17,2007(DR-16984/15-212007):AnintensecoastalstormspreadheavyprecipitationacrosssouthernVermont,startingasamixtureofsnow,sleetandrainwhichchangedtoallrain.Liquidequivalentprecipitationtotalsrangedfrom3to6inchesleadingtominorfloodingacrossportionsofsouthernVermont.ACooperativeWeatherObserverrecorded2.20inchesofraininPownalandtheBenningtonMorseStateAirportrecorded1.41inchesfromApril15to17.June15,2009:NumerousthunderstormsdevelopedacrosssouthernVermont,manyofwhichcontainedlargequantitiesofhail.Somethunderstormswereslowmoving,andproducedlocallyveryintenserainfallrates.Thisledtoflashfloodinginsomeareas.CarswerereportedstalledinfloodwatersindowntownBenningtonduetoflashfloodingfromheavyrainfall.June30,2009:TorrentialrainfromthunderstormsproducedflashfloodinginBennington.SeveralvehiclesweredisabledinhighwateronSouthStreetinBennington.August28-29,2011(DR-40228/27-292011):TropicalStormIreneproducedwidespreadflooding,anddamagingwindsacrosstheregion.Rainfallamountsaveraged4to8inchesandfellwithinatwelve-hourperiod.ACooperativeWeatherObserverrecorded4.70inchesofraininPownalandtheBenningtonMorseStateAirportreported4.23inchesofrainfromAugust27to28.InBenningtonCounty,widespreadflashfloodingandassociateddamagewasreportedcountywide,withmanyroadsclosedduetofloodinganddownedtreesandpowerlines.StrongwindsalsooccurredacrosssouthernVermont,withfrequentwindgustsof35to55mph,alongwithlocallystrongerwindgustsexceeding60mph.Thecombinationofstrongwinds,andextremelysaturatedsoilledtowidespreadlongdurationpoweroutages.InBenningtonCounty,approximately5,000customerswereaffectedbypoweroutages.RecordfloodingoccurredontheWalloomsacRiver.TheWalloomsacgageexceededitssevenfootfloodstageat8:48amESTonAugust28th,itsninefootmoderatefloodstageat9:50am,its11footmajorfloodstageat11:46am,crestedatarecord12.82feetat2:30pm,andfellbelowfloodstageat5:32amonAugust29th.Route9wasclosedfromBenningtontoBrattleboroduetonumerousreportsofflooding.PortionsofRoute9remainedclosedafterthefloodwatersrecededduetodamage.DuringIrene,themainwatersourcetoBenningtonwascutofftothetownforseveraldaysafterabridgecollapsedinWoodforddamagingthetownwaterline.Manyresidentsandbusinesseswerewithoutpower.StormdrainageissuesoccurredalongNorthsideDrivecausingthefloodingofseveralbusinesses.Thewastewatertreatmentplantwasoperatingnearmaximumloadandcouldn’thavehandledmuchmorewater.September7,2011:LargeamountsofmoisturefromtheremnantsofTropicalStormLeeinteractedwithafrontalsystemproducingheavyrainfallwithtotalrainfallamountsrangingfrom3to7inchesledtowidespreadminortomoderatefloodingacrosssouthernVermont.ACooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalrecorded6.70inchesofrainbetweenSeptember5
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and9,andtheBenningtonMorseStateAirportrecorded3.49inchesfromSeptember4to8.MinorfloodingoccurredontheWalloomsacRiveratBennington.TheWalloomsacgageexceededitsseven-footfloodstageat11:48amESTSeptember7,crestedat8.57feetat2:15pm(moderatefloodstageisninefeet),andfellbelowfloodstageat5:54pmSeptember7.May22,2013:HeavyrainfallfromshowersandthunderstormsreportedlycausedflashfloodingalongRoute67AinNorthBennington.Lawenforcementreportedthattheroadwastemporarilyclosedduetoflooding.TheBenningtonMorseStateAirportrecorded3.43inchesofrainfromMay21to22,andaCooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalobserved3.70inchesofrain.May29,2013:FlashfloodingwasreportedasaresultofheavyrainfallfromthunderstormsinBenningtononNorthBranchStreet.SouthStreet(Route7)wasalsoreportedtobeclosedduetofloodingontheroadway.June2,2013:Showersandthunderstormsdevelopedacrosstheregion.ThesethunderstormswereaidedbyverystrongwindsaloftandafewstormsbecamesevereacrosssouthernVermont,producinglargehailandwinddamage.Thethunderstormsalsoproducedveryheavyrainfall,whichcausedflashfloodingwithintheTownofBennington.Amateurradiooperatorsreportedthat8to10inchesofwaterwasflowingacrossstreetsindowntownBennington.
3. ExtentandLocation Theprimarydamagesfrompasteventshavebeenfromfloodingandfluvialerosionwithsecondarydamagefromwind.TheVillagejoinedtheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram(NFIP)in2011.Thereare3floodinsurancepolicesineffect.TherehavebeennoNFIP-designatedrepetitivelosseswithinNorthBennington.
DuringTropicalStormIrene,floodingoccurredalongthebanksoftheWalloomsac,thoughtherewaslittlepropertydamage.PriortoTropicalStormIrene,ParanCreekfloodedWaterStreetwhenmaterialcollectedattheCushmandam.However,theplanningteamcouldnotidentifyanyfloodingorerosionissuesalongParanCreekinrecentyears.ErosionalongParanCreekseemstobeminimalduetosubstantialvegetationalongthebanks.However,variousresidentialbuildings,theNorthBenningtonFireDepartment,andbusinessesandindustrialbuildingsalongWaterStreetarelocatedwithinthespecialfloodhazardareaandtherivercorridor. AfterTropicalStormIrene,thereweresixhighwatermarkslocatedandmappedinNorthBenningtonbytheUSGS.FourwerelocatedalongParanCreekandtwoalongtheWalloomsac(MedalieandOlson2013).Threewerelocatedwithinthefloodhazardareaandthreewerelocatedslightlyoutsidebutnotenoughtobenoteworthy(Map5).Inotherwords,theFEMADFIRMsappeartobeaccuratebecausefloodingwas,forthemostpart,inlinewiththefloodhazardarea.
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Inadditiontotheaboveevents,thePeru,PownalandSunderlandCooperativeObserversrecordedprecipitation.Table6showsthosemonthsbyyearwherethatvalueexceededthe90thpercentile,whichvariesbysiteandmonth.SeveraleventsofthatmagnitudehaveoccurredwherefloodingwasnotrecordedinNCDCrecordsorlocalknowledge,butthisdoesprovideadditionalinformationonpotentialfloodingextent.Table6.Monthswhererainfallexceededthe90thpercentile(precipitationtotals,ininches,inparentheses)ofmonthlyprecipitationatthePeru,PownalandSunderlandCooperativeObserverStationsfrom1990to2013.
Sunderland Pownal PeruMonth Year Year Year
January 1990,1998,1999(5.98”) 1996,1998,1999(4.29”) 1990,1999(5.79”)February 2002,2008,2011(3.58”) 1990,2008(3.53”) 2000,2002,2008(4.93”)March 2001,2007,2008(5.35”) 1999,2001,2007(4.42”) 2001,2008(6.15”)April 1993,1996,2002,2007,
2011(4.74”)1990,1993,1996(4.76”) 1996,2007(5.95”)
May 1990,2000,2006(6.31”) 1990,2013(6.50”) 1990,2012(7.70”)June 1998,2002,2006(7.67”) 1998,2000,2002,2013
(7.27”)1998,2006,2011,2013(8.94”)
July 1996,2004,2008(6.87”) 2004,2010(6.34”) 1996,2000,2013(7.41)”August 1990,2003,2011(7.38”) 1990,1991,2003,2011
(7.24”)1990,2003,2011(8.65”)
September 1999,2003,2011(5.75”) 1999,2004,2011(6.13”) 1999,2003,2011(7.13”)October 2005,2007,2010(7.05”) 1995,2003,2010(5.46”) 1995,2005,2006,2010
(8.30”)November 2002,2004,2005(5.28”) 2005(5.36”) 2002(6.37”)December 1996,2003,2008(6.42”( 1990,2003,2011(4.62”) 1996(7.18”)
TheaverageannualprecipitationinVermonthasincreased5.9”since1960.ThistrendispredictedtocontinuesothatVermontstreamswillhavehigherflowsandpossiblyexperiencemorefrequentandgreaterfloodingevents(Galfordetal2014).SpecialFloodHazardAreas:theseareareasmappedbyFEMAandusingtheLIDARderivedzonesthatwereadoptedinlate2015.Table7showsthenumberofstructures,bytype,inthespecialfloodhazardareaandrivercorridors,andbothareasareshowninMap5.Figure1belowshowsthepartsofatypicalfloodplain.Figure1.Typicalfloodplain
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RiverCorridors:Rivercorridors(Figure2)havebeenmappedbytheVermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesusinggeospatialdataandwillbemodifiedbyVTANRriverscientistsusingavailablefielddata.Thedatawereusedtocalculatethe“meanderbeltwidth”orareawithinwhichariverwouldmoveacrossthevalley.Asriversshifttheirlocationbothverticallyandhorizontally,erosionofadjacentlandscanoccurandthreatenpropertiesthatmaybeoutsideofspecialfloodhazardareas(VermontRiverManagementProgram2010). ThemapsdevelopedbyVTANRshowthepotentialextentoffluvialerosioninNorthBennington.Thisistheonlyinformationavailablethatshowstheamountoffluvialerosionthatcouldoccur.Therefore,thesemapsprovidethebestdatatodetermineextentoffluvialerosion.Figure2.Rivercorridors
4. Probability,Impact,andVulnerability
Basedondatafrom1996
to2015,25moderateormajorfloodeventshaveaffectedareaswithinornearNorthBenningtonresultingina100%chanceofsuchaneventoccurringinanygivenyear.Probabilityandimpactpercentagesweredeterminedbyanassessmentofcurrentavailabledata.
Table7talliesthenumberofstructuresbytypewithintherivercorridorandspecialfloodhazardarea.North
Benningtonhasatotalof326single-familyresidences,38multi-familydwellings,13mobilehomes,15otherresidentialbuildings,2commercialwithresidentialbuildings,37
Table7.StructuresbytypeinfloodhazardareasinNorthBennington,VT.Source:VermontCenterforGeographicInformationwww.vcgi.org
Type NumberinSpecialFloodHazardArea RiverCorridor
Single-Family 1 22Multi-Family 3 4MobileHome 1CommercialwithResidential
2
FireStation 1 1Commercial 7OtherCommercial 1 1Industrial 1 1Utility 1 1Other 2Totals 8 42
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commercial/industrialestablishments,and14government,churchandschoolestablishments.AsshowninTable7,thereare8structuresinthespecialfloodhazardareaand42intherivercorridorrecentlymappedbyVTANR.Therefore,thepotentialproportiondamagedwithintheVillagefromseverefloodingwouldrangefrom1-10%withinjuriesof1-10%.Mostservicesrecoverinlessthansevendays,thoughhelpforspecificpropertyownersmaytakesignificantlylonger.
B. WinterStorms
1. Description
WinterstormsarefrequentinVermont.Winterstormsmayconsistofheavysnow,mixedprecipitation,oricestormsandallmaybeaccompaniedbystrongwinds.Potentialdamagescanincludepoweroutages,trafficaccidents,andisolationofsomeareas.Forexample,theOctober4,1987stormstrandedtravelersintheareaandknockedoutpowerforseveraldays.The"Blizzardof’93,"oneoftheworststormsonrecord,virtuallyshutdownVermontontheweekendofMarch13-14,forcingtheclosureofroadsandairports.Snowfallamountsrangedfrom10to28inchesacrossthestate.
Table8.TotalnumberofwinterstormeventsbytypeandyearforBenningtonCounty.Source:NationalClimateDataCenter2015
Year Blizzard HeavySnow IceStorm WinterStorm
WinterWeather Totals
1996
5
2
71997
1
7 2 10
1998
2 1 31999
4
4
2000
1
6
72001
6
6
2002
5
52003
5
5
2004
2
22005 1 3
2
6
2006 2007
3 1 6 4 14
2008
4 1 1 11 172009
3
1 10 14
2010
3
1 2 62011
5 5 10
2012 4 2 62013 2 1 4 72014 2 4 62015 2 6 8Totals 1 29 2 64 47 143
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Inrarecases,theweightofsnowmaycollapseroofsandcauseotherstructuraldamage.Windaccompanyingsnowstormscanincreasetheeffectofthesnowdamages.Inadditiontosnow,icestormsoccurwhenthelowerlevelsoftheatmosphereand/orgroundareatorbelowfreezing,andrainisfallingthroughwarmerairaloft.Theprecipitationfreezesuponcontactwiththeground,objectsontheground,treesandpowerlines.
2. PreviousOccurrencesTable8summarizesthe143winterstormeventsthathaveoccurredinBennington
Countysince1996.Ascanbeseen,ahighnumberofeventsoccurredin1997,2007,2008,2009and2011.UsingNCDCdata,wecategorizedtheextentofeachstormwithstormsrankedas“High”iftheyproducedmorethantwelveinchesofsnoworwerecategorizedbytheNCDCasproducingheavyorrecordsnowsorblizzardsorsignificanticing.TheBlizzardof1993wascategorizedas“Extreme.”TheNCDCalsoreportsnumerousstormsproducingonetooverthreefeetofsnowintheGreenMountains,butthesewerenotlistedastheydidnotaffectmajorpopulationcenters.Thefollowingisasummaryofsignificantevents.
January2to3,1996HeavySnow:AmajorwinterstormdevelopedovertheGulfcoaststatesonJanuary2andtrackednortheastalongtheeasternseaboardduringJanuary3.HeavysnowfellacrosssouthernVermontwiththeaveragesnowfallrangingfrom10to12inches.November26,1996WinterStorm:OverBenningtonandWindhamCounties,snowandheavyfreezingraindownedtreesandpowerlinesandcausednumerousaccidents.AcrosssouthernVermont,approximately10,000customerslostpower.December7to8,1996WinterStorm:HeavywetsnowfellacrosssouthernVermontresultingin20,000customerslosingpower.TwelveinchesofsnowwererecordedinShaftsburyandeleveninPownal.Downedtreescausedroadclosuresandsomewerewithoutpowerforseveraldays.ACooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalrecorded14.5inchesofsnowduringthisevent.March31toApril1,1997WinterStorm:Anor’easterformedbringingrainthatchangedtosnowwithtotalsof12inchesinShaftsbury.Thewetsnowcausedpoweroutagesandroadclosures.December29to30,1997WinterStorm:Wetsnowandstrongwindscombinedtodowntreesandpowerlinescausingscatteredpoweroutages.Route7wasclosedforseveralhourstocleardebris.InBennington,a60footby30-footsectionofacinemaroofwaspeeledoffbygustingwinds.StrongwindsrippedthemetalskirtingoffseveralmobilehomesattheWillowsMobileHomePark.Snowfalltotalsgenerallyrangedfrom5to10inchesacrossBenningtonandWindhamCounties.January14to15,1999WinterStorm:HeavysnowfellacrosseasternNewYorkandsouthernNewEnglandwith5inchesreportedbyaCooperativeWeatherObserverinPownal.Thestormwasaccompaniedbyextremelycoldconditionswithreportedtemperaturesof-9F.
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December30to31,2000WinterStorm:Ageneralswathof6to12inchesofsnowfellacrosstheregionwithlocallyhigheramountsacrossthehills.Specificamountsincluded13inchesinPownal,and8inchesinBennington.February5to6,2001WinterStorm:AswathofheavysnowfallaccumulatingofafootormorefellacrosssouthernVermont.InBenningtonCounty,specificaccumulationsincluded12inchesinBenningtonand14inchesinPownal. March5to6,2001WinterStorm:Anextendedperiodofmoderatetoheavysnowresultedin26inchesofsnowinPownal.ThiswasoneofthelargestsnowfallsinsouthernVermontsincetheBlizzardof93.January6to7,2002WinterStorm:TwostormsystemsmanagedtoproduceaswathofsnowinexcessofafootacrosssouthernVermont.InPownal,15inchesofsnowfell.December6to8,2003WinterStorm:Thefirstmajorsnowstormofthewinterresultedin20.5inchesofsnowreportedinPownal.January15to16,2007IceStorm:Freezingrainandsleetresultedinwidespreaddownedtreesandpowerlineswithaccompanyingwidespreadpoweroutages.Significanticing,withiceaccretionsof½inchupto1inch,occurredfromthefreezingrain.February14,2007HeavySnow:SnowfallinexcessoftwofeetacrossportionsofBenningtonCountyresultedinclosedschoolsandbusinesses.Strongwindscreatednearblizzardconditionsduringpartsoftheevent.April15to16,2007WinterStorm:Heavy,wetsnow,rangingfrom8to12inches,downedtreesandpowerlinescausingwidespreadoutages.December16to17,2007WinterStorm:Snow,heavyattimes,mixedwithsleetSundayafternoonandevening.Totalsnowandsleetaccumulationsrangedfrom10to14inches,with14inchesreportedatWoodford.Thecombinationofstrongwinds,andtheextraweightofheavywetsnowontreelimbsalsodownedtreesandpowerlinesinportionsofBenningtonCountyduringSunday.TheheavysnowandsleetresultedinnumerousschoolandbusinessclosingsMondaymorning,andalsocreatedtreacheroustravelconditionsforthemorningcommute.February12to13,2008WinterStorm:Snowaccumulatedto4to7inchesandwasaccompaniedbyfreezingrainwith¼to⅓ofaninchofice.December11to12,2008IceStorm:Rainfallinratesof¼to⅓ofaninchperhourfellcreatingiceaccumulationsof½to¾ofaninch.Snowandsleetmixedinsomeareas.Anestimated15,000customerslostpowerandbusinessesandschoolswereshutforseveraldays.Verycoldtemperaturesfollowedthestorm.Numerouswarmingsheltersweresetuptoassistthosewhowerewithoutpowerandheat.
