South Kingstown Natural Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Survey

The Town of South Kingstown is collaborating with residents and stakeholders on an update of the towns’ Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). This effort relies on stakeholder and public input to come up with local strategies to mitigate natural hazards, reduce vulnerability and adapt to our changing climate. The results of this planning process will inform future town spending on hazard mitigation and climate adaptation. Hard copies of this survey are available from the South Kingstown Planning Department.

This survey is an opportunity for you to share your concerns about natural hazards and their impact on South Kingstown, and what you think your Town should do to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards and the impacts of climate change.

Please respond by January 31, 2025.

If you have additional input, questions, or barriers to participating, please contact the South Kingstown Planning Department.

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* 1. How long have you lived in South Kingstown?

Less than one year

Between one and five years

Between six and nine years

Between ten and nineteen years

Twenty years or more

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* 2. What neighborhood do you live in?

Green Hill

Indian Lake

Kingston

Matunuck

Middlebridge

Peace Dale

Perryville

Snug Harbor

Wakefield

West Kingston

Usquepaugh

Other (please specify)

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* 3. What is your primary connection with South Kingstown?

Resident

Business Owner

Resident and Business Owner

Non-Resident Property Owner

Local Employee

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* 4. Have you ever experienced or been impacted by a natural disaster in South Kingstown?

Yes

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* 5. If yes, what types of disaster? Check all that apply.

Tropical and Extra-Tropical Storms (inclusive of hurricanes, cyclones, tropical depressions, and nor'easters)

Flooding (inclusive of coastal, riverine, and flooding due to saturated ground)

Severe Thunderstorms (inclusive of hail, lightning, and high winds)

Extreme Temperatures (inclusive of extreme heat and extreme cold)

Sea Level Rise

Wildfire

Drought

Dam Failure

Earthquake

Tornadoes

Marine Hazardous Materials Incident

Onshore Hazardous Materials Incident (inclusive of rail hazards and groundwater and soil contamination)

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* 6. When was the last time you experienced a natural disaster in South Kingstown? Please include the kind of hazard.

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* 7. How prepared do you feel for probable impacts of natural hazards?

Not prepared - not necessary

Not prepared - haven't thought about it

Somewhat prepared for certain events

Prepared for most events

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* 8. What have you done to prepare for a natural disaster?

Gathered information on natural hazards and / or emergency preparedness

Talked with family and / or friends about what to do in case of a natural disaster

Developed a household emergency plan

Prepared a disaster supply kit

Received training in first aid and / or CPR

Discussed a utility shutoff procedure in the event of a natural disaster

Have a back-up generator or have had one installed for emergency power

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Click and drag each hazard so that the one you are most concerned about is at the top and the one you are least concerned about is at the bottom.

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* 10. What is the one hazard you are most concerned about, and why?

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* 11. Looking back over the past five years, which statement about the weather in South Kingstown do you agree with the most?

The weather is much worse

The weather is somewhat worse

There is no difference in the weather

The weather is somewhat better

The weather is much better

I don't know / I haven't been in South Kingstown for five years

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* 12. Does your street flood when it rains?

Yes

Sometimes

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* 13. If yes, please provide the name of the street and the nearest cross street. If no, you may provide the name of a place you know of that floods.

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* 14. How many times has the street mentioned above flooded in the last twelve months?

I am not sure

I did not provide a street that floods

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* 15. Is your home and / or business located in a floodplain?

Yes (home)

Yes (business)

Yes (home and business)

Unsure

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* 16. Do you currently have flood insurance on your home and / or business?

Yes

Unsure

Not Applicable

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* 17. If you don't have flood insurance, please indicate why.

Never considered it

Never had an issue with flooding

Not located in a floodplain

Too expensive

My house / business is elevated or otherwise protected from floodwaters

I'm not required to have any (I don't have a federally backed mortgage)

Other (please specify)

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* 18. Have you taken any actions to make your home, business, or neighborhood more resistant to any hazard(s)?

