Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

EVALUATING SNOWFALL EVENTSPerspectives From FEMA Region I

Tim Barnett,FEMA Region I

MAY 25, 2011

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

SNOW ASSISTANCE POLICYRecord Snowfall a snowfall that meets or exceeds the highest record snowfall

within a county over a 1, 2, or 3 day or longer period of time

Near Record Snowfall a snowfall that approaches, but does not meet or exceed, the historical record snowfall within a county. FEMA generally considers snowfall within 10 percent of the record amount to be a near record snowfall

Snowstorm an event in which a State has record or near record snowfall in one or more counties…and that overwhelms the capability of the affected State and local governments to respond to an event. While snowstorms will normally only receive Snow Assistance, other categories of supplemental Federal Assistance may be designated for a snowstorm declaration as warranted

Severe Winter Storm an event that occurs during the winter season that includes one or more of the following conditions: snow, ice, high winds, blizzard conditions, and other wintery conditions; and that causes substantial physical damage or loss to improved property

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

WEATHER DATA

National Climatic Data Center – http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html

If NCDC data are not available or do not reflect snowfall records through the previous year’s snow season, data should be obtained from regional NWS offices

For counties that do not have NCDC or NWS historical record snowfall data, the historical record from the nearest NWS Cooperative Network Station in an adjacent county, even if located in an adjacent State, may be used for determining historical snowfall records

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

1. One day event? Two day event? Two day event?a. NWS needs to take the lead and make the decision as to how

the event is describedb. FEMA needs to update our policy to memorialize that NWS is

the decision maker on character of the eventc. NCC records must be accepted at face value

2. Reinforce in policy that a Major Disaster declared for Snow Assistance highlights the word “assistance”a. FEMA Policy: “The assistance is intended to open emergency

access and to help restore critical services. It is not intended to cover the entire cost or even a significant portion of the long term snow removal operations…”

b. States and communities will look to FEMA to cover all eligible costs

ISSUES

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

3. NWS & FEMA needs to provide all concerned with guidance on what is considered “snowfall measurements from other sources that have been verified by the NCDC or NWS”a. States applied enough political pressure to NWS that they

“concluded” that there were “other verifiable sources”b. NWS needs to come up with a criteria for “other sources”

4. Near Record Snowfall should mean within 10% of the record, not generally within 10% of the record

5. Snowfall total for the eventa. Can totals be for the duration of the event (eg 0800 Tuesday

– 1600 Wednesday) instead of by day (snowfall for Tuesday)

ISSUES

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

County name Station name 1-Day Snowfall 2-Day Snowfall 3-Day Snowfall NYRS

BARNSTABLE CHATHAM WSMO 16.0 17.0 19.0 29

BARNSTABLE HATCHVILLE 10.0 10.0 10.0 33

BARNSTABLE HYANNIS 13.0 13.0 13.0 53

BERKSHIRE ADAMS 11.3 14.0 14.3 32

BERKSHIRE GREAT BARRINGTON ARPT 18.0 32.0 34.0 22

BERKSHIRE HOOSAC TUNNEL 19.5 19.5 19.5 41

BERKSHIRE LANESBORO 12.0 12.0 12.0 24

BERKSHIRE PERU 13.5 15.0 19.0 24

BERKSHIRE SOUTH EGREMONT 14.0 15.0 18.0 48

BERKSHIRE STOCKBRIDGE 14.0 17.5 18.5 49

BERKSHIRE WASHINGTON 2 18.0 22.0 22.5 18

BERKSHIRE WEST OTIS 16.5 20.0 21.0 65

BRISTOL FALL RIVER 18.0 18.0 18.0 70

BRISTOL NEW BEDFORD 15.0 15.0 15.0 80

BRISTOL TAUNTON 17.0 18.0 20.0 61

DUKES EDGARTOWN 16.0 23.0 23.0 40

ESSEX HAVERHILL 16.5 18.1 22.0 84

ESSEX IPSWICH 18.0 21.0 24.0 71

ESSEX LAWRENCE 21.0 22.0 22.0 86

ESSEX MIDDLETON 28.0 28.0 28.0 68

ESSEX NEWBURYPORT 19.0 20.0 23.0 64

ESSEX PEABODY 24.0 24.0 28.0 29

ESSEX ROCKPORT 1 ESE 26.0 28.0 29.0 64

FRANKLIN ASHFIELD 17.0 25.0 27.0 27

FRANKLIN COLRAIN 12.0 15.5 15.7 20

FRANKLIN HEATH 15.0 18.0 18.0 69

FRANKLIN NEW SALEM 13.5 19.5 20.0 38

FRANKLIN SHELBURNE FALLS 12.0 18.0 19.5 40

FRANKLIN SUNDERLAND 11.4 12.5 13.9 28

FRANKLIN TURNERS FALLS 18.0 18.0 18.0 46

MASSACHUSETTSRecord 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Snowfall for January for stations sorted by county.

