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Municipal Vulnerability and Preparedness  Pre Workshop Survey - WEBSTER

Webster, Massachusetts

Your community is undertaking an initiative to understand how natural hazards and climate change impact infrastructure, the local economy, people, and the environment. Please use the definitions below as well as Handout 1 to help complete this survey.  Your input is greatly appreciated.
 
Natural hazards are defined as a natural phenomenon that might have a negative effect on humans or the environment. For example:
A natural hazard is like the sun.
The risk from that hazard is sunburn.
The vulnerability includes the length of exposure of skin to the sun.
The mitigation action to reduce risk from the hazard is to apply sunscreen or seek shade. 
1.What is your affiliation with the Town of Webster?
2.How often have each of these natural hazards occurred in your community?
Once a year or more often
Once every 3-5 years
Once in a decade
Once in my lifetime
Unsure/Never
Blizzard
Nor'easter
Ice Storm
Flooding
Dam Overtopping & or Failure 
Drought
Extreme Temperature
Tornado
Landslide
Wildfire
High Wind
Thunderstorm
Microburst
Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Earthquake
Invasive Species
3.What natural hazards are you concerned about experiencing in the future?
Very concerned
Moderately concerned
Slightly concerned
Not concerned
Unsure
Blizzard
Nor'easter
Ice Storm
Flooding
Dam Overtopping
Drought
Extreme Temperature
Tornado
Landslide
Wildfire
High Wind
Thunderstorm
Microburst
Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Earthquake
Invasive Species
4.Which of the following categories are most susceptible to natural hazards in your community? Please rank the community assets in order of vulnerability, 1 being the most vulnerable and 5 being the least vulnerable.
1
2
3
4
5
People: Loss of life and/or injuries
Economic: Business interruptions/closures, job losses, etc.
Infrastructure: Damage/loss of roads, bridges, utilities, schools, etc.
Cultural/Historic: Damage or loss of libraries, museums, historic properties, etc.
Environment: Damage, contamination or loss of forests, wetlands, waterways, etc.
Governance: Ability to maintain order and/or provide public amenities and services
5.Natural hazards can have a significant impact on a community. Please tell us how important each statement is to you by checking the appropriate box for each.
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Neutral
Not Very Important
Not Important
Protecting private property
Protecting critical facilities (transportation networks, hospitals, fire stations, etc)
Preventing development in hazard areas
Enhancing function off natural assets (streams, wetlands, beaches, etc)
Protecting historic and cultural landmarks
Protecting and reducing damage to utilities
Strengthening emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc)
Promoting cooperation among public agencies, citizens, non-profits, academia, and businesses
6.What specific community assets have helped you get through storm events and aided in recovery after storm events such as blizzards, flooding, extreme heat? Please be specific and list name, location, and owner of the three most important. (Examples include: Gas stations, pharmacies, supermarkets, towing services, etc) You may find it helpful to reference the community asset list included in Handout 1 to answer this question.
7.What infrastructure (examples include: roadways, community buildings, churches, schools, open space, dams, etc) have been impacted by storm events? Please list 3 specific things in Town that you have seen impacts to in the past.  You may find it helpful to reference the community asset list included in Handout 1 to answer this question.
8.If there were a loss or inoperability, what major employers, primary economic sectors, and commercial centers would have a severe impact on the community and its ability to recover from a disaster? You may find it helpful to reference the community asset list included in Handout 1 to answer this question.
9.Which populations, groups of people, or communities are less able to respond and recover during a disaster? (examples include: elderly populations, environmental justice populations, special needs schooling, child care, shelters, homeless, etc.) You may find it helpful to reference the community asset list included in Handout 1 to answer this question.
10.Please list the top 3 natural environments in town that the community values and provides protective function to reduce the magnitude of hazard impact and increase resiliency? (examples include: open space, wetlands and waterbodies, trails, recreation areas, etc.) You may find it helpful to reference the community asset list included in Handout 1 to answer this question.