Document Douglas_doc_ca3b5149cb

Converse County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Town of Rolling Hills, Glenrock, Lost Springs, & City of Douglas Prepared by: Converse County with assistance from Beck Consulting, Red Lodge, MT. -----September 2011 ---PAGE BREAK--- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Converse County and the municipalities of Douglas, Glenrock, Lost Springs, and Rolling Hills have developed this Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. Lost Springs participated in the development, but has no mitigation project, so will not adopt the plan. If Lost Springs experiences a natural disaster, the county will assist the community. This plan is the original plan for these jurisdictions. The plan was prepared by Converse County with the assistance of contractors Beck Consulting, MMI Planning, and AMEC Earth and Environmental. The content of the plan relies on the guidance of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, elected officials, existing plans, and input from the public. Information was available about the project through coverage by the Douglas Budget, Glenrock Independent, the Glenrock Bird, and the County, Douglas, and Glenrock websites. The draft plan was made available at town and county offices, the two public libraries, and online, for a four-week period. A total of 10 hazards, nine natural and one human were identified and profiled for the county. These hazards included; dam failure, drought, earthquakes, floods, hail, hazardous materials, landslides and subsidence, tornadoes and wind storms, wildland fire, and winter storms. Hazard Mitigation Goals Seven goals with a total of 49 projects were developed during the process. A variety of types of projects including coordination, education and awareness, natural resource protection, preparation, prevention, property protection, and structural were identified. Goal One: Reduce the threat of contamination from Hazardous Material incidents. Goal Two: Reduce tornado damage in the county. Goal Three: Reduce flood damage in the county. Goal Four: Reduce damage and potential loss of life from wildland fire in the county. Goal Five: Reduce economic impacts of drought. Goal Six: Reduce the threat to safety of citizens imposed by winter storms. Goal Seven: Enhance overall preparedness for natural hazard incident. 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION 7 Chapter 2. PLANNING PROCESS 12 Chapter 3. DAM FAILURE 17 Chapter 4. DROUGHT 20 Chapter 5. EARTHQUAKES 25 Chapter 6. FLOODS 43 Chapter 7. HAIL 66 Chapter 8. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 70 Chapter 9. LANDSLIDES AND SUBSIDENCE 75 Chapter 10. TORNADOES AND WINDSTORMS 80 Chapter 11: WILDLAND FIRES 91 Chapter 12. WINTER STORMS 104 Chapter 13. MITIGATION GOALS AND PROJECTS 114 Chapter 14. PLAN MONITORING, MAINTENANCE, REVISION, AND COORDINATION 124 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figures Figure 1.1 Converse County Map 6 Figure 3.1 Dams in National Inventory of Figure 3.1 15 Figure 3.2 Dams Inspected by the Wyoming State Engineers Office and the U.S.B.R. 17 Figure 4.1 Wyoming Annual Precipitation (1895-2006) 19 Figure 5.1 Historic Earthquakes in Wyoming 23 Figure 5.2 Known or Suspected Active Faults in Wyoming 26 Figure 5.3 Probability of Earthquakes > M 5.0 in Converse County 28 Figure 5.4 500-year probabilistic ground motion map (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years). 32 Figure 5.5 1,000-year probabilistic ground motion map probability of exceedance in 50 years). 33 Figure 5.6 2,500-year ground motion map probability of exceedance in 50 years). 34 Figure 6.1 Converse County Flood Hazard Areas 52 Figure 6.2 Converse County HAZUS Flood Depth, 100-year Flood 53 Figure 6.3 Converse County Building Loss by Census Block 54 Figure 6.4 Douglas Flood Hazard Areas 55 Figure 6.5 Douglas DFIRM and HAZUS Flood Depth, 100-year Flood 56 Figure 6.6 Douglas Building Loss by Census Block 57 Figure 6.7 Glenrock Flood Hazard Areas 58 Figure 6.8 Glenrock DFIRM and HAZUS Flood Depth, 100-year Flood 59 Figure 6.9 Glenrock Building Loss by Census Block 60 Figure 6.10 Lost Springs Flood Hazard Areas 61 Figure 6.11 Lost Springs HAZUS Flood Depth, 100-year Flood 62 Figure 6.12 Lost Springs Building Loss by Census Block 63 Figure 7.1 Hail Damages by County 66 Figure 8.1 Risk Management Plan facilities in Wyoming 72 Figure 9.1. Mapped Landslides in Wyoming 73 Figure 9.2 Wyoming Landslide Classification 74 F2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 9.3 Wyoming Landslide Exposure by County 76 Figure 10.1 Wyoming Tornadoes 81 Figure 10.2 Wyoming Tornado Damage Data 85 Figure 11.1 Redzone Map of Wyoming 90 Figure 11.2 Fires and Acres Burned in Wyoming 91 Figure 11.3 Converse County Redzone Map 97 Tables Table 1.1 Local Plans Consulted 12 Table 4.1 Wyoming’s Recent Worst Multi-Year, Statewide Droughts 20 Table 4.2 Converse County Production and Inventory (1999 – 2009) 22 Table 5.1 Converse County Earthquake 25 Table 5.2 Modified Mercalli Intensity and Peak Ground Acceleration 31 Table 5.3 Earthquake Impacts to Converse County – HAZUS 2,500-year 37 Table 5.4 Transportation and Utility System Economic Losses –HAZUS 2,500-yr. 39 Table 6.1 Historic Floods in Converse 44 Table 6.2 National Flood Insurance Program Polices and Claims 47 Table 6.3 HAZUS Loss Estimation 51 Table 6.4 HAZUS Loss Estimation Additional Analysis 51 Table 7.1 Damaging Hail Storms in Converse County 65 Table 8.1 Hazardous Materials 69 Table 9.1 Building Exposure Values for Landslides 77 Table 10.1 Enhanced Fujita Scale 79 Table 10.2 Original Fujita Scale of Tornado Intensity 80 Table 10.3 Wyoming Tornado Data Totals by County (1907-2006) 81 Table 10.4 Damaging Tornadoes in Converse County 82 Table 10.5 Converse County Windstorms 1997-2010 83 Table 10.6 Tornado Damage by County in Year of Event USD (1907 - 2006) 84 F3 ---PAGE BREAK--- F4 Table 10.7 Tornado Events by County (1907-2006) 87 Table 11.1 Historic Large Fires within North Laramie Range and Foothills 93 Table 11.2 Wildfire Hazard Rating for At-risk Communities 94 Table 11.3 Wildland fire building exposure values by County 99 Table 12.1 Winter Storms in Converse 103 Table 13.1 Project Types 113 Table 13.2 Goal One: 115 Reduce the threat of contamination from Hazardous Materials incidents. 115 Table 13.3 Goal Two: 116 Reduce tornado damage in the county 116 Table 13.4 Goal Three: 117 Reduce flood damage in the county 117 Table 13.5 Goal Four: 119 Reduce damage and potential loss of life from wildland fire in the county 119 Table 13.6: Goal Five: 120 Reduce economic impacts of droughts 120 Table 13.7 Goal Six: 121 Reduce the threat to safety of citizens imposed by winter storms 121 Table 13.8 Goal Seven: 122 Enhance overall preparedness for natural hazard incidents. 122 Appendices Appendix A: PLANNING PROCESS DOCUMENTATION A1 Appendix B: CITIZEN SURVEY B1 Appendix C: RISK ASSESSMENT BY JURISDICTION C1 Appendix D: LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE………………………………………………….D1 Appendix E. ACRONYMS USED IN THIS E1 Appendix F. RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION F1 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION County Profile Converse County was established in 1888 from portions of Albany and Laramie Counties. The county is named after Wyoming pioneer, Amasa R. Converse. The county is approximately 170 miles east-west and 92 miles north-south and encompasses 4,253 square miles. Converse County is located in east central Wyoming. Open range is the dominant land use with timbered mountain slopes located along the southwest boundary. Land ownership in the county is private, state, and federal. Neighboring counties include; Albany, Campbell, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston. The estimated population for the County in 2009 was 13,578, which is a 12.7% increase from the 2000 census population of 12,052. The population is 96.7 % white. Population growth in the county has been faster than the state and faster than the nation. The population density based on the 2000 census was 2.8 people per square mile. (Source: http://quickfacts.census.gov) County residents live in one of the incorporated communities, Douglas, Glenrock, Lost Springs, or Rolling Hills, or one of the unincorporated communities of Bill, Esterbrook, Orpha, Orin, and Shawnee, or in unincorporated areas of the county. The highest concentration of population is in the city of Douglas, population 6,212 which serves as the County seat. The town of Glenrock has a population of 2,466, Rolling Hills, 512, and Lost Springs, 4, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Source: http://factfinder.census.gov) In 2005, retail trade represented the largest number of firms in the county’s economic profile. This was followed by construction; other services; mining; accommodation and food services; health care and social assistance; and professional, scientific and technical services. Mining, utilities, construction, and healthcare represented the largest employers with each of these industries having at least one firm that employed 100 or more individuals. Mining is the only industry in the county that has a firm employing 250 or more people. The government share of total employment (local, state, and federal) in 2006 was 18%. Job growth over the past 36 years has outpaced both state and national rates. (Source: Socioeconomic Profile of Converse County, Headwaters Economics, February 2009) The median family income for 2010 as estimated by Housing and Urban Development was $66,400, higher than the statewide figure of $66,100. The unemployment rate in the county was 5.8% in 2009. The total number of housing units in the county increased from 5,669 to 6,134 for the period 2000 to 2010. (Source: Wyoming Housing Database Partnership, Final Report, August 31, 2010) The home ownership rate in 2009 was 74%. (Source: http://quickfacts.census.gov) 7 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 1.1 Converse County Map 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- The two dominant natural features in the county are the Laramie Mountain Range and North Platte River. The Laramie Mountains cut across the southwest corner of the county. The North Platte flows across the county from northwest to southeast and through the center of Douglas, the county seat. North Platte River at Douglas Elevations range from just over 4400 feet above sea level in the northeastern corner of the county to 9165 feet at Twin Peaks in the southwestern, forested area of the county. Lands drain into both the Cheyenne and North Platte Rivers. The surface is characterized by rolling hills, canyons, and breaks in the north half of the county and steeper, timbered mountain slopes in the southwest. Precipitation at Douglas is 12.6 inches annually with most of the precipitation coming between April and September. Underlying the surface are oil and gas producing basins. Air and water quality in the county are good. Interstate 25 bisects the county running east-west to the west of Douglas and at Douglas turning north-south. U.S. Highways 18 and 20 exit the southeast corner of the county in an easterly direction serving Lost Springs and Shawnee. State highway 59 runs north south connecting Douglas to Gillette in neighboring Campbell County. Highway 93/95 forms a loop from I-25 that largely parallels the North Platte and accesses Glenrock, Rolling Hills, and Orpha. The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) enters the county from the north and runs roughly parallel to State Highway 59. The BNSF carries coal mined in 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- the Powder River Basin to the north, to all parts of the country. These tracks intersect with the east-west Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) at Douglas. The UPRR closely follows the North Platte west of Douglas and State Highways 18 and 20 east of Douglas. Douglas has a general aviation airport south of town, but does not have commercial air service. Commercial air service is available in Casper, 50 miles west of Douglas. Development Trends The following county profile information (available as of October 2010) was compiled by Headwaters Economics based upon data from the U.S. Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics and is contained in the Converse County, Wyoming Socio Economic Profile. (www.headwaterseconomics.org) Compared to other U.S. counties, Converse County has the following characteristics: • Population growth (annualized rate, 1970-2006) was fast. • Employment growth (annualized rate, 1970-2006) was somewhat fast. • Personal Income growth (adjusted for inflation, annualized rate, 1970-2006) was fast. • Non-labor income share of total in 2006 was low. • Median age based on the 2000 census was roughly average. • Per capita income (2006) was high. • Average earnings per job (2006) was high. • Education rate of population 25 and over with a college degree) was roughly average. • Education rate was somewhat low (looking at the percent of the population 25 and over who have less than a high school diploma.) • Rich-poor ratio (for each household that made over $100K, how many households made less than $30K) was roughly average. • Housing affordability was roughly average. • Government share of total employment was somewhat high. • Unemployment rate in 2007 was somewhat low. Land use in Converse County is relatively stable with little conversion of uses. According to the Douglas City Planning Office residential development all but stopped in 2009 with 12-15 new single family homes under construction that year. The city has approximately 600 city lots platted and available for construction west of I-25, and in the northwest and southeast areas of the city. There is a need for additional higher density housing to provide for underserved elderly and lower income populations. In 2010, there has been virtually no new single family residential construction. Commercial construction has primarily been remodeling of existing facilities with little new construction. The City of Douglas has building codes and code enforcement. (Source: Interview with Shan Gorden, City Building Inspector and Shari Molney, Planning Technician, October 28, 2010) 10 ---PAGE BREAK--- Laramie Range south of Glenrock The county does have subdivision regulations and permit septic systems. The number of septic permit applications helps provide a gauge for new development. The county does not have a county planner, zoning regulations, building codes, or code enforcement. According to County Special Projects Director, Holly Richardson, there has been very little subdivision activity for the past two years. Development in floodplains has not been an issue. There has been considerable interest in development of energy, specifically wind energy, in the county in recent years. Duke and Rocky Mountain Power have developed a total of four projects. One additional wind energy project, Wasatch Winds, is in the application process. (Source: Phone interview with Holly Richardson, November 5, 2010) Overall, interviews with city and county planning staff do not indicate any significant development in the near term. Even the county’s economic engine of energy development has slowed with the current recession. In 2011 however, there is activity related to obtaining permits for uranium extraction. And, in April 2011, the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission held a meeting in Douglas to discuss interest in exploring the Niobrara Shale formation for oil. (Casper Star-Tribune, April 27, 2011) 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2. PLANNING PROCESS Specific Jurisdictions Represented in the Plan The jurisdictions represented in this plan are Converse County, the city of Douglas, and the towns of Glenrock, Lost Springs, and Rolling Hills, Wyoming. All but Lost Springs will adopt the plan. Lost Springs has no need for a mitigation project. These are all of the incorporated communities in the county. This will be the original hazard mitigation plan for the county. How the Jurisdictions Participated in the Plan Update The five local jurisdictions participated in the planning process. Participation occurred in the following ways: • By providing key staff to participate in the LEPC planning meetings, • By providing information on critical infrastructure and facilities, • By providing existing plans and documents, • By meeting with the contractor one-on-one as requested, • By providing feedback on draft goals, • By providing specific project ideas for the towns, city, and the county, • By reviewing and commenting on the draft plan, and • By adopting the plan—pending FEMA approval. Opportunity for Involvement by Other Interests Emergency Management Coordinators in the counties adjacent to Converse County— Albany, Campbell, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, Weston, and Wheatland were notified that Converse County was undertaking a revision to the MHMP and invited to provide input, comments, and review the draft plan. Notification was done by phone and/or e-mail and included the current status of the update, where to find more information on the project, and contact information for questions and input. The Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy and Eastern Wyoming College are located in Douglas. Local non-profits, businesses, and other organizations had opportunity to learn about and become involved in the process through articles and community calendar postings in the Glenrock Bird, the Glenrock Independent, the Douglas Budget, on the county’s website, and on the Glenrock and Douglas municipalities’ websites. Process Followed to Update the Plan The process followed to update the plan had several steps over a period of approximately four years. Three successive County Emergency Management Coordinators attempted to work with the LEPC, conduct public involvement, and 12 ---PAGE BREAK--- assemble a hazard mitigation plan. While much good work was accomplished and this plan builds on that work, the results of their efforts were not deemed approvable. In 2010, Converse County retained hazard mitigation planner, Beck Consulting of Red Lodge, Montana. Beck Consulting working closely with county and the LEPC, built upon the county’s earlier work and produced this plan. The hazard profiles were developed by AMEC Earth and Environmental under a subcontract to Beck Consulting. Both Beck Consulting and AMEC have completed hazard mitigation planning work across the state of Wyoming. The citizen survey was prepared by MMI Planning. To kick-off the project, the contractor met with the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and Local Planning Committee or LPC, on October 27, 2010, in Glenrock. The LEPC contains representatives from the communities, emergency services, and local elected officials. At this first meeting, Ms. Beck provided a one-page briefing paper about the project and explained what a Multi-Hazard Mitigation plan is and why the county was preparing this plan. Ms. Beck also went over the roles of various participants in the process including elected officials, the contractors, the coordinator, the LEPC and the LPC, the public, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.) The group then revisited and validated the list of hazards and the goals from the previous work done by the county. Ms. Beck prepared a meeting summary which was provided electronically to the County Commissioners and Mayors along with the briefing paper. These documents were then posted on the Douglas, Glenrock, and Converse County websites. Other Plans and Data Sources Consulted A multitude of state and federal data bases and other sources were used to update the hazard profiles. These sources are cited in the text of those profiles. Relevant local and county plans were reviewed by the contractor. The existing land use plan for the City of Douglas was deemed by city staff to be outdated and was under revision at the time so the contractor met with city staff to discuss issues of concern. Table 1.1 Local Plans Consulted Name Date Type How Used Converse County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Sept. 2005 Hazard Assessment Carried recommendations forward into MHMP goals and projects Converse County Emergency Operations Plan undated Response Plan Background Converse County Together for Now and Tomorrow Dec. 2009 Growth Plan Ensured projects in MHMP were consistent with stated goals. Provided ideas for projects 13 ---PAGE BREAK--- County Commissioners at joint meeting with Glenrock Town Council Beginning in October and continuing throughout the project Ms. Beck interviewed a variety of town, city, and county officials in person and on the phone. The interviews were conducted to obtain information on critical facilities and infrastructure, project ideas, existing regulations, and development trends. During November and December of 2010, AMEC researched and wrote up the hazard profiles using the list of hazards drafted by county staff and validated by the LEPC. AMEC consulted a variety of sources including work recently completed for the Wyoming state hazard mitigation plan. The LEPC convened again in January 2011. The publicly-noticed LEPC meeting was held this time in Douglas. At the meeting, participants went back over and finalized the preliminary list of projects. Projects were also given a priority ranking of high, medium, or low and the group made certain that there was at least one project identified for each of the participating jurisdictions. Once again the meeting was documented, the newspapers reported on the meetings, the commissioners and mayors were electronically updated, and meeting notes were posted on the three local websites. 