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

County name Station name 1-Day Snowfall 2-Day Snowfall 3-Day Snowfall NYRS

HAMPDENBORDEN BROOK RESERVOIR

13.5 15.0 15.5 25

HAMPDEN CHESTER 13.0 13.0 15.0 27

HAMPDEN CHESTER 2 16.0 18.0 21.5 24

HAMPDEN HOLYOKE 12.0 16.0 16.5 73

HAMPDEN SPRINGFIELD 13.5 15.0 15.0 40

HAMPDEN WESTFIELD 12.0 13.0 15.0 38

HAMPSHIRE AMHERST 18.0 18.0 18.0 94

HAMPSHIRE BELCHERTOWN 12.0 16.0 16.0 64

HAMPSHIRE CHESTERFIELD 15.0 19.0 20.0 73

HAMPSHIRE CUMMINGTON HILL 15.0 16.0 16.0 31

HAMPSHIRE KNIGHTVILLE DAM 12.0 14.0 15.0 40

HAMPSHIRE PELHAM 14.0 18.0 18.5 36

HAMPSHIRE PLAINFIELD 14.0 14.0 20.0 40

HAMPSHIRE WARE 13.0 16.0 16.0 50

MIDDLESEX ASHLAND 16.5 16.5 16.5 48

MIDDLESEX BEDFORD 20.0 25.8 25.8 49

MIDDLESEX DUNSTABLE 16.0 18.0 18.0 20

MIDDLESEX FRAMINGHAM 14.0 15.0 15.3 74

MIDDLESEX GROTON 21.0 23.0 23.0 48

MIDDLESEX LOWELL 15.0 18.0 18.0 67

MIDDLESEX NATICK 20.0 22.0 22.0 27

MIDDLESEX READING 18.2 25.7 25.7 47

MIDDLESEX SPOT POND 17.5 18.0 19.5 57

MIDDLESEX WESTON 14.3 14.4 14.4 48

NANTUCKETNANTUCKET FAA AIRPORT

10.9 10.9 10.9 25

NORFOLK BEECHWOOD 12.0 14.8 14.8 28

NORFOLK BLUE HILL 19.0 20.5 20.5 79

NORFOLK FRANKLIN 16.0 19.5 21.0 70

NORFOLK WALPOLE 14.0 18.2 18.4 23

NORFOLK WALPOLE 2 18.5 21.2 21.2 34

NORFOLK WEST MEDWAY 14.0 18.0 19.0 47

PLYMOUTH BROCKTON 15.8 24.8 24.8 59

PLYMOUTH EAST WAREHAM 13.5 18.5 20.0 74

PLYMOUTH HINGHAM 18.0 20.0 21.7 46

PLYMOUTH MIDDLEBORO 19.0 30.0 30.0 81

PLYMOUTH PEMBROKE 12.0 12.0 12.5 32

PLYMOUTH PLYMOUTH-KINGSTON 17.0 24.3 24.3 96

PLYMOUTH ROCHESTER 24.0 25.0 25.0 41

MASSACHUSETTSRecord 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Snowfall for January for stations sorted by county.