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January1to3,2010HeavySnow:Astrongstormbrought10inchestoovertwofeetofsnowacrossBenningtonandWindhamcounties.Overthisthree-dayperiod,aCooperativeWeatherObserverreported13inchesofsnow.February23to24,2010HeavySnow:HeavysnowtotalingonetotwofeetfellacrosssouthernVermontwithhighestamountsatelevationsabove1500feet.ACooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalreported9.7inchesofsnowonFebruary24.February26to27,2010HeavySnow:Justafterthestormdescribedabove,asecondstormbroughtonetotwofeetinhigherelevationswithlesseramountsbelow1000feetinelevation.ACooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalreported13.4inchesofsnowfromFebruary25to27.December26to27,2010WinterStorm:Heavysnowfallingatratesof1to3inchesperhourresultedin1to2feetofsnow.Windswerestrongandgustedto35-45mph.ACooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalreported20inchesofsnowonDecember27.January12,2011WinterStorm:Astrongstormresultedin14inchesto3feetofsnowfallingatratesof3to6inchesperhour.ACooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalreported20.6inchesofsnowfromJanuary12to13.February1to2,2011WinterStorm:Snowfallwasgenerally10-18inchesbutrangedto25inchesinsomeareas.February25,2011WinterStorm:Snowfellatratesof1to2inches/hourwithtotalsof12to17inchesacrosssouthernVermont.October29to30,2011WinterStorm:Whilenotyetwinterandwithtreeswithmuchoftheirfoliagestillon,5to14inchesfellacrossBenningtonCounty.Treesandpowerlinescamedownduetotheweightofthewetsnow.ACooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalreported9.3inchesofsnowonOctober30.December14to15,2013HeavySnow:Snowfellatratesinexcessof1inchperhourovermuchoftheregionandsnowrateslocallywereashighasupto3inchesperhourattimes.Inaddition,gustysoutheastwindsoccurredduringthelatenighthours,withafewgustsof40-55mph.ThehighestsnowfallamountsoccurredacrossthehigherpeaksofthesouthernGreenMountains,withupto18inchesoccurringinWoodford.February13to14,2014WinterStorm:Snowfellatratesofupto3inchesperhour.Overthetwodaysofthestorm,8to21inchesfellinsouthernVermont.Attimes,windsgustedto40mphasthestormleftthearea.November26to27,2014WinterStorm:AnearlystormaffectedsouthernVermontovertheThanksgivingperiodwith8to15inchesoftotalsnowaccumulation.
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February2,2015HeavySnow:Mostareasreceived9to15inches,althoughsomeareaswithinthehighterrainofthesouthernGreenMountainsawupto19inches.February7to10,2015HeavySnow:Snowamountsbetween1and2feet,withthehighestamountsacrossthehighterrainofthesouthernGreenMountains.
3. ExtentandLocation
TheaverageannualsnowfallinBenningtonCountyis64.4inches,withDecember,January,FebruaryandMarchastheprimarymonthsforsnowfall.Extremesnowfalleventsforone,twoandthreedayeventshaverangedfrom12toover20inches.TheskillofroadcrewsinVermontmeansthatonlytheheaviestsnowstorms(>12inches)oricestormsaffectthepopulations.
Increasingtemperaturesthatarepredictedtooccurwilllikelyreducetotalwinter
snowfall.Ifprecipitationfallsasraininthewinter,riverflowswillbehigherduetothelowerevapotranspirationinthewinter.Freezingrainmaybecomemorefrequent,withresultingimpactstothetransportationandpowersystems(Galfordetal2014).
4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerability
Thereisa100%probabilityofamoderateorgreatersnowstormaffectingBenningtonCounty,includingNorthBenningtoninanygivenyear.Thesearelarge-scaleevents,thoughlocalimpactsmayvarygreatly.Powerlinesandroadsaremostvulnerable,withtrafficaccidentsthemostlikelytocreateinjuries.Poweroutagescouldbeshortterm(afewhours)orlastsevenormoredays.Someroadsmayremainimpassableforlongperiodsaswell.
C. HighWindEvents
1. Description
Highwindeventscanoccurduringtropicalstormsandhurricanes,winterstormsandfrontalpassages.Thunderstormscanproducedamagingwinds,hailandheavyrainfall,thelatterpotentiallyproducingflashfloods.TheNCDCrecorded69thunderstormswithdamagingwindsinBenningtonCountysince1996. Tornadoesareformedinthesameconditionsasseverethunderstorms.Intense,butgenerallylocalizeddamagecanresultfromtheintensewinds.TheprimaryperiodfortornadoactivityinNewEnglandismid-summer(ZielinskiandKeim2003).Tornadoeswillgenerallyfollowvalleysinthenortheastanddissipateinsteepterrain.TheNCDCrecordedthreetornadoesinBenningtonCountysince1990.
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2. PreviousOccurrences Table9summarizesthetotalnumberofsignificantwindeventsincludingthunderstorms,strongwinds,andtornadoesfrom1996to2015.The1998tornadoregisteredF2ontheFujitadamagescale.The2002tornadoinBenningtonCountyregisteredF1whilethe2003tornadowasanF0toF1(NationalClimateDataCenter2015).TheFujitascaleisbasedonwindspeedandtypicaldamage.AnF0tornadohaswindsoflessthan73milesperhourandcoulddamagechimneys,branchesanddownshallowrootedtrees.AnF1tornadohaswindsof73-112milesperhourandcoulddamageroofs,pushmobilehomesofffoundationsandblowcarsoffofroads.AnF2tornadohaswindsof113-157milesperhourandcouldtearoffroofs,destroymobilehomesandsnaptrees(http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f-scale.html). Windspeeddataisnotavailableforwindeventsduetothelackofweatherstations.NCDCdata(2015)rarelyincludedestimatesofwindspeed.Generally,windspeedsofgreaterthan55milesperhourareconsidereddamaging(NationalOceanographicandAtmosphericAdministration2006).EventsthatoccurredinornearNorthBenningtonaredescribedbelow.
Table9.SummaryofwindeventsinBenningtonCounty.Source:NationalClimateDataCenter2015
Year HighWind
StrongWind
ThunderstormWind Tornado Funnel
Cloud Totals
1996 5 51997 2 2 6
10
1998 1
8 1 101999 2
4
6
2000 1
1
22001
3
3
2002 1
3 1 52003 1
1 2
2004 2005 1
3
4
2006 6
4
102007 3
6
9
2008 3 5
82009 2
1
3
2010 5
3
1 92011 1
8
9
2012 2 3 52013 6 62014 3 32015 2 2Totals 33 5 69 3 1 111
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February24to25,1996HighWind:DamagingwindsdownedmanytreesacrosssouthernVermontandproducedscatteredpoweroutages.March19to20,1996HighWind:DamagingwindsdownedthreeutilitypolesnorthofBenningtononRoute7.InShaftsbury,treesfellontwohomesandtherewerenumerousreportsoftreesandwiresdown.December1,1996HighWind:InBenningtonandPownal,winddownednumeroustreesandpowerlines.May31,1998ThunderstormWindsandTornado:StrongthunderstormsgeneratedanF2tornadoinNewYork,whichbecameanF1aftercrossingintoVermont.ThetornadofollowedRoute67throughNorthBenningtonandSouthShaftsbury.September7,1998ThunderstormWind:AderechodownedtreesinWoodford.July6,1999ThunderstormWind:DestructivethunderstormwindsbroughtdowntreesandpowerlinesinPownalandStamford.August13,1999ThunderstormWind:AstormknockeddownnumeroustreesandwiresinBennington.Downedtreesblockedvariousroadways.AdownedtreegashedaholeintheroofofahouseonGoreRoadinBennington.AtreealsofellonaFordExplorerbringingconsiderabledamagetothevehicle.September16to18,1999(DR-13079/16-211999):RemnantsofHurricaneFloyd(seefloodingandflashflooding)broughtwindsgustingtoover60mphanddownedtreesandpowerlinesinsouthernVermont.November2,1999HighWind:LocalizedhighwindgustsoccurredintheGreenMountainsduringtheeveninghours.Awindgustof66mphwasrecordedattheBenningtonAutomatedSurfaceObservingSystem(ASOS)site,locatedattheBenningtonMorseStateAirport.August3,2000ThunderstormWind:AseverethunderstormblewnumeroustreesdowninBennington.December12,2000HighWind:StrongwindsdownedtreesandpowerlinesacrossBenningtonCounty.August9,2001ThunderstormWind:ScatteredsevereweathercausedtreestobeblowndowninBenningtonaswellasinArlington.
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June5,2002ThunderstormWindsandTornado:ThunderstormsoriginatinginNewYorkproducedanF1tornadothattoucheddowninWoodfordHollow.Tornadowindswereestimatedbetween125and150mph.Non-tornadicthunderstormwindsblewsometreesdownintheTownofPownal.LightningstruckahomeinNorthBenningtoncausingaverysmallfirewithminimaldamagetothestructureofthehouse.July21,2003Tornado:Asupercell,thatoriginatedintheMid-HudsonValleyofNewYorkandproducingalonglivedsignificanttornado,spawnedasecondtwisterwhichtoucheddownintheTownofPownal.Thetwistercutaswathlongerthan25milesandup150yardswide.AftertouchingdowninPownal,thetornadomovednortheastintoBennington,thencontinuedintotheGreenMountainStateForestinextremewesternWindhamCountywhereitcausedsignificantforestdamage.Mostofthedestructionwastotrees.TherewasalsosomestructuraldamagesinBenningtonCounty.Atreecollapsedontoahouse.Anothermassivepineslammedintoa100-year-oldhouse'sroofinPownal.AsteakhouseinBenningtonsuffereddamagethatcloseditforacoupleofdays,includingshatteredwindowsandwaterdamageduetoanopenroof.Anawninghadbeenblownfromthedeckofthestructure,allthewayacrossRoute7A.Theownerwasslammedagainstawallwhileventuringoutsideontheopendeckbutreceivednoinjuries.Duringtheheightofthestorm,powerwasknockedouttoover2,000customersinextremesouthernVermont.February17,2006ThunderstormWind:Awindgustof66mphwasmeasuredduringathunderstormatBenningtonMorseStateAirport.May30,2006ThunderstormWind:AthunderstormblewdowntreesinBenningtonlateintheafternoon.October29,2006HighWind:Strongwinds,somereaching60mph,blewfromtheeveningofOctober28throughpartsofOctober29.December1,2006HighWind:Ameasuredwindgustof58mphwasrecordedbytheBenningtonASOS.TreeswerereporteddowninShaftsburyduetothunderstormwinds.March2,2007HighWind:Highwindswererecorded,alongwithsnowandfreezingrain.WindsatBenningtonMorseStateAirportreached59mph.July15,2007ThunderstormWind:WireswerereporteddowninShaftsburyduetostrongthunderstormwinds.August3,2007ThunderstormWind:NumerousshowersandstrongthunderstormsdevelopedacrosseasternNewYorkandwesternNewEngland.Somethunderstormsbecamesevereduringthistimeperiod.NumeroustreesandwireswerereporteddowninBennington.
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August25,2007ThunderstormWind:ScatteredstrongtoseverethunderstormsdevelopedacrosseasternNewYorkandwesternNewEngland.TreesandwireswerereporteddowninNorthBenningtonduetostrongthunderstormwinds.December16,2007HighWind:Asnowstormbrought8to14inchesofsnowalongwithstrongwindsthatcombinedtodowntreesandpowerlines.AtreereportedlyfellonatrailerlocatedonChapelRoad,inBennington.Thisoccurredatapproximatelyat15:45LST,duetothecombinationofhighwinds,andtheaccumulationofheavywetsnowontreebranches.Inaddition,severalthousandpoweroutageswerereportedthroughoutBenningtonCountySundayafternoon,alsoduetothecombinationofhighwindsandheavysnowfall.May31,2008ThunderstormWind:TreesandwireswerereporteddowninBenningtonasaresultofstrongthunderstormwinds.June30,2009ThunderstormWind:Awindgustof59mphwasrecordedbytheBenningtonASOS.December9,2009HighWind:PoweroutageswerereportedduetohighwindsacrossBenningtonCountyaffectingthetownsofBennington,Pownal,Shaftsbury,Sunderland,Sandgate,ManchesterandDorset.Ameasuredwindgustof59mphwasrecordedattheBenningtonMorseStateAirport.June5,2010ThunderstormWind:TreesandlimbswerereporteddowninBenningtonduetostrongthunderstormwinds.July17,2010FunnelCloud:AfunnelcloudwasreportedonRoute279inBennington.August22,2010HighWind:Strongwindsformedduringpassageofacoldfront.DownedtreesandwireswerereportedinArlington,Bennington,ShaftsburyandSunderland.September30toOctober1,2010HighWind:AlowpressuresystemandremnantsofTropicalStormNicoleoffshorecreatedwindsgustingtoover55mphwithpoweroutagesreported.Eighty-twopoweroutageswerereportedacrossBenningtonCountyduetohighwinds.December1,2010HighWind:Strongwindgustsdownedtreesandpowerlinesresultinginpoweroutages.Generally,1½to3inchesofrainfellacrossthearearesultinginsomeurbanandsmallstreamflooding.TreesandpowerlineswerereporteddowninvariouslocationsaroundBenningtonduetostrongandgustywinds.Somedownedtreeswereblockingroads.April26,2011HighWind:TreesandwireswerereporteddownduetohighwindsalongEastRoadinBennington.
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May26,2011ThunderstormWind:TreeswerereporteddownonCedarHillRoadinPownalduetostrongthunderstormwinds.TreeswerealsoreporteddownonHiddenValleyRoadandatreewasreporteddownonahouseonJacksonCrossRoadinPownal.HundredsofbrancheswerereporteddownonroadsthroughouttheBenningtonareaduetostrongthunderstormwinds.June9,2011ThunderstormWind:Apre-frontaltroughformedalineofseverethunderstormsthatmovedacrosseasternNewYorkandsouthernVermont.August21,2011ThunderstormWind:Thereweretwodistinctroundsofstrongtoseverethunderstorms,whichcreateddamagingwinds.TreeswerereporteddowninBennington,andonRoute9justeastofBennington,duetostrongthunderstormwinds.August28-29,2011(DR-40228/27-292011):Alongwithfloodingdescribedabove,TropicalStormIrenebrought35-55mphwindswithgustsexceeding60mphresultingindownedtreesandpowerlines.September4,2011ThunderstormWind:TheAutomatedSurfaceObservingSystemattheBenningtonMorseStateAirportmeasuredawindgustof64mph.TreeswerereporteddowninBenningtonduetostrongthunderstormwinds.September8,2012ThunderstormWind:MultipletreesandwireswerereporteddownduetothunderstormwindsinBennington.October29to30,2012HighWind:SuperstormSandybroughtstrongwindsof40-60mph,withagustof41mphrecordedattheBenningtonMorseStateAirport.ThehighestwindgustinsouthernVermontoccurredinWoodford,whereawindgustof58mphwasreported.December21,2012HighWind:AtreewasreporteddowninBenningtonduetohighwinds.June2,2013ThunderstormWind:Showersandthunderstormsdevelopedacrosstheregionaidedbyverystrongwinds.Afewstormsbecamesevere,producinglargehailandwinddamage.Thethunderstormsalsoproducedveryheavyrainfall,whichcausedflashfloodinginBennington.Multipletreeswerereporteddownandonetreefellontwoparkedtrucksasaresultofthethunderstormwinds.June23,2015ThunderstormWind:TreeswerereporteddowninBenningtonduetothunderstormwinds.July1,2015ThunderstormWind:AlargetreewasdownedinBenningtonasaresultofthunderstormwinds.
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3. ExtentandLocationDamagingwinds,includingthepreviousoccurrencesdescribedabove,arethose
exceeding55milesperhour(NationalOceanographicandAtmosphericAdministration2006andundated).DuringaDecember2009event,windsweremeasuredat59mphattheMorseAirportinBennington.Higherwindswerelikelycreatedduringthetwotornadoes.Highwindeventscanstrikeanywhere.Wherestormsarefunneledupthevalleys,damagecanbesignificant,butmostlikelylessthan10%ofstructureswouldbeaffected.Again,poweroutagescouldlastuptosevenormoredays.TherearenoweatherstationsnoranyrecordsofwinddatainNorthBennington.
4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerabilityWindeventscausingmoderateorgreaterdamageoccuralmosteveryotheryear(40-
50%)inBenningtonCounty,andcanrangefromlocalizedeventsfromthunderstormstowiderangingeventsfromlargerstorms.Theprimaryvulnerabilitywouldbepoweroutagesfromdownedtreesandlinesandthepotentialexpectedprobabilitywouldbe10-100%inNorthBennington.
D. Hail
1. DescriptionsHailisfrozenprecipitationthatformsinseverethunderstorms.Hailstonescanrangein
sizefrom¼”(aboutthesizeofapea)tooverfourinches(grapefruitsized),thoughmosthailisinthesmallercategoriesoflessthan1.5inches.ThestrongupanddowndraftswithinthunderstormspushtofreezeanddowntocollectwaterandthisrepeatedcycleresultsinaccumulationoficeuntilgravitypullsthehailstonetoEarth. 2. PreviousOccurrences
TheNationalClimateDataCenterhas28reportsofhailstormsinBenningtonCountybetween1996and2015,allassociatedwiththunderstorms.ThefollowingwerewithinNorthBenningtonornearbytowns.May31,1998ThunderstormWindsandTornadoandHail:StrongthunderstormsgeneratedanF2tornadoinNewYork,whichbecameanF1aftercrossingintoVermont.ThetornadofollowedRoute67throughNorthBenningtonandsouthShaftsbury.HailwasreportedinShaftsbury.July18,2000Hail:HailwasreportedinBennington.June27,2002Hail:OneinchhailwasreportedinNorthBennington.
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August3,2007Hail:PingpongballsizedhailwasreportedinShaftsbury.June24,2008Hail:QuartersizehailwasreportednearPownalduringathunderstorm.June15,2009Hail:QuartersizehailwasmeasuredattheBenningtonMorseStateAirportduringathunderstorm.Inaddition,nickeltoquartersizehailwasalsoreportedintheTownofBennington.July7,2009Hail:PennysizehailwasreportedinBenningtonduringathunderstorm.July17,2010Hail:QuartersizehailwasreportedduringathunderstorminBennington.July21,2010Hail:QuartersizehailwasreportedduringathunderstorminBennington.June1,2011Hail:MultiplereportsoflargehailwerereportedduringathunderstorminShaftsbury.Hailstonesof3.25inchesand2.75inchesindiameterweremeasured.Hailthesizeofagolfballwasreported.Hailsizesofgreaterthanoneinchindiameterwerecommon,withreportsofgreaterthanbaseballsizehail,3inches,beingreported.QuartersizehailwasreportednearBenningtonduringthisthunderstorm.June2,2013Hail:QuartersizehailwasreportedduringathunderstorminBennington.