14 ---PAGE BREAK--- How the Planning Team Reviewed and Analyzed the Existing Plan The Converse County LEPC served as the planning team for this project. There was no existing plan to analyze, however a great deal of information was available in draft form from the prior efforts of the County Emergency Management Coordinators. How the Public Was Involved in the Update Process All project meetings were noticed in the newspapers of record—the Douglas Budget and the Glenrock Independent. These meetings included LEPC meetings, public meetings, and council and commission meetings. All participants were asked to sign-in at these meetings and meeting notes were prepared following each meeting. Meeting notes were posted on the Converse County, Douglas, and Glenrock websites. Public meetings were held in Glenrock, Douglas, and Rolling Hills during this phase of the planning process. Previous public meetings were held by the various coordinators, but not documented. 2010-2011 meeting agendas, notes, and sign-in sheets can be found in Appendix A. Because attendance at the public meetings was poor, the county elected to complete a sample survey of registered voters. This was done during February and March of 2011. The draft plan was posted on the County, Douglas, and Glenrock websites. Hard copies of the draft plan were made available for public review in the libraries in Douglas and Glenrock, at all four town and city halls, and at the Converse County courthouse. The public comment period was open from May 2 through June 3, 2011. Comments received on the draft plan were reviewed by the Emergency Management Coordinator and forwarded to the contractor for incorporation into the plan. Individuals/Groups Involved in the Plan Update Process Over the course of five years, the following individuals and organizations were invited to participate in plan update. • Converse County Office of Emergency Management • Converse County Public Health Department • Converse County Road and Bridge Department • Converse County School Districts • Town, City, and County Elected Officials • Town, City, and County Public Works Departments • Local Emergency Planning Committee • American Red Cross • Wyoming National Guard • Douglas, Glenrock, and County Law Enforcement, Wyoming Highway Patrol • Douglas, Glenrock, Rolling Hills and County Rural Fire Departments • Railroad Emergency Response Team 15 ---PAGE BREAK--- 16 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 3. DAM FAILURE Dams and reservoirs serve a very important role for Wyoming residents and industry. Rarely, however, the dams fail, either completely or partially, and become a significant hazard for those Dam failures fall within four classifications: overtopping, foundation failure, structural failure, and other unforeseen failures. Overtopping failures result from the uncontrolled flow of water over, around, and adjacent to the dam. Earthen dams are most susceptible to this type of failure. Overtopping failures account for approximately 28% of all dam failures. Foundation and structural failures are usually tied to seepage through the foundation of the main structure of the dam. Deformation of the foundation or settling of the embankment can also result in dam failure. Structural failures account for approximately 28% of all dam failures nationwide, and foundation problems account for another 25%. Earthquakes or sabotage account for 12% of dam failures, inadequate design and construction account for the remaining 7% of failures. In 1981, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed an inspection program for nonfederal dams under the National Dam Inspection Act (P.L. 92-367). This was a four- year work effort and included compiling an inventory of about 50,000 dams and conducting a review of each state’s capabilities, practices, and regulations regarding design, construction, operation, and maintenance of dams. Part of the inspection included evaluating the dams and assigning a hazard potential based on the effects should one of the dams fail. The dams were rated high, significant, and low hazard. Figure 3.1 Dams in National Inventory of Figure 3.1 17 ---PAGE BREAK--- The Corps of Engineers based the hazard potential designation on such items as acre- feet capacity of the dam, distance from nearest community population density of the community, and age of the dam. High hazard dam failures would involve property losses over $1 million and have probable loss of life. Significant hazard dam failures would cause over $1 million in property damage and involve possible loss of life. There were 1,458 dams in Wyoming that were reviewed by the Corps of Engineers. Of that number 38 were rated high hazard, 56 were rated significant hazard, and the remaining 1,364 were rated low hazard. The Wyoming State Engineers Office inspects dams over 20 feet high or with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet or more, although smaller dams are also inspected in highly populated areas. There are 1,386 dams that are inspected by the State Engineer once every five years. Of those dams, 79 are rated high hazard, 115 were rated significant hazard, and 1,192 were rated low-hazard by the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office. Figure 3.2 shows the dams that are inspected by the Wyoming State Engineers Office. Converse County has 70 dams that are listed in the National Inventory of Dams maintained by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Of this number, 68 are privately- owned, one is state-owned and one is owned by the federal government. Fifty-three of the 70 dams were constructed wholly or in part for irrigation purposes. Other purposes listed for the dams are water supply, fire protection, stock water, fish pond, wildlife pond, or recreation. The majority of dams impound only a small amount of water. One dam, LaPrele is made or concrete, the remaining 69 dams are earthen. A listing of NID dams in the county is on file at the Converse County Emergency Management Office. LaPrele is the only high hazard dam in the county. The LaPrele Dam is owned by the LaPrele Irrigation District. As the owner, the irrigation district is responsible for safe operation and dam maintenance. The dam is periodically inspected by the State Engineer’s Office. The dam was built of concrete in 1909 for irrigation purposes. LaPrele Creek is the source of water for the reservoir behind the dam. The dam is 135 feet tall and 320 feet wide. Maximum capacity of the dam is 26,850 cubic feet and the maximum discharge is 7,810 cubic feet per second. The dam has an Emergency Action Plan (EAP.) The EAP describes actions to warn and evacuate should that become necessary. History There have been a number of dam failures in Wyoming, some of which have caused the loss of life and damage to property. According to the Wyoming State Hazard Mitigation Plan (2008) there has been one documented dam failure in Converse County. On July 22, 1983 a dam collapsed as a result of heavy rains on the east slopes of the Laramie Range sending a 10-15-foot wall of water through a nearby ranch. The dam collapse happened southwest of Douglas near the LaPrele Reservoir. 18 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 3.2 Dams Inspected by the Wyoming State Engineers Office and the U.S.B.R. (Source: Wyoming State Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2008) Impacts Only one dam failure has been documented in Converse County. No damage information is available from that incident. If LaPrele Dam failed, impacts could be catastrophic. According to the LaPrele EAP, the first area of inundation would be the Natural Bridge Park recreation area. Also acording to the EAP, the closest major population center, Douglas, is located 27 miles from the dam and there would be 16 hours from breach to peak flow in Douglas. By the time the flood reached Douglas most of the waters would remain within the designated floodplain area. Unincorporated areas of the county, rural ranches, and Interstate 25 could all experience flooding. There is no history of failure at this dam. Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: Low POPULATION AFFECTED: Low PROBABILITY: Low JURISDICTION AFFECTED: County, Douglas 19 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 4. DROUGHT Of all the natural weather-related disasters, drought is by far the most costly to society. It indirectly kills more people and animals than the combined effects of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and wildfires. And, unlike other disasters that quickly come and go, drought's long-term unrelenting destruction has been responsible in the past for mass migrations and lost civilizations. The 1980 and 1988 droughts in the U.S. resulted in approximately 17,500 heat-related deaths and an economic cost of over $100 billion. Drought occurs in four stages and is defined as a function of its magnitude (dryness), duration, and regional extent. Severity, the most commonly used term for measuring drought, is a combination of magnitude and duration. The first stage of drought is known as a meteorological drought. The conditions at this stage include any precipitation shortfall of 75% of normal for three months or longer. The second stage is known as agricultural drought. Soil moisture is deficient to the point where plants are stressed and biomass (yield) is reduced. The third stage is the hydrological drought. Reduced stream flow (inflow) to reservoirs and lakes is the most obvious sign that a serious drought is in progress. The fourth stage is the socioeconomic drought. This final stage refers to the situation that occurs when physical water shortage begins to affect people. As these stages evolve over time, the impacts to the economy, society, and environment converge into an emergency situation. Without reservoir water to irrigate farms, food supplies are in jeopardy. Without spring rains for the prairie grasslands, open range grazing is compromised. Without groundwater for municipalities, the hardships to communities result in increases in mental and physical stress as well as conflicts over the use of whatever limited water is available. Without water, wetlands disappear. The quality of any remaining water decreases due to its higher salinity concentration. There is also an increased risk of fires, and air quality degrades as a result of increased soil erosion in strong winds (blowing dust). Converse County had 435 farms in 2007—the latest year for which this information is available. The number of farms was up 28% from 2002, but the number of acres of land in farms was down 6% to 2,517,920. The average farm size was down 27% during the period to an average farm size of 7,247 acres. In 2007, the total value of agricultural products sold from Converse County was $34.8 million. In 2007, the county ranked #1 in the state for sheep and lambs and 12th for cattle—making it vulnerable to drought. (Source: wwwagcensus.usda.gov) History The most recent statewide drought in Wyoming started in 1999, but began in earnest in the spring of 2000 and endured through 2004. It is considered by many to be the most severe in collective memory. However, some old timers have indicated that they remember streams drying up in the 1930s and 1950s. According to instrument records, since 1895 there have been only seven multi-year (three years or longer) 20 ---PAGE BREAK--- statewide droughts. Based on deficit precipitation totals (negative departures from the long term average), they are ranked statewide in order of increasing precipitation deficit. Table 4.1 Wyoming’s Recent Worst Multi-Year, Statewide Droughts Period Average Annual Precipitation (Inches) Percent of 1895-2006 Average Annual Precipitation (13.04”) 1952-1956 10.65 81.69% 1900-1903 10.76 82.52% 1999-2004 11.07 84.89% 1987-1990 11.12 85.28% 1958-1964 11.67 89.49% 1974-1977 11.77 90.26% 1931-1936 11.79 90.41% Widespread droughts in Wyoming, as determined from stream flow records, were most notable during three periods: 1929-1942, 1948-1962, and 1976-1982. Instrumentation Record Figure 4.1 Wyoming Annual Precipitation (1895-2006) 21 ---PAGE BREAK--- As a whole, Wyoming's precipitation record from 1895-2006 reveals that, for the first half of the 20th century (except for the Dust Bowl years of the 1930s), there was generally a surplus of moisture. During the second half of the century there was an increasing trend of increased periods of drought (Figure 4.1). Converse County data have not been analyzed; however, the history of drought in Converse County is expected to be similar to the State patterns described above. Impacts Based upon Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1, the drought of 1999-2004 is as significant, if not more significant than any other droughts in the last 100 years for the entire state. Table 4.1, from the Wyoming State Climate Office, indicates that the most significant droughts in the last century, in terms of annual statewide precipitation averages, were in 1952-1956, 1900 to 1903, and1999-2004. In order to determine which drought period had the most significant impact on Wyoming, crop production and livestock inventory data for the 1952-1956 and 1999-2004 periods were compared. 1957 and 2005 were wetter years, with annual statewide precipitation totals above the 1895- 2006 average. Those two years were used as endpoints for the droughts that started in 1952 and 1999 respectively. In both cases, the years following saw a return to drier conditions. Dollar Impacts Agricultural dollar impacts can also be used to show the effects of drought. Production figures were obtained from the Wyoming Agricultural Statistics that is compiled by the Wyoming Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The data below represent changes in production in all hay and changes in inventory value for cattle and calves, and sheep. As such, the data should be considered impact value versus loss value. For example, with cattle and calves inventory, the inventory decreased during the latest prolonged drought. Therefore the value of inventory on hand has decreased. The inventory decreased, however, because of the sale of the cattle and calves. The sales resulted in an increase in cash receipts to the farming and ranching community. The net result, however, is a decrease in inventory value, which is a negative drought impact. The information in Table 4.2 shows (with some time lag) generally decreased agricultural production in the county in response to the drought years and a rebound following the end of the drought. 22 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 4.2 Converse County Production and Inventory (1999 – 2009) Year Hay Production (Tons) Cattle and calves inventory Sheep inventory 1999 88,400 77,000 61,000 2000 70,500 85,000 61,000 2001 66,500 85,000 65,000 2002 53,500 78,000 64,000 2003 64,000 59,000 60,000 2004 51,800 60,000 Not available 2005 55,600 62,000 Not available 2006 53,500 64,000 Not available 2007 62,000 63,000 Not available 2008 93,100 52,000 70,000 2009 54,000 62,000 Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service (www.nass.usda.gov) The 1999-2004 drought can be shown to be the drought of historic record. There have been significant impacts on the agricultural and other industries from the 1999-2004 drought. The worst-case year was 2002, with a negative dollar impact of $308,171,390 statewide. Converse County is one of 23 counties in the State of Wyoming. If it is assumed that the drought impact is equally distributed across the state, which in reality it is not, the potential drought impact in Converse County for 2002 would have been approximately $13,400,000. The total impact statewide for the 1999-2004 drought has been $903,649,936. If it is assumed that the drought impact is equally distributed across the state, which in reality it is not, then the potential drought impact in Converse County would be over $39 million for the five-year period in 2002 dollars. Using a 4% annual inflation rate, this would put the losses for Converse County for this five-year event at approximately $56 million in 2010 dollars. Future Potential Impacts Based on the historic record, Wyoming experienced major drought conditions for 36 years out of a 115-year period (based on the total number of years in each of the seven droughts). This yields a 31% chance that Wyoming will be in a drought in any given year. Should the drought become severe, the state could expect similar impacts to the 1999-2004 drought (based on the event of record). Post-2006 data shows that significant losses were experienced in the agricultural industry following the 1999-2004 drought. Even when a drought technically ceases, the impacts can continue. It may take years for the Wyoming agricultural industry to fully recover from the effects of any given drought. 23 ---PAGE BREAK--- 24 Additionally, drought can exacerbate the risk of wildfires; increase the cost of municipal water usage; and deplete water resources used for industry and recreation, affecting the economy. Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: Medium POPULATION AFFECTED: High PROBABILITY: High JURISDICTION AFFECTED: County ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 5. EARTHQUAKES An earthquake is generally defined as a sudden motion or trembling in the Earth caused by the abrupt release of slowly accumulated strain. The most common types of earthquakes are caused by movements along faults and by volcanic forces, although they can also result from explosions, cavern collapse, and other minor causes not related to slowly accumulated strains. Historically, earthquakes have occurred in every County in Wyoming (Figure 5.1). The first was reported in Yellowstone National Park in 1871. Yellowstone National Park is a one of the more seismically active areas of the United States. Figure 5.1 Historic Earthquakes in Wyoming One item to note from Figure 5.1 is even if the epicenter of an earthquake is not located within Converse County, the effects of the earthquake may still be felt in the 25 ---PAGE BREAK--- County. For example, the area in north Albany County with a high-density cluster of past earthquakes could impact the south area of Converse County. History According to the Wyoming State Geological Survey, there are no known active or suspected active faults in Converse County. However, there have been multiple earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 3.0 recorded in or near Converse County. The most recent event was a 3.8 earthquake on August 29, 2004 with the epicenter approximately 11 miles northwest of Douglas. There was no reported damage, but the earthquake was felt throughout the city and even on nearby highways. The Wyoming State Geological Survey compiled a document titled “Basic Seismological Characterization for Converse County, Wyoming” in September of 2002. This report includes a history of magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes recorded in Converse County. Results from that report are summarized in Table 5.1, below: Table 5.1 Converse County Earthquake History Date Location Magnitude/ Intensity Comments April 14, 1947 Near LaPrele Creek southwest of Douglas Intensity V The earthquake was felt by everyone in a ranch house and by a few outdoors. Windows were rattled, chairs were moved, and buildings shook August 21, 1952 Approximately 7 miles north-northeast of Esterbrook Intensity IV Felt by several people in the area, and was reportedly felt 40 miles to the southwest of Esterbrook September 2, 1952 Same location, approximately 7 miles north-northeast of Esterbrook No associated magnitude or intensity Small magnitude event, no damage reported January 5, 1957 Same location, approximately 7 miles north-northeast of Esterbrook Intensity III No damage reported March 31, 1964 Same location, approximately 7 miles north-northeast of Esterbrook Intensity IV No damage reported 26 ---PAGE BREAK--- Date Location Magnitude/ Comments Intensity November 15, 1983 Approximately 15 miles northeast of Casper in western Converse County Magnitude 3.0, Intensity III No damage reported December 5, 1984 In the Laramie Range in southern Converse County Magnitude 2.9 No damage reported June 30, 1993 Approximately 15 miles north of Douglas Magnitude 3.0 No damage reported July 23, 1993 Southern Converse County, approximately 13 miles north-northwest of Toltec in northern Albany County Magnitude 3.7, Intensity IV The event was felt as far away as Laramie December 13, 1993 Approximately 8 miles east of Toltec Magnitude 3.5 No damage reported October 19, 1996 Approximately 15 miles northeast of Casper in western Converse County Magnitude 4.2 No damage reported, although the event was felt by many Casper residents Other earthquake history obtained from Converse County reports an earthquake event of magnitude 5.5, intensity VI event that occurred on October 18, 1984, roughly four miles west of Toltec in northern Albany County. The epicenter was approximately 21 miles south of Esterbrook. The earthquake was felt in Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Kansas. It cracked buildings and shook items from shelves in grocery stores in Douglas. An exterior wall of the Douglas Town Hall was found to have shifted a half inch. This earthquake was one of the largest felt in eastern Wyoming. Many of the earthquakes noted above have originated in the Laramie mountain range in southern Converse County and northern Albany County. The discussion in the following sections is largely from a September 2002 WSGS publication by Case et al. 27 ---PAGE BREAK--- Deterministic Analysis of Regional Active Faults with a Surficial Expression There are no known exposed active faults with a surficial expression in Converse County. As a result, no fault-specific analysis can be generated for Converse County (Case et al, 2002). Figure 5.2 below shows known active or suspected active faults in Wyoming (WSGS, 1995) Figure 5.2 Known or Suspected Active Faults in Wyoming 28 ---PAGE BREAK--- Floating or Random Earthquake Sources Many federal regulations require an analysis of the earthquake potential in areas where active faults are not exposed, and where earthquakes are tied to buried faults with no surface expression. Regions with a uniform potential for the occurrence of such earthquakes are called tectonic provinces. Within a tectonic province, earthquakes associated with buried faults are assumed to occur randomly, and as a result can theoretically occur anywhere within that area of uniform earthquake potential. In reality, that random distribution may not be the case, as all earthquakes are associated with specific faults. If all buried faults have not been identified, however, the distribution has to be considered random. “Floating earthquakes” are earthquakes that are considered to occur randomly in a tectonic province (Case et al, 2002). It is difficult to accurately define tectonic provinces when there is a limited historic earthquake record. When there are no nearby seismic stations that can detect small- magnitude earthquakes, which occur more frequently than larger events, the problem is compounded. Under these conditions, it is common to delineate larger, rather than smaller, tectonic provinces. