Town of Natick, MA Hazard Mitigation Plan Update The Town of Natick is currently updating the 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan is important because it helps the Town plan for projects that reduce the risk of injury or damage to property from future natural hazard events such as flooding, severe storms and drought. We need your help as we gather information for the plan. The information you provide in this survey will help us coordinate activities, identify projects, and position the Town for access to funding for implementation of actions. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and responses will remain anonymous. The Natick Local Hazard Mitigation Committee thanks you for taking the time to participate in this information-gathering process. To learn more about the Hazard Mitigation Plan update process, please visit https://www.natickma.gov/1390/Hazard-Mitigation. Question Title * 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 Natick? (Check all that apply) Flood-Related Hazards (Riverine/Flash Flooding, Inland/Urban Flooding, Heavy Rain, Dam Failure, Beaver Activity) Winter-Related Hazards (Blizzards, Ice, Heavy Snow, Extreme Cold) Wind-Related Hazards (Tornadoes, High Winds, Hurricanes, Lightning/Thunderstorms, Hail) Geologic-Related Hazards (Earthquakes) Extreme Heat-Related Hazard Drought-Related Hazard Brushfire/Wildfire-Related Hazard Invasive Species-Related Hazard (Aquatic Species) Question Title * 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 Question Title * 3. Which of the following steps has provided you with useful information to help you prepare for a hazard event? (Check all that apply) Attended meetings about disaster preparedness Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Personal experience with one or more natural hazards/disasters Local news/social media Civic organizations Other (please specify) Question Title * 4. How concerned are you about the following hazards in the Town of Natick? (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 Extreme Heat-Related Hazard Extreme Heat-Related Hazard Not Concerned Extreme Heat-Related Hazard Concerned Extreme Heat-Related Hazard Very Concerned Drought-Related Hazard Drought-Related Hazard Not Concerned Drought-Related Hazard Concerned Drought-Related Hazard Very Concerned Brushfire/Wildfire-Related Hazards Brushfire/Wildfire-Related Hazards Not Concerned Brushfire/Wildfire-Related Hazards Concerned Brushfire/Wildfire-Related Hazards Very Concerned Invasive Species-Related (Aquatic) Hazard Invasive Species-Related (Aquatic) Hazard Not Concerned Invasive Species-Related (Aquatic) Hazard Concerned Invasive Species-Related (Aquatic) Hazard Very Concerned Question Title * 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/business Stored food/water/batteries Prepared a medical supply kit Purchased natural hazard insurance Purchased/Learned how to program a NOAA Weather Radio Question Title * 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) Internet Social Media/Cell Phone Apps Police/Fire/Rescue Department Academic Institutions (schools) Public Library Informational Brochures Public Meetings/Workshops Auto-Dial Information (Code Ready or similar) Municipal Website Municipal E-Mail Newspaper Outdoor Advertisements Other (please specify) Question Title * 7. Is your property located in or near a FEMA designated floodplain? Yes No Not Sure Question Title * 8. Do you have flood insurance? Yes No Not Sure Question Title * 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? If yes, please describe. No Yes (please describe) Question Title * 10. Are you interested in making your home, business or neighborhood more resistant to hazards? Yes No Not Sure Question Title * 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 No Not Sure Question Title * 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 Natick? (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) 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 Question Title * 13. In the past, has your home/business been damaged by a hazard event (i.e., flood waters entering the first floor of your home/business or pipes freezing during periods of cold temperatures)? Yes No Not sure Question Title * 14. Do you believe your household or business is equipped and resilient enough to handle a disaster? Yes No Not sure Question Title * 15. Have you noticed particular changes in the environment in the past 10 years? (Check all that apply) Frequency/Severity of rain events Temperature (extreme heat/extreme cold) Seasonal shifts Floods Droughts Not sure Question Title * 16. Do you follow climate change-related activities, news, and policy? Yes No Not Sure Question Title * 17. In your opinion, has the Town done enough to prepare for the projected future impacts of climate change? Yes No Not Sure Question Title * 18. Additional comments? Done