3. ExtentandLocationHailcancoverwideareasandhasthepotentialfordamagingcrops,automobilesor
glasswithinstructures,aswellascausinginjury.Generally,however,hailstormsaffectrelativelysmallareasastheyforminthunderstorms,whicharelocalized.StormswiththelargesthailstonesnearNorthBenningtonwereinShaftsburyin2007and2011.Pingpongsizehailwasreportedin2007,andmultiplelargesizehail,fromgolfballsizetogreaterthan3inches,wasreportedin2011.
4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerabilityHailstormsaregenerallylocal,affectingsubareaswithintheVillage,thoughagroupof
thunderstormscancausehailinmultiplelocationsoverawidearea.Frompastoccurrences,aboutonethunderstormperyeargenerateshailthatwasrecorded.So,thepossibilityofhailoccurringinNorthBenningtoncouldrangefrom10-100%.Thepotentialvulnerabilitywouldbelocalizedtodamagetostructuresorautomobiles,thoughtherecouldalsobedamagetovegetation.Ingeneral,theseimpactswouldbelocalized.
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E. TemperatureExtremes
1. Descriptions
Temperatureextremesentailperiodsofeitherexcessiveheatorextremecold.Excessiveheatisgenerallydefinedasperiodswhenthenormalhightemperatureisexceededbytendegrees.So,inthesummer,thiswouldequalapproximately88degreesinNorthBennington(Table10).Excessiveheatisrecordedatothertimes,butdoesnothavethehealthconsequencesofsummerperiods.Inaddition,theheatindex,whichfactorsinthehighrelativehumiditylevelsofsummer,isalsoafactor.
Extremecoldisnotwelldefined.Forthoseinvolvedinoutdooractivities,extremecold,accompaniedbywind,iswhenexposedskinwouldbesubjecttofrostbite.However,forperiodsofpoweroutagesthatmightaccompanywinterstorms,extremecoldcouldbethoughtofaswhentemperaturesfallbelowfreezingasthatwouldnotonlyaffectpersonalhealthandthehealthofhouseholdanimals,butcouldresultinpipesfreezing,andthelossofwatersuppliesandperishables.Table10.Pownalnormaltemperaturesandprecipitationfor1981to2010.Source:NationalClimateDataCenter:http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/land-based-station-data/climate-normals/1981-2010-normals-data
Month HighTemperature(0F)
LowTemperature(0F)
MeanTemperature(0F) Precipitation(in)
January 28.8 10.6 19.7 2.98February 32.1 13.5 22.8 2.52March 40.9 21.4 31.2 3.25April 55.3 33.2 44.3 3.51May 66.1 42.9 54.5 4.12June 74.1 51.7 62.9 4.86July 78.2 56.2 67.2 4.58August 76.5 54.8 65.6 4.15September 69.8 47.4 58.6 4.06October 58.1 37.4 47.7 4.29November 46.0 29.1 37.5 3.90December 34.3 18.8 26.6 3.11Annual 55.0(Avg) 34.8(Avg) 44.9 45.33
ThestationnormalreportfortheCooperativeWeatherObserverinPownalindicatesanaverageofonedayperyearwhenthemaximumtemperaturewouldequal90degrees,54dayswhenthemaximumtemperaturewouldbelessthan32degreesand156dayswhentheminimumtemperaturewouldbelessthan32degrees.
2. ExtentandLocation
Extremetemperatureisawidespreadphenomenon.ThepopulationsaffectedcouldbesmallifoneisconsideringoutdoorworkersortheentireVillageinapoweroutage.ThehighestrecordedtemperaturefromthePownalCooperativeWeatherObserverwas97degreesonJuly
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6,2010andJuly18,2012.ThecoldestrecordedtemperaturefromthePownalCooperativeWeatherObserverwas-26degreesonJanuary27,1994.
AveragetemperaturesinVermonthaverisen2.7degreessince1941withanincreaseof1.5degreessince1990.Wintertemperatureshaverisenmorethansummertemperatures.Ifthesetrendscontinue,thenumberofdaysabove88degreeswilllikelyincreaseandminimumtemperaturesalsoincrease(Galfordetal2014). 3. Probability,ImpactandVulnerability Extremeheatisrelativelyrarewithoccurrencesofapproximatelylessthanonedayperyear.Extremecold,heredefinedaslessthanfreezingtemperature,isafrequentphenomenoninVermont.Impactsofeithertypeofeventcouldbewidespread,andvulnerabilityisdependentonthepopulationsexposed.
F. Drought
1. Description
Thereareseveraltypesanddefinitionsofdrought:meteorological,climatological,atmospheric,agriculturalandhydrological.Thelatterisbasedonstreamflowandgroundwateravailabilityandisprobablymostimportantfromanaturalhazardassessmentperspective.Reductionsinprecipitationoverlongenoughperiods,particularlyduringthegrowingseasonwhenplantstakeupmoisture,canresultinhydrologicdrought. 2. PastOccurrences ThePalmerHydrologicDroughtIndex(PHDI)isanindicatorofpotentialsurfaceandgroundwateravailabilitybasedonclimaticconditions.Thecategoriesofdroughtincludemoderatedrought,severedroughtandextremedrought.Table11showsperiodswhentheindexshowedsevereandextremedroughtsusingdatafrom1985to2015.Nodroughtconditionswererecordedfrom2003through2015.
3. ExtentandLocation TheNationalClimateDataCentercalculatesthisindexbackto1895.Sincethen,severedroughtsoccurredin26yearsor21.7%whileextremedroughtoccurredin8yearsor6.7%.Severeandextremedroughtshavebeenofshortduration,exceptoccurrencesintheearly1960s.Mildtomoderatedroughtshavebeenmorefrequent.Severeandextremedroughtsarelikelytoaffectthosepropertieswithshallowwells.BasedonwelldatafromtheVermontCenterforGeographicInformation,thereareatotalof652wellsinBennington,OldBenningtonandNorthBenningtoncombined.Fromthisdata,25wellsappeartobelocatedin
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NorthBennington.OfthewellsobservedinNorthBennington,3ofthemhavedepthsoflessthan100feet.TherearenopublicwatersupplywellslocatedinNorthBennington.
4. Probability,Impactand Vulnerability
BasedonthePalmerDroughtSeveritydata,thereisa21.7%chanceofasevereorextremedroughtoccurringinanyoneyear.Exceptforlong-termdrought,mostwellsshouldsupplysufficientwater,thoughstructureswithshallowwellsaremostlikelytobeaffected.Droughtmayaffectthepotentialforwildfire,whichisdiscussedbelow.Increasingtemperaturesorchangesinprecipitationpatternsduetoclimatechangemayaffectthefrequency,lengthanddegreeofdrought.
TheVillage’swatersourcecomesfromBasinBrookinShaftsbury.NorthBenningtonhascontrolofthewaterstation,ownsthelandwherethestationislocatedandthewaterrightsforBasinBrook.ThewaterpipetravelsthroughdowntownShaftsburythenouttoNorthBennington(Map4).
Weatherrelateddamagetothepublic
watersupplywouldmostlikelybefromflooding,ahighwindeventortornado.Thedamagecouldcauseablockageinthesystem,orthestoragetankcouldgetdamaged.Ifablockageoccurred,thewatersupplycouldbeshutdownforsometime.Ifthereweredamagetotheholdingtank,atemporarytank
wouldneedtobeinstalled,whichcouldtakedays.ThereisnotasecondaryspringfordrinkingwaterforNorthBennington.However,therearebackupwellsthatareusedwhenthemainsystemiscompromised.
DuringIrene,thereservoirintakebecameblockedwithrocksandmudandneededtobe
cleared.Thewaterdepartmenthadtochangethesourceofwatertothebackupwellsandit
Table11.YearsandnumberofmonthswhenthePHDIindicatedsevereorextremedroughtsfrom1985to2015.Source:NationalClimateDataCenter.Source:ftp://ftpncdd.noaa.gov/pub/data/cirs/climdiv/(RichardHeims,personalcommunication)
Year Extreme Severe
1907 1
1908 2 1
1909 1 2
1910 2
1911 5 4
1912 2
1913 5
1914 5
1915 3 1
1921 2
1922 1
1930 1
1931 4
1941 5
1942 2
1949 1
1953 2
1957 1
1959 1
1963 3
1964 1 6
1965 8 1
1995 2
1999 1
2001 2 1
2002 1 1
Totals23months;8
years58months;26
years
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tookseveraldaystocleartheintakeandrestoreflowfromBasinBrook.Theplanningteambelievesshuttingthesystemdownduetonaturalcausesisunlikelybecauseofthesiteofwatersystemcomponents.Inaddition,closureduetocontaminationthroughman-madecauseswouldbequicklydetectedbyexistinginstrumentation.Dependingonthecauseofthecontamination,Villageresponsewouldbetoinformthepublictoboiltheirwaterortousebottledwater.
G. Wildfire
1. Description Wildfireorwildlandfireisanyunplannedfireaffectingopenlandsincludingforests,grasslandsorotherfeatures.Thepotentialforwildlandfireisdependentonfueltypes,whichvarywithvegetation,topographyandweather.Fireintensity,measuredbytheamountofenergyreleasedinafireandexhibitedbythelengthofflamesandratesofspreaddictatethedegreeofwildlandfirehazardandmethodsofcontrol.Table12showshowwildfirescanbecategorizedbasedonsize.
Table12.Wildlandfiresizeclasses.Source:NationalWildfireCoordinatingGroup2011Magnitude(Size) Description Probability
ClassA <¼acre HighClassB ¼to10acres HighClassC 10to100acres ModerateClassD 100to300acres LowClassE 300to1000acres VerylowClassF 1000to5000acres VerylowClassG >5000acres Verylow
InVermont,foreststendtobedominatedbynorthernhardwoodspeciessuchassugarmaple(Acersaccharum),birch(Betulaspp.),whitepine(Pinusstrobus)andhemlock(Tsugacanadensis).Thesespeciestendtocreaterelativelylowflammabilityfire,sothatsurfacefireshavelowintensityandratesofspread,therebylimitingfirehazard(Anderson1982).MostofthelandareainNorthBenningtoniscoveredbybroadleaflitterfuelsthatexhibitfiresoflowintensityandslowratesofspread(U.S.ForestService2010). Inbothforestedandopensettings,structuresmaybethreatenedbyevensmallwildfires.Thesewildland-urbaninterfaceareasarethemostlikelyareaswhereresourceswillbeneededtosuppresswildlandfireandtoreducepotentialhazards. Firebehaviorismostextremeduringperiodswhentherelativehumidityislow,generallylessthan35-45%.Theseconditionsaremostprevalentinthespring,followingsnowmelt,betweenMarchandlateMayorearlyJune.Afterthat,vegetationbecomesincreasinglygreen,andtheresultingmoistureinthelivevegetation(fuel)reducesflammability
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significantly.Precipitationandevapotranspirationincreaseambientrelativehumiditylevelssothatfiresinthesummeraregenerallyrareandlimitedinsize. Fallagainbringsdryingfuelsandweatherconditionsincreasingfirehazard.However,relativehumiditylevelsincreaseafterdark,andshorterdaysalsolimittheamountoftimeforfuelstodryandintense,fastmovingfirestooccur(NorthCentralResearchStation2005). NorthBenningtonlikelyhassomestructureswithinthe“wildlandurbaninterface,”whichrepresentsareaswherestructuresaredirectlyadjacenttowildlandfuels(FederalRegister2001).Theseareashavenotbeenmapped. 2. PastOccurrences AccordingtorecordsfromtheVermontDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreation,from1992to2015,179wildfiresoccurredinBenningtonCounty,43occurredwithinBennington,whichincludesNorthBenningtonandOldBennington.However,thisdatawasonlylistedbytown,notbyspecificlocations.AccordingtotheNorthBenningtonAnnualReportsfrom2008to2015,therewere23grassandbrushfireswithintheVillageboundary. 3. ExtentandLocation Ofthe43firesfromtheVermontDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreationrecords,23wereClassA,19wereClassBandonewasClassC.Thelargestfirewas21acres,butitisunknownwhetherthisfireoccurredinNorthBennington,BenningtonorOldBennington.GrassandbrushfiresaremorecommonthanforestfiresinNorthBennington,astherearemoreopenfieldsandfewerforests.
4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerabilityMap6showswildfirerisk,asdeterminedbytheVermontDepartmentofForests,Parks
andRecreation(2010)andmeanfirereturnintervalfromLANDFIRE.ThefirereturnintervalinforestedareasinVermontisgenerallygreaterthan100years,meaningthatthenaturalreturnintervalisrelativelylong.Thisreturnintervalisshorterforareasdominatedbyherbaceousvegetationinthefieldswithinvalleys.Giventhenumberofgrassfiresthathaveoccurred,thereisa100%probabilityofawildfireoccurringinNorthBennington,inanygivenyear,butthesearemostlikelytobesmall.
Thearea’sdeciduousandconiferousforestscreatelitterthatisrelativelylowin
flammabilitysothatwildfireshaverelativelylowintensityandratesofspread.Themainhazardisforwildlandfirefightersworkinginsteepterrain.ThenaturalfirereturnintervalsinmostforestsinVermontaregreaterthan50years(Malamudetal2005)thoughfirescanbemorefrequentinoldfields(Map6).Recurrenceislikelyrelatedtoprecipitationratherthanthebuildupoffuels,sodroughtrecurrenceisalreadyfactoredintotheseintervalestimates.
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Therefore,thepotentialforlargefiresisverylimitedduetothefuelcharacteristicsandtherelativelyurbanizedlandcoverofNorthBennington(Maps3and6).
H. Earthquake
1. Description
Vermonthasnoactivefaults,buthasexperiencedminorearthquakes.Table14belowshowsthemostrecentoccurringwithinthestate,thoughtherehavebeenotherslocatedoutsidethestatethathavebeenfeltinVermont(SpringstonandGale1998).TheU.S.GeologicalSurveypredictsatwopercentprobabilityofanearthquakecausingconsiderabledamageinVermontsometimeinthenext50years(SpringstonandGale1998). 2. PastOccurrences DatafromtheWestonObservatoryatBostonCollege(NortheastEarthquakeMapsandCatalog)wasusedtoidentifyearthquakesoccurringwithin100milesofNorthBenningtonsince1990.NoearthquakesoccurredineitherNorthBenningtonorBenningtonCountyduringthatperiod.Figure3belowplotsthenumberofearthquakesbyyearbymagnitude.Figure3.Plotofearthquakesandmagnitudeforoccurrenceswithin100milesofNorthBennington,Vermont.Source:NortheastEarthquakeMapsandCatalog2015
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Magnitude
Year
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Table13.EarthquakeMagnitudeandintensityscaledescriptions.Source:http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mag_vs_int.php
Magnitude ModifiedMercalliIntensity Description
1.0-3.0 I I.Notfeltexceptbyaveryfewunderespeciallyfavorableconditions.3.0-3.9 II-III II.Feltonlybyafewpersonsatrest,especiallyonupperfloorsof
buildings.III.Feltquitenoticeablybypersonsindoors,especiallyonupperfloorsofbuildings.Manypeopledonotrecognizeitasanearthquake.Standingmotorcarsmayrockslightly.Vibrationssimilartothepassingofatruck.
4.0-4.9 IV-V IV.Feltindoorsbymany,outdoorsbyfewduringtheday.Atnight,someawakened.Dishes,windows,doorsdisturbed;wallsmakecrackingsound.Sensationlikeheavytruckstrikingbuilding.Standingmotorcarsrockednoticeably.V.Feltbynearlyeveryone;manyawakened.Somedishes,windowsbroken.Unstableobjectsoverturned.Pendulumclocksmaystop.
5.0-5.9 VI-VII VI.Feltbyall,manyfrightened.Someheavyfurnituremoved;afewinstancesoffallenplaster.Damageslight.VII.Damagenegligibleinbuildingsofgooddesignandconstruction;slighttomoderateinwell-builtordinarystructures;considerabledamageinpoorlybuiltorbadlydesignedstructures;somechimneysbroken.
6.0-6.9 VII-IX VII.Damagenegligibleinbuildingsofgooddesignandconstruction;slighttomoderateinwell-builtordinarystructures;considerabledamageinpoorlybuiltorbadlydesignedstructures;somechimneysbroken.VIII.Damageslightinspeciallydesignedstructures;considerabledamageinordinarysubstantialbuildingswithpartialcollapse.Damagegreatinpoorlybuiltstructures.Fallofchimneys,factorystacks,columns,monuments,walls.Heavyfurnitureoverturned.IX.Damageconsiderableinspeciallydesignedstructures;well-designedframestructuresthrownoutofplumb.Damagegreatinsubstantialbuildings,withpartialcollapse.Buildingsshiftedofffoundations.
7.0andhigher
VIIIorhigher VIII.Damageslightinspeciallydesignedstructures;considerabledamageinordinarysubstantialbuildingswithpartialcollapse.Damagegreatinpoorlybuiltstructures.Fallofchimneys,factorystacks,columns,monuments,walls.Heavyfurnitureoverturned.IX.Damageconsiderableinspeciallydesignedstructures;well-designedframestructuresthrownoutofplumb.Damagegreatinsubstantialbuildings,withpartialcollapse.Buildingsshiftedofffoundations.X.Somewell-builtwoodenstructuresdestroyed;mostmasonryandframestructuresdestroyedwithfoundations.Railsbent.XI.Few,ifany(masonry)structuresremainstanding.Bridgesdestroyed.Railsbentgreatly.XII.Damagetotal.Linesofsightandlevelaredistorted.Objectsthrownintotheair.
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Table14.EarthquakesinVermont.Source:VermontGeologicalSurvey(Ebeletal1995)http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/EBEL.htmconsistingofexcerptsfrom:AReportontheSeismicVulnerabilityoftheStateofVermontbyJohnE.Ebel,RichardBedellandAlfredoUrzua,a98pagereportsubmittedtoVermontEmergencyManagementAgencyinJuly,1995.