Yes

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* 19. If yes, please explain

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* 20. Are you interested in learning about ways to make your home, business, or neighborhood more resilient to natural hazards?

Yes

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* 21. What would be your preferred method to receive more information about strategies to better protect your home, business, or neighborhood? Check all that apply. This information will not be used to add you to any lists.

Town website

Social media posts

Local newspaper

Public workshops or meetings

Direct mailings

Texts or phone calls such as from a "Code Red" system

Television (news stories, public service announcements, etc.)

Information on utility bills

Information at the public library

Radio

Roadside message boards or billboards

School meetings or messages

Local town cable channel

Other (please specify)

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* 22. How do you currently receive weather alerts? Check all that apply.

Television

Radio

Code Red

NOAA weather radio

Phone Application(s)

Social media

I don't receive weather alerts

Other (please specify)

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* 23. There are several ways South Kingstown can reduce the risk from natural hazards. They fall into the five categories listed below. Please indicate how important each is for your neighborhood.

	Very Important	Somewhat Important	Not Important	Unsure
LOCAL PLANS AND REGULATIONS: Policies to reduce the impact of hazards such as zoning, planning, and buildings codes.	LOCAL PLANS AND REGULATIONS: Policies to reduce the impact of hazards such as zoning, planning, and buildings codes. Very Important	LOCAL PLANS AND REGULATIONS: Policies to reduce the impact of hazards such as zoning, planning, and buildings codes. Somewhat Important	LOCAL PLANS AND REGULATIONS: Policies to reduce the impact of hazards such as zoning, planning, and buildings codes. Not Important	LOCAL PLANS AND REGULATIONS: Policies to reduce the impact of hazards such as zoning, planning, and buildings codes. Unsure
STRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: Modifications of existing homes and buildings to protect them from hazards, such as the elevation of electrical systems.	STRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: Modifications of existing homes and buildings to protect them from hazards, such as the elevation of electrical systems. Very Important	STRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: Modifications of existing homes and buildings to protect them from hazards, such as the elevation of electrical systems. Somewhat Important	STRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: Modifications of existing homes and buildings to protect them from hazards, such as the elevation of electrical systems. Not Important	STRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: Modifications of existing homes and buildings to protect them from hazards, such as the elevation of electrical systems. Unsure
COASTAL / NATURAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION: Actions that not only reduce the impact of hazards but also preserve and restore natural habitats. Examples include open space preservation and wetland restoration.	COASTAL / NATURAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION: Actions that not only reduce the impact of hazards but also preserve and restore natural habitats. Examples include open space preservation and wetland restoration. Very Important	COASTAL / NATURAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION: Actions that not only reduce the impact of hazards but also preserve and restore natural habitats. Examples include open space preservation and wetland restoration. Somewhat Important	COASTAL / NATURAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION: Actions that not only reduce the impact of hazards but also preserve and restore natural habitats. Examples include open space preservation and wetland restoration. Not Important	COASTAL / NATURAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION: Actions that not only reduce the impact of hazards but also preserve and restore natural habitats. Examples include open space preservation and wetland restoration. Unsure
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND SERVICES: Actions that protect people and property during or immediately after a disaster or hazardous event. Examples include Code Red emergency warning systems and emergency response training.	EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND SERVICES: Actions that protect people and property during or immediately after a disaster or hazardous event. Examples include Code Red emergency warning systems and emergency response training. Very Important	EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND SERVICES: Actions that protect people and property during or immediately after a disaster or hazardous event. Examples include Code Red emergency warning systems and emergency response training. Somewhat Important	EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND SERVICES: Actions that protect people and property during or immediately after a disaster or hazardous event. Examples include Code Red emergency warning systems and emergency response training. Not Important	EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND SERVICES: Actions that protect people and property during or immediately after a disaster or hazardous event. Examples include Code Red emergency warning systems and emergency response training. Unsure
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: Citizen preparedness seminars, direct mailing, public meetings, public service announcments, Q&A sessions, etc.	EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: Citizen preparedness seminars, direct mailing, public meetings, public service announcments, Q&A sessions, etc. Very Important	EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: Citizen preparedness seminars, direct mailing, public meetings, public service announcments, Q&A sessions, etc. Somewhat Important	EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: Citizen preparedness seminars, direct mailing, public meetings, public service announcments, Q&A sessions, etc. Not Important	EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: Citizen preparedness seminars, direct mailing, public meetings, public service announcments, Q&A sessions, etc. Unsure

