Hazard Mitigation Plan

Public Meeting #2March 10th, 2010

USDA: NRCC Photo Gallery

Introduction About the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans What is Hazard Mitigation? Hazard Mitigation Plan Overview Hazard Assessments Vulnerability Assessments

Mitigation Projects Updating and Monitoring the Plan Continued Public Involvement

Plan Adoption and Next Steps Summary Public Comments Wrap-Up

Agenda

Paul G. Seldes, Lambert Engineers, LLC

Team Introductions

Sewerage and Water Board Marcia St. Martin, Executive Director Robert Miller, Deputy Director

Emergency Management Operations Jason Higginbotham Tom Miller

Environmental Affairs Division Gordon Austin Harvey Stern

Community and Intergovernmental Relations Robert Jackson

Risk Management Ike Cameron

Lambert Engineers Paul Seldes, FPEM, CHS-III - Hazard Mitigation Consultant & Project Manager Dennis Lambert, PE Rich Campanella, GIS Specialist

Infinity Engineering Consultants Michael Leitzinger

GOHSEP Shenetia Henderson-McGee

About TheSewerage and Water Board of New Orleans

The Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) has been serving citizens and protecting the environment since 1899. Originally formed to combat disease by providing safe drinking water and eliminating the health hazards of open sewer ditches, today the S&WB continues its mission using 21st century technology.The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans consists of the Mayor, the two at-large council members of the City Council, one district councilman selected by the Council, two members of the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, and seven citizen members appointed by the Mayor, in accordance with the law, for overlapping terms of 9 years.

The S&WB is divided into 3 main areas: Water, Sewerage and Drainage; serving 101,833 residential customers, 4,503 multi-residential customers, 12,350 commercial customers and 40 industrial customers for a customer base of 118,726

Water

Sewer

Drainage

Hazard Mitigation

80% of New Orleans Flooded

What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?

Any sustained measures undertaken to reduce or eliminate the risks posed by natural and/or manmade hazards on a place and its population.

Hazard Mitigation Plan:

A plan to reduce a jurisdiction’s risk and exposure to disasters

Local governments must have a local hazard mitigation plan to apply for certain federal grant programs

What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?

Hazard mitigation measures can include structural projects…

What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?

… non-structural projects …

What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?

…regulatory and policy practices…

What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?

…training and educational programs…

What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan?

It all boils down to two basic questions:

1.What hazards present the greatest risk to the jurisdiction and its citizens?

2.What are the most effective ways to reduce those risks?

Regulatory Requirements

44 CFR 201 – Code of Federal Regulations The Stafford Act - Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency

Assistance Act of 1988 (amended by DMA 2000)

44 CFR 201.6 details the requirements for local hazard mitigation plans

Local plans must be submitted to State (GOHSEP) and FEMA for approval.

44.CFR.201 requires the plan be updated every 5 years

More information on HMGP available at http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/hmgp/index.shtm

The State of Louisiana Hazard Mitigation Plan: http://gohsep.la.gov/mitigation/statehazmitplan_08/hazmitigatpln_08.htm

The goal is to mitigate the losses from identified hazards.

Why does the Sewerage and Water Board need a plan?

The purpose of this project is to develop a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) that complies with the HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) and 44.CFR.201.6 and classifies the Sewerage andWaterBoard of New Orleans as a single, local jurisdiction.

As a single, local jurisdiction with a LHMP, the S&WB can be a direct applicant to the State for various FEMA grant funding programs and reimbursements.

Planning Process Overview

There is a lot of jargon that is used to describe the planning process. We’ll try to be jargon free.

This graphic shows the process recommended by FEMA. We’ll go thru this step-by-step.

Hazard Mitigation Simplified 4 Phase Process

Organize Resources

Assess Hazards & Risks

Develop a Mitigation Plan

Implement the Plan & Monitor

Progress

How is the Plan Structured?

Introduction and process

Identification of hazards and threats from natural or manmade sources

Assessment of risks to populations, property, economies

Critical Facility Data

Assessment of capability for hazard mitigation

Action plans to reduce risk

Plan Implementation and Maintenance

Phase 1 – Organize Resources

Assess Community Support

Build the Planning Team

Engage the Public*

Organize resources and process

The S&WB service networks (water, sewer, drainage) are critical facilities

Hazards impact the S&WB differently than they impact the City of New Orleans

We seek to identify and mitigate the ―systemic‖ impact that represents a risk to public health, safety and service delivery.

S&WB Differences

Phase 2 – Assess Risks

Risk assessment answers the fundamental question that fuels the natural hazard mitigation planning process: "What would happen if a natural hazard event occurred in this area?"