Location Date Magnitude MercalliIntensitySwanton July6,1943 4.1 Feltbynearlyeveryone;manyawakenedwithsomedishes
andwindowsbrokenandunstableobjectsoverturnedBrandon March31,1953 4.0 Feltindoorsbymany,butbyfewoutdoors.Sensationwould
besimilartoaheavytruckstrikingabuildingMiddlebury April10,1962 4.1 Feltbynearlyeveryone;manyawakenedwithsomedishes
andwindowsbrokenandunstableobjectsoverturned 3. ExtentandLocation Table14showsearthquakesthathaveoccurredinVermontbasedonthe1995report.NoearthquakeshavebeenrecordedinNorthBenningtonorinBenningtonCounty.Thoseoccurringwithin100mileshaverangedinmagnitudefrombarelyregisteredto3.9,withmostintherangeof0.5to3.0(Figure3).NodamagewasrecordedinanyoftheseinBennington.In2003,theVermontGeologicalSurveycompletedsimulationsusingFEMAHAZUSsoftwareofpotentialdamagewithinBenningtonCountyfroma500-yearrecurrenceearthquakecenteredinMiddlebury,VT,Tamworth,NHandGoodnow,NY.TheresultsindicatedminimaldamageandinjuryfromanyoftheseeventsinBennington(Kim2003).
4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerability
Basedonthe2003HAZUSanalyses,boththeprobabilityandimpactofanearthquakeoccurringwithamagnitudelargeenoughtocausesubstantialdamageinVermontislow.However,earthquakepredictionscienceisverylimited.
I. Landslide
1. Description Landslidesaretypicallyassociatedwithperiodsofheavyrainfallorrapidsnowmeltandtendtoworsentheeffectsoffloodingthatoftenaccompaniestheseevents.Somelandslidesmoveslowlyandcausedamagegradually,whereasothersmovesorapidlythattheycandestroypropertyandtakelivessuddenlyandunexpectedly.Gravityistheforcedrivinglandslidemovement.Factorsthatallowtheforceofgravitytoovercometheresistanceofearthmaterialtolandslidemovementincludesaturationbywater,steepeningofslopesbyerosionorconstruction,andalternatefreezingorthawing.Table15showshowlandslidescanbecategorized.
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Table15.Landslideanddebrisflowtypes.Source:U.S.GeologicalSurvey2006Magnitude Description Probability
Localized Falls:abruptmovementsofrocksandboulders,generallyonsteepslopes
Lowtomoderate
Topples Topples:movementsinvolvingsomeforwardrotationasmaterialmovesdownhill
Lowtomoderate
Flows Arangeoflandmovementgenerallyinvolvingamassofloosesoil,rock,organicmatter,airandwatermovingdownhillrapidlyandpossiblycoveringawideareaOneformcalledcreepinvolvesslowmovementofmaterialandisoftenrecognizablebytreesgrowingsoastoremainverticalwhilebentnearthegroundastheygrowtokeepupwiththeslowmaterialflow.
Highlyvariablebutcanbefairlycommon.
2. PastOccurrencesNolandslideswerereportedduringTropicalStormIreneandnonehavebeenreported
frompreviousorsubsequentevents.NorockfallareaswereidentifiedbytheVermontAgencyofTransportation(EliasonandSpringston2007). 3. ExtentandLocation
UsingaprotocoldevelopedfortheVermontGeologicalSurvey(CliftandSpringston2012),Dale(2015)usedgeographicinformationsystemdataandanalysestodevelopapotentiallandslidemapfortheVillage.ThemapshowsverylittlelandslidepotentialinNorthBennington.AreasofmoderatepotentialwereidentifiedalongthehillsidesthatfollowParanCreektotheWalloomsacandborderingLakeParan.
TherehavebeennoreportedlandslidesinNorthBennington.However,thereisanareaonWaterStreetwherearetainingwallisfallingin,whichishighlightedinMap7. 4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerability TheprobabilityoftheidentifiedareasinMap7affectingsettledareasislow,astherearefewbuildingslocatedintheseareas.Inaddition,givenpastevents,theprobabilityislowthatalandslidewilloccur,andthereforethepotentialimpactandvulnerabilityarebothlow.
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J. InvasiveSpecies
1. Descriptions Invasivespeciesareorganismsthatarenotnativetoageographicareaandwhichcanordocauseeconomicorenvironmentalharm.Invasivespeciesarecharacterizedbyorganismsthatspreadrapidly,candisplacenativespecies,andhavefewornopredatorstokeeptheirpopulationsincheck.Atthesametime,theyhavecharacteristicsthatmayreducethevalueanduseofnaturalresources.Forexample,Japaneseknotweedcolonizesstreambanks,anddoesnotholdsoilwell,leadingtoincreasedstreambankerosion.Bushhoneysucklecanbecomeadominantshrubinsomeforests,reducingthepotentialfortreeregeneration(VermontInvasives2016). Vermonthastwoinvasivespecieslists:ClassAspeciesareontheFederalNoxiousWeedListbutarenotknowntooccurinVermont.Thesearelistedin7C.F.R.360.200,asectionoftheCodeofFederalRegulations.ClassBspeciesareknowntooccurinthestateandareconsideredathreat(Table16).
Table16.DesignatedClassBnoxiousweedsinVermont.Source:VermontAgencyofAgriculture,FoodandMarkets:http://agriculture.vermont.gov/plant_pest/plant_weed/invasive_noxious_weeds/noxious_weeds_listThosewitha*havebeenidentifiedinBenningtonCounty.Source:EarlyDetectionandMappingSystem:http://www.eddmaps.org/tools/query/Thosemarkedwithan(A)arealsoontheaquaticinvasivespecieslist(Table17)
ScientificName CommonNameAcerginnala* AmurmapleAcerplatanoides* NorwaymapleAegopodiumpodagraria* Bishop'sgoutweedorgoutweedAilanthusaltissima TreeofheavenAlliariapetiolata* GarlicmustardBerberisthunbergii* JapanesebarberryBerberisvulgaris* CommonbarberryButomusumbellatus(A) FloweringrushCelastrusorbiculatus* OrientalbittersweetEuonymusalatus* BurningbushFallopiajaponica* JapaneseknotweedHydrocharismorsus-ranae(A) FrogbitIrispseudacorus*(A) YellowflagirisLonicerajaponica JapanesehoneysuckleLoniceramaackii AmurhoneysuckleLoniceramorrowii* MorrowhoneysuckleLoniceratatarica* TartarianhoneysuckleLoniceraxbella* BellhoneysuckleLythrumsalicaria*(A) PurpleloosestrifeMyriophyllumspicatum*(A) EurasianwatermilfoilNajasminor(A) EuropeannaiadNymphoidespeltata(A) Yellowfloatingheart
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Table16.DesignatedClassBnoxiousweedsinVermont.Source:VermontAgencyofAgriculture,FoodandMarkets:http://agriculture.vermont.gov/plant_pest/plant_weed/invasive_noxious_weeds/noxious_weeds_listThosewitha*havebeenidentifiedinBenningtonCounty.Source:EarlyDetectionandMappingSystem:http://www.eddmaps.org/tools/query/Thosemarkedwithan(A)arealsoontheaquaticinvasivespecieslist(Table17)
ScientificName CommonNamePhragmitesaustralis*(A) CommonreedPotamogetoncrispus(A) CurlyleafpondweedRhamnuscathartica* CommonbuckthornRhamnusfrangula* GlossybuckthornTrapanatans*(A) WaterchestnutVincetoxicumnigrum Blackswallow-wort
Table17showsaquaticinvasivespecieslistedbytheAgencyforNaturalResources.
Table17.AquaticinvasivespeciesinVermont.Source:WatershedManagementDivision,DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation:http://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/aquatic-invasives/gallery
ScientificName CommonNameDreissenapolymorpha ZebramusselAlosapseudoharengus AlewifeOrconectesrusticus RustycrayfishDidymospheniageminata DidymoBythotrepheslongimanus SpinyWaterfleaCorbiculafluminea AsianclamDidymospheniageminata Didymo1Nitellopsisobtusa StarryStonewordMyriophyllumheterophyllum Variable-leavedWatermilfoil
2. PastOccurrences Invasivespeciesarepresentandrepresentacontinuoushazardthatwillvarywiththeirabundanceandtheirimpactsonstructuresandinfrastructure. 3. ExtentandLocation TheextentofinvasiveplantsinNorthBenningtonandinBenningtonCountyhasnotbeenfullymapped.Inadditiontothespecieslistedintheabovetables,thefollowingarepotentialinvasivespecies:
Pastinacasativa(Wildparsnip)isabundantalongroadsidesandcancauseskinburnswhenchemicalsintheplantonexposedskininteractwithsun,whichcanharmthosewhoworkonoralongroadsorutilityrightsofway.Anthriscussylvestris(cowparsniporwildchervil)alsodominatesroadsidesandcaninvademeadows.Phalarisarundinacea(reedcanarygrass)caninvadewetlandsandcrowdoutnativeplants.Thebushhoneysuckles(Loniceraspp.)havealso
1Recentlythisspecieshasbeendeterminedtobenative,butthatstatusmaychange.
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beenobservedalongroadsides.Itislikelythatbuckthorn(Rhamnuscathartica)andbarberry(Berberisthunbergii)haveinvadedforestsandwetlandedgesandthatJapaneseknotweed(Fallopiajaponica)hasinvadedstreambanksandotherdisturbedareas.
Insectsandpathogenshavethepotentialfordramaticallyalteringthecompositionandstructureofforestsaswellasaffectingtreesinsettledareas.Hemlockwoolyadelgid(Adelgestsugae)hasdramaticallyreducedhemlocktreessouthofVermontandwasrecentlyfoundinPownal.Theemeraldashborer(Agrilusplanipennis)isalsoasignificantthreattoforestsasitkillsallashspecies.
ArecentstudywascompletedthatsurveyedashtreesinNorthBenningtonforthe
potentialimpactoftheemeraldashborer(Quant2016).AlthoughthisexoticbeetlehasnotyetbeenspottedinVermont,itisexpectedtospreadhere;thesurroundingstatesofNewHampshire,NewYork,andMassachusettsallhaveinfestationswithin50milesofVermont’sborder,accordingtothesurvey.Emeraldashborersareoftendispersedthroughthemovementoffirewood.Unfortunately,oncetheemeraldashborerisestablished,itcannotbeeradicatedandmostashtreesdiewithinsixyears(DepartmentofForests,Parks,&Recreation2016).Thiswillresultinalargenumberoftreesthatneedtocomedown,creatingalossofcanopyandlargeexpenseformunicipalities.
Inadditiontotheaboveinsects,thereareotherinsectsandpathogensthatareaffecting
Vermontforests.Thesemayconstituteanemerginghazard(Schultzetal2015).Climatechangemayincreasetheabundanceandrangesofforestpestspeciessuchashemlockwoolyadelgidandinvasivespeciescurrentlyfoundinmoresoutherlylocations(Rustad2012).
4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerability Thelikelihoodofincreasedabundanceofinvasivespeciesis75-100%andpotentialimpactstoforestedareasareveryhigh.Invasiveinsectsthatcancausetreedeath,particularlytheemeraldashborer,couldresultinroadclosures,poweroutagesandpropertydamage.Increasesintheabundanceofinvasiveplantspeciescouldlimitregenerationofnativetreesandshrubsandaffectthelong-termintegrityoftheforests(VermontDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreation2010,VermontInvasives2016). Theashtreesurveyfoundthattherewere277ashtreesobservedwithintheVillageright-ofway(i.e.25feetfromthecenterlineoftheroad),with81greaterthan12inchesindiameter.ThehighestcountsofasheswereonParkSt.,CollegeRd.,MechanicSt.,andHarringtonRd.ThehighestconcentrationsofasheswereonHarringtonRd.,OverleaRd.,FishingAccessRd.,andCollegeRd.,withthehighestconcentrationoflargeashesonFishingAccessRd.Map8showswheretheashtreeswereobserved.Theemeraldashborerposesagreatthreattotheseashtrees,potentiallycreatingalargeexpensetotheVillagetoremovethetreesbeforetheybecomeahazardtoutilitylines,roadsandbuildings(Quant2016).
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K. HazardousMaterialSpill
1. Descriptions Hazardouswastesarematerialsthatareflammable,corrosive,toxic,orlabeledwithwarningorcautionlabels.Thesematerialsareusedinindustry,inthehomeoronfarmsandaretransportedregularly. 2. PastOccurrences TheVermontspillsitelistindicatestherehavebeen34spillsreportedinNorthBenningtonsince1990.AccordingtotheNorthBenningtonFireChief,theVillagehas,atmost,threesmallhazardousmaterialsspillsperyear. 3. ExtentandLocation Allofthespillsaffectedsmallsitesorareas.ThemainhighwaysthatwouldbeaffectedbyaspillinNorthBenningtonwouldbeVTRoute67Aand67.TheseroadsarethemainarteriesthroughtheVillage,soaspillcouldaffectmanypropertiesandtravelers.
Oneparticularconcerninanyhazardousmaterialsspillwouldbetheimpactonwaterresources.IfanincidentoccurredalongVTRoute67A,ParanCreekandtheWalloomsacRivercouldbeaffectedduetotheproximityoftheroadtothecreekandriver.Map9showsthetransportationsysteminrelationtosurfacewatersincludingstreamsandwetlands.
HazardousroadsandintersectionshavebeenidentifiedbytheVermontAgencyofTransportationandtheplanningteam.Theroadwiththemostaccidents,accordingtotheVTransPublicCrashDataQueryTool(http://apps.vtrans.vermont.gov/CrashPublicQueryTool/#),wasVTRoute67A/WaterStreet,whichturnsintoMainStreet,andtheintersectionswiththemostaccidentswereBankStreetatMainStreetintheVillagecenterandBankStreetatWhiteCreekRoad.Accordingtotheplanningteam,theintersectionatBankStreetandMainStreethasbeencreatingissueswithtruckdriversnotusingthenewmountablecurbandinsteadswingingoutintothelaneofoncomingtraffic.TheBoardofTrusteeshavebeenworkingonadjustingtheturningradiussothattruckdriverswillfeelmorecomfortableusingthemountablecurbandthusstayinthecorrectlane.Thoughitisuncertainwhenthischangewilltakeplace.TheplanningteamalsoidentifiedtheroadcurvewhereRiverRoadandHillsideStreetintersectwithVTRoute67A/WaterStreetashavinglimitedvisibilityandcausingissues.
Roadswithaveragegradesgreaterthan10%alsopresenthazards,particularlywhen
roadsarewetorduringwinterstorms.TheplanningteamidentifiedtworoadswithsteepgradesinNorthBennington,ProspectStreetandRoyalStreet.
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4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerability
Hazardousmaterialsspillsoccurmorethanannually,thoughtypicallyaffectsmallareas.NorthBenningtonhasamoderateamountoftrucktraffic,whichcanincreasethepossibilityofamajorspill.Manyareasarevulnerableduetotheproximityofsurfaceandgroundwaterresourcestoroads.Localroadscarrymaterialsthatcouldspillandaffectaquaticresourcesaswellasindividualwells.TheNorthBenningtonFireDepartmenthastheabilitytorespondtosmallhazardousmaterialsspills.TheBenningtonFireDepartmentHazardousMaterialsResponseTeamortheStateHazardousMaterialsResponseTeamiscalledtoassistforlargerincidents.
Inaddition,thereisaraillinethattravelsthroughNorthBennington.Themostcommon
substancetransportedontheraillineislimestoneslurry,whichisnotconsideredahazardousmaterial.Thereisalimitedamountofcausticmaterial,intheformofdetergent,alsotransported,butnotenoughtobeaconcernoftheVillage.
Theoveralllikelihoodofahazardousmaterialsspillonanannualbasisis96%,since
spillshaveoccurredin25outof26years.Injuries,exceptinthecaseofdirectinjuriesfromatrafficaccident,arelikelylow.However,thelong-termimpactsofaspillcouldbeextensiveifaquaticresourcesand/orwatersupplieswereaffected.
L. WaterSupply
1. Descriptions
MostofNorthBenningtonisservedbyapublicwatersystemfromBasinBrookinShaftsbury,aboutfourmilesnortheastoftheVillageboundary.ThewatersystemalsoservessomepartsofShaftsbury.Propertiesnotconnectedtothepublicwatersystemrelyonprivatewells.Bothpublicwatersystemsandprivatewellsarevulnerabletocontamination.Ifthepublicwatersystemwerecontaminated,itwouldaffectmorepeopleintheVillage,butprivatewellsaremoresusceptibletocontaminationduetochemicalspills.Inaddition,publicwatersystemshaveroutinewatertestingrequirementstheymustfollow,buttherearenorequirementsforthetestingofprivateresidentialwells.Thismeansthatapropertycouldhavecontaminatedwaterfromtheirprivatewellforanextendedperiodoftimewithoutknowingit.
2. PastOccurrences
Atthebeginningof2016,concernsweremaderegardingthegroundwaterinNorthBenningtonandtheformerChemfabproperty,whichwasamanufacturingbusinessthatproducedTeflon-coatingforfabrics.TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation(DEC)wascontactedtotestfiveprivatewellsinNorthBennington.Theprivatewellswereanalyzedforperfluorinatedcompoundsaswellasvolatileorganiccompounds.Eachofthefivewellsshowedthepresenceofperfluorooctanicacid(PFOA)atconcentrationsabovetheVermontDepartment
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ofHealthdrinkingwaterhealthadvisorylimitsof20partspertrillion(ppt).PFOAwasnotfoundintheNorthBenningtonpublicwatersourceorsystem.
PFOAisamanufacturedchemicalusedtomakeproductsthatresistheatandchemical
reactions,andrepeloil,stains,grease,andwater.PFOAdoesnotbreakdowneasilyandcanpersistintheenvironmentforaverylongtime,especiallyinwater.Itstoxicityandpersistenceintheenvironmentmeansitisapotentialdangertohumanhealthandtheenvironment.
AftertheinitialwellstestedpositivetoPFOA,morewellsweretestedinNorthBenningtonandBennington.InamapdevelopedbytheVermontDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,thewellsthathavebeentestedsinceAugust30,2016areshown,asarethefindings(http://dec.vermont.gov/commissioners-office/pfoa/communities).ThisisthefirstwatercontaminationissueforNorthBenningtonbutlikelynotthelast,asveryfewchemicalsareregulatedandmonitored.