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* 24. Mitigation actions to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards fall into the following three categories: accommodate, protect, and retreat. Please indicate your interest in South Kingstown pursuing strategies from each category.

	Strong interest	Mild interest	Indifferent	Mild disinterest	Strong disinterest
ACCOMMODATE: Increase the size and design of infrastructure elements to reduce the impact of natural hazards.	ACCOMMODATE: Increase the size and design of infrastructure elements to reduce the impact of natural hazards. Strong interest	ACCOMMODATE: Increase the size and design of infrastructure elements to reduce the impact of natural hazards. Mild interest	ACCOMMODATE: Increase the size and design of infrastructure elements to reduce the impact of natural hazards. Indifferent	ACCOMMODATE: Increase the size and design of infrastructure elements to reduce the impact of natural hazards. Mild disinterest	ACCOMMODATE: Increase the size and design of infrastructure elements to reduce the impact of natural hazards. Strong disinterest
PROTECT: The hardening of existing infrastructure to improve its resiliency and protect it in the face of natural hazards.	PROTECT: The hardening of existing infrastructure to improve its resiliency and protect it in the face of natural hazards. Strong interest	PROTECT: The hardening of existing infrastructure to improve its resiliency and protect it in the face of natural hazards. Mild interest	PROTECT: The hardening of existing infrastructure to improve its resiliency and protect it in the face of natural hazards. Indifferent	PROTECT: The hardening of existing infrastructure to improve its resiliency and protect it in the face of natural hazards. Mild disinterest	PROTECT: The hardening of existing infrastructure to improve its resiliency and protect it in the face of natural hazards. Strong disinterest
RETREAT: Relocating people and infrastructure out of at risk areas.	RETREAT: Relocating people and infrastructure out of at risk areas. Strong interest	RETREAT: Relocating people and infrastructure out of at risk areas. Mild interest	RETREAT: Relocating people and infrastructure out of at risk areas. Indifferent	RETREAT: Relocating people and infrastructure out of at risk areas. Mild disinterest	RETREAT: Relocating people and infrastructure out of at risk areas. Strong disinterest

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* 25. Are you in favor of using tax dollars to fund mitigation projects that would benefit the entire South Kingstown community?

Yes

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* 26. Town-funded resilience projects are paid for by the Town Budget. The Town's General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 was $30,824,918.00. According to the Town Assessor's Office, the average residential 2024 tax bill is $4,059.25, and the average commercial / tangible property tax bill is $916.07. Based on this information, please indicate what increase in the average tax bill you would support to fund town-wide resilience projects.

$1.00 to $4.00 per year

$4.00 to $7.00 per year

$7.00 to $10.00 per year

$10.00 to $13.00 per year

$13.00 to $16.00 per year

$16.00 or more per year

Unsure

I do not support an increase in the average residential tax bill

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* 27. Are you in favor of spending tax dollars on mitigation projects for the benefit of specific vulnerable communities?

Yes

Unsure

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* 28. What increase in the average residential tax bill would you support to increase resilience for specific vulnerable neighborhood?

$1.00 to $4.00 per year

$4.00 to $7.00 per year

$7.00 to $10.00 per year

$10.00 to $13.00 per year

$13.00 to $16.00 per year

$16.00 or more per year

Unsure

I do not support an increase in the residential tax bill

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* 29. Do you have any additional thoughts on how South Kingstown can better prepare for future natural disasters? Please include any hazards (natural or man-made) not discussed above that you are concerned about.