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) identified tectonic provinces in a report titled “Probabilistic Estimates of Maximum Acceleration and Velocity in Rock in the Contiguous United States” (Algermissen et al, 1982). In that report, Converse County was classified as being in a tectonic province with a “floating earthquake” maximum magnitude of 6.1. Geomatrix (1988) suggested using a more extensive regional tectonic province, called the “Wyoming Foreland Structural Province”, which is approximately defined by the Idaho-Wyoming Thrust Belt on the west, 104° West longitude on the east, 40° North latitude on the south, and 45° North latitude on the north. Geomatrix (1988) estimated that the largest “floating” earthquake in the “Wyoming Foreland Structural Province” would have a magnitude in the 6.0 – 6.5 range, with an average value of magnitude 6.25 (Case et al, 2002). Federal or State regulations usually specify if a “floating earthquake” or tectonic province analysis is required for a facility. Usually, those regulations also specify at what distance a floating earthquake is to be placed from a facility. For example, for uranium mill tailings sites, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires that a floating earthquake be placed 15 kilometers from the site. That earthquake is then used to determine what horizontal accelerations may occur at the site. A magnitude 6.25 “floating” earthquake, placed 15 kilometers from any structure in Converse County, would generate horizontal accelerations of approximately 15%g at the site. That acceleration would be adequate for designing a uranium mill tailings site, but may be too large for less critical sites, such as a landfill. Critical facilities, such as dams, usually require a more detailed probabilistic analysis of random earthquakes. Based upon probabilistic analyses of random earthquakes in an area distant from 29 ---PAGE BREAK--- exposed active faults (Geomatrix, 1988), however, placing a magnitude 6.25 earthquake at 15 kilometers from a site will provide a fairly conservative estimate of design ground accelerations (WSGS Case et al, 2002). Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analyses The USGS publishes probabilistic acceleration maps for 500-, 1000-, and 2,500-year time frames. The maps show what accelerations may be met or exceeded in those time frames by expressing the probability that the accelerations will be met or exceeded in a shorter time frame. For example, a 10% probability that acceleration may be met or exceeded in 50 years is roughly equivalent to a 100% probability of exceedance in 500 years. The USGS has a 2009 Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) model that can generate earthquake probability maps for locations within the U.S. Figure 5.3 on the next page shows the probability of an earthquake with magnitude greater than 5.0 within 50 years and 50 kilometers. The map is centered on Douglas, which is shown as having between a 3% and 4% probability of such an event. Further east within Converse County the probability drops to around The highest probability is found near the southern part of the County, around Esterbrook and Boxelder. Figure 5.3 Probability of Earthquakes > M 5.0 in Converse County 30 ---PAGE BREAK--- The USGS has recently generated new probabilistic acceleration maps for 500-, 1,000-, and 2,500-year time frames for Wyoming. The 500-year (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years) map is shown as Figure 5.4, the 1,000-year probability of exceedance in 50 years) is shown as Figure 5.5, and the 2,500-year probability of exceedance in 50 years) map is shown as Figure 5.6. Until recently, the 500-year map was often used for planning purposes for average structures, and was the basis of the most current Uniform Building Code. The new International Building Code, however, uses a 2,500-year map as the basis for building design. The maps reflect current perceptions on seismicity in Wyoming. In many areas of Wyoming, ground accelerations shown on the USGS maps can be increased due to local soil conditions. For example, if fairly soft, saturated sediments are present at the surface, and seismic waves are passed through them, surface ground accelerations will usually be greater than would be experienced if only bedrock was present. In this case, the ground accelerations shown on the USGS maps would underestimate the local hazard, as they are based upon accelerations that would be expected if firm soil or rock were present at the surface. Explanations of intensity values can be found in Table 5.2. Based upon the 500-year map (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years) (Figure 5.4), the estimated peak horizontal acceleration in Converse County ranges from 4%g in the northeastern portion of the County to greater than 7%g in the southwestern portion of the County. These accelerations are roughly comparable to intensity V earthquakes (3.9%g – 9.2%g). These accelerations are comparable to the low end of accelerations to be expected in Seismic Zone 1 of the Uniform Building Code. Intensity V earthquakes can result in cracked plaster and broken dishes. Douglas would be subjected to an acceleration of approximately 6%g or intensity V. Based upon the 1,000-year map probability of exceedance in 50 years) (Figure 5.5), the estimated peak horizontal acceleration in Converse County ranges from 7%g in the northeastern part of the County to greater than 10%g in the southwestern portion of the County. These accelerations are roughly comparable to intensity V earthquakes to intensity VI earthquakes (9.2%g – 18.0%g). Intensity VI earthquakes can result in fallen plaster and damaged chimneys. Douglas would be subjected to an acceleration of approximately 10 – 11%g or intensity VI. Based upon the 2,500-year map probability of exceedance in 50 years) (Figure 5.6), the estimated peak horizontal acceleration in Converse County ranges from 11%g in the northeastern half of the County to over 20%g in the southwestern quarter of the County. Those accelerations are roughly comparable to intensity VI earthquakes to intensity VII earthquakes (18.0% - 34.0%g). Intensity VII earthquakes can result in slight to moderate damage in well-built ordinary structures and considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures. Douglas would be subjected to an acceleration of approximately 20%g or intensity VII. As the historic record is limited, it is nearly impossible to determine when a 2,500-year event last occurred in the County. Because of the uncertainty involved, and based upon the fact that the new International Building Code utilizes 2,500-year events for building F31 ---PAGE BREAK--- design, it is suggested that the 2,500-year probabilistic maps be used for Converse County analyses. This conservative approach is in the interest of public safety. Table 5.2 Modified Mercalli Intensity and Peak Ground Acceleration Modified Mercalli Intensity Acceleration (PGA) Perceived Shaking Potential Damage I <0.17 Not felt None II 0.17 – 1.4 Weak None III 0.17 – 1.4 Weak None IV 1.4 – 3.9 Light None V 3.9 – 9.2 Moderate Very Light VI 9.2 – 18 Strong Light VII 18 – 34 Very Strong Moderate VIII 34 – 65 Severe Moderate to Heavy IX 65 – 124 Violent Heavy X >124 Extreme Very Heavy XI >124 Extreme Very Heavy XII >124 Extreme Very Heavy Source: Wald et al, 1999 Abridged Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale Intensity value and description: I Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable circumstances. II Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings. Delicately suspended objects may swing. III Felt quite noticeably indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings, but many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing automobiles may rock Vibrations like a truck passing close by. Duration estimated. IV During the day felt indoors by many, outdoors by few. At night some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make creaking sound. Sensations like a heavy truck striking the building. Standing automobiles rocked noticeably. V Felt by nearly everyone, many awakened. Some dishes, windows, and so on broken; cracked plaster in a few places; unstable objects overturned. Disturbances of trees, poles, and other tall objects sometimes noticed. Pendulum clocks may stop. VI Felt by all, many frightened and run outdoors. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of fallen plaster and damaged chimneys. Damage slight. F32 ---PAGE BREAK--- VII Everybody runs outdoors. Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable in poorly built or badly designed structures. Some chimneys may be broken. Noticed by persons driving cars. VIII Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable in ordinary substantial buildings with partial collapse; great in poorly built structures. Panel walls thrown out of frame structures. Fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy furniture overturned. Sand and mud ejected in small amounts. Changes in well water. Persons driving cars disturbed. IX Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame structures thrown out of plumb; great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off foundations. Ground cracked conspicuously. Underground pipes broken. X Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures destroyed with foundations; ground badly cracked. Rails bent. Landslides considerable from river banks and steep slopes. Shifted sand and mud. Water splashed, slopped over banks. XI Few, if any, (masonry) structures remain standing. Bridges destroyed. Broad fissures in ground. Underground pipelines completely out of service. Earth slumps and land slips in soft ground. Rails bent greatly. XII Damage total. Waves seen on ground surface. Lines of sight and level distorted. Objects thrown into the air. F33 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 5.4 500-year probabilistic ground motion map (10% probability of exceedance in 50 years). F34 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 5.5 1,000-year probabilistic ground motion map probability of exceedance in 50 years). F35 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 5.6 2,500-year ground motion map probability of exceedance in 50 years). Impacts F36 ---PAGE BREAK--- There have been 29 historic earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 3.0 recorded in or near Converse County. Because of the limited historic record, it is possible to underestimate the seismic hazard in Converse County if historic earthquakes are used as the sole basis for analysis. Earthquake and ground motion probability maps give a more reasonable estimate of damage potential in areas without exposed active faults at the surface, such as Converse County. Current earthquake probability maps that are used in the newest building codes suggest a scenario that would result in moderate damage to buildings and their contents, with damage increasing from the northeast to the southwest. More specifically, the probability-based worst-case scenario could result in the following damage at points throughout the County: Intensity VII Earthquake Areas Boxelder Douglas Glenrock Orin Orpha Rolling Hills In intensity VII earthquakes, damage is negligible in buildings of good design and construction, slight-to-moderate in well-built ordinary structures, considerable in poorly built or badly designed structures such as unreinforced masonry buildings. Some chimneys will be broken. Intensity VI Earthquake Areas Bill Lost Springs Shawnee In intensity VI earthquakes, some heavy furniture can be moved. There may be some instances of fallen plaster and damaged chimneys. F37 ---PAGE BREAK--- Potential Future Impacts HAZUS (Hazards U.S.) is a nationally standardized, GIS-based, risk assessment and loss estimation computer program that was originally designed in 1997 to provide the user with an estimate of the type, extent, and cost of damages and losses that may occur during and following an earthquake. It was developed for FEMA by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). There have been a number of versions of HAZUS generated by FEMA, with HAZUS-MH (HAZUS – Multi-Hazard) being the most recent release. HAZUS-MH incorporates a flood and wind module with the previously existing earthquake module. Hazus-99 (1999 version) was previously used by the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS). HAZUS was originally designed to generate damage assessments and associated ground motions based largely upon analysis at the census-tract level. Census tracts average 4,000 inhabitants, with the tract boundaries usually representing visible features. HAZUS-99 calculated a ground motion value for the centroid of a census tract, and applied that value to the entire tract. The calculations are based on United States Geological Survey National Seismic Hazard Maps. In many of the western states, census tracts are very large, and parts of the tracts may be subjected to ground shaking that is considerably different than the value at the centroid. In the early 2000’s FEMA Region VIII and their subcontractor on HAZUS worked with the WSGS to develop a census-block-based analysis for HAZUS-MH in Wyoming. Wyoming was the national pilot project for the census-block-based analysis. The block- level analysis is a significant improvement. Census blocks are a subdivision of census tracts. Many blocks correspond to individual city blocks bounded by streets, but blocks – especially in rural areas – may include many square miles and may have some boundaries that are not streets. Ground motion values for Wyoming are now calculated at the centroid of census blocks. During the development of this plan in 2011 A HAZUS-MH MR 4 probabilistic scenario was run for Converse County. The scenario used a 2,500 year return period, and uses the 2,500-year ground shaking data represented in Figure 5.6. The probability of such an event is 2% in 50 years. A driving magnitude of 6.5 was used with the scenario. The results are presented in Table 5.3, below. Table 5.3 Earthquake Impacts to Converse County – HAZUS 2,500-year Type of Impact Impacts to County Total Buildings Damaged Slight: 1,490 Moderate: 855 Extensive: 204 Complete: 17 Building and Income Related Losses $58.27 million F38 ---PAGE BREAK--- Type of Impact Impacts to County 78.6% of damage related to capital stock losses 21.4% of loss due to income losses Total Economic Losses (including building, income, and lifeline losses) $69.08 million Injuries (based on 2 a.m. time of occurrence) Without requiring hospitalization: 8 Requiring hospitalization: 1 Life threatening: 0 Fatalities: 0 Injuries (based on 2 p.m. time of occurrence) Without requiring hospitalization: 10 Requiring hospitalization: 2 Life threatening: 0 Fatalities: 0 Injuries (based on 5 p.m. time of occurrence) Without requiring hospitalization: 8 Requiring hospitalization: 1 Life threatening: 0 Fatalities: 0 Damage to Transportation and Utility Systems and Essential Facilities Minor damage (with functionality >50% on day 1) only to transportation systems Some damage to utility pipeline systems (isolated leaks and breaks) Minor damage to 1 hospital, 14 schools, 4 police stations, and 3 fire stations Displaced Households 16 Shelter Requirements 11 Source: HAZUS-MH MR4 2,500-year Global Summary Report, 2011 There are two methods to rank the counties to determine where earthquake impacts may be the greatest. Either total damage (Table 5.3) or loss ratios can be used for damage estimates. The loss ratio is determined by dividing the sum of the structural and non-structural damage by the total building value for the County. The loss ratio is another measure of impact for a County as it gives an indication of the percent of damage to buildings. The total damage figure by itself does not reflect the percentage of building damage. If a County has a number of valuable buildings, such as Laramie County, small damage to a number of valuable buildings may result in a higher total F39 ---PAGE BREAK--- damage figure that may be found in a County with fewer, less expensive buildings and higher percentage of damage. HAZUS estimates that about 1,075 buildings (a loss ratio of over 15% of the total number of buildings in the region) will be at least moderately damaged. Of these, 17 buildings are expected to be damaged beyond repair. Total building-related losses were $45.79 million, and 27% of the estimated losses were related to regional business interruption. By far the largest loss was sustained by residential occupancies, which make up over 52% of the total loss. Table 5.4 indicates the anticipated to transportation and utility system losses. Electrical power facilities will have the greatest economic losses. HAZUS estimates the replacement value of the transportation and utility lifeline systems to be $3.7 billion and $115 million, respectively. Table 5.4 Transportation and Utility System Economic Losses –HAZUS 2,500-yr. System Component Inventory Value Economic Loss Loss Ratio Highway Segments 3,270.91 0 0 Bridges 98.08 0.28 0.29 Tunnels 0 0 0 Subtotal 3,369.00 0.30 Railways Segments 281.43 0 0 Bridges 1.03 0 0.02 Tunnels 0 0 0 Facilities 0 0 0 Subtotal 282.50 0 Bus Facilities (subtotal) 1.0 0.2 19.68 Airport Facilities 10.65 2.12 19.93 Runways 75.93 0 0 Subtotal 86.60 2.10 Transportation TOTAL 3,739.00 2.60 Potable Water Pipelines 0 0 0 Facilities 0 0 0 Distribution lines 269.70 2.51 0.93 Subtotal 269.75 2.51 Wastewater Pipelines 0 0 0 Facilities 0 0 0 Distribution lines 161.80 1.98 1.23 Subtotal 161.85 1.98 Natural Gas Pipelines 0 0 0 Facilities 15.70 1.40 8.94 Distribution lines 107.90 2.12 1.97 F40 ---PAGE BREAK--- F41 System Component Inventory Value Economic Loss Loss Ratio Subtotal 123.59 3.52 Electrical Power Facilities (subtotal) 99.00 12.62 12.75 Communication Facilities (subtotal) 0.40 0.04 11.13 Utilities TOTAL 654.55 20.68 Source: HAZUS-MH: Earthquake Event Report, 2011 There are a number of events associated with earthquakes that increase the potential for damage, such as landslides, dam failure, mine subsidence, wildfires, and debris generation. Converse County has a number of facilities that may be at risk from seismic activity. These include a power plant, transportation routes (interstate, highways, and railroads), dams, schools, a hospital, oil and gas related facilities, and other mineral- related operations. Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: Medium POPULATION AFFECTED: Medium PROBABILITY: Low to Medium JURISDICTION AFFECTED: Douglas, County References: Algermissen, S.T., Perkins, D.M., Thenhaus, P.C., Hanson, S.L., and Bender, B.L. 1982. Probabilistic estimates of maximum acceleration and velocity in rock in the contiguous United States. U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 82-1033, 99 scale 1:7,500,000. Case, James Robert Kirkwood, and Rachel N. Toner. Wyoming State Geological Survey. September 2002. Basic Seismological Characterization for Converse County, Wyoming. Available at: http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/wsgs/hazards/quakes/seischar/seischar.html Geomatrix Consultants, Inc. 1988. Seismotectonic evaluation of the Wyoming Basin geomorphic province: Report prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Contract No. 6-CS-81-07310.167 p. Wald, D.J., Quitoriano, Heaton, Kanamori, H. 1999. Relationships between peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and modified Mercalli intensity in California: Earthquake Spectra, v. 15, no. 3, p. 557-564. ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 6. FLOODS A flood, as defined by the National Flood Insurance Program, is a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties from: overflow of waters; unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or a mudflow. Floods can be slow or fast rising, but generally develop over a period of many hours or days. These floods, which occur when water rises and spills over the banks of a river, are also referred to as riverine floods. Floods can also occur with little or no warning and can reach full peak in only a few minutes. Such floods are called flash floods. A flash flood usually results from intense storms dropping large amounts of rain within a brief period, but they can also occur if there is rapid snowmelt in the spring. Both events result in water flowing down from the mountains, collecting in drainages (streams and rivers), and causing a surge of rising flood waters. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Status Book, Converse County has a current effective Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) date of November 2009. The map covers the entire county and includes flood hazard areas subject to inundation by the 100-year flood event. The North Platte River is the main source of flooding in Converse County, although many of its tributaries have the potential to flood as well. A series of upstream reservoirs exist on the North Platte beginning about 50 miles upstream of Glenrock. Most of the flood events on the North Platte occur due to snowmelt runoff and thunderstorms, or a combination of both. Ice jams in the winter months have been known to raise the river stage, but no out-of-bank flooding has been recorded. Intermittent streams may flood due to intense localized thunderstorms, and to a lesser extent, from heavy spring rains (FEMA Flood Insurance Study (FIS), 2009). Geographical Extent The southern section of the county is mountainous with steep slopes and stream valleys, making it more vulnerable than other parts of the county to flash flooding. All areas of the county are vulnerable to riverine flooding. Areas of lower elevation within Douglas are subject to periodic flooding due to overflow of the North Platte River, Antelope and East Antelope Creeks, Miller Draw, and the Unnamed Drainage. The North Platte River, which runs west to east through the towns of Glenrock and Douglas, has an average winter flow of 500-750 cubic feet per second (cfs) and an average spring and summer flow of 2,000-3,000 cfs. Converse County is located of several reservoirs that dam the North Platte River, notably Seminoe and Pathfinder Reservoirs. The primary cause of flooding in the North Platte River near Douglas is runoff from the drainage area below the reservoirs, particularly from drainages entering the North Platte from the south (FEMA FIS, 2009). 43 ---PAGE BREAK--- In times of high river flow, the upstream reservoirs can fill to capacity, which results in excess water flowing over uncontrolled spillways and increasing the volume of water in the already-swollen river. Douglas normally receives about 44 percent of its annual average 13.5 inches of precipitation in the months of April, May, and June. The lightest precipitation generally occurs in January (FEMA FIS, 2009). Most of Converse County is situated within five watersheds: the Antelope in the northwest corner, the Dry Fork Cheyenne in the north-central region, the Lightning in the northeast, the Middle North Platte-Casper in the central/south east (including Rolling Hills and Glenrock), and the Glendo Reservoir Watershed in the central/south west (encompassing Douglas and Lost Springs) (EPA, 2011). The County has a relatively low population density (2.8 persons per square mile), which makes the danger to human health and life from flooding in the County quite low. The towns of Douglas and Glenrock, which lie along the North Platte River and its tributaries, account for most of the documented flood risk in the County. Flood loss potential exists throughout the county, not just along the North Platte River. Tributary flooding has occurred in the past and caused recordable damages to fields, buildings, infrastructure, and other property (see “History,” next section). History Flooding has occurred in Converse County several times in the past. High flows occurred on the North Platte River in the years 1937, 1965, 1970, and 1973. One structure, a barn on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds, was inundated in the 1973 flood. The largest flood recorded by USGS gages in Converse County on the North Platte River occurred on May 15, 1965. Discharge volumes from this flood were 16,000 cfs at the gage approximately eight miles of Glenrock, and 23,800 cfs at the gage near the community of Orin. This flood is approximately a 50-year event, or one that has a 2% chance of occurring in a given year. Another notable flood event in Converse County was in May of 1978, when a severe thunderstorm produced up to 4.5 inches of rain overnight. Bridges and sections of roads were washed out, power lines were downed, and there was extensive damage to homes, property, crops, and livestock. Damages throughout the entire flooded area, including outside counties, were estimated at approximately $15.5 million (information from Converse County). In May of 1991 a flash flood occurred when a storm produced 4.5 to 11 inches of rain in 48 hours. Sections of county roads were washed out by tributary flooding, and the North Platte River came within one inch of overflowing its banks near the rural community of Orin. After the flood, there was erosion and major damage to irrigation pumps and canals, fences, and fields. Storm drains became clogged, and there were flooded basements in many areas of the County. The Water Commissioner at the time estimated the flood to be a 100-year event, at its peak. A recent flash flood took place in July of 2008, when heavy rains caused LaPrele Creek to flood, which in turn flooded the North Platte River. The flow of water increased from 44 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2,000 cfs to 12,000 cfs in only a few hours. Sandbagging was done for three homes in the Orin area, but no other structures were threatened. Other small streams and creeks throughout the Douglas area also flooded during this event. In June of 2010 the North Platte reached flood stages due to rapid snowmelt and a late- season snowstorm in upstream counties, prompting sandbagging efforts in Douglas around structures in low-lying areas. The information in Table 6.1 below is from the Wyoming Hazard Mitigation Plan (2008) and presents historic flood events for Converse County. Table 6.1 Historic Floods in Converse County Date Location Deaths or Injuries Property Damage 7/27/1941 - 7/28/1941 Converse County Comments: A number of locally heavy rains and flash floods occurred during the month. Probably the most severe of these were the ones in southern Campbell and northern Converse Counties on the 11th and on the 27th and 28th. Considerable damage was done to growing crops and hay meadows, as well as some loss of livestock. 6/26/1952 Esterbrook Comments: A hail and rain storm at Esterbrook on the 26th caused a flash flood, which did considerable damage to fences and bridges. 7/24/1955 Esterbrook Comments: An observer at Esterbrook reported a cloudburst and flash flood at the Fawcett ranch nine miles to the east on the 27th that resulted in considerable damage to corrals, fences, irrigation dams, and ranch buildings. The icehouse and its contents, the springhouse, bridges, the chicken house and some thirty chickens were carried away by flood waters. The residence escaped the flood although it sustained some water damage. 45 ---PAGE BREAK--- Date Location Deaths or Injuries Property Damage 1/1/1962 Douglas, Antelope, East Antelope Comments: A flood occurred due to inadequate bridge capacity and storm sewer overload. Mostly basements and the ground floor of structures were damaged. 5/14/1965 Glenrock, Deer Creek $175,000 Comments: Heavy rains, especially in the central mountains, on top of heavy snow caused flooding on streams flowing out of the Laramie Mountains below Wheatland and Casper. Homes, utilities, park facilities, and athletic facilties were damaged, and many bridges and culverts were destroyed. Amount of damage: Glenrock- $50,000; County- $125,000; heavy damage from Glendo through Douglas to Glenrock. Discharge values: Box Elder Creek at Box Elder- 4,530 cfs; LaBonte Creek- 8,770 cfs; North Platte River near Glenrock- 16,000 cfs; North Platte River at Orin- 23,000 cfs. 6/16/1965 Bill 1 death $2,250 Comments: Flash flood killed one coal miner on Antelope Creek. 6/12/1970 Glenrock, Deer Creek $1,000,000 Comments: Northeast residential area flooded, municipal park severely damaged, trailer court, croplands, bridges, fences, and farm buildings damaged. Discharge values: Deer Creek at Glenrock- 14,200 cfs; LaPrele Creek near Douglas- 17,300 cfs 46 ---PAGE BREAK--- Date Location Deaths or Injuries Property Damage 7/22/1983 Laramie Range drainage, eastward to southwest of Douglas near LaPrele Reservoir Comments: Heavy thunderstorms sat almost stationary on eastern slopes of the Laramie Range for hours. Caused widespread flooding along creeks and streams. Runoff collapsed a dam, sending a 10- to 15-foot high wall of water through a nearby ranch, flooding it. 8/1/1984 Glenrock $2,250 Comments: A thunderstorm dumped two inches of rain in 30 minutes (3.2 inches total) from a 90-minute deluge at Glenrock. Rain flooded basements of several houses, a car, and several businesses. Other minor flood damage and lightning strikes also occurred. 7/1/1998 50 NW Douglas to 30 N Douglas $2,000 Comments: A storm produced up to 6 inches of rainfall over an area 50 miles northwest of Douglas to 30 miles north of Douglas. Water covered many rural roads in the area. Probability of Future Events The available flood history indicates that damaging floods occur infrequently in Converse County. Documented flood history for Converse County extends back to 1937 as described previously. This record shows about 14 floods or high-flow events in the last 73 years, which translates to one event every five years or so, or about a 19% chance any given year. Note that not all of these floods caused damage to property. Most of these floods have taken place in the summer months of June, July, and August. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Claims Analysis Converse County, Douglas, and Glenrock all participate in the NFIP. Converse has participated since 1988, Douglas since 1978, and Glenrock since 1985. As of January 2011, there were 51 flood insurance policies in Converse County with an insured value of $9,116,200 (source: Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, 1/2011). Forty-five of these policies are single family, one is multi-family, two are “other” residential, and three 47 ---PAGE BREAK--- are non-residential. Table 6.2 shows the number of insured properties in the NFIP broken out by participating communities and unincorporated areas. Douglas has the most insurance policies (primarily single-family), but Glenrock is the only area where NFIP insurance claims have been made for flood damages. There have been no substantial damage claims (claims in excess of 50% of the structure value) in the County since 1978, the date of the initial Flood Hazard Boundary Map. There are no repetitive loss properties in Converse County as of January 2011. Table 6.2 National Flood Insurance Program Polices and Claims Insured Structure Type Municipality Total Number of Policies Insurance in Force Single Family 2-4 Family All Other Resid ential Non- reside ntial Number of Paid Losses Total Losses Paid Douglas 26 4,384,600 23 1 2 0 0 0 Glenrock 7 820,400 5 0 0 2 4 7,350.8 Unincorporate d Converse County 18 3,911,200 17 0 0 1 0 0 Totals 51 9,116,200 45 1 2 3 4 7,350.8 Source: FEMA Community Information System Database for the NFIP, 2011 Impacts Historic data indicate no injuries and one death associated with past flooding. The May 1978 flood is likely the most costly event recorded to date and may be considered the flood of record for Converse County. The flood caused about $15.5 million worth of damage spread over 12 counties. A County-specific breakdown was not available. Assuming an even distribution of loss, Converse County had an estimated $1.2 million in damages from that event. HAZUS-MH was used to estimate future impacts from floods and is described in the following section, and shows the potential for much higher losses. Flood Loss Analysis Planning level flood loss estimates were made available for every county in Wyoming with the 2010 update to the Wyoming Hazard Mitigation Plan. The results for Converse County are discussed in this section. FEMA used HAZUS-MH MR2 to model the 100- year floodplain and perform associated building and population risk assessments. HAZUS-MH is FEMA’s GIS-based natural hazard loss estimation software. The HAZUS-MH flood model results include analysis for Converse County, modeling streams draining a 10-square-mile minimum drainage area, using 30 meter (1 arc 48 ---PAGE BREAK--- second) Digital Elevation Models (DEM). Hydrology and hydraulic processes utilize the DEMs, along with flows from USGS regional regression equations and stream gauge data, to determine reach discharges and to model the floodplain. Losses are then calculated using HAZUS-MH national baseline inventories (buildings and population) at the census block level. HAZUS-MH produces a flood polygon and flood-depth grid that represents the 100-year floodplain. The 100-year flood is a flood magnitude that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any single year. While not as accurate as official flood maps, these floodplain boundaries are available for use in GIS and could be valuable to communities that have not been mapped by the NFIP. HAZUS-MH generated damage estimates are directly related to depth of flooding and are based on FEMA’s depth-damage functions. For example, a two-foot flood generally results in about 20% damage to the structure (which translates to 20% of the structure’s replacement value). The HAZUS-MH flood analysis results provide number of buildings impacted, estimates of the building repair costs, and the associated loss of building contents and business inventory. Building damage can cause additional losses to a community as a whole by restricting the building’s ability to function properly. Income loss data accounts for losses such as business interruption and rental income losses as well as the resources associated with damage repair and job and housing losses. Potential losses derived from HAZUS-MH used default national databases and may contain inaccuracies; loss estimates should be used for planning level applications only. The damaged building counts generated are susceptible to rounding errors and are likely the weakest output of the model due to the use of census blocks for analysis. In rural Wyoming, census blocks are large and often sparsely populated or developed; this may contribute to inaccurate loss estimates. HAZUS-MH assumes population and building inventory to be evenly distributed over a census block; flooding may occur in a small section of the census block where there are not actually any buildings or people, but the model assumes that there is damage to that block. There could also be errors and inadequacies associated with the hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of the HAZUS- MH model. In addition, excessive flood depths may occur due to problems with a DEM or with modeling lake flooding. Errors in the extent and depth of the floodplain may also be present from the use of 30 meter digital elevation models. HAZUS Level II analyses based on local building inventory, higher resolution terrain models, and DFIRMs could be used in the future to refine and improve the accuracy of the results. Tables 6.3 and 6.4 contain the results of the HAZUS loss estimation for four municipalities within Converse County and the unincorporated area. Building and contents value loss estimates, income-related loss estimates, and displaced population and shelter needs estimates are included in Table 6.3. These loss estimates have been grouped by municipality to demonstrate how the risk varies across the county. Per capita loss was calculated using total building loss and Census 2009 estimates to the municipal- and county-level population. Percent building loss and percent contents loss 49 ---PAGE BREAK--- were calculated using building and contents loss estimates, and HAZUS building and exposure data. Table 6.4 shows these estimates, also grouped by municipality. The estimated number of displaced people for the entire county is 590, with 219 people requiring short-term shelter. Douglas, with the highest 2009 population, has the highest estimate for displaced people and people needing short term shelter (201 and 122, respectively); followed by the unincorporated areas (320 displaced, 65 needing shelter) and then Glenrock (69 displaced, 32 needing shelter). Per capita loss is estimated to be highest in the unincorporated areas ($2,429 per person), followed by Douglas ($716 per person) and Glenrock ($584 per person). Potentially impacted structures in municipal areas include residential, commercial, industrial, and government buildings, to name a few examples. In sparsely-populated areas, much of the building value is concentrated in industrial structures. Three maps were produced at the county scale and for each municipality (for a total of 12 maps). The “Flood Hazards” map shows the HAZUS floodplain boundary, the “Flood Depth” map shows the HAZUS flood depth data, and the “Building Loss” map shows total building loss, in dollars, by census block. It is important to note that the highest flood depth in the municipality maps indicates the maximum depth for the county and is not representative of the highest depth in that municipality. County-scale maps are shown on the following pages as Figures 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3. Municipality-level maps follow as Figures 6.4, 6.5, 6.6 (Douglas); 6.7, 6.8, 6.9 (Glenrock); and 6.10, 6.11 and 6.12 (Lost Springs). According to the HAZUS model output, Converse County would suffer a total of $16,547,000 (2009 dollars) in direct economic loss to buildings, and 590 people would be displaced in the event of a county-wide 100-year flood. There would be an estimated total of 50 damaged buildings, 12 of which would be substantially damaged (damage to greater than 50% of the structure). The North Platte River flows east across the county, through Glenrock and Douglas. Sand Creek flows south through Rolling Hills and drains into the North Platte River. The City of Douglas would suffer the most damage of the jurisdictions in the county, with a total direct economic loss for buildings of $4,450,000 and 201 displaced people. Douglas also has the greatest percent building loss percent contents loss and per capita loss of the jurisdictions in the county. The total county, incorporated and unincorporated, would suffer 1.1% building loss, 1.4% contents loss, and $1,219 per capita loss. Converse County has been mapped by the NFIP and has Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps or DFIRMs, available. All municipalities in Converse County have DFIRM coverage except the Towns of Lost Springs and Rolling Hills which are considered by FEMA to be non-flood prone communities. HAZUS did model some flood hazards that are within the boundaries of Lost Springs. Further study of the resulting map indicates there is no development in the HAZUS flood hazard area. DFIRM is considered to be the best available data, and is therefore represented here for comparison purposes. The DFIRM 1% annual change and 2% annual chance are represented on the “Flood Hazards” map at both the county scale and for each of the municipalities. With the exception of small floodplain sections in the Douglas, Converse 50 ---PAGE BREAK--- 51 County’s DFIRM 1% annual chance boundary is wider and more extensive than the HAZUS 1% annual chance boundary. If the DFIRM coverage was used for analysis, loss estimates would likely be higher. The DFIRM map for Douglas indicates that a substantial area of the southeastern portion of the town is subject to inundation from the 0.2% annual chance or 500 year flood. The loss estimation does not reflect the risk to this larger, yet less likely, flood event. ---PAGE BREAK--- 52 Table 6.3 HAZUS Loss Estimation Municipality Building Loss Contents Loss Inventory Loss Relocation Loss Capital Related Loss Wages Loss Rental Income Loss Total Loss # of Displaced People # of People Needing Short Term Shelter Douglas 2,357 1,990 38 6 6 51 2 4,450 201 122 Glenrock 887 549 - 2 - - 1 1,439 69 32 Lost Springs - - - - - - - - - - Rolling Hills - - - - - - - - - - Unincorporated 5,424 5,004 152 5 15 56 2 10,658 320 65 TOTAL 8,668 7,543 190 13 21 107 5 16,547 590 219 Table 6.4 HAZUS Loss Estimation Additional Analysis Municipality 2009 Population* Total Exposure Building Loss Building Exposure % Building Loss Contents Loss Contents Exposure % Contents Loss Total Loss Per Capita Loss Douglas 6,212 591,798 2,357 34,7239 0.7% 1,990 244,559 0.8% 4,450 716 Glenrock 2,466 229,276 887 14,1429 0.6% 549 87,847 0.6% 1,439 584 Lost Springs 1 176 - 117 0.0% - 59 0.0% - - Rolling Hills 512 26,347 - 16,863 0.0% - 9,484 0.0% - - Unincorporated 4,387 478,673 5,424 290,031 1.9% 5,004 188,642 2.7% 10,658 2,429 TOTAL 13,578 1,326,270 8,668 795,679 1.1% 7,543 530,591 1.4% 16,547 1,219 * U.S. Census Bureau ---PAGE BREAK--- Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: Medium POPULATION AFFECTED: Medium PROBABILITY: Medium JURISDICTION AFFECTED: Douglas, Glenrock, unincorporated county References Converse County, flood history information. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Surf Your Watershed.” Updated January 27, 2011. Accessed January 27, 2011. FEMA Community Information System Database for the National Flood Insurance Program. Accessed January 2011. Provided by the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security. FEMA Flood Insurance Study, Converse County, Wyoming, and Incorporated Areas. Effective November 4, 2009. FIS Number 56009CV000A. Wyoming State Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2008. Accessed January 2011. Available at F53 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.1 Converse County Flood Hazard Areas F54 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.2 Converse County HAZUS Flood Depth, 100-year Flood F55 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.3 Converse County Building Loss by Census Block F56 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.4 Douglas Flood Hazard Areas F57 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.5 Douglas DFIRM and HAZUS Flood Depth, 100-year Flood 58 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.6 Douglas Building Loss by Census Block 59 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.7 Glenrock Flood Hazard Areas 60 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.8 Glenrock DFIRM and HAZUS Flood Depth, 100-year Flood 61 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.9 Glenrock Building Loss by Census Block 62 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.10 Lost Springs Flood Hazard Areas 63 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.11 Lost Springs HAZUS Flood Depth, 100-year Flood 64 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 6.12 Lost Springs Building Loss by Census Block 65 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 7. HAIL Hail causes more than a billion dollars of property damage nationally each year, mostly to crops. The southeast corner of Wyoming lies within the nation’s “Hail Alley”. Together with adjacent portions of Colorado and Nebraska, this region of Wyoming is battered by more hailstorms than any other part of the United States. Climatological data shows this area of Wyoming averaging five to nine days annually when hail is reported. While Converse County is just west of “Hail Alley”, damaging hailstorms have still occurred. History Converse County experiences hail storms almost every year and sometimes several hail storms occur in one year. Most of these storms do not cause property damage. There have been 25 hailstorms with reported damage in Converse County since 1955. (National Climate Data Center) This equates to one damaging hail storm roughly every two years. Since 2001, over the past ten years, 25 non-damaging hail storms have been reported in the years 2001,2004, 2005-2010. The data were derived from the Storm Data reports generated and released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climate Data Center. Other sources are unpublished reports from the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, newspaper accounts, and periodicals from public libraries. The table represents hailstorms that have caused damage, injuries, or loss of life. If hail more than one inch is produced in a thunderstorm, it qualifies as severe according to NCDC criteria. Table 7.1 Damaging Hail Storms in Converse County Date Location Estimated Damage Information 6/26/1955 North Platte Valley not available 5/29/1959 Douglas Airport $ 25 6/15/1962 Glenrock 5 SE $275 crops Hail up to 1-inch in diameter reported 6/15/1962 Douglas $275 Hail up to .75-inch diameter did minor damage in Douglas 5/21/1970 Glenrock 10 E $275 crops Public reported 1.75 inches of hail over open range. 5/21/1970 Glenrock 5 W $275 crops Public reported 2/75 inches of hail over open range. 66 ---PAGE BREAK--- Date Location Estimated Damage Information 7/28/1977 Douglas $275,000 Hail up to 1/5 inches in diameter fell over a wide area. Damage to field crops, gardens, buildings, and cars. 7/22/1984 Douglas $27,500 Hail to a depth of 8 inches hit a campground. Damage to trailer homes in campground. 8/18/1989 Douglas $27,500 1 injured while trying to seek shelter. Severe thunderstorm with pea to dime-size hail. Minor damage to homes and cars. 8/15/1996 Douglas $30,000 8/19/1997 Glenrock $ 2,000 A few golf-ball sized hailstones with large amount of pea-sized stones. 8/29/1997 6 N Glenrock $ 2,000 7/1/1998 7 E Bill $4,000 Golf-ball sized hail 7 miles E of Bill 7/1/1998 40 NW Douglas $7,000 Golf-ball to baseball- sized hail. Covered ground on several ranches 40 miles NW of Douglas. 7/19/1998 Douglas to Glendo $ 27,500 prop $ 275,000 crops Golf-ball sized hail from storm path nearly 2 miles wide. Major damage to crops, minor damage to buildings, mobile homes, and vehicles. 7/12/2009 Douglas $ 15,000 Impacts Hailstorms have occurred in every county in Wyoming, although hail damage has only occurred in twenty-two counties. Sublette and Uinta counties have no recorded hail damage. Figure 7.1 below shows the distribution of the number of hailstorms, number of deaths and injuries, and amount of crop and property damage in reported dollars. The total documented hail damage for all years for Converse County is $6,343,305 in 2006 dollars. According to the Wyoming State Hazard Mitigation Plan (2008), Converse County ranked 13th of 23 Wyoming counties in total hail damages. 67 ---PAGE BREAK--- There has been a number of damaging hail events in Converse, with significant events occurring approximately every two years. Based on the past documented storm damage (1977) converted to 2010 dollars it is suggested that million, be used as the potential cost of the worst-case future hail storm in Converse County. Future hailstorms will impact private and public property such as cars, roofs, equipment, buildings, and agricultural crops and livestock. Figure 7.1 Hail Damages by County 68 ---PAGE BREAK--- 69 Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: Medium POPULATION AFFECTED: Low PROBABILITY: High JURISDICTION AFFECTED: All ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 8. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS A general definition of hazardous material is: A substance or combination of substances that because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, may either cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious, irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness; or pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed. The US Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration all have responsibilities in regards to hazardous materials and waste. Presented below are the various definitions and general responsibilities of each of the agencies. The U.S. Department of Transportation, which has control over transported hazardous materials, uses the following definition: “Hazardous material” means a substance or material that the Secretary of Transportation has determined is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and has designated as hazardous under section 5103 of Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5103). The term includes hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated temperature materials, materials designated as hazardous in the Hazardous Materials Table (see 49 CFR 172.101), and materials that meet the defining criteria for hazard classes and divisions in Part 173 of subchapter C of this chapter. The U.S. DOT has nine classes of hazardous material: Table 8.1 Hazardous Materials Class Materials Explosives Flammable Gasses; Non-Flammable Compressed Gasses Compressed Gasses Poisonous Gasses Flammable Liquids Flammable (Flash Point Below 141 degrees); Combustible (Flash Point 141 degrees – 200 degrees) Flammable Solids Spontaneously Combustible; Dangerous When Wet Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides Oxidizer; Organic Peroxide 70 ---PAGE BREAK--- Toxic Materials Material that is Poisonous; Infectious Agents Radioactive Material Corrosive Material: Destruction of Human Skin; Corrode Steel at a Rate of 0.25 Miscellaneous The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has responsibility for hazardous materials, chemicals, and wastes that have the potential to be released into the environment through stationary facilities. The EPA addresses through the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the need for facilities with hazardous waste substances to store containers in some kind of containment system. Stationary containers, such as tanks, as well as portable storage containers, such as 55-gallon drums, are required to have a system that will protect the environment from this waste if a leak were to occur. Hazardous waste regulations appear in Title 40 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Portable container containment is addressed under Subpart I, Use and Management of Containers (EPA 40 CFR 264.175). Facilities dealing with the storage of hazardous materials may also be required to have containment if they are to meet the Uniform Fire Code (UFC) standards. Within the UFC standards, Section 80, Division III refers to Hazardous Materials Storage Requirements pertaining to containers and tanks and Division IV refers to Spill Containment with regard to hazardous materials. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) requires certain regulated entities to report information about hazardous chemicals and substances at their facilities to Federal, state, and local authorities. The objective is to improve the facilities’, or government agency's ability to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies, and to give citizens information about chemicals present in their communities. The President has issued Executive Orders to Federal agencies that mandate their compliance with certain EPCRA requirements. Part of EPA's mission is to ensure that Federal facilities comply with these requirements. Sections 301 and 303 of EPCRA mandate the creation of two organizations; The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Sections 311-312 of EPCRA require facilities to submit material safety data sheets or Tier II forms (lists of hazardous chemicals on-site (above threshold quantities)) to SERC’s, LEPC’s, and local fire departments. 71 ---PAGE BREAK--- In addition to EPCRA, there is a Risk Management Program (RMP.) When Congress passed the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, it required EPA to publish regulations and guidance for chemical accident prevention at facilities using extremely hazardous substances. The RMP Rule was written to implement Section 112(r) of these amendments. The rule, which built upon existing industry codes and standards, requires companies of all sizes that use certain flammable and toxic substances to develop a Risk Management Program, which includes a(n): • Hazard assessment that details the potential effects of an accidental release, an accident history of the last five years, and an evaluation of worst-case and alternative accidental releases; • Prevention program that includes safety precautions and maintenance, monitoring, and employee training measures; and • Emergency response program that spells out emergency health care, employee training measures and procedures for informing the public and response agencies (e.g. the fire department) should an accident occur. By June 21, 1999, a summary of the facility's risk management program (known as a "Risk Management Plan" or "RMP") was to have been submitted to EPA, which will make the information publicly available. The plans must be revised and resubmitted every five years. The Risk Management Program is about reducing chemical risk at the local level. This information helps local fire, police, and emergency response personnel (who must prepare for and respond to chemical accidents), and is useful to citizens in understanding the chemical hazards in communities. EPA anticipates that making the RMPs available to the public stimulates communication between industry and the public to improve accident prevention and emergency response practices at the local level. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), established under the Department of Labor by the OSHA Act of 1970, regulates the storage and use of toxic and hazardous substances as they relate to worker health and safety. OSHA regulations are found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910, Subpart H. According to the U.S. EPA, there are 53 facilities in the Facility Registry System (FRS) for the zip code 82637 which is the Glenrock area. There are 114 facilities in the FRS for the 82633 zip code, which is the Douglas area. Facilities listed in this system are subject to one or more of EPA’s regulatory programs—not all of these facilities handle hazardous materials or generate hazardous waste, but many of them do. Many of these facilities are related to energy production. According to data from the Environmental Protection Agency posted by the Right to Know Network (www.rtknet.org), there are five active and two deregulated RMP 72 ---PAGE BREAK--- facilities in the Douglas area. Together, these facilities have a total of 181,000 pounds of toxic chemicals in processes and a total of 55,566,200 pounds of flammable chemicals in processes. There has been one 5-year accident causing one injury and no reported property damage. There are two active and one deregulated RMP facilities in the Glenrock area. No additional information about toxic or flammable chemicals in processes was provided. History According to the National Response Center, 39 hazardous materials incidents occurred in Converse County between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2010. This data indicates that the two most common causes of hazmat incidents in the county are equipment failure and derailments. The equipment failures typically involved pipeline ruptures or leaks in well heads and storage tanks. Crude, diesel, fuel, and hydraulic oil were the most common materials spilled. Others include produced water, salt water, condensate, battery acid, methanol, butane, bentonite, and coal. Impacts As mentioned above, multiple hazardous material spills occur every year. The NRC data alone suggests that about six events happen per year, for a 100% chance of at least one hazardous materials incident occurring in any given year. There are not readily available data on response and cleanup costs. It is estimated that the costs are many tens of thousands of dollars per year. Hazardous material spills will continue in Wyoming and the rest of the nation. There are some facilities, however, that contain extremely hazardous substances. Those are the facilities that are required to generate Risk Management Plans. An accident resulting in the release of chemicals from those facilities could pose a significant problem to local jurisdictions and the State of Wyoming. The state of Wyoming had 93 RMP facilities as of August 28, 2009. (www.rtknet.org) The amount of property damage from 5-year accidents across the state at that time was $10,116,000. As a rough measure, this figure divides out to $109,000 per facility. Converse County has seven RMP facilities so applying this per facility figure to the seven facilities in Converse County would produce a damage estimate of $763,000 in property damage over a five-year period. Of course the facilities in the county may not have this level or spills or releases but just one very serious event could cost in the millions of dollars when clean-up, property and resource damage, and interruption of production and commerce are factored in. 73 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 8.1 Risk Management Plan facilities in Wyoming (Wyoming State Hazard Mitigation Plan) SUMMARY PROPERTY AFFECTED: Low POPULATION AFFECTED: Medium PROBABILITY: High JURISDICTIONS AFFECTED: All 74 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 9. LANDSLIDES AND SUBSIDENCE Landslides are one of the most common geologic hazards in Wyoming, with most of the landslides occurring in the western half of the state. The figure below shows mapped landslides in Wyoming. Note the low concentration of landslide deposits in Converse County and southeastern Wyoming in general. Figure 9.1. Mapped Landslides in Wyoming There are many types of landslides present in Wyoming. In order to properly describe landslide type, the Geologic Hazards Section developed a landslide classification modified from Varnes (1978) and Campbell (1985). As can be seen in Figure 9.2 below there are five basic types of landslides that occur in three types of material. Falls, topples, slides, lateral spreads, and flows can occur in bedrock, debris, or earth. While individual landslide types can occur in nature, most landslides are complex, or composed of combinations of basic types of landslides. A map of abandoned and un-reclaimed mines is on file with the CCEMA. There is no documented history of subsidence in the county. 75 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 9.2 Wyoming Landslide Classification 76 ---PAGE BREAK--- Landslide Distribution The Wyoming Geological Survey has mapped over 30,000 landslides in the state. Landslide areas in Converse County are limited to the southern, mountainous areas, primarily on public land away from development. Landslides have been mapped in the following quadrangles located wholly or in part in Converse County: • Blue Nose Creek • Braae • Hermit Rock • Maneater Creek • Poison Lake • Rock Creek • Root Creek • Saddleback Mountain Impacts There are three measures of future landslide impacts – historic dollar damages, estimated yearly damages, and building exposure values. There are not enough current data to estimate historic or yearly dollar damages. The WSGS has calculated the building exposure value for buildings that may occur within or within 100 feet of a landslide. All landslides mapped in Wyoming have been digitized. The landslides then had a 100-foot buffer digitally added to the outside of the landslides. The modified landslides were then digitally crossed with Census block building values. In some cases, a landslide boundary will dissect a census block. In that case the proportional value of buildings in the census block will be assigned to the landslide. If a census block is within a landslide, then the values of all the buildings in the census block is assigned. The values derived by county are shown in Figure 9.3 below. Table 9.1 shows the ranking of counties based upon landslide building exposure values. 