3. ExtentandLocationSinceSeptember26,2016,theDEChasreceivedsamplingresultsfrom541wellsin
NorthBenningtonandBennington,ofwhich266hadPFOAconcentrationsgreaterthan20ppt,76wellshadPFOAlessthan20ppt,and199hadnodetections.Theradius,whichwasfirstestablishedat1.5miles,hasbeenexpandingtoincludevariousotherareasoutsideofNorthBennington.
4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerabilityTheprobabilityofanotherwatercontaminationissuearisingishigh.PFOAhadbeen
contaminatingthegroundwaterinNorthBenningtonandBenningtonforseveralyearsbeforeitwasdetected.Currently,therecouldbeothercontaminantsinthegroundwaterthatarenotshowingupintestsbecausetheDECdoesn’tknowtotestforthemyet.
NorthBenningtonandothercommunitieswithcurrentorpreviousmanufacturing
industriesareallvulnerabletowatercontamination.Thelikelihoodofwatercontaminationissuesarisinginanygivenyearis100%,sincetherecouldbeotherchemicalsalreadyinthegroundwaterthathavenotbeendetected.Theimpactcouldvaryfromafewwellsinthedirectvicinityoftheproblemarea,toawholemunicipalityandbeyond.
M. InfectiousDiseaseOutbreak
1. Descriptions
Infectiousdiseasesarecausedbybacterialinfections,viruses,fungiandotherorganismsthatcanspreadthroughthehumanpopulation.
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2. PastOccurrences ThemostprevalentinfectiousdiseaseinBenningtonCounty,trackedbytheVermontDepartmentofHealth,hasbeenLymedisease,carriedbyandtransmittedbyticks.Thesymptomscanrangefromminortoverysevere,andareaclearthreattoanyoneinthemunicipality.Figure4showsthediseasestrackedbytheVermontDepartmentofHealth.Figure4.DiseasecasesinBenningtonCountyfrom2006to2015.Source:ChelseaDubie,VermontDepartmentofHealth
3. ExtentandLocation Ingeneral,individualsandfamiliesaremostaffectedbyinfectiousdiseases,butschoolsandbusinessescouldbeaffectedaswell.
4. Probability,ImpactandVulnerability Givenpasthistory,thereisalowprobabilityofadiseaseaffectingalargeportionoftheVillage,buthighprobabilityofcontinued,isolatedoccurrences.Lymediseaseandothertickbornediseasescouldaffectresidentsandthoseusingrecreationaltrailsandvisitingnaturalareas.
361643494
3026410
5741099
11012872114
Varicella(Chickenpox)Tuberculosis
Shigatoxin-producingEscherichiacoli(STEC)Salmonellosis
PertussisNeisseriameningi{dis,invasive(Mening.disease)
LymediseaseListeriosis
LegionellosisHepa{{sCVirusInfec{on,chronicorresolved
Hepa{{sB,acuteHepa{{sBvirusinfec{on,Chronic
Hepa{{sA,acuteGroupAStreptococcus,invasive
CryptosporidiosisCarbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae
CampylobacteriosisAnaplasmaphagocytophilum
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
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V. VulnerabilityAssessment
A. PrioritizationofHazards TheinformationdescribedabovewasusedtoprioritizehazardsusingcriteriafromtheVermontHazardMitigationPlanasdescribedinTable18below.Table18.Vulnerabilityassessmentfactors(VermontHazardMitigationPlan2014)FrequencyofOccurrence:Probability1=Unlikely<1%probabilityofoccurrenceperyear2=Occasionally1–10%probabilityofoccurrenceperyear,oratleastonechanceinnext100years3=Likely>10%but<100%probabilityperyear,atleast1chanceinnext10years4=HighlyLikely100%probabilityinayearGeographicAreaAffected:Howlargeanareawouldlikelybeaffected?1=Community-wide2=State-wide3=Region-wideWarningTime:Amountoftimegenerallygiventoalertpeopletohazard1=Morethan12hours2=6–12hours3=3–6hours4=None–MinimalPotentialImpact:Severityandextentofdamageanddisruption1=NegligibleIsolatedoccurrencesofminorpropertydamage,minordisruptionofcriticalfacilitiesandinfrastructure,andpotentialforminorinjuries2=MinorIsolatedoccurrencesofmoderatetoseverepropertydamage,briefdisruptionofcriticalfacilitiesandinfrastructure,andpotentialforinjuries3=ModerateSeverepropertydamageonaneighborhoodscale,temporaryshutdownofcriticalfacilities,and/orinjuriesorfatalities4=MajorSeverepropertydamageonametropolitanorregionalscale,shutdownofcriticalfacilities,and/ormultipleinjuriesorfatalities
B. ListofPriorityHazards
TheplanningteamassessedeachofthehazardsthoroughlythenscoredthehazardsbasedonthecriteriainTable18todeterminewhichhazardswouldneedmitigationactions.Table19showstheresultsofthescoring,withFloodandFlashFloods,WinterStorms,HighWindEvents,Drought,HazardousMaterialsSpills,WaterSupply,InfectiousDiseasesandInvasiveSpeciesrankedhighest.Theplanningteamdeterminedthat,whileearthquakesrankedhigh,thescorewaslikelyduetotheshortwarningtimeand,therefore,wasnotanaccuraterepresentationofthethreatofthishazard.
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Table19.Vulnerabilityassessment
Hazard NumberofEvents
Frequencyof
Occurrence
GeographicAreaAffected
WarningTime
PotentialImpacts
TotalScore
FloodsandFlashFloods
49eventsfrom1996to2014 2 3 2 3 10
WinterStorms 143eventsfrom1996to2015 4 3 1 3 11
HighWindEvents 111eventsfrom1996to2015 3 1 3 3 10
Hail 28eventsfrom1996to2015 2 1 4 1 8
TemperatureExtremes
Annual>90F:1dayonaverage
Annualmaximum<32F:54days
Annualminimum<32F:156days
2 2 1 1 6
Drought Severedroughtshaveoccurredin25yearsfrom1895to2014
3 3 1 2 9
Wildfire 43eventsfrom1992through2015
1 1 4 1 7
LandslidesandDebrisFlows
Norecords 1 1 4 1 7
Earthquake Noeventscausingdamage 1 3 4 2 10
HazardousMaterialsSpills
34eventsfrom1990to2016 4 1 4 2 11
WaterSupply 1eventin2016 1 1 4 2 8InfectiousDiseaseOutbreak
Annual 3 3 1 3 10
InvasiveSpecies Ongoing 3 3 1 2 9
Map10isacompositemapshowingspecialfloodhazardareas,rivercorridors,andareasidentifiedbytheplanningteamasvulnerabletoflooding,steepgrades,andareasneedingmajorculvertupgrades.Otherpriorityhazardssuchasinvasivespeciesorinfectiousdiseaseswerenotmappedeitherasadequatesurveyshavenotbeencompleted,ortheycouldaffecttheentireVillage.
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VI. MitigationMeasures
A. HazardMitigationGoals
Aspartoftheplanningprocess,NorthBenningtonidentifiedthefollowingmitigationgoals:
1. Reduceinjuryandlossofliferesultingfromnaturaldisasters.2. Reducedamagetopublicinfrastructure,minimizedisruptiontotheroadnetworkand
maintainbothnormalandemergencyaccess.3. Establishandmanageaprogramtoproactivelyimplementmitigationprojectsforroads,
bridges,culvertsandothermunicipalfacilitiestoensurethatcommunityinfrastructureisnotsignificantlydamagedbynaturalhazardevents.
4. Designandimplementmitigationmeasuressoastominimizeimpactstorivers,waterbodiesandothernaturalfeatures,historicstructures,andneighborhoodcharacter.
5. IncreasetheeconomicresiliencyofNorthBenningtonbyreducingtheeconomicimpactsincurredbymunicipal,residential,agriculturalandcommercialestablishmentsduetodisasters.
6. Incorporatehazardmitigationplanningintoothercommunityplanningprojects,suchastheVillagePlan,CapitalImprovementPlan,andLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan.
7. Ensurethatmembersofthegeneralpubliccontinuetobepartofthehazardmitigationplanningprocess.
B. 2005HazardMitigationPlan
NorthBenningtonwasoneof13jurisdictionsinBenningtonCountythatadoptedamulti-jurisdictionalhazardmitigationplanin2005.Inthatplan,NorthBenningtonidentifiedflood,structurefireanddamfailureastheirworstthreats.Thishazardmitigationplanaddressesfloodinganddamissues(inthefloodingsection).However,structurefirewasnotincluded,asthisplanfocusesmoreonnaturalthreatsandhazards.
Thetablebelowlistsactionsidentifiedinthe2005BenningtonCountyMulti-JurisdictionalHazardMitigationPlanandthestatusoftheactionsasofSeptember2016.Asdescribedbelow,theVillagehasbeenaddressingmanyoftheactionslistedinthe2005plan.
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Table20.Mitigationactionslistedinthe2005BenningtonCountyMulti-JurisdictionalHazardMitigationPlanAnnexforNorthBennington
PriorityScore
MitigationAction
WhoIsResponsible
ApproximateTimeFrame&
PotentialFundingSources
InitialImplementation
StepsStatusofActionsasofMay2017
33 UpdateRapidResponsePlanatleastannually
SelectBoard&EmergencyManagementDirector
• ShortTerm• Local
Resources
TechnicalassistancefromBCRC
TheVillageannuallyupdatestheirLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan,whichreplacedRapidResponsePlan.Thisactionwillremainintheplanas:MaintainacurrentLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan.
29 Upgradeflooddrainagestructures
SelectBoardw/supportfromRoadForeman
• ShorttoLongTerm
• Local&StateResources
• PDM-cFunds
Conduct“needsassessment”;TechnicalassistancefromBCRC&VEM
Flooddrainagestructuresareupgradedwhennecessary.Inaddition,culvertsarereplacedasneededthroughouttheVillage.TheVillagereceivedagrantin2016toupdatetheculvertinventoryandtodoaroaderosioninventory.Needsassessmentsarecompletedeverythreeyears,withthemostrecentcompletedin2016.Thisactionwillremainintheplanas:Completeinventoryofroadnetworktoassesswhetherroadsegmentsconnectedtosurfacewatersthroughditches,culvertsorotherdrainagestructuresmeetthenewstormwaterstandardscurrentlyunderdevelopmentbytheDECMunicipalRoadsProgram.
29 Flood-proofstructureslocatedinFloodHazardAreas
SelectBoard,OtherAgencies,Community
• Med.toLongTerm
• Local&StateResources
• PDM-cFunds
Conductassessment&exploreoptions
ThePlanningCommissionhasdevelopedamapoffloodplainswithintheVillage,identifyingstructuresatrisk.However,theVillagehasnottakenactiontoflood-proofanybuildings.Thisactionwillnotremainintheplanbecauseitistheresponsibilityofindividualbuildingownerstoflood-prooftheirbuildings.
29 Landacquisitioninhighhazardareas
SelectBoard,OtherOfficials
• Med.toLongTerm
• Local&StateResources
• PDM-cFunds
Conductassessmentanddeterminepriorities;workwithlandowners
TheVillagehasnotaddressedthisaction.Thisactionwillremainintheplanas:Identifypossibleacquisitionofwetlandsandspecialfloodhazardareastoassurenaturalsystemsprotection.
27 AdoptBuildingCodes
SelectBoard,OtherOfficials
• ShorttoMed.Term
• LocalResources
TechnicalAssistancefromBCRCandVEM
TheVillagefollowsthesamebuildingcodesasBennington.Thisactionwillnotremainintheplanbecausethereisnofurtheractiontotake.
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Table20.Mitigationactionslistedinthe2005BenningtonCountyMulti-JurisdictionalHazardMitigationPlanAnnexforNorthBennington
PriorityScore
MitigationAction
WhoIsResponsible
ApproximateTimeFrame&
PotentialFundingSources
InitialImplementation
StepsStatusofActionsasofMay2017
33 AdditionaltrainingforBuildingInspectors
SelectBoard,BuildingInspectors
• ShorttoLongTerm
• Local&StateResources
WorkwithlocalBuildingInspectorsandStateAgencies
TheVillagehasnotaddressedthisaction.ThisactionwillnotremainintheplanbecausetheVillagedoesnothaveanybuildinginspectors.
33 ConductreviewofEmergencyManagementProgram
SelectBoard,EmergencyManagementDirector,FirstResponseAgencies
• ShorttoMed.Term
• LocalResources
Conductassessmentofcurrentconditions
Periodicassessmentsarecompleted.Thisactionwillnotremainintheplanbecauseassessmentsarealreadycompleted.
32 Prepareevacuationstudiesandplans
SelectBoard,EmergencyManagementDirector,FirstResponseAgencies
• ShorttoMed.Term
• LocalResources
Conductassessmentofcurrentplans;reviseplanasneeded
Atpresent,evacuationplanningisprimarilydonebyindividualbusinesses.Thisactionwillnotremainintheplanbecausetheyarecompletedbyindividualbusinesses.
AsnotedintheStatusofActionsasofMay2017columninTable20,theVillageprioritieshavechangedslightlysincethe2005multi-jurisdictionalplan.Fiveoftheactionslistedinthe2005planwillnotbeincludebecausetheyarealreadycompletedorarenolongerrelevanttotheVillage.Theseactionsare:
1. Flood-proofstructureslocatedinFloodHazardAreas(nolongerrelevant)2. AdoptBuildingCodes(nolongerrelevant)3. AdditionaltrainingforBuildingInspectors(nolongerrelevant)4. ConductreviewofEmergencyManagementProgram(alreadycompleted)5. Prepareevacuationstudiesandplans(nolongerrelevant)
Thethreeremainingactionsfromthe2005planarestillprioritiesoftheVillageand
havebeenincludedinthisplanbutwithchangestothewordingtoreflectthecurrentormorespecificterminologyusedinVermont.Theseactionsare:
1. UpdateRapidResponsePlanatleastannually(changedtocurrentterminology)2. Upgradeflooddrainagestructures(changedtomorespecificterminology)3. Landacquisitioninhighhazardareas(changedtomorespecificterminology)
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C. VillagePlan
The2013NorthBenningtonVillagePlan(VillageofNorthBennington2013)includesseveralobjectivesthatsupporthazardmitigation.Theseobjectivesfocusonfloodhazardareas,shorelineprotection,andstormwatermanagement.
Theplanstatesthatdevelopmentinthefloodplainareamustbeverycarefullyplanned
toavoidflooddamageandwaterpollution,andanydevelopmentinanyfloodplainareasmustmeetstatestandardsfordevelopmentinfloodproneareasandshouldpreserveanaturalvegetatedbufferalongthestreambank.Bycontrollingthetypeofdevelopmentandthenatureofconstructioninthefloodhazardareas,theVillageseekstoprotectpublichealthandsafety,andprotectthecommunityagainstthecostsassociatedwithflooddamage.Theplanalsoincorporatesthebenefitsprovidedbywetlands,whichincludesfloodandstormwatercontrol,maintenanceofsurfaceandgroundwaterquality,openspaceandaestheticappreciation,fishandwildlifehabitat,andsourcesofnutrientsforfreshwaterfoodchains.
TheplanalsodiscussesastrongefforttoprotectLakeParan’swaterqualityandto
conservesurroundinglandbycontrollinginvasivespecies,limitingdevelopmentalongtheshorelinetoreduceerosionandsourcesofpollution,andadoptingtheShorelineProtectionOverlayDistrictthatrequiresa200footnaturalbuffertobemaintainedalongtheshore.Thisdistrictisintendedtoprovideasafetyzonetoavoidflooddamage,preserveaestheticqualities,protectpublicwatersfrompollution,protectspawninggroundsandwildlifehabitat,andpreventerosion.
Lastly,stormwatermanagementisdiscussed.Roadsideditchesandnaturaldrainage
coursesprovidestormwaterdrainageinmanylocationsbuttheplanstatesthatdrainagestructuresshouldbeinstalledaspartofroadwayorotherimprovementprojectstopreventfloodingandtoavoiddirectdischargesofcontaminatedwaterstosurfacewaters.
D. StateandRegionalPlansandPrograms
1. VermontHazardMitigationPlan(2013) TheVermontHazardMitigationPlan(2013)identifiedaseriesofhazardsshowninTable21belowalongwiththoseweconsideredinthisplan.TheNorthBenningtonplantracksthestateplanexceptsomehazardsarecombinedandafew,includingnuclearplantaccident,werenotconsidered.
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Table21.ComparisonofhazardsconsideredinthedraftVermontHazardMitigationPlanvs.theNorthBenningtonHazardMitigationPlan
VTHazardMitigationPlan NorthBenningtonHazardMitigationPlanAtmosphericHazards NaturalHazards
Drought DroughtEarthquake EarthquakeFlooding FloodingandFluvialErosionFluvialErosion SeeFloodingandFluvialErosion
Hail HailHighWinds HighWindsHurricane/TropicalStorm SeeHighWindsandFloodingandFluvialErosionIceStorm SeeSevereWinterWeather/IceStormIceJams SeeFloodingandFluvialErosionInfectiousDiseaseOutbreak InfectiousDiseaseOutbreakLandslide/DebrisFlow Landslide/DebrisFlowSevereThunderstorm SeeHighWindsandSeeFloodingandFluvialErosion
SevereWinterWeather SevereWinterStormsTemperatureExtremes TemperatureExtremesTornado SeeHighWindsWildfire Wildfire
TechnologicalHazards TechnologicalHazards
DamFailure SeeFloodingandFluvialErosionHazardousMaterialsSpill HazardousMaterialsSpillInvasiveSpecies InvasiveSpeciesNuclearPowerPlantAccident Notaddressed
RockCuts SeeLandslideTerrorism Notaddressed
TheVermontHazardMitigationPlanidentifiedfloodingandfluvialerosion,winter
storms,highwindsandseverethunderstormsashighriskforBenningtonCountyandradiologicalaccidentriskandhazardousmaterialsspillsasmoderaterisk.