Risk assessment is the process of measuring the potential loss of life, personal injury, economic injury, and property damage resulting from natural hazards by assessing the vulnerability of people, buildings, and infrastructure to natural hazards.

Identified Hazards

Natural Hazards Manmade Hazards

Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone -

Flood

Terrorism/Civil Unrest

Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone -

Wind

Levee Failure

Flood (other) Hazardous Materials

Earthquake Cyber Attack

Tornado

Pandemic Disaster Aftermath

Severe Thunderstorms

Lightning

Severe Heat/Severe Cold

Storm Surge

Hailstorm

Drought

Subsidence (Erosion, Expansive

Soils)

Wildfire

Winter Storm

Avalanche

Tsunami

Volcano

Included Hazards

Hazard Why Identified Probability Impact History

Flood High risk of

occurrence

High High Katrina 2005, Ivan 2005, TS Isidore

2002, Lilli 2002

TS Allison 2001, April 1999

flooding

Hailstorm NOLA has recorded

the 8th most costly

hailstorm hazard for

the US

Low Low 2002 hailstorm with minimal

damage to a crane (DPS 6)

Hazardous Materials Potential for

occurrence and

impact to S&WB

assets

Presents systemic

impact to S&WB

Low High July 23, 2008 – oil spill in river

Oct 28, 2008 – oil spill in river

Hazard Why Identified Proba

bility

Impact History

Hurricane/Tropical

Cyclone (Storm) –

Flood

Coastal Storm

Region is at

significant risk for

this hazard event

per historical record

High High Katrina 2005, Ivan 2005, TS

Isidore 2002, Lilli 2002

TS Allison 2001

Hurricane/Tropical

Cyclone (Storm) –

Wind

Coastal Storm

Region is at

significant risk for

this hazard event

per historical record

High High Katrina 2005, Ivan 2005, TS

Isidore 2002, Lilli 2002

TS Allison 2001

Hazard Why Identified Probability Impact History

Levee Failure Catastrophic

potential impact

Low High Katrina 2005

Lightning / Severe

Storm

/ Thunderstorm

High probability of

occurrence

High Medium Various

Severe Heat / Severe

Cold / Winter Storm

Exacerbates general

maintenance and

repair

Low Low Various

Saltwater Intrusion Presents systemic

impact to S&WB

Medium Medium Occurrence in mid-1980’s. no

data currently available.

Storm Surge Catastrophic

potential impact

High High Katrina 2005

Subsidence (Erosion) Long term damage

Exacerbates damage

by other hazards

Medium Low No data in historical record

Tornado Significant damage

results

Medium Low Two tornados in 2006. No

damage to S&WB assets in

historical record.

Feb 2007

Risk Assessments

Probability

Impact Low Medium High

HighHazardous Materials Levee Failure

Flood Hurricane Flood - Hurricane Wind Storm Surge

Medium Salt Water IntrusionLightning Severe Storm Thunderstorm

LowSevere Heat/ColdWinter Storm

Subsidence Tornado

Hailstorm

Each hazard is defined in terms of:

Description – What is this hazard?

Past Occurrences – When has this hazard occurred?

Location – What areas are subject to the hazard?

Severity – How bad can the hazard get?

S&WB Impact – What can this hazard do to S&WB assets?

Probability – How likely is this hazard?

Risk Assessment

Vulnerability Assessment

As part of the assessment we also:

1.Assess relative importance or ―criticality‖ of facilities

2.Assess risk to facilities from different hazards, based upon estimated losses

The S&WB network is widespread and complex and serves as part of the perimeter defense for the City

of New Orleans.

Vulnerability Summary

Hazard Vulnerability

Flood Due to the potential for significant flooding (see Figure 26), S&WB

assets located throughout the services area are at risk. The damage or

loss of a single critical asset (pump station, treatment plant, intake),

places greater burden on other system components thereby increasing

the risk to the entire system. Flooding poses a systemic risk with

potential losses dependent on the extent of flooding. Major flooding as

seen after Hurricane Katrina poses potential losses in the hundreds of

millions of dollars. Key factors for losses remain the depth and duration

of flood water.

Hailstorm Hailstorms can occur anywhere in the region and structures and vehicles

are vulnerable to damage. Damage from this hazard tends to be non-

systemic and be repair and maintenance oriented.

Hazardous Materials Hazardous spills in close proximity to water intakes remain possible

given the traffic on the Mississippi River. The closure of water intakes

would pose a significant risk to the potable water supply for the S&WB

service area. There is no alternate source of potable water for the

service area. Any loss of water intakes for an extended period would

represent a financial impact beyond measure.

Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone

(Storm) – Flood

Coastal Storm

Historically, the New Orleans region is extremely vulnerable to this

hazard. The combined impacts (wind, rain, flood, levee, storm surge)

place the entire S&WB network in the risk area. See the “Flood” hazard

description above.

Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone

(Storm) – Wind

Coastal Storm

Historically, the New Orleans region is extremely vulnerable to this

hazard. The combined impacts (wind, rain, flood, levee, storm surge)

place the entire S&WB network in the risk area. The standing HV power

lines are at risk from wind damage. Based on Katrina (2005), $2,000,000

was spent to repair/replace these poles. S&WB buildings are subject to

“typical” structural building damage from storm winds (roof, windows,

wall, etc).

Levee Failure Though unlikely by itself, the resultant flooding from a levee failure

would knock out sections of the S&WB network. The vulnerability of

S&WB assets are consistent with the flood hazard (above).

Lightning / Severe Storm

/ Thunderstorm

Flooding from severe storms and thunderstorms can pose a significant

risk. Heavy rainfall events are not uncommon in the region and assets

vulnerable to flooding are at risk from this hazard. Lightning strikes in

the region are also fairly common. HV equipment and system are

vulnerable to over voltage and voltage spikes. Aside from flood

potential, most vulnerability remains similar to the flood hazard (above)

Severe Heat / Severe Cold /

Winter Storm

The infrastructure (pipes, valves, etc) are subject to damage from

extended freeze events. Some equipment is subject to overheating

during extended heat event. This hazard tends to be non-systemic and

repair/maintenance oriented.

Saltwater Intrusion Depending on the proximity of a salt water ridge to water intakes and

the concentration levels of sodium chloride, the entire potable water

system is vulnerable. Loss of the potable water system is a financial

impact beyond value.

Storm Surge Given the high risk of tropical storms, storm surge poses the same issues

as flood and levee failure for S&WB assets.

Subsidence (Erosion) This hazard poses a risk to all underground infrastructure (pipes, mains,

valves). As this is a slow process, the issue is non-systemic.

Tornado The region has a moderate risk for tornados given the national averages

(see Figure 36). Structures and assets can be struck but a) the damage

tends to be non-systemic, and b) the region tends to experience minor

F0-F2 events.

Phase 3 – Develop a Mitigation Plan

The data gathered in the previous phases and the information revealed in the hazard profiles and loss estimation will be used to develop mitigation goals and objectives.

Mitigation goals are guidelines that explain what you want to achieve.

Mitigation objectives are statements that detail how those goals will be achieved.

Develop a Mitigation Plan

Range of actions considered

Stormproofing Pumping Stations

Policy and Organizational Changes

Enhance/Expand Power Generation

Protect critical network components

Analysis of mitigation actions

Prioritization Methodology

Mitigation Actions

74 identified mitigation projects•4 projects completed•63 projects related to Sewer Pumping Stations•3 projects related to policy or procedure issues•5 projects with undefined timelines•35 projects scheduled for completion in 2010

Total of Estimated Amounts for projects is $98,184,480

Phase 4 – Implement the Plan and Monitor Progress

Adopt the mitigation plan

Implement the plan recommendations

Evaluate your planning results

Revise the plan

Implement the Plan

Monitor and Update the Plan

The plan is typically a ―living‖ document

44.CFR.201.6 requires that plans are updated every 5 years

The plan should also be evaluated and revised following actual disasters

When updating the plan we also evaluate the process

44.CFR.201.6 requires ongoing public involvement in the update process

Draft Plan concept reviewed and approved by S&WB Infrastructure Committee on 3/3/2010

Draft Plan to be reviewed by Sewerage and Water Board Directors 3/17/2010

Informal submission to FEMA and State

Plan comments from FEMA will be reviewed and addressed (if any)

Plan will receive formal adoption from the Board

State and FEMA formally approve Plan

End Date for all the above is April 11th, 2010

Plan Adoption

The approved plan will be available on the Sewerage and Water Board website: http://www.swbno.org

Summary

Organize Resources

Assess Hazards & Risks

Develop a Mitigation Plan

Implement the Plan & Monitor

Progress

Public Comment

Please complete a speaker comment card

Speak for up to 3 minutes per speaker

There will be a 10 minute break before comments

Contact

For more information or questions contact:

Mr. Jason Higginbotham

Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans

Emergency Management Operations

625 St. Joseph St.—Room 117, NO 70165

(504) 585-2020

Hazard Mitigation Plan Consultants

Lambert Engineers, LLC

Paul G. Seldes – Hazard Mitigation Consultant

pseldes@lambertengineers.net

504-529-7687