With Permission
Is your neighborhood prone to flooding?
Are your roads inaccessible during a Nor’easter?
What can be done to lessen the impact of extreme weather events?
Now is your time to speak out.
Branford is participating in a regional online survey that allows people to express their concerns about potential natural hazards. The survey is one way for people to have an impact in the development of a Hazard Mitigation Plan. Click here to participate in the survey. Information from the surveys will be anonymous.
“The survey helps identify what people’s opinions are of hazards we may face in the community,” said Town Engineer Janice Plaziak. “It gets their input into the plan.”
Branford is joining nine other towns in the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) in an effort to identify potential natural disasters and find ways to reduce their effects. Once a plan is in place, towns may apply for FEMA grant money for mitigation projects.
The consulting team at a recent meeting listed the frequency of natural disasters in Connecticut. According to NOAA data, flooding is the most prevalent hazard in the state. In addition, there were 49 tropical storms or hurricanes in Connecticut since 1900; 255 severe winter storms since 1950; and 88 tornadoes since 1950.
Plaziak, who is Branford’s representative on the Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee, attended a planning meeting at SCRCOG headquarters in North Haven last week.
“We’re making progress,” Plaziak told the Eagle. “We’re meeting monthly so they can get information from each town.”
Joining Branford are Bethany, Hamden, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge. Five other towns in the SCRCOG — East Haven, Guilford, Meriden, Milford and New Haven — have already developed a local plan but have been invited to join the regional effort.
Plaziak was one of the people who interviewed potential consultants to spearhead the program. The SCRCOG used grant money to hire Jamie Caplan of Consulting LLC of Massachusetts, a company specializing in emergency management services. Her team will review the surveys and provide results to each town. They will also work with the SCRCOG and the municipalities to develop an overall plan.
The plan will address regional needs and the specific concerns of each community. Click here to read a story about Storm Irene one year later.
“The more information we have, the better we can understand where the needs are,” Plaziak said.
Some survey questions ask people their opinions about which hazards have the most effect on residents, the local economy and infrastructure like roads and utilities. Questions are targeted to show people’s perception of how vulnerable the town is to disasters like floods, hurricanes, Nor’easters, thunderstorms, snowstorms or earthquakes. There is a section where people can write suggestions about what local government could do to reduce risks in their neighborhood.
In addition, there are also questions dealing with how well people are prepared for natural disasters.
“Part of it is educating the public. Being prepared helps mitigate the effects of a hazard,” Plaziak said.
The consultants and SCRCOG personnel will conduct a work session with Branford officials and community leaders this week. Public meetings will be held early next year for residents to offer additional input.
The consultants will develop a risk assessment based on data from residents, local officials and from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The team will then develop strategies and specific projects that would lessen the impact of natural disasters.
Plaziak is hopeful the mitigation plan will be complete by early summer.
“Stay tuned for more information in the future,” Plaziak said, adding that anyone who has questions may call her office at Town Hall at (203) 315‑0606.
Additional information may be found at the SCROG Web site at www.scrcog.org
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