2. BenningtonRegionalPlanPoliciesandActions(adoptedMarch19,
2015) TheBenningtonRegionalPlanliststhefollowingpoliciesandactionssupportinghazardmitigationincludingseveralpolicyrecommendationsemphasizingprotectingnaturalresources,maintainingVillageandurbancentersandavoidingdevelopmentonsensitivelandsincludingareasofsteepslopeandwetlandsalongwiththeprotectionofsurfaceandgroundwaterresourcesandforestedlands(SectionsVIIandVIII).Theregionalplanalsoincludesafloodresiliencesection(IX)asrequiredbyVermontstatutethatidentifieshazardsfromfloodingandfluvialerosion.Thesectionencouragesavoidingdevelopmentinfloodhazardareas,reconstructionofbridgesandculvertsthatimpedeflows,undisturbedbufferareasalongstreamstoprovideforlateralmovementandattenuationofoverlandflow,participationinthe
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NationalFloodInsuranceProgram,updatingoffloodbylaws,adoptionofuptodateroadandbridgestandardsandparticipationinthecommunityratingsystem.
3. VermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesTheVermontAgencyofNaturalResourceshasworkedwithNorthBenningtonandother
communitiestoadoptupdatedfloodandrivercorridorregulations.VTANRhasmappedrivercorridorsandcanregulateactivitieswithinthosethatarenotsubjecttoreviewbymunicipalities.VTANRreviewspermitapplicationsfordevelopmentwithinthespecialfloodhazardarea.VTANRalsoreviewspermitapplicationsforstreamalterationsorregulatedactivitieswithinwetlandsaswellaspermittingfortransportinghazardousmaterials.
TheVermontShorelandProtectionActisastateregulationforguidingdevelopment
within250feetofthewaterlevel,inwhatisknownastheProtectedShorelandArea.TheActappliestoalllakesandpondsgreaterthan10acresinsize.TheintentoftheActistopreventdegradationoflakewaterquality,preservehabitatandnaturalstabilityofshorelines,andmaintaintheeconomicbenefitsoflakesandtheirShorelands.
4. Act250ReviewTheVermontNaturalResourcesBoardimplementsAct250,whichrequirespermitsfor
severalactivities,includingdevelopmentsabove2,500feetinelevation,commercialandindustrialusesgreaterthan10acres,constructionofmorethan10housingunits,subdivisionofmorethan10lots,amongotheractivities.DuringAct250proceedings,agenciesandthepubliccanoffercommentsonsuchproposeddevelopments.
5. OtherOrganizationsAPhaseIandIIgeomorphicassessmenthasbeencompletedfortheWalloomsacRiver
Watershed.PhaseIidentifiedphysicalfeaturesoftheriveranddiscussedtheimpactsofhumanalterations.TheBenningtonCountyConservationDistrictconductedtheassessmenttotargetareasthatneedrestorationtoreduceriverinstability.PhaseIIfurtheridentifiesphysicalfeaturesoftheriveranddiscussesrestorationactivities.TheVermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesRiverManagementProgram,theBenningtonCountyConservationDistrict,andtheTownofBenningtonworkedtogethertodeveloptheassessment.
TheVermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesWatershedManagementDivisiondeveloped
aTacticalBasinPlanfortheBattenKill,Walloomsac,andHoosicRivers(VermontAgencyofNaturalResources2016).Theplandiscussesactionstoprotect,maintain,improveandrestoresurfacewatersinthebasin.
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E. CurrentProgramsSupportingMitigation
NorthBenningtonjoinedtheNationalFloodInsuranceProgramin2011.ThecommunityreportforNorthBennington(availableviafloodready.vermont.gov/)indicatesthereareninebuildingsintheSpecialFloodHazardAreaandthreefloodinsurancepolicies.NorthBenningtonadoptedarevisedzoningordinancein2013which:
• Ensuresthatproposedusesdonotadverselyaffectsurfaceorsubsurfacewater
resources,includingfloodplains,wetlands,streams,ponds,andgroundwater.• Statesthatstormwatermanagementcomplywithstatestandards,andnotleadto
adverseimpactsonthemunicipaldrainagesystem,surfaceorgroundwater,oranyotherpropertyinthearea.
• Ensuresthatthebasefloodelevationandfloodwaydataisusedtodeterminethatthelowestfloor(includingbasement)ofresidentialbuildingsiselevatedtobeonefootormoreabovethebasefloodelevationandthefloodwaybekeptfreeofobstructions.
• Prohibitsfillinthefloodway.• Prohibitsencroachmentsordevelopmentabovegradeandbelowtheelevationofthe
floodway.• Noexistingbuildinginthefloodwaymaybeenlargedtocreateagreaterencroachment
onthefloodway.• TheDevelopmentReviewBoarddeterminesthatalldevelopmentis:
§ Reasonablysafefromflooding.§ Designedandanchoredtopreventflotation,collapse,orlateralmovementofthe
structure.§ Constructedofmaterialsandutilityequipmentthatareresistanttoflooddamage.§ Constructedusingmethodsandpracticesthatwillminimizeflooddamage.§ Consistentwiththeneedtominimizeflooddamage.§ Designedsothatpublicutilitiesandfacilities,suchassewer,gas,electrical,and
watersystems,arelocated,elevated,andconstructedtominimizeoreliminateflooddamage.Constructionwillinsurethatelectrical,heating,ventilation,plumbing,andairconditioningequipment,andotherservicefacilitiesaredesignedand/orlocatedsoastopreventwaterfromenteringoraccumulatingwithincomponentsduringconditionsofflooding.
§ Designedsothatadequatedrainageisprovidedsoastoreduceexposuretofloodhazards.
§ Neworreplacementwatersupplysystems,and/orsanitarysewagesystems,aredesignedtominimizeoreliminateinfiltrationoffloodwatersintothesystemsanddischargesfromthesystemsintofloodwaters,andthaton-sitedisposalsystemsarelocatedsoastoavoidimpairmentofthemorcontaminationfromthemduringflooding.
§ Basefloodelevationandfloodwaydatatobeusedtoensurethatthelowestfloor(includingbasement)ofresidentialbuildingsiselevatedtobeonefootormoreabovethebasefloodelevationandthefloodwaybekeptfreeofobstructions.
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§ Enclosuresbelowgradeonallsides(includingbelowgradecrawlspacesandbasements)areprohibited.
§ Encroachmentsordevelopmentabovegradeandbelowtheelevationofthefloodwayareprohibitedunlesshydrologicandhydraulicanalysesareperformedinaccordancewithstandardengineeringpractice,byaregisteredprofessionalengineer,certifyingthattheproposeddevelopmentwillnot:• Resultinanyincreaseinfloodlevels(0.00feet)duringtheoccurrenceofthe
baseflood;and• Increaseanyrisktosurroundingproperties,facilities,orstructuresfromerosion
orflooding.
F. VillageCapabilities
NorthBennington,thoughaVillagelocatedentirelywithintheTownofBennington,isaseparatemunicipalentity.TheVillagehasaBoardofTrustees,PlanningCommission,ZoningAdministrator,DevelopmentReviewBoard,WaterBoard,TreeCommittee,HighwayDepartmentandFireDepartmentprovidingcapabilitiesforimplementationofthishazardmitigationplan.
TheBoardofTrusteeshasfivemembers.Thetrusteesappointmemberstotheotherboardsandcommissions,adoptstheVillageplanandbylaws,proposesVillagebudgets,andapprovesexpenses.ThePlanningCommissionhasfivememberswiththeprimarypurposeofreviewingandupdatingtheVillageZoningBylawsandtheVillagePlanonanongoingbasistoensurethattheyarecurrentandinconformitywiththeVermontstatutesandregulations.ThereisoneZoningAdministratorfortheVillage.Thisindividualistaskedwithissuingzoningpermits.TheDevelopmentReviewBoard,consistingoffourmembers,reviewssiteplans,subdivisions,variances,conditionalusesandtheappealsofthezoningadministrator.TheWaterBoard,consistingoffourmembers,handlespreventativemaintenance,monitorstheuseofwaterbeingtreatedatthefiltrationplant,organizesrequiredwatertestingandhandlesbilling.Inaddition,theWaterBoardhastheresponsibilitytoprovideasafesourceofwaterfordrinkingandotherusestotheVillage.Theboardmaintainsandmonitorssafeandsecuresourcesofwaterincludingtworeservoirs,thefiltrationplantandwaterlinestoresidentsofShaftsburyandNorthBennington.TheTreeCommitteeenhancesthebeautyoftheVillagebyplantingandmaintainingtreesinpublicspacesandthepublicright-of-way,whilealsolookingforhazardoustreesintheVillagethatneedtoberemoved.TheHighwayDepartment,consistingoftwofull-timeemployeespluspart-timestaffasneeded,maintainsroads,bridges,culverts,catchbasins,ditchesandsidewalks,repairsdamagedareasandmonitorsanysensitiveroadinfrastructureintheVillage.TheHighwayDepartmenthasdevelopedstrongcollaborativerelationshipswiththehighwaydepartmentsofShaftsburyandBennington.Thethreehighwaydepartmentsshareequipmentandstaffasneededduringtimesofhighdemandoranemergency.ThishasstrengthenedNorthBennington’scapacitytoaddressneedsduringandafterstorms.TheNorthBenningtonFireDepartmentconsistsof40firefighters.Allare
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volunteersandon-call.Thefiredepartmenthastwopumptrucks,onebrushtruckandonecoldwaterrescuetrailer.
OtheremergencyserviceslocatedneartheVillageincludetheBenningtonRescueSquad,
SouthwesternVermontMedicalCenter,BenningtonPoliceDepartmentwhichpatrolsNorthBenningtonthroughcontractedservices,BenningtonCountySheriff’sDepartmentandthreefiredepartments,alllocatedinBennington.Shaftsburyhasafiredepartmentandhousesastatepolicebarracks.
TotalexpectedexpendituresforFY2016was$51,300forVillagegeneralgovernment,$261,093forthewaterdepartment,$87,450fortheFireDepartment,$24,000forpublicworks,$1,000forthetreecommitteeand$242,100forthehighwaydepartment. Table22belowsummarizesVillagecapabilitiesandareasneedingimprovementtoenhancethosecapabilities.
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Table22.CapabilitiesoftheVillageofNorthBenningtonPlans,Policies,Ordinances Description/ResponsibleAgent Effectiveness ImprovementsNeeded
VillagePlan PlanningCommission;EmergencyManagementDirector;VillageTrustees(approvalofVillagePlan)
Effective;currentVillagePlandoesnotspecificallyaddressemergencymanagementbutdoesaddressfloodhazardareasandtheShorelandProtectionOverlayDistrict
DraftnewsectionsoftheVillagePlanthataddressemergencymanagementandfloodresilienceduringnextupdate
LEOP EmergencyManagementDirector;VillageTrustees(approvalofplan)
Higheffectiveness;hascurrentinformation
ContinuetoupdatetheLEOPannually
FloodHazardAreaRegulations(inZoningBylaws)
PlanningCommission;DevelopmentReviewBoardandZoningAdministrator(permitting);VillageTrustees(approvalofbylaws)
Higheffectiveness;adoptednewfloodhazardarearegulationsin2013
ContinuetomonitorFEMAregulationsandnewlocalfloodhazards.
ZoningBylaws PlanningCommission;DevelopmentReviewBoardandZoningAdministrator(permitting);VillageTrustees(approvalofbylaws)
Effective Reviewregulations;continuetrainingofvolunteerboardmemberstoensureeffectivepermitting.
SoilandWaterResources/StreamsandWaterCourses/ProtectionofShoreland/WaterResources
PlanningCommission;ZoningAdministrator(permitting);VillageTrustees(approvalofbylaws)
Effective;Villagerequiresa200footbuildingsetbackfromthemeanhighwaterlineofLakeParan
Reviewregulations;continuedtrainingofvolunteerboardmemberstoensureeffectivepermitting.
WaterSystem WaterBoardandVillageTrustees Effective Continuetocomplywithregulations;consideridentifyingasecondarysourceforwatersupply.
WastewaterTreatmentFacility VillageTrustees;BenningtonSelectBoardandBenningtonWaterResourcesSuperintendent
Effective EstablishapolicyandprocedurewithBenningtonforenablingnewconnectionsinNorthBennington;identifywherenewstormwaterdrainagestructuresareneeded.
RoadMaintenanceProgramsandStandards
RoadForeman,VillageTrustees Effective;VillageadoptedmostrecentStateofVermont(AOT)roadandbridgestandards
Updateculvertsinfloodareaswhenneeded.
SchoolEmergencyResponse NorthBenningtonGradedSchool;SouthshireCommunitySchool;BenningtonCollege;EmergencyManagementDirector;FireChief;BenningtonPoliceChief
Variesfromschooltoschool;needsomeimprovements
Updateandreviewschoolemergencyplans;conductonsitetrainingwithPoliceDepartmentandFireDepartment.
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Table22.CapabilitiesoftheVillageofNorthBenningtonPlans,Policies,Ordinances Description/ResponsibleAgent Effectiveness ImprovementsNeeded
VulnerablePopulations EmergencyManagementDirector Coulduseimprovementsandupdates
Mapandcatalogvulnerablepopulations;reviewEmergencyManagementplansforschool,medicalfacilities,seniorhousingfacilities;trainemergencypersonnelonresponsetovulnerablepopulations.
MobileHomes EmergencyManagementDirector StateofVermontregulatesmobilehomesandmobilehomeparks
Outreachtomobilehomeresidentsaboutemergencypreparedness.
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G. MitigationActions
Table24belowlistsmitigationactionsforeachofthosehazards.Somewillbe
implementedbytheVillageofNorthBenningtonandothersbyagenciessuchastheVermont
AgencyofTransportation.Mitigationactionsarelistedbythetypeofhazard.Table23liststhe
criteriausedinestablishingprojectpriorities,withrankingbasedonthebestavailable
informationandbestjudgmentastheseproposedprojectswouldneedfurtherstudyand
designwork.Priortotheimplementationofanyaction,abenefit-costanalysiswouldbe
completedtoassuretheactionwouldbefeasibleandcost-effective.
Table23.Rankingofmitigationactions
Criteria Ranking(scoreinparentheses)
Potentialvulnerabilityfromhazard High(3):riskassessmentscore
Medium(2):riskassessmentscore
Low(1):riskassessmentscore
Potentialprotectionoflifeanddegreeof
reductionindamagebyaction
High(3):greaterthan50%reductioninestimateddamage,lossoflife
orinjury
Medium(2):25-50%reductioninestimateddamage,lossoflife,or
injury
Low(1):lessthan25%reductioninestimateddamage,lossoflifeor
injury
ConsistencyoftheactionwithVillage
goalsandplans
High(3):goalsareconsistentwithexistingVillageplans
Low(1):goalsareinconsistentwithexistingVillageplans
Degreeoftechnicalfeasibilityofthe
proposedaction
High(3):projectistechnicallyfeasible
Low(1):feasibilityislow
Implementationcosts High(3):projectcouldbeimplementedforlessthan$25,000
Medium(2):projectwouldcostbetween$25,000and$100,000
Low(1):projectcostswouldexceed$100,000
AbilityoftheVillagetoimplementthe
proposedactionintermsof
administrativecapabilityandlegal
authority
High(3):Villagehascurrentcapabilitytoimplementtheaction
Medium(2):Villagewouldneedtoexpandcapabilitywhile
implementingactionthroughcontractorsoradditionalstaffing
Low(1):Villagewouldneedextensiveassistancetoimplementaction
Degreeoflocalsupportfortheaction High(3):thecommunitysupportstheproposedaction
Low(1):theprojectisopposedinthecommunity
Potentialcoststonaturalsystemsof
implementingtheaction
High(3):naturalsystemswouldnotbeaffected,wouldbeenhancedby
theactionorbeaffectedtoaminimaldegree
Medium(2):naturalsystemswouldbeaffectedbyimpactscouldbe
mitigatedorreduced
Low(1):naturalsystemswouldbenegativelyimpactedandthose
impactscouldnotbemitigatedorreduced
Potentialcoststoculturalresourcesof
implementingtheaction
High(3):culturalresourceswouldnotbeaffected
Medium(2):culturalresourceswouldbeaffectedbyimpactscouldbe
mitigatedorreduced
Low(1):culturalresourcessystemswouldbenegativelyimpactedand
thoseimpactscouldnotbemitigatedorreduced
Potentialcoststosocialandeconomic
resourcesofimplementingtheaction
High(3):socialandeconomicresourceswouldeitherbeunaffectedor
enhancedbytheproject
Medium(2):economicandsocialresourceswouldbeaffectedby
impactscouldbemitigatedorreduced
Low(1):economicandsocialresourceswouldbenegativelyimpacted
andthoseimpactscouldnotbemitigatedorreduced
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Table24.MitigationActions.TypeisbasedoncategoriesinFederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013b
Hazard Type ActionResponsible
PartyTimeFrame
Funding
Source(s)Priority
AllHazards Educationand
Outreach
Providea“beprepared”sectionoftheVillage
websitewithlinkstoinformationforresidents
VillageTrustees 2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
High
AllHazards LocalPlanning
andRegulations
MaintainacurrentLocalEmergencyOperations
Plan
Village
Emergency
Management
Director
2018to2023
(ongoing)
VillageGeneral
Fund
High
AllHazards LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Encourageproperconstructiontechniquesand
useofappropriatematerialstoaddresshazards,
particularlyflooding,winterstorms,windevents,
earthquakes,landslidesandwildfire
VillagePlanning
Commission;
Zoning
Administrator
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
High
AllHazards LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Integratethishazardmitigationplanintothe
VillagePlan,theLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan
andbudgetingandcapitalimprovementsplan
VillageTrustees;
VillagePlanning
Commission;
Zoning
Administrator
2018to2023
(ongoing)
Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
toHigh
AllHazards Educationand
Awareness
Identifyanddevelopmethodstocommunicate
withpopulationsvulnerabletopotentialhazards,
particularlydrought,extremetemperaturesand
infectiousdiseases,butalsothoseinneedof
assistanceforevacuationand/orsheltering
Village
Emergency
Management
Director
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
High
AllHazards LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Assessneedfordrivewaystandardstoassure
adequateemergencyaccessparticularlytoassure
adequateaccessinwinterstorms,floodsandfor
wildfireprotection
VillagePlanning
Commission
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
High
AllHazards Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
Acquireageneratortoprovidebackuppowerfor
theVillage’swaterfiltrationplant
VillageTrustees;
WaterBoard
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
FEMAHMGP,
PDM,FMA
Medium
toHigh
AllHazards Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
AcquireageneratorfortheHighwayGarage VillageTrustees;
VillageHighway
Department
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
FEMAHMGP,
PDM,FMA
Medium
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Table24.MitigationActions.TypeisbasedoncategoriesinFederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013b
Hazard Type ActionResponsible
PartyTimeFrame
Funding
Source(s)Priority
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
Educationand
Awareness
Educateownersonimportanceofsecuring
propanetanksandotheritemsthatcouldfloator
blowawayinstorms
VillageZoning
Administrator
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulation
Developandincorporatefloodresiliencysection,
includingsectionsaddressingtheprotectionof
surfacewaters,landadjacenttostreams,
wetlandsandwaterbodies,uplandforestsand
otherlandsnecessarytoprovidefloodresiliency
intotheNorthBennington
VillagePlanasrequiredbyVermontstatutes
VillagePlanning
Commission;
BCRC
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund;
Municipal
PlanningGrant
Medium
toHigh
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulation
Developawatershedplanningteamwithother
municipalitieswithinthewatershedtocoordinate
planningandotheractionstoprotecttheriver
andpromotefloodresilience
VillagePlanning
Commission;
BCRC
2018to2022 Villagegeneral
fund;
Watershed
GrantfromVT
ANR
Medium
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Adoptandenforceupdatedfloodhazardandriver
corridorprotectionzonebylaws
Village
Development
ReviewBoard;
Zoning
Administrator
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
ParticipateintheCommunityRatingSystemto
helpreducefloodinsurancepremiumsfor
residentsandbusinesses
VillageTrustees 2018to2020 Villagegeneral
fund
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Encourageappropriatestormwateranderosion
controlmeasuresinnewdevelopments
Village
Development
ReviewBoard
2018to2023
(ongoing)
Villagegeneral
fund
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
AdoptthelatestVermontTownRoadandBridge
Standardsandrevisionsasnecessary
VillageTrustees 2018to2023
(asstandards
areupdated)
Villagegeneral
fund
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Inventoryroadsforstormwatermappingaspart
oftheVermontStormwaterprogram
VillageHighway
Department;
BCRC
2018to2021 VTBetterRoads;
Villagegeneral
fund
High
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Table24.MitigationActions.TypeisbasedoncategoriesinFederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013b
Hazard Type ActionResponsible
PartyTimeFrame
Funding
Source(s)Priority
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
CompleteVillage-widestormwatermanagement
planinaccordancewiththeVermontStormwater
Manual
VillagePlanning
Commission
2018to2021 VTBetterRoads;
Villagegeneral
fund
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Mapstormwatersystem VermontDEC 2018to2020 Statefunding High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Updateculvertinventory VillageHighway
Department;
BCRC
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund;
VTBetterRoads
funding
Medium
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
NaturalSystems
Protection
Identifypossibleacquisitionofwetlandsand
specialfloodhazardareastoassurenatural
systemsprotection
Conservation
Commission;
VillagePlanning
Commission;
BCRC
2019to2022 Villagegeneral
fund;
Municipal
PlanningGrant
Medium
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
NaturalSystems
Protection
Completeinventoryofroadnetworktoassess
whetherroadsegmentsconnectedtosurface
watersthroughditches,culvertsorotherdrainage
structuresmeetthenewstormwaterstandards
currentlyunderdevelopmentbytheDEC
MunicipalRoadsProgram
VillageHighway
Department
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund;
VTBetterRoads
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
NaturalSystems
Protection
Developalong-termplantobringallsectionsof
connectedroadstorevisedstandardsaspartof
themunicipalgeneralpermit.
