Hazard Mitigation
Little Compton, Be Prepared: for Flooding and Other Natural Hazards
Water Spout off Little Compton Coast (October 23, 2018) Photo Credit: Sally Jane Gavin
2024 Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan (HM&FMP)
While there are many aspects of coastal life in Little Compton to celebrate, it does leave us vulnerable to several natural hazards. More frequent and intense rainfall is becoming the norm resulting in increased property and street flooding. Wind and storm surge damage from hurricanes is also problematic, and we are on the frontlines for sea level rise.
The Town is working hard to be prepared and to that end is developing a 2024 Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan (HM&FMP) to strengthen our resilience to a number of natural hazards, including flooding and hurricanes. The HM&FMP will update the Town’s 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan (FEMA requires a 5-year update), and expand the focus on flood management. The Plan is being overseen by an Advisory Committee comprised of Town staff, residents, and other stakeholders. The Advisory Committee meetings are posted below and are open to the public.
The Plan will assess the likely impacts of natural hazards that historically have or are reasonably anticipated to impact the people and property of the Town (examples include flooding, winter storms, drought, fire, hurricanes, etc.). The Plan will establish updated goals and objectives and develop a mitigation strategy and action plan with a list of prioritized projects. It is being developed in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements, and includes Community Rating System (CRS) Flood Management provisions.
We need to work together to understand local risks, make solid choices, and invest in long-term community well-being.
Your Input is Important!
Community involvement is central to the planning process. We hope you will consider engaging in one or more of the following:
PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY: December 20, 2023 - January 19, 2024
The results from the online survey, conducted as part of the Project's public outreach, are provided below.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
Development of the Plan is overseen by an Advisory Committee made up of Town staff, residents, and other stakeholders. All meetings are open to the public and will be held in person at the Public Safety Complex Training Room (60 Simmons Road) or at the Town Hall Council (40 Commons). The tentative meeting schedule is posted below, but please refer to the Town’s website calendar (https://www.littlecomptonri.org/calendar.php) to ensure that the proposed meeting will occur as tentatively scheduled.
Meetings are scheduled from 9:00 - 10:30 am on the following dates:
Meeting #1 - Tuesday December 19, 2023 - Meeting Notes
Meeting #2 - Tuesday January 9, 2024 - Meeting Notes
Meeting #3 - Tuesday January 23, 2024 - Meeting Notes
Meeting #4 - Tuesday February 20, 2024 - Meeting Notes
Meeting #5 - Tuesday March 12, 2024 - Meeting Notes
Meeting #6 - Tuesday April 2. 2024 - Meeting Notes
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING:
A public informational meeting, hosted by the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust (LCACT), was held on January 3, 2024 to inform the public about the Plan and ongoing public outreach activities, to promote discussion about creating a safer, more resilient community, and to solicit input for consideration and integration into the development of the Plan.
A public informational session hosted by the Sakonnet Preservation Association (SPA), was held April 10, 2024 to provide an overview of the findings and recommendations of the Plan and to solicit input for consideration and integration into the development of the Plan.
PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD: April 19 - May 9, 2024
PUBLIC HEARING: May 9, 2024
We encourage you to review the Draft HM&FMP and provide comments and feedback:
- In Writing: to EMA Director, Public Safety Complex, 60 Simmons Road, Little Compton, RI (by May 7, 2024 at 1 PM EST with the notation on the envelope: HM&FMP Comments/Input c/o EMA Director)
- Via Email: rpetrin@tlcri.com (by May 7, 2024 at 1 PM EST)
- In Person: at the PUBLIC HEARING: May 9, 2024 at the Town Council's regularly scheduled meeting (7 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers, 40 Commons, Little Compton, RI)
PRDRAFT Section 1 - Introduction
PRDRAFT Section 2 - Planning Process
PRDRAFT Section 3 - Community Profile
PRDRAFT Section 4a - Risk Assessment
PRDRAFT Section 4b - Risk Assessment
PRDRAFT Section 5 - Capability Assessment
PRDRAFT Section 6 - Mitigation Strategy
PRDRAFT Section 7 - Plan Adoption Implementation & Maintenance
What is Hazard Mitigation?
FEMA defines hazard mitigation as, “any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.” Good planning before, during, and after disasters can protect our health, our daily ways of life, and promote equity in our community.
What is Flood Management?
FEMA defines flood (floodplain) management as “a community-based effort to prevent or reduce the risk of flooding, resulting in a more resilient community.” As inland and coastal flooding, as well as coastal erosion, are problems in Little Compton, it is important to identify measures that will help alleviate the impacts of flooding.
Why is a HM&FMP Important?
The Town of Little Compton understands that a well-developed Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan is an important planning tool that can:
• identify goals to prepare and adapt to changing hazards and vulnerabilities
• engage community and regional stakeholders and link local and regional planning efforts
• educate community members to increase personal safety and resiliency
• improve opportunities for mitigation funding
While we can’t prevent natural hazard events, such as hurricanes and nor’easters, pre-disaster planning and investments in preventative measures can reduce the impact of these events and improve post-disaster recovery.
Want to Learn More?
Following are some links that will provide additional information related to the HM&FMP Project.
• 2018 Little Compton Hazard Mitigation Plan
• 2018 Little Compton Comprehensive Community Plan
• 2020 Little Compton Community Resilience Building Workshop Summary of Findings
• Little Compton Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Disaster Preparedness Guide for Seniors and Caregivers
• Hurricane Evacuation Map for Little Compton
• Sign-up for CodeRED Emergency Notification System
• FEMA - Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection with Public Health
• RI BeachSAMP and STORMTOOLS
• RIDOH - Climate Change and Your Health
• RIDOH - Mosquitoes & Ticks Booklet
• RIEMA - Disaster‐Supply Kit Checklist
• RIEMA – Evacuation Plan & Checklist
• RIEMA - Flood Preparedness
• RIEMA - Flood Safety & NFIP
• RIEMA - Hurricane Preparedness
Questions?
Questions regarding the Plan update can be directed to Richard Petrin, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director (401-635–2323; RPetrin@tlcri.com).
Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan Advisory Committee
Fire Chief Richard Petrin, Chair
Carol A. Wordell, CMC, Town Clerk
Dean Simmons, Building Department
Denise M. Cosgrove, RITA, Tax Assessor
George Duarte, Sr., DPW Director
A. Michael Steers, Planning Board rep.
Ben Gauthier, Harbor Commission rep.
Nelson Cabot, Jr., LC Agricultural Conservancy Trust rep.
Jason Burchard, Tree Warden
Abigail Brooks, Sakonnet Preservation Association rep.
Michael Rocha, CERT member
Amy Mooney, Director, LC Community Center