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

County name Station name 1-Day Snowfall 2-Day Snowfall 3-Day Snowfall NYRS

SUFFOLK BOSTON WSFO AP 20.0 22.5 22.8 77

SUFFOLK CHESTNUT HILL 15.0 18.5 19.0 68

WORCESTER ASHBURNHAM 22.0 24.0 24.0 65

WORCESTER BARRE FALLS DAM 14.0 16.0 16.0 45

WORCESTER BIRCH HILL DAM 20.0 20.0 20.0 54

WORCESTER BOYLSTON 19.0 19.0 19.0 68

WORCESTER BUFFUMVILLE LAKE 15.0 28.5 28.5 38

WORCESTER CLINTON 18.0 18.0 18.0 55

WORCESTER EAST BRIMFIELD LAKE 14.0 15.0 16.5 43

WORCESTER FITCHBURG 4 SE 19.5 26.0 26.0 64

WORCESTER GARDNER 17.0 21.5 21.5 66

WORCESTER HARDWICK 16.0 16.0 16.0 46

WORCESTER HUBBARDSTON 14.0 14.0 17.0 42

WORCESTER MILFORD 17.0 20.5 23.5 71

WORCESTER NORTHBRIDGE 2 21.2 33.2 33.8 40

WORCESTER PETERSHAM 3 N 16.0 19.0 19.0 58

WORCESTER QUABBIN INTAKE 12.0 15.0 15.0 39

WORCESTER SOUTHBRIDGE 3 SW 18.0 18.0 18.0 64

WORCESTER STERLING 20.0 20.0 20.0 56

WORCESTER TULLY LAKE 13.0 18.0 18.0 55

WORCESTER WINCHENDON 2 14.0 15.0 15.4 21

WORCESTER WORCESTER WSO AP 18.1 24.1 24.1 38

MASSACHUSETTSRecord 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Snowfall for January for stations sorted by county.

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

PDADisaster

EventGovernor’sRequest Declaration

Submissionof Request

Kick-offMeeting

Formulationof Projects

ProjectReview

Grantee

Approval

Funding Subgrantee

ApplicantBriefings

THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROCESS

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

DECLARATION NUMBER: FEMA-1959-DR-MA

DECLARATION DATE: March 7, 2011

STORM INCIDENT PERIOD: January 11-12, 2011

DISASTER ASSISTANCE: (Category A-Debris Removal) and (Category B-

Emergency Protective Measures, including Snow Removal Assistance) under

the FEMA Public Assistance Program.

DECLARED COUNTIES: Berkshire, Essex, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk

Disaster assistance will be provided for a 48-hour period for the counties of Essex, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The assistance for Berkshire County will be provided for a period of 72-hours.

FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

State And Local Government Municipalities, Regional School Districts, Special Districts, Public Authorities

Indian Tribal Government

Certain Private Non-Profits (PNP)

Refer to FEMA Policy 9521.3 for definition of critical/non-critical PNP facilities.

============================================================================================================

A “Grantee” is a State or Tribal Government that is responsible for

administering Public Assistance Grants.

A “Sub-grantee” is an eligible applicant that receives a Public

Assistance Grant as reimbursement for performing eligible

disaster work.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

Must be required as a direct result of the declared major disaster

Be located in the designated disaster area

Be the applicant’s legal responsibility for performance of eligible emergency work at the time of the disaster

WORK ELIGIBILITY

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

Category A – Debris Removal

Category B – Emergency Protective Measures

Category B - Snow Removal Assistance

Essex, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk Suffolk Counties (48-Hour Period)

Establish start time between 12:01 a.m. January 11, through 11:59 p.m.

January 13

Berkshire County (72-Hour Period)

Establish start time between 12:01 a.m. January 11, through 11:59 p.m.

January 14

All departments within a city/town/organization establishes same start and end time when submitting actual costs.

TYPES OF ELIGIBLE WORK

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

TYPES OF ELIGIBLE WORK

• Overtime (but not the straight time cost of the applicant’s regularly-employed personnel)

• Cost of Contract Labor (including temporary hires who perform eligible emergency work)

• Costs for equipment and materials used in the performance of eligible work

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

TYPES OF ELIGIBLE WORK• Snow Removal

• Snow Dumps

• De-Icing

• Salting

• Sanding of roads and other Facilities essential to eliminate or lessen immediate threats to life, public health, and safety

• Activities related to the snowstorm such as:o Search and Rescueo Shelteringo Other Emergency Protective Measures

• Other categories of work where appropriate

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

Project formulation is the process of identifying the scope of work and estimating project costs.

A Project Worksheet (PW) is the primary Form used to document the location, damage description and dimensions, scope of work, and cost estimate for each project.

$1,000 minimum per project

Loss of revenue or increased operating

expenses are not eligible under the FEMA PA

Program.

FORMULATION OF THE PROJECT WORKSHEET

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

The Commonwealth’s four major highway systems were impassible for 24 hours

Over 600 schools were closed

Downed power lines left 227,087 people without power for over 24 hours

Boston

Photo by essygie on flickr.com

FEMA 1595-DR-MA

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011

Presenter’s Name June 17, 2003

Designated Counties

Tim Barnett May 25, 2011