Town of Kingston, MA Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

The Town of Kingston is currently developing an update to the 2015 Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan is important because it helps the Town plan and receive funding for projects that reduce the risk of injury or damage to property from future natural hazard events such as flooding and hurricanes. This Hazard Mitigation Plan update will build on some of the work already completed by the Town including the Kingston Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Plan (June 2019).
We need your help as we gather information for the plan. The information you provide in this survey will help us coordinate activities and identify projects. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete and will remain anonymous. The Kingston Local Hazard Mitigation Committee thanks you for taking the time to participate in this information-gathering process. Also, please check out the project webpage hosted on the Town's website here: https://www.kingstonma.gov/277/Hazard-Mitigation-Plan.

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* 1. Which of the following hazard events have you or has anyone in your household and/or business experienced in the past 20 years within the Town of Kingston? (Check all that apply)

Flood-Related Hazards (Riverine/Flash Flooding, Inland/Urban Flooding/Heavy Rain, Coastal Flooding, Storm Surge, Coastal Erosion/Shoreline Change)

Winter-Related Hazards (Blizzards, Heavy Snow, Nor' easters, Ice)

Wind-Related Hazards (Hurricanes, Tornadoes, High Winds, Lightning/Thunderstorms, Hail, Tropical Storms, Waterspouts)

Geologic-Related Hazards (Earthquakes, Landslides)

Fire-Related Hazard (Wildland/Urban Fire)

Temperature-Related Hazard (Extreme Heat, Drought, Extreme Cold)

Invasive Species-Related Hazard (Streambank Erosion)

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* 2. In your opinion, how prepared is your household and/or business to deal with a natural hazard event?

Not at all

Somewhat

Adequately

Well

Very Well

Not Sure

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* 3. Which of the following steps have provided you with useful information to help you prepare for a hazard event? (Check all that apply)

Attended meetings about disaster preparedness

Personal experience with one or more natural hazards/disasters

Local news/social media

Civic organizations

MEMA/FEMA/Insurance Agency websites

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* 4. How concerned are you about the following hazards in the Town of Kingston? (Check one response for each hazard)

	Not Concerned	Concerned	Very Concerned
Flood-Related Hazards	Flood-Related Hazards Not Concerned	Flood-Related Hazards Concerned	Flood-Related Hazards Very Concerned
Winter-Related Hazards	Winter-Related Hazards Not Concerned	Winter-Related Hazards Concerned	Winter-Related Hazards Very Concerned
Wind-Related Hazards	Wind-Related Hazards Not Concerned	Wind-Related Hazards Concerned	Wind-Related Hazards Very Concerned
Geologic-Related Hazards	Geologic-Related Hazards Not Concerned	Geologic-Related Hazards Concerned	Geologic-Related Hazards Very Concerned
Fire-Related Hazards	Fire-Related Hazards Not Concerned	Fire-Related Hazards Concerned	Fire-Related Hazards Very Concerned
Temperature-Related Hazards	Temperature-Related Hazards Not Concerned	Temperature-Related Hazards Concerned	Temperature-Related Hazards Very Concerned
Climate Change Projections	Climate Change Projections Not Concerned	Climate Change Projections Concerned	Climate Change Projections Very Concerned
Invasive Species-Related Hazards	Invasive Species-Related Hazards Not Concerned	Invasive Species-Related Hazards Concerned	Invasive Species-Related Hazards Very Concerned

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* 5. Which of the following steps has your household and/or business taken to prepare for a hazard event? (Check all that apply)

Made a fire escape plan

Designated a meeting place

Identified utility shut-offs

Stored sand bags

Prepared a disaster supply kit

Installed smoke detectors on each level of the house

Stored food/water/batteries

Prepared a medical supply kit

Purchased natural hazard insurance

Purchased/Learned how to program a NOAA Weather Radio

Purchased a portable generator

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* 6. In your opinion, which of the following methods do you think are most effective for providing hazard and disaster information? (Check all that apply)

Radio ads

Internet

Social Media/Cell phone apps.

Fire/Rescue Department

Academic Institutions

Public Library

Telephone Book

Informational Brochures

Public Meetings/Workshops

Auto-Dial Information (Code Ready)

Community Information/Training Sessions

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* 7. Is your property located in or near a FEMA designated floodplain?

Yes

Not Sure

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* 8. Do you have flood insurance?

Yes

Not Sure

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* 9. Do you have any special access or functional needs within your household and/or business that would require early warning or specialized response during disasters?

Yes

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* 10. Are you interested in making your home, business or neighborhood more resistant to hazards?

Yes

Not Sure

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* 11. Would you be willing to spend your own money on your current home and/or business to help protect it from impacts of potential future natural disasters within the community? Examples could include: Elevating a flood-prone home; Elevating utilities in flood-prone basements; Strengthening your roof, siding, doors, or windows to withstand high winds; Removing trees/low branches.

Yes

Not Sure

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* 12. What types of projects do you believe local, county, state or federal government agencies could be doing to reduce the damage and disruption of natural disasters in Kingston? (Select your top three choices)

Retrofit/Strengthen essential public facilities such as police, fire/emergency, schools,

Retrofit public infrastructure, such as elevating roadways and improving drainage systems

Work to improve utilities resiliency (electric, communications, water/wastewater facilities)

Install/improve protective structures (floodwalls/sea walls)

Replace inadequate/vulnerable bridges

Strengthen codes/ordinances to require higher hazard risk management standards and/or provide greater control over development in high hazard areas

Buy out flood prone properties and maintain as open space

Inform property owners of ways they can reduce the damage caused by natural events

Provide better information about hazard risks and high hazard areas

Assist vulnerable property owners with securing funding to make their properties more resilient

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* 13. In your opinion, has the Town done enough to prepare for the projected impacts of climate change?

Yes

Unsure

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* 1. Which of the following hazard events have you or has anyone in your household and/or business experienced in the past 20 years within the Town of Kingston? (Check all that apply)

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* 2. In your opinion, how prepared is your household and/or business to deal with a natural hazard event?

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* 3. Which of the following steps have provided you with useful information to help you prepare for a hazard event? (Check all that apply)

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* 4. How concerned are you about the following hazards in the Town of Kingston? (Check one response for each hazard)

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* 5. Which of the following steps has your household and/or business taken to prepare for a hazard event? (Check all that apply)

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* 6. In your opinion, which of the following methods do you think are most effective for providing hazard and disaster information? (Check all that apply)

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* 7. Is your property located in or near a FEMA designated floodplain?

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* 8. Do you have flood insurance?

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* 9. Do you have any special access or functional needs within your household and/or business that would require early warning or specialized response during disasters?

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* 10. Are you interested in making your home, business or neighborhood more resistant to hazards?

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* 12. What types of projects do you believe local, county, state or federal government agencies could be doing to reduce the damage and disruption of natural disasters in Kingston? (Select your top three choices)

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* 13. In your opinion, has the Town done enough to prepare for the projected impacts of climate change?

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* 14. Additional comments?