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Kotzebue Hazard Mitigation Plan

Kotzebue Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey

City of Kotzebue is updating 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan, funded by:
  • Village Improvement Fund (VIF)
  • Alaska Community Fund (ACF): Emergency Planning
Hazard Mitigation

What is hazard mitigation, and what does it do?
  • Eliminates risk to OR reduces the severity of natural hazard impact
  • Not a disaster response plan
  • Long- or short-term projects
Purpose of Plan

Why do we need a Hazard Mitigation Plan?
  • Identifies way to make community safer, prepared, and resilient
  • Projects must be identified in plan to be eligible for funding
1.Should these goals be included in the Hazard Mitigation Plan?
Yes
No
Flooding - Reduce current and future flood damage. Increase public awareness about flooding and erosion.
Severe Weather - Mitigate the effects of extreme weather by instituting programs that provide early warning and preparation.
Severe Weather - Educate people about the dangers of extreme weather and how to prepare.
Severe Weather - Develop practical measures to warn in the event of a severe weather event.
Erosion & Shore Ice - Mitigate the effects of coastal erosion by protecting critical infrastructure from storm surges and sea ice.
Differential Ground Motion/Permafrost Degradation - Improve community health by increasing the resiliency of water and sewer services.
All Hazards - Strengthen Kotzebue’s regional location of a hub community by providing emergency services and resources for local and neighboring community members.
2.Please prioritize the projects under consideration to meet the Hazard Mitigation Plan goals.
High Priority
Medium Priority
Low Priority
Completed
Structure Elevation and/or Relocation
A list of homes, commercial structures and critical facilities that are in danger of flooding and in erosion danger should be identified and mitigation projects for elevating and/or relocating the structures determined. This includes 13 homes north of Crowley dock where the sea wall does not exist.
Kotzebue Maps
Accurate flood maps should be prepared that delineate areas of flooding and upland areas.
Public Education
Increase public knowledge about mitigation opportunities, floodplain functions, emergency service procedures, and potential hazards. This would include advising property owners, potential property owners, and visitors about the hazards. In addition, dissemination of a brochure or flyer on flood hazards in Kotzebue could be developed and distributed to all households.
Culverts
Design and install culverts to allow floodwaters to drain to the ocean.
Snow Management
Institute and enforce ordinances to ensure snow is disposed of properly to reduce flooding during spring.
Storm Ready
Research and consider instituting the National Weather Service program of “Storm Ready”. Storm Ready is a nationwide community preparedness program that uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle all types of severe weather—from tornadoes to tsunamis. The program encourages communities to take a new, proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations by providing emergency managers with clear‐cut guidelines on how to improve their hazardous weather operations.
Storm Ready
Encourage weather‐resistant building construction materials and practices.
Equipment
Ensure City has sufficient bulldozers, dump trucks, and other heavy equipment to adequately clear snow drifts after
Education
Conduct special awareness activities, such as Winter Weather Awareness Week, Flood Awareness Week, etc.
Warnings
Install a siren to warn people of a severe weather event or disaster event.
Warnings
Install automated weather sensors. Automated weather sensors are the chief method by which the NWS detects the occurrence of incoming severe weather.
Building Regulations
Establish building regulations to mitigate against fire damage.
Building Regulations
Encourage the evaluation of emergency plans with respect to wildland fire assessment.
Fire Wise Outreach
Promote Fire Wise building design, siting, and materials for construction.
Fire Wise Outreach
Acquire information on the danger of wildland fires and how best to prepare.
Fire Wise Outreach
Enhance public awareness of potential risk to life and personal property. Encourage mitigation measures in the immediate vicinity of their property.
Emergency Response Building
Design and build a multipurpose building that will provide emergency response and shelter for Kotzebue and neighboring communities.
Extend Coastal Protection
Design and build coastal protection along the north coast of Kotzebue.
Water & Sewer Mains
Improve the resiliency of the water and sewer system by replacing water and sewer mains. In particular, Swan Lake and Lagoon Loop water loops needs to be replaced with mains with modern materials.
Secondary Water Supply
Assess Vortac Lake Dam. If it cannot be rebuilt or fixed, determine another backup water source for Devils lake.
3.Please share any other goals or projects that should be included in Kotzebue's Hazard Mitigation Plan.
4.Please enter your name and email address if you would you like updates on the Hazard Mitigation Plan.