77 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 9.3 Wyoming Landslide Exposure by County There is an estimated $297,930 in buildings that are built on or near landslides in the county. Converse County has the sixth lowest landslide building exposure in the state. Table 9.1 Building Exposure Values for Landslides County Landslide Building Exposure Value (USD) Teton 130,857,545 Lincoln 42,785,955 Park 34,169,685 Natrona 32,075,960 Fremont 20,108,960 Sheridan 14,200,885 Sublette 11,385,760 78 ---PAGE BREAK--- Uinta 7,301,640 Weston 5,650,450 Crook 4,662,910 Big Horn 3,253,820 Albany 1,752,020 Hot Springs 1,580,470 Johnson 1,504,650 Carbon 1,457,610 Campbell 1,358,830 Sweetwater 623,120 Converse 297,930 Washakie 263,295 Platte 31,285 Niobrara 525 Goshen 0 Laramie 0 Total 315,323,305 The probability of a landslide causing damage in the county is difficult to determine, but heavy periods of precipitation or significant development could have an effect on slope stability in the future. Power transmission lines could be affected in parts of the County. Rockslide and debris flow/alluvial fan complexes can block roads or dam creeks and rivers. Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: Low POPULATION AFFECTED: Low PROBABILITY: Low JURISDICTION AFFECTED: Unincorporated County 79 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 10. TORNADOES AND WINDSTORMS Wyoming, lying just west of “tornado alley,” is fortunate to experience less frequent and intense tornadoes than its neighboring states to the east. However, tornadoes remain a significant hazard in the state. Tornadoes are the most intense storm on earth having been recorded at velocities exceeding 315 mph. The phenomena results in a destructive rotating column of air ranging in diameter from a few yards to greater than a mile, usually associated with a downward extension of cumulonimbus cloud. Prior to February 1, 2007, tornado intensity was measured by the Fujita scale. This scale was revised and is now the Enhanced Fujita scale. Both scales are sets of wind estimates (not measurements) based on damage. The new scale provides more damage indicators (28) and associated degrees of damage, allowing for more detailed analysis, better correlation between damage and wind speed. It is also more precise because it takes into account the materials affected and the construction of structures damaged by a tornado. Table 10.2 shows the wind speeds associated with the original Fujita scale ratings and the damage that could result at various levels of intensity. Table 10.1 shows the wind speeds associated with the Enhanced Fujita Scale ratings. The Enhanced Fujita Scale’s damage indicators and degrees of damage can be found online at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s website. According to the Wyoming Climate Atlas, the State of Wyoming ranks 25th in the number of annual tornadoes (10), 33rd in fatalities (six deaths per million people), 37th in injuries, and 36th in property damage ($49,339,505) (figure from Wyoming State Geological Survey) in the US from 1950-1994 (excerpted from the Wyoming Climate Atlas). Tornado statistics, especially prior to the 1970s, must be viewed as incomplete since many twisters may have occurred without being witnessed. Wyoming's open rangelands experience little if any damage from these storms so many go unreported. In the 1990s, the Internet and Doppler radar increased the public's awareness of tornadoes with the potential of more being observed and reported. However, the trend in annual tornadoes has decreased by one third since 1976 and appears to have coincided with a major hemispheric weather pattern shift, despite the increased reporting based on Doppler radar vortex (circulation) signatures (excerpted from the Wyoming Climate Atlas). 80 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 10.1 Enhanced Fujita Scale Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale Enhanced Fujita Scale Wind Estimate (mph) EF-0 65-85 EF-1 86-110 EF-2 111-135 EF-3 136-165 EF-4 166-200 EF-5 Over 200 Table 10.2 Original Fujita Scale of Tornado Intensity Fujita Scale Fujita Scale Wind Estimate (mph) Typical Damages F0 < 73 Light damage. Some damage to chimneys; branches broken off trees; shallow-rooted trees pushed over; sign boards damaged. F1 73-112 Moderate damage. Peels surface off roofs; mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned; moving autos blown off roads. F2 113-157 Considerable damage. Roofs torn off frame houses; mobile homes demolished; boxcars overturned; large trees snapped or uprooted; light-object missiles generated; cars lifted off ground. F3 158-206 Severe damage. Roofs and some walls torn off well- constructed houses; trains overturned; most trees in forest uprooted; heavy cars lifted off the ground and thrown. F4 207-260 Devastating damage. Well-constructed houses leveled; structures with weak foundations blown away some distance; cars thrown and large missiles generated. F5 261-318 Incredible damage. Strong frame houses leveled off foundations and swept away; automobile-sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 meters (109 yards); trees debarked; incredible phenomena will occur. History In a database composed of information derived from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climactic Data Center (NCDC), the Wyoming Climate Atlas, and the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, there are 37 recorded tornado events in Converse County since 1907. Of the 37, 10 tornadoes have been identified as damaging. Damage is defined by those events that resulted in injury, loss of property, or loss of life. 81 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 10.3 provides a statewide county summary of reported tornadoes including those with associated damage. Twelve injuries were reported with these tornadoes. Figure 10.1 shows the reported tornadoes by county. Table 10.4 shows the 10 tornadoes that actually caused damage in Converse County. A damaging tornado occurs in Converse County every 10 years based upon the compiled data. 82 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 10.3 Wyoming Tornado Data Totals by County (1907-2006) County Events Deaths Injuries Property Damage (USD) Crop Damage (USD) Total Damage (USD) Albany 21 0 2 77,500 0 77,500 Big Horn 23 2 2 329,500 2,750 332,250 Campbell 71 2 23 8,732,500 5,275 8,737,775 Carbon 16 0 0 27,500 277,750 305,250 Converse 37 0 12 185,800 2,750 188,550 Crook 30 0 0 648,525 308,000 956,525 Fremont 15 0 3 490,500 275 490,775 Goshen 51.3 0 26 3,023,775 27,500 3,051,275 Hot Springs 2 0 0 27,500 0 27,500 Johnson 13.5 0 0 11,050 0 11,050 Laramie 82.3 1 41 40,177,775 52,750 40,230,525 Lincoln 6 0 4 27,500 0 27,500 Natrona 31 0 9 390,500 0 390,500 Niobrara 31 0 6 854,750 100,275 955,025 Park 7 0 3 85,250 275,275 360,525 Platte 32.3 2 4 430,000 27,500 457,500 Sheridan 11.5 1 0 41,250 2,750 44,000 Sublette 2 0 0 0 0 0 Sweetwater 16 0 0 55,000 0 55,000 Teton 1 0 0 500,000 0 500,000 Uinta 2 0 0 5,500 0 5,500 Washakie 6 0 0 30,250 0 30,250 Weston 15 0 2 80,250 0 80,250 TOTAL 523 6 123 54,493,675 1,087,850 57,581,525 83 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 10.1 Wyoming Tornadoes Table 10.4 Damaging Tornadoes in Converse County Date Location Injuries Total Estimated Damage Information 5/18/1907 25 mi E of Douglas 6 5/31/1923 5 mi W of Parkerton 2 5/17/1944 16 mi S of Douglas $ 800 Ranch buildings were damaged. 6/17/1948 Converse and Niobrara Counties $ 100,000 Crops, farm and ranch property damaged. 7/18/1948 Glenrock Not available Slight damages 6/14/1965 Orin Junction $ 27,500 Tipped over a truck. Driver was injured. 5/9/1977 5 mi N of Douglas $ 2750 Cattle shed destroyed. 84 ---PAGE BREAK--- 5/16/1978 Lost Springs Not available Destroyed a barn and water tower. 6/5/1982 Douglas 3 $30,000 Five tornadoes in large thunderstorm complex. Three tornadoes touched down near Douglas causing several injuries and considerable property damage. Farm house, bar, mobile homes, powerlines damaged, vehicles blown off highways. Red Canyon Ranch and Lance Creek hit. 6/13/1984 3 mi SW of Bill Not available Ranch buildings, barns, mobile homes, powerlines, phone poles and vehicles damaged. Large hail associated. Table 10.5 Converse County Windstorms 1997-2010 Date Location Description Wind Speeds Reported Damages 1/26/1997 County High Wind 52 knots 3/27/1997 County High Wind 55 knots 7/1/1997 County High Wind 61 knots $ 10,000 10/31/1997 County High Wind 67 knots 11/21/1998 County High Wind 68 knots 12/26/1998 County High Wind 57 knots 1/14/1999 County High Wind 87 knots 2/2/1999 County High Wind 81 knots $148,000 4/8/1999 County High Wind Unknown $10,000 8/1/2006 County High Wind 75 knots 8/12/2006 Douglas Thunderstorm Wind 61 knots 8/9/2007 County High Wind 70 knots $5,000 8/22/2007 Douglas Thunderstorm Wind 61 knots 1/5/2008 County High Wind 58 knots 8/3/2009 Converse Co Airport Thunderstorm Wind 51 knots 4/3/2010 County High Wind 52 knots 4/23/2010 County High Wind 53 knots 5/4/2010 County High Wind 50 knots 7/18/2010 Converse Co Airport Thunderstorm Wind 53 knots The historic data above was obtained from the National Climate Data Center. The data shows that high wind events can and do occur in any month of the year. Wind events are sometimes, but not always associated with thunderstorms or winter storms. No injuries or deaths in the county were reported from wind events during this period. Impacts Good information about dollar damages from windstorms does not exist in the NCDC data base. However, windstorms can cause the following impacts: • Structure damage—roofs, windows, walls 85 ---PAGE BREAK--- • Damage to vegetation and landscaping • Loss of topsoil • Property damage to items not inside structures (fences, equipment, etc.) • Damage to power and phone lines, loss of power service • Damage to vehicles • Vehicle accidents due to poor visibility, blow-offs, and rollovers • Injury or death from being struck by flying objects. Although counties have been affected to lesser and greater extents by tornado intensity, frequency, and damage, they nevertheless have struck every county in Wyoming, thus proving to be a considerable danger. In year-of-event dollars, Converse County ranks 13th out of 23 counties for reported damage. Table 10.6 Tornado Damage by County in Year of Event USD (1907 - 2006) County Damage Laramie 40,230,525 Campbell 8,737,775 Goshen 3,051,275 Crook 956,525 Niobrara 955,025 Platte 674,000 Teton 500,000 Fremont 490,775 Natrona 390,500 Park 360,525 Big Horn 332,250 Carbon 305,250 Converse 188,550 Weston 130,250 86 ---PAGE BREAK--- Albany 77,500 Sweetwater 55,000 Sheridan 44,000 Washakie 30,250 Lincoln 27,500 Hot Springs 27,500 Johnson 11,050 Uinta 5,500 Sublette 0 TOTAL 134,008,519 87 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 10.2 Wyoming Tornado Damage Data Historical data demonstrates that the most critical area of the state for tornado hazard is the eastern one third, with the five most threatened being Laramie, Campbell, Goshen, Converse and Platte. The five least threatened include Teton, Uinta, Sublette, Hot Springs, and Washakie. Laramie, Campbell, Goshen, Crook, and Niobrara are the five counties that have received the most damage, while Sublette, Uinta, Johnson, Lincoln, and Hot Springs sustained the least damage. Tornadoes and wind storms will continue to occur in Converse County. Wind storms can occur at any time. Tornadoes occur primarily in the spring and summer months. Based on the recent record, a severe windstorm of 57 mph or greater will occur once every year on average. Based upon the historic record, a damaging tornado will occur once every ten years on average. The worst case historic tornado in the County resulted in damages of $188,000. This should be considered to be the low end for maximum damage from a future event. 88 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 10.7 Tornado Events by County (1907-2006) County Number of Events Laramie 82.3 (crossed 3 counties) Campbell 71 Goshen 51.3 (crossed 3 counties) Converse 37 Platte 32.3 (crossed 3 counties) Natrona 31 Niobrara 31 Crook 30 Big Horn 23 Albany 21 Carbon 16 Sweetwater 16 Fremont 15 Weston 15 Johnson 13.5 (crossed 2 counties) Sheridan 11.5 (crossed 2 counties) Park 7 Lincoln 6 Washakie 6 Hot Springs 2 Sublette 2 Uinta 2 Teton 1 TOTAL 523 89 ---PAGE BREAK--- 90 Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: Medium POPULATION AFFECTED: Medium PROBABILITY: Medium JURISDICTION AFFECTED: All ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 11: WILDLAND FIRES Converse County, because of its semi-arid climate, available fuels and rural character, is vulnerable to catastrophic wildland fires. Of all the fires in Wyoming, over 50% involve wildland areas. As defined by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), a “wildland fire” is any non-structure fire, other than prescribed fire, that occurs in the wildland. Before discussing wildland fire hazard in Converse County, some key terms should be identified. The term “wildland/urban interface” or WUI is widely used within the wildland fire management community to describe any area where buildings are constructed close to or within a boundary of natural terrain and fuel, where high potential for wildland fires exists. “Aspect” refers to the direction in which a slope faces. “Fuel” consists of combustible material, including vegetation, such as grass, leaves, ground litter, plants, shrubs, and trees that feed a fire. As the population and the wildland/urban interface in Wyoming increases, the more significant the risk of wildland fire hazard. The past 100 years of wildland fire suppression has led to heavy vegetation growth and thus has greatly increased the potential fuel-load for a wildfire to burn. As the wildland/urban interface has grown into these densely packed forests, the potential for catastrophic wildland fires has increased as well. Wyoming wildland fires are managed and supported to varying extents through cooperative efforts by the following agencies/entities: 1. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming Fire Program 2. Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination (GeoMAC) Wildland Fire Support Maps 3. Wyoming Fire Academy 4. Wyoming Wildland Fire Plan Action Team 5. National Park Service (NPS) Fire Management Program 6. US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Fire Management Branch 7. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) 8. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Fire and Aviation Management – NIFC 9. USDA Forest Service (USFS) Fire and Aviation Management 10. Wyoming State Forestry Division Currently, the principal action plan for the State is the Wyoming Wildland Urban Interface Hazard Assessment (the Assessment) produced by a joint venture of the Wyoming State Forestry Division, USFS, BLM, NPS, and other interested parties, with the BLM hosting the data (Wyoming HMP, 2008). This is a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping mission building on The Front Range Redzone Project in Colorado—the first fire- hazard mapping program of its kind. The Assessment maps fire hazard, which is determined by analyzing population/housing density against hill slope, aspect, and fuels. The mapping analysis evaluates areas of varying wildfire vulnerability, and the final output is a Risk, Hazard, and Value (RHV) map displaying areas of concern (so-called “Redzones”) for catastrophic wildland fires. The RHV layers are comprised of the following factors: 91 ---PAGE BREAK--- • Risk – probability of ignition. This factor looks at lightning strike density and the existence of road buffers. • Hazard – vegetative and topological features affecting intensity and rate of spread. This factor looks at slopes, aspect, and fuels, as interpreted from vegetative cover databases. • Value – natural or man-made components of the ecosystem on which a value can be placed. This factor looks at housing density and life and property, and uses a combination of parcel data, well head location data, and Census information. Additionally, a mask was created to identify nonflammable areas, such as rock and water. Urban areas that do not have enough vegetation to carry fire were covered with the nonflammable mask as well (USFS, 2010). The Wyoming Wildland Urban Interface Hazard Assessment builds on the work of earlier hazard methodologies and provides new and updated data to further enhance accuracy and scale. Figure 11.1 is from the Wyoming HMP (2008) and shows the Redzone for the State of Wyoming. In Converse County, the Town of Glenrock is the largest inhabited area to appear within the Redzone. There are also some pockets of high hazard ranking within the Thunder Basin National Grassland in the northeast corner of the County, and in the Medicine Bow National Forest to the south. 92 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 11.1 Redzone Map of Wyoming (Wyoming Wildland-Urban Interface Hazard Assessment, 2002) Mountain Community Wildfire Protection Plan Converse County has developed a Mountain Community Wildfire Protection Plan for communities identified as “at risk” of wildfire. These communities, all located within the Medicine Bow National Forest in the southern part of the County, were assessed for wildfire risk and mitigation strategies. The used a Wildfire Hazard Information Extraction (WHINFOE) model to calculate the wildfire hazard rating for parcels in the WUI. Primary factors that determine the hazard rating for each site include topography, structure construction, access, utilities, landscape, and water supply. Results give the percent of structures at low, moderate, high, and very high risk; and the percent of structures at risk if the mitigation measures are enacted. The document also describes how cooperation is needed between rural fire districts, year-round residents, part-time residents, and neighboring fire response districts if they are to be prepared to respond as quickly and safely as possible in case of a wildland fire. 93 ---PAGE BREAK--- History The wildland fire history for the State of Wyoming has been compiled in the Wyoming Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan from various State and federal sources, and shows the number of fires and the number of acres burned on both federal and state/private land for the years 1960 through 2003. Unfortunately the data do not provide detail to the County level. Figure 11.2 shows these data for the State of Wyoming. As can be seen from the graph, Wyoming’s damaging fire seasons often coincide with times of drought. One of the worst fire seasons occurred during 1988, when fifty fires started in Yellowstone National Park. These fires, along with other natural and human- caused fires that began outside the Park boundaries eventually burned more than a third of the Park, nearly 800,000 acres. Another 700,000 acres outside the Park also burned. Approximately 25,000 firefighters worked to put out the fires. The costs exceeded $120 million. The years 1996 and 2000 also saw higher-than-average fire seasons. 0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Number of Acres Burned Number of Fires Year Fires and Acres Burned in Wyoming Federal, state, and private land 1960‐2003 # of fires # of acres burned Figure 11.2 Fires and Acres Burned in Wyoming Converse County’s focuses on the rural mountain communities of Esterbrook, Downey Park, Cold Springs, and Boxelder. Before modern settlement and the disruption of established fire patterns by grazing, timber harvesting, and fire suppression, these areas experienced regularly-occurring wildfires. Tree ring studies in the vicinity of Esterbrook show burn intervals as low as eight years. High intensity fires resulting in tree mortality were less common, and occurred more often in areas such as draws and north-facing slopes where cooler, moister conditions reduced fire frequency and allowed a build-up of fuels (Converse County 2005). In general, the longer the interval between fires, the more fuel is allowed to accumulate, and the risk of a high-intensity, stand-replacing fire increases. 