VillageHighway
Department
2018to2020 Villagegeneral
fund;
VTBetterRoads
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
NaturalSystems
Protection
Implementstormwatercontrolprojectsandgreen
infrastructurepracticestoreduceflowsand
sediment
VillageHighway
Department;
Bennington
County
Conservation
District
2019to2022
andbeyond
Villagegeneral
fund;
Statefunding;
FEMAHMGP,
PDM,FMA
High
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Table24.MitigationActions.TypeisbasedoncategoriesinFederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013b
Hazard Type ActionResponsible
PartyTimeFrame
Funding
Source(s)Priority
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
RelocatetheNorthBenningtonFireDepartment
buildingtoalocationoutsideofthespecialflood
hazardarea
VillageFire
Department
2018to2022 FEMA,HMGP,
PDM,FMA,
StateFunding;
Villagegeneral
fund
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
Roadcrewshouldregularlysurveyculvertsfor
blockagesincludingphotographsandrecordsof
damagesandcosts
VillageHighway
Department
2018to2022
(ongoing)
Villagehighway
fund
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
Identifyandreplaceculvertsandbridgesthatdo
notmeetcurrentVermontTownRoadandBridge
Standards
VillageHighway
Department
2018to2023
(ongoing)
Villagehighway
fund;
Stateof
Vermont;AOT;
FEMAHMGP,
PDM,FMA
High
FloodsAnd
FlashFloods
Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
Reachouttodamownersandencouragethemto
getdamsinspected
VillageTrustees 2018to2020 Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
toHigh
WinterStorms Educationand
Outreach
Provideeducationalmaterialsonshelteringin
placeandpreparationforwinterstorms,including
long-termpoweroutages
Village
Emergency
Management
Director
2018to2020 Villagegeneral
fund
High
WinterStorms Educationand
Awareness
Providematerialsforresidentsonmethodsto
protectpropertyfromwindevents
Village
Emergency
Management
Director;
Zoning
Administrator
2018to2020 Villagegeneral
fund;
FEMAHMGP,
PDM,FMA
High
WinterStorms LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Maintainagreementswithadjacenttownsfor
sharingofhighwayequipment
VillageTrustees;
Highway
Department
2018to2023
(ongoing)
Villagegeneral
fund
High
WinterStorms Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
Placeutilitiesundergroundforcriticalfacilities VillageTrustees 2018to2023 FEMAHMGP,
PDM,FMA
Medium
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Table24.MitigationActions.TypeisbasedoncategoriesinFederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013b
Hazard Type ActionResponsible
PartyTimeFrame
Funding
Source(s)Priority
HighWind
Events
Educationand
Outreach
Provideeducationalmaterialsonshelteringin
placeandpreparationforwinterstorms,including
long-termpoweroutages
Village
Emergency
Management
Director
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
High
HighWind
Events
LocalPlanning
andRegulation
Requireboats,propanetanksandotheritems
storedoutdoorstobesecured
VillagePlanning
Commission;
Zoning
Administrator
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
High
HighWind
Events
LocalPlanning
andRegulation
Encourageappropriateplantingstoavoidfuture
damagefromdownedtrees
VillageTree
Committee
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
HighWind
Events
Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
Retrofitexistingbuildingstowithstandhighwinds
includingprotectionofpowerlinesandother
utilities
VillageTrustees;
PrivateOwners
2018to2023
(ongoing)
FEMAHMGP,
PDM
Medium
HighWind
Events
Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
Placeutilitiesundergroundforcriticalfacilities VillageTrustees;
PrivateOwners
2018to2023 FEMAHMGP,
PDM
High
HighWind
Event
LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Conductatreesurveyforlargedeadtrees VillageTree
Committee
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
Drought LocalPlanning
andRegulation
Monitordroughtconditions
Village
Emergency
Management
Director
2018to2022
(ongoing)
Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
Drought Educationand
Awareness
Provideeducationalmaterialsondealingwith
drought
Village
Emergency
Management
Director
2018to2020 Villagegeneral
fund;
FEMAHMGP,
PDM
Medium
Drought LocalPlanning
andRegulation
Incorporateplanningfordroughtsinthelocal
emergencyoperationsplan
Village
Emergency
Management
Director
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
Hazardous
MaterialsSpill
Structureand
Infrastructure
Projects
WorkwithVTAOTtoidentifyandmitigatehigh
accidentintersectionsandroadsegments
VTAOT 2018to2021 StateAOTfunds Medium
toHigh
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Table24.MitigationActions.TypeisbasedoncategoriesinFederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013b
Hazard Type ActionResponsible
PartyTimeFrame
Funding
Source(s)Priority
WaterSupply NaturalSystems
Protection
Inquireintotheneedofpurchasingmoreland
aroundthepublicwatersourcetoprotectthe
watersourcefromfuturedevelopment
VillageTrustees 2018to2023 Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
toHigh
WaterSupply LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Inquireintothefeasibilityofasecondarypublic
watersource
VillageTrustees 2018to2023 Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
Infectious
Disease
Outbreak
Educationand
Outreach
Provideeducationalmaterialsinprintedformand
ontheVillagewebsiteonpotentialinfectious
diseases
Village
Emergency
Management
Director
2018to2021 Villagegeneral
fund;Stateof
VermontHealth
Department
High
InvasiveSpecies LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Monitorextentofinvasivespecies,particularly
forestinvasivespeciessuchasEmeraldAshBorer
VillageTree
committee
2018to2022
(ongoing)
Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
InvasiveSpecies LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Completesurveysforashtreesvulnerableto
EmeraldAshBorer
BCRC;
Bennington
County
Conservation
District
2018to2020 FEMAHMGP,
PDM;
VTDepartment
ofForests,Parks
andRecreation
Medium
InvasiveSpecies LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Surveyforinvasivespecies(e.g.,Japanese
knotweed)alongstreamstoidentifypotential
erosionareas
Conservation
Commission
2018to2020 Stateof
Vermont
Departmentof
Parks,Forestry
andRecreation
Medium
InvasiveSpecies LocalPlanning
andRegulations
Encourageuseofnativespeciesinplantingsfor
commercialandresidentialdevelopment
Village
Development
ReviewBoard
2018to2023
(ongoing)
Villagegeneral
fund
Medium
InvasiveSpecies Educationand
Awareness
Provideoutreachmaterialsforlandownerson
usingnativeplantsandcontrollinginvasive
species
Bennington
County
Conservation
District
2018to2019 Villagegeneral
fund;Stateof
Vermont
Departmentof
Parks,Forestry
andRecreation
High
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VII. PlanMaintenance
A. AnnualMonitoringandContinuedPublicInvolvement CopiesofthisplanwillbekeptattheVillageofficeandmadeavailableviatheBCRCwebsite.TheVillageBoardofTrusteesintendstoinvolvethepublicintheimplantation,reviewandupdateofthisplan.Trackingofactionswilltakeplaceduringtheannualbudgetingprocess,whenfundsareallocatedforvariousprogramstooperatetheVillage,includingcapitalimprovements.TheVillageBoardofTrusteesisresponsiblefordevelopingaVillagebudget,whichisapprovedduringTownMeetingDayinMarch. ThisplanwillbeintegratedintoexistingplanningeffortsincludingupdatestotheVillageplanaswellastheannualLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan.NewdatafromavarietyofstudiescompletedbytheBenningtonCountyRegionalCommission,theStateofVermontandotherswillbeusedinupdatingtheVillageplan,astheywereusedtodevelopthishazardmitigationplan.TheprocessofupdatingtheVillageplanwillincorporatepublicinvolvement,agencyreviewandadjacenttownreviewrequirementsofVermontstatutes.
B. PlanEvaluationandUpdate TheNorthBenningtonVillageBoardofTrusteeswillberesponsibleforservingasorcreatingaplanningteamforevaluatingandupdatingtheplan. 1. PlanEvaluation TheeffectivenessoftheplanwillbedeterminedbywhetherornotactionslistedinTable24areimplemented.Inaddition,theVillageTrusteeswillannuallyevaluatetheplantoassessifthegoalsarebeingachieved.
a) PriortotownmeetinginMarch,theplanningteamlead(assignedbytheVillageTrustees)andEmergencyManagementDirectorwillrevieweachoftheactionsinTable24todeterminetheirstatus.Statuscategorieswillincludecompleted,inprogress,scheduled,noprogress.
b) TheevaluationwillbepresentedtotheVillageTrusteesandtootherofficialsatapublicmeetingtoallowforadiscussiononprogressinimplementingtheplanandtheneedforapplyingforfundingortoaddressprogramandbudgetingpriorities.
c) TheevaluationwillbeusedtoupdatetheLocalEmergencyOperationsPlan,whichisrequiredannually,andtoidentifypotentialchangestootherVillageplans,programsandpolicies.
Ifrequested,theBenningtonCountyRegionalCommissionwillprovideadviceandassistanceontheplanevaluation.
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2. PlanUpdate Atleastoneyearbeforethefive-yearperiodcoveredbythisplan,theplanningteamwillinitiateareviewoftheplanby:
a. Updatingthedescriptionsandanalysesofeventsusingnewinformationsincecompletionofthe2017draft.
b. Identificationofanynewbuildingsorinfrastructureorchangesincriticalfacilities.c. Estimationofpotentialprobabilityandextentofhazardsbasedonanynewinformation
sincecompletionofthe2017planandtheVillagePlan.d. Reviewofcompletedhazardmitigationprojects.e. Identificationofnewprojectsgiventherevisedhazardevaluation.f. Reviewofanychangesinprioritiessinceadoptionofthe2017plan.g. Revisionoftheassessmentofrisksandvulnerabilityfromidentifiedhazards.h. Developmentanduseofcriteriatoassessthepotentialbenefitsandcostsofidentified
actionsforuseinprioritizingthoseactions.i. IntegrationoftheupdatedplanintotheNorthBenningtonVillagePlanandotherplans
andprograms.
Theplanningteamwillholdopenmeetingstosolicitopinionsandtoidentifyissuesandconcernsfrommembersofthepublicandstakeholders.TheplanningteamandtheNorthBenningtonVillageBoardofTrusteeswillworkwiththeBenningtonCountyRegionalCommissionandtheStateHazardMitigationOfficer(SHMO)toreviewandupdatetheirprograms,initiativesandprojectsbasedonchanginglocalneedsandpriorities.BCRCwillassistinanynecessarycoordinationandcommunicationwithneighboringtownstoassurethatmitigationactionsaddressregionalissuesofconcern.TherevisedplanwillbesubmittedforreviewbytheStateHazardMitigationOfficerandFEMAandrevisedbasedontheircomments.FollowingapprovalbyFEMA,theVillageTrusteeswilladoptthecompletedplan.
C. PostDisasterReviewandRevision Shouldadeclareddisasteroccur,NorthBenningtonmayundertakespecialreviewofthisplanandtheappropriateupdatesmade.AfterActionReports,reviews,anddebriefingsshouldbeintegratedintotheupdateprocess.Theplanshouldalsobeupdatedtoreflectthefindingsofanyotherstudies.
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VIII. References
A. LiteratureandReportsAnderson,H.E.1982.Aidstodeterminingfuelmodelsforestimatingfirebehavior.U.S.ForestServiceGeneralTechnicalReportINT-122,IntermountainForestandRangeExperimentStation,Ogden,UT.BenningtonCountyRegionalCommission2015.BenningtonCountyRegionalPlan,adoptedMarch19,2015bytheBenningtonCountyRegionalCommission,Bennington,VT.Availablevia:www.bcrcvt.orgChristensen,J.H.,K.KrishnaKumar,E.Aldrian,S.-I.An,I.F.A.Cavalcanti,M.deCastro,W.Dong,P.Goswami,A.Hall,J.K.Kanyanga,A.Kitoh,J.Kossin,N.-C.Lau,J.Renwick,D.B.Stephenson,S.-P.XieandT.Zhou,2013:ClimatePhenomenaandtheirRelevanceforFutureRegionalClimateChangeSupplementaryMaterial.In:ClimateChange2013:ThePhysicalScienceBasis.ContributionofWorkingGroupItotheFifthAssessmentReportoftheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange[Stocker,T.F.,D.Qin,G.-K.Plattner,M.Tignor,S.K.Allen,J.Boschung,A.Nauels,Y.Xia,V.BexandP.M.Midgley(eds.)].Availablefromwww.climatechange2013.organdwww.ipcc.chClift,A.E.andG.Springston2012.ProtocolforidentificationofareassensitivetolandslidehazardinVermont.ReportpreparedfortheVermontGeologicalSurvey,byNorwichUniversity,Northfield,VT.Dale,J.2015.LandslidepotentialinBenningtonCounty,Vermont.ReportpreparedforMajorieGale,VermontGeologicalSurveyfromGreenMountainCollege,Poultney,VT.DepartmentoftheArmy1975.FloodPlainInformationWalloomsacRiver–SouthStream–RoaringBranch,TownofBennington,Vermont.ReportpreparedfortheDepartmentofWaterResources,StateofVermont,bytheDepartmentoftheArmy,NewYorkDistrict,CorpsofEngineers.Ebel,J.E.,R.BedellandA.Urzua1995.ExcerptsfromaReportontheSeismicVulnerabilityoftheStateofVermont.Availablevia:http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/EBEL.htmEliason,T.D.andG.E.Springston2007.RockfallhazardratingofrockcutsonU.S.andstatehighwaysinVermont.ResearchProjectRSCH010-974,VermontAgencyofTransportation,Montpelier,VT.FederalEmergencyManagementAgency2010.Floodinsurancestudy,BenningtonCounty,Vermontandincorporatedareas,FederalEmergencyManagementAgencyStudyNumber50003CV000A.