94 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 11.1 below was taken from the and shows historic large fires (greater than 300 acres) within the North Laramie Range and foothills. Table 11.1 Historic Large Fires within North Laramie Range and Foothills Year Fire Name Approximate size (acres) Township Range Section 1934 Esterbrook, Roaring Fork, Horseshoe Complex 2,500 – 3,000 27N 71W n/a 1934 Braae Mill 640 30N 72W n/a 1934 Downey Park 300+ 29N 74W n/a 1934 Cold Springs (Daws place) 38,000 29N 75W n/a 1934 Boxelder (Boxelder Canyon) 6,400 32N 75W n/a 1945 Mill Creek 2,000 29N 71W n/a 1948 Johnson (Mary Lees) 300+ 27/28N 71W n/a 1956 Maggie Murphy 1,200 28N 71W n/a 1964 Cottonwood Park 1,640 27N 71W n/a 1965 or 1970 Deer Creek 520 – 1,200 30N 78W n/a 1969 Rattlesnake Draw 600 26N 72W n/a 1971 Sunset Ridge 330 28/29N 71W n/a 1973 Bear Head #1 2,000 26N 72W n/a 1974 Held Creek 2,000 27N 70/71W n/a 1974 Hagemeister 700 27N 70W 15 1979 Duck Creek #1 6,000 24N 72W n/a 1979 Sheep Mountain #1 7,000 26N 70W n/a 1984 Friend Park 800 26/27N 72W n/a 1986 Collins Peak 4,500+ 20N 71W n/a 1986 Three Cripples 945 28N 71W n/a 1990 Johnson Mountain 500 26N 70W 12 1991 or 1992 DB Uncontrolled 2,200 30N 70W n/a 1994 Squaw Mountain (off map to the south, Albany County) 3,630 23N 70W 32 1996 Dog Leg (off map to the north, Natrona County) 22,000 ? ? n/a 1996 Murphy Ridge 3,218 26N 71W 5 & 7 1996 Bear Head #2 3,275 26N 72W 12 & 13 1996 Rabbit Creek #1 434 26N 70W n/a 2000 Black Ridge 3,600 30N 72W n/a 2001 Duck Creek #2 800 24N 72W 36 2001 Leroy 5,580 26N 70/71W n/a 2002 Hensel 14,564 27N 71W n/a 2002 Reese 10,000+ 24N 71W n/a 2003 Rabbit Creek #2 1,620 26N 70W n/a 2004 Sheep Mountain #2 500 31N 72W 9 2005 Bixby 3,000+ 33N 74W n/a 95 ---PAGE BREAK--- Approximate size Year Fire Name Township Range Section (acres) 2005 Windmill (off map to the south, Albany County) 1,050 23N 69W n/a 2005 Table Mountain (off map to the east, Platte County) 1,000+ 28N 69W 32 As this table shows, fire activity occurs with some regularity in the North Laramie Range/Medicine Bow National Forest. Lightning is the primary ignition source for wildland fires. In 2005, 34 fires were recorded for the Laramie Peak Range and foothills during the period of June through September (Converse County 2005). The Esterbrook area has the highest amount of fires of the four at-risk communities with at least six major fires occurring in or near the community since 1935. The 2002 Hensel Fire was the largest in recent years. That fire burned 17,000 acres and destroyed structures in Albany County. State and county fire-fighting costs were $416,717. Community Assessments The Converse County calculated the wildfire hazard rating for each of the four rural communities mentioned above. The land conditions in these areas are conducive to large-scale wildfires because of the topography, difficulty for emergency access, scarcity of water resources, and existing stands of dead trees, debris, and unburned slash piles. (Converse County 2005). The results in Table 11.2 are directly from the For context, Esterbrook has 200 structures; Downey Park has 33 structures plus 24 structures across the county line in Albany County; Cold Springs has 25 structures; and Boxelder has approximately 20 structures (as of 2005). The majority of these structures are residential. Table 11.2 Wildfire Hazard Rating for At-risk Communities Community Percent of Structures at Risk Percent of Structures at Risk if Mitigated Esterbrook Low Risk 0 3 Moderate Risk 21 52 High Risk 62 45 Very High Risk 17 0 Downey Park 96 ---PAGE BREAK--- Percent of Structures Percent of Structures at Risk if Community Mitigated at Risk Low Risk 0 3 Moderate Risk 31 41 High Risk 41 56 Very High Risk 25 0 Extreme Risk 3 0 Cold Springs Low Risk 6 7 Moderate Risk 7 27 High Risk 37 66 Very High Risk 37 0 Extreme Risk 13 0 Boxelder Moderate Risk 18 53 High Risk 53 41 Very High Risk 23 6 Extreme Risk 6 0 The results indicate that the majority of the structures are at high to very high risk from wildfire. However, if mitigation work were to be done at these sites, there would be an improvement in the overall risk rating. Individual assessments were sent to each property owner by the team to offer suggestions on what they can do to improve their structure and surroundings in order to mitigate their risks from wildland fire. As of 2005, 253 structural wildland fire risk assessments were completed and 22 properties were mitigated with defensible space. Mitigation activities include clearing brush and fuel away from structures, thinning out dead trees and other fuel sources, and not storing firewood next to structures. 97 ---PAGE BREAK--- Concerns The Converse County listed some concerns for the four communities. A summary of these is provided below. Esterbrook • Emergency vehicle access and landowner evacuation routes are a major concern, as many of the cabins in the area are well away from major access roads. • Common access problems are lack of maintenance, only one means of access, narrow roads with no room to pass or turn around, substandard bridges and culverts, locked gates, and heavy fuel concentration along routes. • Most roads are not sign-posted, which would make it difficult for emergency personnel to locate structures. • Some areas along public roads have dense vegetation, which could make them impassible during a wildfire. • An epidemic of Mountain Pine Beetle in the 1980s left many areas with extremely high accumulations of dead and downed trees, along with old logging slash where infested trees were harvested. • Absentee landowners and limited finances are obstacles to wildfire mitigation. Downey Park, Cold Springs, and Boxelder • Increasing development of remote areas, poorly-designed subdivisions, and lack of landowner involvement is placing an unacceptable burden on the volunteer fire- fighting system. • The forests in which these structures are located and being built have not burned for decades, increasing the probability of catastrophic wildfires. • Limited access is a major concern, as many of the private driveways and subdivision roads are too narrow to allow two-way traffic, and places to turn around are limited or non-existent. • Lack of road maintenance, locked gates, and lack of sign-posts are other common problems. • The distance from the nearest fire response unit is a major concern of the County Rural Fire Fighters – response times for the nearest emergency services range from one to two hours and could be substantially longer under certain circumstances. • The Rural Fire Zones are completely manned by volunteers. Ranchers and permanent residents are very involved; however, with the increasing numbers of absentee landowners, seasonal occupants, and structures, the manpower is not available for protection. Downey Park • Many structures in this area are located on a ridge which is accessed by a very narrow, steep, and rocky road. This road is the only means of access to properties, 98 ---PAGE BREAK--- which can lead to a very dangerous situation of entrapment for landowners and fire fighting personnel during a wildfire. • Water for fire suppression on this ridge is virtually non-existent. Cold Springs • A major concern is access and fuel loads within the Little Medicine Subdivision. Roads within this subdivision are extremely narrow, with no turn-outs, often leading to dead-ends and locked gates. • Vegetation along these roads consists of extremely dense lodgepole pine stands and heavy accumulations of dead and down forest debris. Boxelder • This area is of less concern due to the fact that structures are fewer and farther between. • Fuel conditions are no better in this area, and high densities of trees and high accumulations of dead and down forest debris make this area equally susceptible to catastrophic wildfire. • Access is a concern because nearly every structure is accessed through a locked gate. • Landowner participation in the Firewise Program has been less responsive than the other three communities. The includes recommendations to improve the defensibility of the structures and land in these communities. In order of priority (from highest to lowest), these are: • Fuels reduction on private lands • Fuels reduction on public lands • Shaded fuel breaks • Fine fuels reduction and regeneration (encourages grazing within areas where forage production is adequate to maintain rangeland health) • Improve access • Improve private roads • Improve public roads • Educating the public • Water resources for fire suppression 99 ---PAGE BREAK--- Figure 11.3 Converse County Redzone Map Impacts The statewide WUI Hazard Assessment and Redzone map was discussed previously. This tool is valuable in prioritizing and planning mitigation projects, and creating a communication medium in which agencies can relay common information and data. Redzone mapping in Converse County indicates that Glenrock is probably the most- populous at-risk community, followed by the mountain communities discussed in the and seen within the Redzone in the south of the County. Figure 11.3 is a close-up view of the state-wide Redzone map shown in Figure 11.1. Another method of estimating potential future impact is to determine the value of structures that are located within Redzones. The “building exposure” value estimates the value of buildings that can be potentially damaged by wildland fire in an area, and presents the amount of damage by county. Building exposure values are based on Census Block level data from HAZUS. The methodology utilized is similar to that used to model flood exposure described in Chapter 7-Floods of this document. The Wyoming HMP presents wildland fire building exposure values by county (2008 estimate). These values are shown in Table 11.3, below. Table 11.3 Wildland fire building exposure values by County 100 ---PAGE BREAK--- County Amount of damage (US Big Horn 1,090,772 Niobrara 4,852,748 Washakie 11,368,310 Platte 18,264,504 Hot Springs 25,587,017 Goshen 37,962,569 Carbon 83,931,249 Sublette 95,442,304 Uinta 105,943,675 Converse 132,529,212 Lincoln 171,746,619 Crook 184,102,247 Park 194,432,223 Albany 261,395,171 Sweetwater 279,772,342 Weston 311,602,160 Fremont 322,353,040 Johnson 451,817,404 Campbell 741,143,167 Natrona 894,951,685 Laramie 1,107,754,091 Sheridan 1,544,049,533 Teton 1,546,011,448 TOTAL $8,528,103,488 Converse County falls in the middle of building exposure values to wildfire in the State. The County has a relatively low wildfire risk in some areas (where there is low population density and sparse or no forests), and high wildfire risk in others (the four at-risk communities within the Medicine Bow National Forest, for example). 101 ---PAGE BREAK--- 102 In addition to the dangers directly associated with the fire, wildfires create dangerous atmospheric conditions by filling the air with smoke. The effects of wildfire smoke can be felt for miles, depending on the winds. Smoke may impact air quality, forcing vulnerable populations such as children, those with asthma, or those requiring additional oxygen support, to remain indoors. Livestock are also impacted by poor air quality. Smoke may cloud visibility on roads and create dangerous transportation conditions, as well. Future Impacts In general, wildfires occur somewhere within or near the County on an annual basis. Based on GIS analysis performed by the State of Wyoming, Converse County has about $132.5 million in building value potentially at risk from wildland fires. However, it is unlikely that all identified risk areas will simultaneously face a completely destructive wildfire, so this number should be considered an exposure value as opposed to an estimate of total damage from a future event. In addition to causing loss of structures, future wildfires could damage crops and watersheds within the County, interrupt traffic and commerce, and contribute to soil erosion and deposition problems. Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: High POPULATION AFFECTED: Low PROBABILITY: High JURISDICTION AFFECTED: unincorporated areas, mostly in the south of the County. Closest potentially affected urban area: Glenrock, Douglas References Converse County Firewise Committee. Converse County Mountain Community Wildfire Protection Plan. September 2005. Wyoming State Hazard Mitigation Plan. 2008. Accessed January 2011. Available at http://wyohomelandsecurity.state.wy.us/mitigation_plan.aspx USFS National Database of State and Local Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Programs. Updated January 1, 2010. Accessed January 24, 2011. ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 12. WINTER STORMS Severe winter storms affect far more people in Wyoming than their summer counterparts, even though they are inherently less violent. Blizzard conditions bring the triple threat of heavy snowfall, strong winds and low temperatures. Poor visibility and huge snowdrifts are major hazards caused by blowing snow. These storms disrupt work, make travel difficult or impossible, isolate communities, kill livestock by the hundreds or thousands and sometimes leave human fatalities in their wake. A blizzard is defined as a perilous winter storm which lasts for at least three hours with winds of at least 35-mph accompanied by considerable blowing snow, reducing visibility. Heavy snow is defined as four inches or more during a 12-hour period. All areas of Converse County are vulnerable to winter storms and experience them almost yearly. Data show that Lake Yellowstone and Lander lead the state in frequency of major snowstorms with an average of about five such days per year. The time of year when they receive these storms, however is quite different. Major snowstorms strike most often in the mid-winter months at Lake Yellowstone and throughout most of western Wyoming. At Lander and most other parts of the state (excluding the high mountains) major snowstorms hit with greatest frequency in March and April. The springtime snowstorm peak is particularly destructive for ranchers because it coincides with calving and lambing seasons. Converse County can experience damaging “winter” storms not only in the typical winter months, but also in late spring and the fall. History The winter storm history in Wyoming extends from 1886 to 2009. A history of storms that involved Converse County and caused damage, significant closure of highways, and/or impacts to the livestock industry is provided in Table 12.1. Converse County (along with Niobrara County) had one of only two winter storms to receive a Presidential Disaster Declaration. A heavy wet snowstorm in October 1998 resulted in PDD #FEMA-DR-WY- 1268. On October 4-5, 1998, 8 to 12 inches of heavy, wet snow fell across eastern Converse County and Niobrara County. The heavy snow downed trees and power lines. Ice build-up was up to 6 inches around many power lines. (Wyoming Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.) The data were derived from the Storm Data reports from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) and from the Wyoming Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. According to this data, Converse County has a winter storm of significance about every two years, based on 62 events during a 124-year period. There have been a few winter storms in the county that have caused great damage. 104 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 12.1 Winter Storms in Converse County Date Location Deaths Damage Information 1886-1887 Statewide Several 50% livestock The winter of 1886 to 1887 was the earliest severe economic disruption. The snow that winter came early and grew very deep. A freak thaw turned much of this to water. As cold weather moved back in, this froze into a crust of ice, which prevented cattle getting through to the forage underneath. These conditions, accompanied by blizzard of unusual severity, caused a loss of more than 50% among the state's livestock operations. The snow was 6 feet deep on the level between Mountain Home and Woods Landing. On February 12, 1887 the storms were still raging over the state, and the snow was packed so hard that stages could drive over it. Trains were stalled on their tracks. The winter sounded the death knell of the open range cattle business as it had been during previous years. Cattlemen called the disastrous winter of 1886 "The Equalizer." During the spring of 1887, in certain sheltered areas, residents were able to step from one carcass to another without touching ground. Jan. 1888 Statewide Many Thousands of cattle This blizzard covered a number of states. The combination of strong winds, snow, and rapid temperature drops made it very dangerous. Loss of life was great and thousands of cattle died. March 1931 Statewide 2 This blizzard covered several states. Temperatures dropped rapidly. Strong winds drifted snow badly, blocking highways for several days. April 1939 Statewide Sheep lost A number of sheep were reported killed in a blizzard that swept the State on the sixteenth. April 1945 Statewide A heavy snow storm occurred on Easter Sunday and the following two days. This storm covered the entire State but was especially heavy over the southern third. June 1947 Statewide $250,000 Heavy losses were experienced in livestock during the storms on June 11-12 and 20-21. One rancher in the Cheyenne area reported losses of approximately $15,000, and in Natrona County losses are estimated at $125,000. It is estimated that the losses throughout the state from these two storms will run to approximately a quarter of a million dollars. These losses were confined entirely to newly shorn sheep and young lambs. Some damage resulted to the bean crop and wheat by frost following the storm of June 11-12, but the principal damage was to gardens. Jan-Feb 1945 Laramie, Albany, Carbon, Campbell, Crook, Niobrara, Goshen, Weston, Platte, and Converse 17 $9,000,000 Livestock losses were great Most significant blizzard in Wyoming's history. Snowfall measured up to 30 inches, with drifts 20 to 30 feet high. Within 24 hours ofthe storm initiation, all bus, rail, and air traffic was halted. There were thousands of stranded motorists and rail passengers. Thirty-three hundred miles of state highway lay in the storm area, there was an estimated loss of 15% of the state’s cattle. Seventeen people perished, along with 55,000 head of cattle and more than 105,000 sheep. As the storm continued, Wyoming cities began to run out of food in the stores. Several other blizzards followed the first. "It is estimated from reports of field men that 4194 people received aid through the Interior Department operations; that 104,839 cattle and 421,479 sheep were relieved; and that help was given to 994 ranches. A total of 12,894 miles of roads and feed lanes were opened; 1457 tons of food, fuel, and other supplies were hauled over opened roads; 26,604 tons of feed was hauled over opened roads or made available; and the total number of operated machine hours, for snow moving equipment only totaled 18,310. Wind speeds were 30 to 78 mph with an average of 55 mph. Temperature was below zero. Funding: $200,000 initial relief, later an additional $500,000, federal government turned over $125,000. Out of the $700,000 appropriated, more than $450,000 was returned. Damage and cost: Highway department normally spent $265,000 for snow removal, this storm generated costs of $618,029.50; total economic loss is estimated at more than $9 million. Time spent: December through March snow removal equipment spent 139,000 hours; man-hours amounted to 201,000 hours. Cost of these operations to the government is estimated at $169,550.64, with a unit total cost of approximately $13.15 per mile of road opened and approximately $9.25 per operated hour of snow moving equipment. March 1950 Statewide 1 Heavy snow and strong winds covered much of several states, including Wyoming. Snowfall up to 60 inches fell in Wyoming. There was widespread damage to power lines and many cars and trains were stranded. Drifts were up to 16 feet and one person died in the state. February 1953 Statewide 5 A storm covered the entire State but was generally light west of the Continental Divide and moderate to heavy over the east portion. Many observers reported this storm as the worst since the blizzard of 1949. Roads in the east portion of the State were blocked and many secondary roads were still blocked at the end of the month. A total of 105 ---PAGE BREAK--- five persons lost their lives during the month as a result of motor vehicle accidents. February 1955 Statewide 4 This blizzard covered several states, including Wyoming. Up to 11 inches of snow fell with winds to 65 mph and temperatures below zero. There were four deaths in Wyoming. November 1956 Eastern WY A severe blizzard on November 1-3 wrought general havoc in the eastern half of Wyoming; transportation was disrupted, utilities damaged, and livestock lost. October 1961 Eastern WY 5 $27,500 Snow accompanied by high winds began early afternoon and continued through the evening. Three people were killed and four were injured in auto accidents caused by low visibility. Two hunters were lost and died in the storm. September 1965 Statewide $2,750,000 A cold wave moved over the state the evening of the 15th and caused considerable damage to crops, trees, power, and phone lines, stopped much of the transportation by closing roads, caused an estimated 5% shrinkage in marketable livestock and a few death losses in livestock. Temperature dropped quite low for so early in the season and the heavy (18- to 22-inch) band of snow from the southwest part of the state to the northeast part was by far the heaviest so early in the season. April 1967 Eastern WY $275,000 Heavy snowstorm began early evening spreading over eastern Wyoming with strong winds. Considerable damage was done to power and phone lines. Highways were blocked with travel halted. Stockmen in northeast quarter of the state lost stock especially newborn calves and lambs. April 1969 Northeastern WY $5,500,000 Heavy wet snow with strong winds, occasionally reaching 60 knots did about $5.5 million damage over much of northeast Wyoming. Losses of sheep were especially heavy as shearing and lambing were well underway. Lighter losses were incurred in the cattle industry. Forests were damaged as well as utility lines, and roads. March 1973 Statewide $275,000 Heavy snow and strong winds blanketed the state, with roads, streets, and farms and ranches blocked. There were numerous power and communications outages as well as livestock losses. March 1975 Statewide $2,750,000 A severe blizzard with winds 40 to 50 mph and gusts to 75 mph, snow and temperatures down to 0 degrees started the morning of the 27th and continued to the evening of the 28th. Highways were blocked and some people stranded for varying times but all rescued. Some damage to signs, windows, trees, etc., but most damage to livestock, especially new born, and to cows (udders frostbitten, etc.). The storm was most severe over the eastern half of the state and most of the damage was there also. November 1977 Statewide 1 $275,000 Snow with large accumulations entered the state the afternoon on the 16th, accompanied by very cold temperatures. Some blowing and drifting caused hazardous driving conditions in many areas. The snow ended by the morning of the 18th but was quickly followed by strong, gusty, westerly winds that moved the large amounts of loose snow into ground blizzards with severe problems on highways, ranches, etc. One man was killed in Rawlins as he tried to walk into town along the interstate from the west. Numerous people were stranded along the highways and in towns and ranches until the roads were opened. May 1978 Central and Eastern portions of Wyoming $11,753,000 This late spring snowstorm dumped 15 to 32 inches of wet heavy snow over much of central and eastern Wyoming including 11 counties (Big Horn, Campbell, Converse, Crook, Johnson, Natrona, Sheridan, Washakie, Weston, Hot Springs, and Niobrara). Extensive damage to crops and livestock was estimated at $11,743,890. Numerous local power outages were reported. Many county and state roads were closed, especially in the Laramie area. Interstate 80 was closed west of Cheyenne for nearly two days. December 1978 Statewide $275,000 This very heavy snowstorm dumped over a foot of snow across much of the state causing road and airport closures in many areas throughout the state. Winds gusting to 75 mph caused extensive blowing and drifting snow, stopping both local and interstate travel. This storm isolated livestock from ranchers, contributing to subsequent substantial losses of cattle and sheep in Wyoming. January 1979 Statewide $2,500,000 Numerous heavy snows combined with prolonged extremely cold temperatures caused widespread damage across much of Wyoming during the month of January. Estimated loss of 2700 sheep and 2000 cattle with projected losses of calves and lambs to 35,000 head are reported. Also, numerous towns and communities across the state have extensive damages to their water systems due to frozen water mains and sewer systems. Emergency Winter Storm Relief Aid of $2.5 million was asked for by the State. January 1980 Statewide 4 Snow and blowing snow from the morning of the 25th to the evening of the 27th swept across Wyoming dumping a record 11 inches of snow on Cheyenne in a 12-hour period. Heavy snow and slick road surfaces due to bitter cold temperatures closed many highways and interstates, including I-80 from the Nebraska state line to Rock Springs. 