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FederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013a.LocalMitigationPlanningHandbook.FederalEmergencyManagementAgency,U.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurity,Washington,D.C.FederalEmergencyManagementAgency2013b.Mitigationideas;aresourceforreducing.FederalEmergencyManagementAgency,U.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurity,Washington,D.C.FloodReadyVermont2016.Availablevia:http://floodready.vermont.govFederalRegister2001.Urbanwildlandinterfacecommunitieswithinthevicinityoffederallandsthatareathighriskfromwildfire.Availablevia:https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2001/01/04/01-52/urban-wildland-interface-communities-within-the-vicinity-of-federal-lands-that-are-at-high-risk-from#h-10Galford,GillianL.,AnnHoogenboom,SamCarlson,SarahFord,JulieNash,ElizabethPalchak,SarahPears,KristinUnderwood,andDanielV.Baker,Eds,2014:ConsideringVermont’sFutureinaChangingClimate:TheFirstVermontClimateAssessment.GundInstituteforEcologicalEconomics,219pp.Availablevia:http://vtclimate.org/Horton,R.,G.Yohe,W.Easterling,R.Kates,M.Ruth,E.Sussman,A.Whelchel,D.Wolfe,andF.Lipschultz,2014:Ch.16:Northeast.ClimateChangeImpactsintheUnitedStates:TheThirdNationalClimateAssessment,J.M.Melillo,Terese(T.C.)Richmond,andG.W.Yohe,Eds.,U.S.GlobalChangeResearchProgram,16-1-nn.Availablevia:http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/regions/northeastKim,J.2003.ReporttoLissaLuke,BenningtonCountyRegionalCommissionfromtheVermontGeologicalSurvey.Ludlum,D.M.1996.VermontWeatherBook.VermontHistoricalSociety,Montpelier,VT.Malamud,B.D.,J.D.A.Millington,G.L.W.Perry,andD.L.Turcotte2005.CharacterizingwildfireregimesintheUnitedStates.ProceedingsoftheNationalAcademyofSciencesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,102(13):4694-4699.Medalie,Laura,andOlson,S.A.,2013,High-watermarksfromfloodinginLakeChamplainfromAprilthroughJune2011andTropicalStormIreneinAugust2011inVermont:U.S.GeologicalSurveyDataSeries763,11p.,availablefromhttp://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/763/NationalClimateDataCenter2015.Stormeventsdatabase.NationalClimateDataCenterstormseventsdatabase.Availablevia:www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/NationalOceanographicandAtmosphericAdministration2006.NationalOceanographicandAtmosphericAdministrationDamagingWindBasic.Availablevia:http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/wind/wind_basics.html
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NationalWeatherService2010.Manual10-950,HydrologicServicesProgram10-9Definitionsandgeneralterminology.Availablevia:http://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/010.htm
NationalWeatherService2015.AdvancedHydrologicPredictionService,streamgaugeinformationfortheWalloomsacRivernearNorthBennington.Availablevia:http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=aly&gage=bntv1NationalWildfireCoordinatingGroup2011.NationalWildfireCoordinatingGroupglossaryofwildlandfireterminology.Availablevia:http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/glossary/index.htmNorthCentralResearchStation2005.Atmosphericdisturbanceclimatology:fireweatherpatterns.Availablevia:http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/4401/focus/climatology/firewx/NortheastEarthquakeandMapCatalog2015.BostonCollege,WestonObservatory,Boston,MA.Availablevia:http://www.bc.edu/research/westonobservatory/northeast/eqcatalogs.htmlQuant,J.2016.Summaryofashsurveys(Fraxinusspp.):ManchesterVillageandNorthBennington,VT.ReportpreparedfortheBenningtonCountyRegionalCommission,Bennington,VT.Rustad,L.E.2012.Northeast.InVose,JamesM.;Peterson,DavidL.;Patel-Weynand,Toral,eds.2012.Effectsofclimaticvariabilityandchangeonforestecosystems:acomprehensivesciencesynthesisfortheU.S.forestsector.Gen.Tech.Rep.PNW-GTR-870.Portland,OR.U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,ForestService,PacificNorthwestResearchStation.Pp.215-218.Schultz,B.,T.Hanson,S.Wilmot,J.Halman,K.DeckerandT.Greaves2015.ForestinsectanddiseaseconditionsinVermont–CalendarYear2015.VermontAgencyofNaturalResources,DepartmentofForestsParksandRecreation,Montpelier,VT.Availablevia:http://fpr.vermont.gov/forest/forest_health/current_healthSpringston,G.andM.Gale1998.EarthquakesinVermont.VermontGeologicalSurveyEducationalLeafletNo.1.Availablevia:www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/odfdocseduleaf1EQ.pdfTetraTech,Inc.2013.Climatechangeadaptationframework.ReportpreparedfortheVermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesbyTetraTech,Inc.,Montpelier,VT,140pp.Availablevia:http://anr.vermont.gov/sites/anr/files/specialtopics/climate/documents/Adaptation/2013.0610.vtanr_.NR_CC_Adaptation_Framework_Report.pdfU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers2015.NationalInventoryofDams.UnitedStatesArmyCorpsofEngineers,Washington,D.C.U.S.CensusBureau2010.AmericanFactFinder.Availablevia:http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
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U.S.ForestService2010.NortheastWildfireRiskAssessment.UnitedStatesForestService,Washington,D.C.U.S.GeologicalSurvey2006.Landslidetypesandprocesses.U.S.GeologicalSurvey.Availablevia:http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2004/3072/ U.S.GeologicalSurvey2010.U.S.GeologicalSurveyEarthquakeHazardsProgram.Availablevia:http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mag_vs_int.phpVermontAgencyofNaturalResources2014.Floodhazardareaandrivercorridorprotectionprocedure.Availablevia:http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/rivers/docs/FHARCP_12.5.14.pdfVermontAgencyofNaturalResources2016.BattenKillWalloomsacHoosicTacticalBasinPlan.VermontAgencyofNaturalResources,Montpelier,VT.Availablevia:http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/planning/htm/pl_battenkill.htmVermontAgencyofTransportation2016a.PublicCrashDataQueryTool.VermontAgencyofTransportation.Availablevia:http://apps.vtrans.vermont.gov/CrashPublicQueryTool/home/index#VermontAgencyofTransportation2016b.Vermontgeneralhighwaymap,NorthBenningtonVillage,BenningtonCounty,Vermont.Availablevia:http://vtransmaps.vermont.gov/mapsftp/current.aspVermontCenterforGeographicInformation.Variousdatasetsavailablefromwww.vcgi.orgVermontDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation2016a.DesignatedAreasofConcerninNorthBenningtonandBennington.VermontAgencyofNaturalResources,Montpelier,VT.Accessedvia:http://dec.vermont.gov/commissioners-office/pfoa/communitiesVermontDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation2016b.VermontDamSafetySheet.VermontAgencyofNaturalResources,Montpelier,VT.VermontDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreation2010.2010VermontForestResourcesPlan,VermontDepartmentofForests,ParksandRecreation,DivisionofForests,VermontAgencyofNaturalResources,Montpelier,VT.VermontDivisionofEmergencyManagementandHomelandSecurity2013.VermontStateHazardMitigationPlan.VermontEmergencyManagement,Waterbury,VT.VermontInvasives2016.Availablevia:www.vtinvasives.org
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VermontRiverManagementProgram2010.Municipalguidetofluvialerosionhazardmitigation.PreparedbyKariDolanandMikeKlineoftheVermontAgencyofNaturalResources,Montpelier,VT.VillageofNorthBennington2013.NorthBenningtonVillagePlan,NorthBennington,VT.Zielinski,G.A.andB.D.Keim.2003.NewEnglandWeather,NewEnglandClimate,UniversityofNewHampshirePress,Lebanon,NH.
B. MapDataSourcesTheVermontCenterofGeographicInformationprovidesdataontransportationsystems,thelocationofstructures(E911),criticalfacilities,jurisdictionalboundaries,andotherinformation.Thatdatawasusedinallmaps.Datafromothersourceswereusedinspecificmapsasnotedbelow.Map1.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureGeospatialDataGatewayforNAIPorthoimageryandtopography,http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/Map2.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/NationalLandCoverDataoriginallyfromUSGS.Map3.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureGeospatialDataGatewayforNAIPorthoimageryandtopography,http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/DatafromtheBenningtonCountyRegionalCommissionNorthBenningtonVillagePlan2013Map4.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureGeospatialDataGatewayforNAIPorthoimageryandtopography,http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/VermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesNaturalResourcesAtlas,http://anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/anra/Map5.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureGeospatialDataGatewayforNAIPorthoimageryandtopography,http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/VermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesNaturalResourcesAtlas,http://anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/anra/FEMAFloodMapServiceCenter:https://msc.fema.gov/portal/
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Map6.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureGeospatialDataGatewayforNAIPorthoimageryandtopography,http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/LANDFIREProgram,www.landfire.govVermontForestResourcesPlan,http://anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/sars_data/Map7.Dale,J.2015.LandslidepotentialinBenningtonCounty,Vermont.ReportpreparedforMajorieGale,VermontGeologicalSurveyfromGreenMountainCollege,Poultney,VT.Map8.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/Quant,J.2016.Summaryofashsurveys(Fraxinusspp.):ManchesterVillageandNorthBennington,VT.ReportpreparedfortheBenningtonCountyRegionalCommission,Bennington,VT.Map9.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureGeospatialDataGatewayforNAIPorthoimageryandtopography,http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/VermontAgencyofNaturalResourcesNaturalResourcesAtlas,http://anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/anra/Map10.VermontCenterforGeographicInformation,http://vcgi.vermont.gov/U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureGeospatialDataGatewayforNAIPorthoimageryandtopography,http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/NorthBenningtonHazardMitigationPlanningTeamBCRCData
C. PersonalCommunicationSourcesChelseaDubie,M.Ed.,InfectiousDiseaseEpidemiologist,VermontDepartmentofHealth,[email protected],NOAAregardingdroughtindices,[email protected],NOAAregardingNCDCdata,[email protected],NorwichUniversity,Northfield,[email protected]
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AppendixI.CommentsReceivedComment:Onpage6,thecommentermadeapointthatTable1listsbuildingtypesinsteadoflanduses.Response:Added“buildingtype”tothesentence.Comment:Onpage11,thecommentersuggestedexplainingwhatspecialfloodhazardareasandrivercorridorsare.Response:Sincespecialfloodhazardareasandrivercorridorsarealreadyexplainedfurtherintheplan,weaddedthesentence:“SeeSectionA.3.formoreinformationonfloodhazardareasandrivercorridors.”Comment:Onpage11,thecommenteraskedthatwenametheagencythatlisteddamsasbeinglowhazardpotential.Response:Theagencyhasbeenadded.Comment:Onpage11,thecommentermentionedadocumentthatlistsanddescribesthreemorefloodevents.Response:Thedocumentwasreviewedandthefloodeventswereaddedtothesectionthatdescribespreviousoccurrences.Comment:Onpage16,thecommentermentionedafloodingeventthatwasn’tpreviouslyincluded.TheysaidthatParanCreekfloodedWaterStreetseveralyearsagowhenmaterialcollectedattheNationalHangerdam.Response:Thiseventwasaddedtotheparagraphwherepreviousfloodingeventsarediscussed.Comment:Thecommenteraskedhowtheprobabilityandimpactpercentagesweredetermined.Response:Whereprobabilityisfirstdiscussed,onpage18,anexplanationabouthowprobabilityandimpactweredeterminedwasadded.Comment:Onpage24,thecommenteraskedwhatwasmeantbyshortterm.Response:Wordingwasaddedtodescribewhatshorttermreferredto.Comment:Onpage32,thecommentermentionedthatanimalsandperishablescouldalsobeaffectedduringpoweroutagesinextremecold.
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Response:Animalsandperishableswereaddedtothediscussion.Comment:Onpage44,thecommenteraskedtofurtherexplaintheconnectionbetweenhighaccidentareasandthepotentialforwaterresourcestobecontaminatedfromhazardousmaterialsspills.Response:Anewparagraphwasaddedthatspecifiedwhichareacouldbevulnerabletohazardousmaterialsspillsandwhichwaterresourcescouldbeaffected.Comment:Onpage53,thecommenterwaswonderingiftheVermontShorelandProtectionAct,adoptedin2014,supersedestheVillage’sShorelineProtectionOverlayDistrictincludedinthe2013VillagePlan.TheyaskedifweshouldmentiontheActbecauseitrequiresa250footbuffer,whereastheOverlayDistrictonlyrequiresa200footbuffer.Response:InformationabouttheVermontShorelandProtectionActwasincludedundersectionVI.D.InformationabouttheOverlayDistrictwillremain,asitdemonstratesamitigationmeasuretakenbyNorthBenningtontoprotecttheshoreline,limitdevelopmentandreduceerosion.AllofthecommentscamefromtheBenningtonCountyConservationDistrict.Inadditiontothecommentsabove,thereweresomeeditorialandspellingsuggestions.Noothercommentswerereceived.
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS,NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (HongKong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
¯ 0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25Miles
Map 1. Village of North Bennington
This map was prepared by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in October of 2016. This map should be used for planning purposes only. See Section VIIfor sources of information and consult those sourcesfor data use limitations.
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Map 2. Village of North Bennington Land CoverDeveloped, High Intensity
Developed, Medium Intensity
Developed, Low Intensity
Developed, Open Space
Cultivated Crops
Pasture/Hay
Grassland/Herbaceous
Deciduous Forest
Evergreen Forest
Mixed Forest
Scrub/Shrub
Palustrine Forested Wetland
Palustrine Scrub/Shrub Wetland
Palustrine Emergent Wetland
Bare Land
Open Water
This map was prepared by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in October of 2016. This map should be used for planning purposes only. See Section VIIfor sources of information and consult those sourcesfor data use limitations.
d Structures
Interstate Highway
Interstate Highway Ramp
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U.S. Highway Ramp
U.S. Highway
US Government Highway
State Highway
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
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Legal Trail
Private
Discontinued
Proposed road
EDICONS
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VC
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VR-40
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IVR-10
VRP
VRP
LAKE
VRP
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¯ 0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25Miles
Map 3. North Bennington Land Use Designations
Village Designation
Historic District
ZONE
Conservation (CONS0
Education (ED)
Industrial (I)
LAKE
Village Commercial (VC)
VR-10
VR-120
VR-20
VR-3
VR-40
VRP
This map was prepared by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in February of 2017. This map should be used for planning purposes only. See Section VIIfor sources of information and consult those sourcesfor data use limitations.
Railroad
U.S. Divided Highway
U.S. Highway Ramp
State Highway
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Legal Trail
Private
Discontinued
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Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS,NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (HongKong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
¯ 0 1 2 3 4 50.5Miles
Map 4. North Bennington Critical Facilities
# North Bennington Critical Facilities
Surface Water Protection Area
North Bennington Village Boundary
This map was prepared by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in October of 2016. This map should be used for planning purposes only. See Section VIIfor sources of information and consult those sourcesfor data use limitations.
Label Name Type
1 North Bennington Fire Station Fire Station; EOC; Shelter
2 North Bennington School School; Shelter
3 North Bennington Village Office Village Office
4 North Bennington VillageGarage Village Highway Garage
5 North Bennington Water Reservoir Public Water Supply Intake
6 North Bennington Water Treatment Plant Water Tank
7 Bennington Wastewater Treatment Plant
Wastewater Treatment Plant;
Hazardous Materials Storage Facility
8 Paulin Inc. Hazardous Materials Storage Facility
9 Southshire Community School School; Shelter
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Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap,increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO,NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL,Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, EsriChina (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, ©OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GISUser Community
¯ 0 1 2 30.5Miles
Map 5. Village of North Bennington Flood Hazard Areas
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Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap,increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS,NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL,Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, EsriChina (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, ©OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity
X Benningong Irene Elevations
# Dams
Wetlands
Water Bodies
Special Flood Hazard AreasAE, FLOODWAY
AE
A
AO
# Dams
River Corridors
Potential Inundation Zone from Paran Dam Failure
This map was prepared by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in February of 2017. This map should be used for planning purposes only. See Section VIIfor sources of information and consult those sourcesfor data use limitations.
Special Flood Hazard Areas River Corridors and Dam Inundation Area
¯ 0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25Miles
Map 6. North Bennington Wildfire Potential
No riskLowModerateHighVery high
Wildfire RiskMean Fire Return Interval
Mean Return Interval0-5 Years
6-10 Years
46-50 Years
51-60 Years
81-90 Years
91-100 Years
126-150 Years
151-200 Years
201-300 Years
301-500 Years
501-1000 Years
>1000 Years
Water
Barren
This map was created by the Bennington County RegionalCommission in October of 2016. Map sources may be foundin Section VIII. This map may be used only for planningpurposes.
Map 7. North Bennington Landslide Potential
XY
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Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO,NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, EsriChina (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GISUser Community
¯ 0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25Miles
Landslide PotentialHigh
Medium
Low
Railroad
XY XY XY XY State Highway
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Private
Discontinued
This map was created by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in October of 2016. Map sourcesmay be found in Section VIII. This map may be usedonly for planning purposes.
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS,NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (HongKong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
¯ 0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25Miles
Map 8. North Bennington Ash Tree Surveys
Number > 12" in diameter
0
1-25
25-50
50-100
>100
Unsurveyed
This map was prepared by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in February of 2017. This map should be used for planning purposes only. See Section VIIfor sources of information and consult those sourcesfor data use limitations.
¹º»¼¹º»¼
¹º»¼
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¹º»¼ ¹º»¼¹º»¼¹º»¼
¹º»¼
¹º»¼
¹º»¼
¹º»¼
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¹º»¼
cEcE
cERICE LN
WAT
ER S
T
MURPHY RD
WEST ST OVERLEA RDHALL ST
BENNINGTON COLLEGE RD
N BENNINGTON RD
TOWN LINE RD
SPR
ING
HIL
L R
D
HAR
WO
OD
HIL
L R
D
MAIN
ST
MECHANIC ST
CO
LLE
GE
RD
RO
YAL
ST
EDITH RD
RUSS
ETT
DR
LAKE PARAN RD
CAMPUS RD
N BENNINGTON RD
HARWO
OD HILL RD
WAT
ER S
T
¯ 0 0.5 1 1.5 20.25Miles
Map 9. North Bennington Transportation Hazards
cE Hazardous Intersections
¹º»¼ Railroad Crossings
U.S. Divided Highway
U.S. Highway Ramp
State Highway
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Legal Trail
Private
Discontinued
This map was prepared by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in February of 2017. This map should be used for planning purposes only. See Section VIIfor sources of information and consult those sourcesfor data use limitations.
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cEcE
cE
¯ 0 1 2 30.5Miles
Map 10. Village of North Bennington Composite Hazard Map
Flood Hazard Zones
cE Hazardous Intersections
# Dams
Potential Inundation Area
AE, FLOODWAYAE AAO
5
8
2
9
11
10
37
4
1
Problem Areas
Label Issue1 Eddington House Cistern2 Lake Paran Dam3 Prospect St. Dam4 Water Street Retaining Wall5 McCullough Hill Drainage/Water Damate6 Fire House in Floodplain7 Culver Improvement Needed8 Undersized Culvert9 Culvert Improvement Needed
10 Flooding Problem11 Pipe Replacement Needed
This map was created by the Bennington CountyRegional Commission in October of 2016. Map sourcesmay be found in Section VIII. This map may be usedonly for planning purposes.