106 ---PAGE BREAK--- Near Bitter Creek Hill, 38 miles east of Rock Springs, 21 cars and trucks were involved in a pile-up on the afternoon of the 25th. Two men were killed at 1900 MST on the 26th, 9 miles east of Powell when the driver lost control, ejecting both men. One fatality occurred on the 27th at 1130 MST on I-80 near Rock Springs when a car slowed down because of poor visibility and slick roads and the truck driver, trailing the vehicle, failed to slow down in time and crushed the back end of the car in which the victim was riding. A man died about 1245 MST on the 27th when the flatbed truck he was driving 95 miles south of Gillette jack-knifed on a left-hand curve and rolled on its top. Schools in Cheyenne were closed at noon on Friday and did not reopen until Wednesday. Most churches in Cheyenne remained closed on Sunday. Casper thermometers dipped to record lows of -27º on Saturday, -28º on Sunday night, and -32º Monday morning. Cheyenne reported temperatures at 0 or below zero for a period of 79 hours. Weather-related problems may have caused the derailment of 12 empty freight cars at Point of Rocks at 0645 MST on the 25th. May 1980 Central WY 1 A sudden spring snowstorm covered the area with heavy, wet snow. The storm caused power failures, closed schools, threatened livestock, and was blamed for at least one traffic death when a car skidded into the path of an oncoming snowplow on Ross Road, north of Douglas. Two passengers were injured. January 1982 Converse, Albany, and Natrona $27,500 Wind gusts to 85 mph downed power poles causing electrical outages to most of Casper for 3.5 hours. High winds broke windows and commercial signs, while debris hurled by winds injured at least 4 people. I-80 between Laramie and Rawlins was closed due to high winds and blowing snow. December 1982 Eastern and Central WY 1 A major winter storm dumped heavy snow in the state Wednesday and Thursday morning. Casper was hit the hardest with 24 inches of snow, breaking the previous 24-hour total. The Wind River Canyon between Shoshoni and Thermopolis also reported 24 inches. Elsewhere in the basins and plains, amounts varied from 5 to 11 inches. Winds to 40 mph caused blizzard conditions in the central and northeast areas causing drifts of 5 to 8 feet deep. December 1982 Central WY A major winter storm through central and southeast Wyoming packed strong winds and moderate to heavy snow. Shoshoni experienced winds that exceeded 60 mph causing over-turned trailers and a boat at the Boysen Lake Marina. Casper recorded a record 29 inches of snow from the storm. Lander and Cheyenne accumulated around 6 inches each. Strong winds gusting into the 40 mph range caused blizzard conditions which forced the closure of many highways in central and southeast areas, stranding holiday travelers. April 1983 All but NW and North central WY A two-day storm buried most of the state with 6 to 15 inches of snow. Some mountain locations near Casper received up to 2.5 feet of snow. In addition, north winds of 25 to 40 mph caused near blizzard conditions mainly in the southwest and southeast with many roads closed. Power also was interrupted for up to 6 hours in quite a few areas of the state. April 1983 All but SE quarter A spring snowstorm swept through northern, central, and western Wyoming dumping an average of 6 to 12 inches of snow. Up to 18 inches fell in some western mountain towns. Near blizzard conditions occurred in southwest Wyoming as northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph whipped up 2 to 4 foot drifts. At least two interstate highways were closed for a period of time, and lots of traffic accidents were reported across the state. December 1983 Statewide $2,750,000 The worst arctic outbreak ever in December hit Wyoming fullforce with almost all of the state remaining below zero for five days. Overnight lows in the 20 to 40 below range were common, with quite a few towns setting record Dec lows. Most Wyoming residents fared much better in the cold than mechanical items. A malfunctioning transformer left the town of Lander without power for 12 hours, and numerous vehicles were damaged by the extreme temperatures. The greatest damage, however, occurred to homes and businesses as hundreds of water pipes froze and burst. The State Capitol Building in Cheyenne, for example, suffered almost $250,000 in damage due to burst water pipes. March 1987 Central and Eastern WY A small but vigorous winter storm developed over south central Wyoming on the morning of the 20th. This storm raced through eastern Wyoming by the morning of the 21st and ushered in spring with 6 to 12 inches of snow in its path. Strong gusty winds of 35 to 55 mph accompanied the storm, creating many areas of blowing and drifting snow. Many roads were closed for a time, even all the interstate highways from Rawlins in the south to Sundance in the northwest. This was due to the wind pushing fast-developing drifts over roads and blowing snow reduced visibilities at times to near zero. Numerous minor accidents were noted across central and eastern Wyoming. Also some ranchers had trouble feeding their livestock as well. Some individual snowfall reports were 11 inches at 107 ---PAGE BREAK--- Douglas, 9 inches at Casper, and 6 inches in Gillette. December 1987 SE WY A very strong upper level trough developed over Arizona on the 25th and moved into eastern Colorado on the morning of the 27th. This trough developed blizzard conditions over southeast Wyoming from 0700 to 1800 MST. Snowfall amounts varied from 6 to 20 inches. Wind speeds over southeast Wyoming were clocked at 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph. These strong winds combined with the heavy snow amounts frequently lowered visibilities below 0.25 mile. The winds also produced over 4-foot tall snow drifts, particularly over roadways. These included I-80 to the Nebraska border and I-25 from Douglas to the Colorado border. These roads stayed closed for much of the 27th to the morning of the 28th. This blizzard stranded over 300 holiday travelers in the tiny town of Chugwater. Some particular snowfall totals associated with this blizzard are Albin, 14 inches; Carpenter, 8 inches; Chugwater, 10 inches; Double Four Ranch (Albany County), 16 inches; Encampment, 6 inches; La Grange, 19 inches; Lusk, 6 inches; Pine Bluffs, 15 inches; Saratoga, 9 inches; Wheatland, 10 inches. January 1988 Eastern Wyoming A very strong upper level northwest flow of air over Wyoming mixed down and accelerated surface winds to 30 to 45 mph with gusts 55 to 70 mph from north-central to southeast Wyoming. The most noticeable wind gusts were at Arlington, 65 mph; Casper, 70 mph; Cheyenne, 58 mph; and Sheridan, 71 mph. Also, this strong northerly airflow helped to dump 5 inches of new snow about 25 miles west of Laramie near Centennial. Most roads were closed over south-central and southeast Wyoming due to blowing and drifting snow. January 1988 Bighorn Mountains and NE plains Very strong upper level northerly flow of air continued to prevail over eastern Wyoming. This strong flow of air induced strong surface winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts of 55 to around 70 mph. Peak wind gusts of 72 mph on the 24th flipped over a fairly large mobile home onto two cars in the Gillette area. Also, these strong winds tore the roof off a house 4 miles west of Gillette. A power plant northeast of Wheatland clocked wind gusts of 70 mph from 0200 to 0630 MST on the 24th. From 2000 MST on the 24th to 1000 MST on the 25th sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph were clocked with gusts near 58 mph from Arlington to Cheyenne along I-80 over southern Wyoming. This storm dumped 10 inches of snow at Burgess Junction in the Big Horn Mountains. These strong winds produced snow drifts 14 to 16 feet deep over the southeast. Numerous roads were closed over east Wyoming due to strong winds and the associated snow drifts. The National Guard had to dig out stranded ranch families in southern Goshen County. March 1988 Eastern WY $275,000 An intense winter storm which developed over Nevada on the 9th moved through Colorado on the 10th and 11th and into Kansas on the 12th. This winter storm combined with good easterly flow over Wyoming first smashed into west and central Wyoming with 5 to 14 inches of new snow. As this winter storm moved through Colorado it intensified and produced blizzard conditions over much of eastern Wyoming from the 10th to the morning of the 12th. Six to 25 inches of new snow generally dumped on eastern Wyoming with this storm. Also sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 65 mph raked across eastern Wyoming. This heavy snow and strong winds frequently kept visibilities below 0.25 mile over much of southern and eastern Wyoming. The strong winds and heavy snow whipped snow drifts to a depth of 10 to 30 feet over eastern Wyoming. Most roads were closed at times over southern and eastern Wyoming due to the extremely low visibilities and blowing and drifting snow. Numerous traffic accidents occurred across the state with at least five people sustaining injuries. Travelers were stranded throughout eastern Wyoming with more than 200 people trapped at the Snowy Range Ski Resort west of Laramie. The skiers spent the night sleeping on floors and tables. The eastern plains were particularly hard hit by the blizzard from Douglas southeast to the LaGrange area. A few travelers in the eastern plains were completely trapped in their vehicles for 36 to 40 hours. Drifts ranging from 15 to 30 feet high were common around Lusk with a number of vehicles totally buried by the snow. Ranchers over the eastern plains were in the midst of calving and lambing season. About 15 to 35 head of calves were lost. Some noticeable snowfall totals were Albin, 18 inches; Bates Creek, 13 inches; Burgess Junction, 20 inches; Douglas, 11 inches; Gillette, 12 inches; Keeline, 10 inches; LaGrange, 21 inches; Lander, 10 inches; Laramie, 11 inches; Lusk, 20 inches; Rock Springs, 20 inches; and Snowy Range, 14 February 1989 Statewide Record cold temperatures gripped the state from the 2nd through the morning of the 6th, the coldest in at least 5 years. Many locations had at least 80 to 100 consecutive hours of subzero readings. Wind chills from 50º to 90º below zero accompanied the cold. Most overnight lows were between minus 20º and minus 40º with maximum 108 ---PAGE BREAK--- temperatures struggling above 15º or 20º below zero. On the morning of the 3rd, Sheridan set a record low of minus 32º, eclipsing the old record of 24º below zero, set in 1985. Casper had a record low of 27º below zero. The minimum at Cheyenne was minus 24º, one degree shy of the record low for the 3rd, dating back to 1883. Weston, located over far northern Wyoming, dropped to 47º below zero while locations in Yellowstone National Park dipped lower than minus 40º. These low temperatures were typical through the 6th. The maximum temperature for Cheyenne on the 3rd was 18º below zero. Not only was that a record low maximum, but the second coldest such reading since weather records have been kept at Cheyenne, back more than 100 years. During the morning of the 6th, the temperature at the capitol city finally rose above zero. The record is 120 hours, set in December 1983. This was the coldest February ever for Casper. It was also the worst cold spell for Gillette in a decade. March 1990 Central Plains, Eastern Plains, Southern Mountains, Laramie Valley, Southeast Plains An intense slow-moving storm system caused a prolonged heavy snow event for roughly the southeastern quarter of the state. The storm lasted for about 54 hours, from the evening of the 5th through the early morning on the 8th. The heaviest snow occurred during the 6th, when 24-hour snow totals ranged from 6 to 18 inches. Total snow amounts for the event were generally from 1 to 4 feet. During the 6th and 7th, at least 300 miles of roads were closed. Nearly all travel to and from Cheyenne, the state capitol, was halted. Additionally, there were power outages because of downed power lines due to the wet, heavy snow. Storm totals of 3 to 4 feet of snow were common at several locations in the Laramie Mountains. Some other reports included 20 inches in Centennial; 19.2 inches in Cheyenne. For Cheyenne, this was the greatest single snowfall event ever in March and the storm tied for ninth place on the list of biggest snowstorms. March 1990 Eastern WY During much of the 15th, high winds blew across eastern Wyoming. Sustained winds of 40 to 55 mph were common. Some peak wind gusts were: 67 mph near Wheatland; 65 mph on the I- 80 summit, 30 miles west of Cheyenne; 60 mph in Sheridan; and 58 mph in Gillette. These winds produced widespread blowing and drifting snow and ground blizzard conditions across the far southeastern part of the state. During most of the 15th, almost all roads to and from Cheyenne and Laramie were closed because of the blowing snow. It was not until the afternoon of the 16th that the roads were reopened to travel. December 1990 Statewide $27,500 A major winter storm followed by a bitter-cold Arctic outbreak, plagued most of Wyoming for about two to four days. Heavy snows with strong winds occurred on the 18th over the far western part of the state, with up to a foot in the mountains. Light snows of 2 to 6 inches generally occurred over the rest of the state, except in the far southwest where storm totals approached 15 to 20 inches by 1800 MST on the 19th. Bitter-cold Arctic air started spilling into the state after 1200 MST on the 18th. On the 19th and 20th, wind chills dropped to -40º to -75º at times in many areas. The coldest temperatures occurred on the 21st and 22nd, with most areas from -25º to -45º. Minus 50º readings were reported at Worland and near Jackson. Casper set an all-time record-low of -41º on the 21st. Major roads affected by the snow and winds were confined to the far west and southwest. The worst conditions occurred along I-80 from Rock Springs to Rawlins on the night of the 19th and 20th where snow and strong winds closed the road, stranding many people. The bitter cold caused power outages in some places, most notably in Jackson. Schools and other events were widely canceled due to the cold weather. September 1995 East central Wyoming $13,500 An early season winter storm dropped 6 to 12 inches of snow from Casper and the south end of the Big Horn Mountains to the Nebraska border. The snow damaged trees, breaking many branches. Power was out in the area for a time in the morning, with as many as 4000 homes without power from Casper to Glenrock. In Lusk, snow snapped a 2x4 beam in a building. October 1995 All except SW Wyoming $1,000,000 Heavy snow and strong winds caused blizzard conditions over much of Wyoming. Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 inches at Rock Springs and Gillette to 17 inches at Casper Mountain. Generally, 6 to 10 inches of snowfall was common. Winds gusted to 55 mph and caused blizzard conditions with drifts up to 5 feet deep. Reported drifts of 2 to 4 feet were common. Many roads were closed from the 22nd to the afternoon of the 23rd due to drifting and near-zero visibilities. Many travelers were stranded across the state until the 23rd and a number of hunters had to be rescued. Power was out for a time in various places, due to downed power lines from the heavy snow and strong winds. January 1996 Big Horn, Campbell, Strong winds, snow, and cold temperatures combined to create blizzard conditions over eastern and northern Wyoming. During that time, winds gusted to as high as 55 mph creating wind chill temperatures as low as 70º below 109 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse, Hot Springs, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara, Park, Sheridan, Washakie zero. Two to 6 inches of snow fell through late afternoon on the 17th. This wind and snow produced very low visibilities in blowing snow. Some roads were closed in northeastern Wyoming on the 17th and schools were cancelled in some areas on the 18th. December 1996 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Fremont, Laramie, Natrona, and Sweetwater Winds were sustained between 40 and 50 mph from Jeffrey City and Casper, southeast to just east of the Laramie Mountains. Wind gusts were between 55 and 65 mph, with the strongest gust being 71 mph, 10 miles south of Wheatland between 1753 and 1909 MST. Highway 191, south of Rock Springs was closed due to blowing snow from 2300 to 0600 MST. March 1996 Natrona, Converse, Niobrara, Laramie, Platte, Goshen, and Albany Snow and strong winds combined to produce blizzard conditions in east central and southeastern Wyoming. Visibilities were near zero and wind chill temperatures as low as 45º below zero. Three to 6 inches of snow were common in the area, with drifts as high as 7 feet in the Cheyenne area. Many roads were closed during this time. October 1996 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Laramie, Niobrara, and Platte Heavy snow and strong winds created blizzard conditions in much of south central and eastern Wyoming. The snow and winds closed many roads in that area, especially in and near the southeast mountains. The heaviest snowfall was in the Laramie Mountains and Snowy Range, where 12 to 18 inches of snow was reported. Other snowfall amounts in the area were 7 inches in Laramie, 8 inches in Douglas and 5 inches in Lusk. Only 1 to 4 inches fell in parts of the southeast plains. Winds gusted to near 50 mph and produced near zero visibilities. Drifts as high as 5 feet were observed in the Laramie Mountains between Cheyenne and Laramie. The strong winds and snow caused power outages to many rural areas in south central and southeast Wyoming. April 1997 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, and Platte Strong winds combined with snow amounts of generally 8 to 12 inches to create widespread blizzard conditions in southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska panhandle. By 2045 MST on the 4th, all roads had been closed in and out of Cheyenne except for I-25. Closed and impassable roads became the norm from the evening of April 4 through April 6 due to blowing and drifting snow. Many automobile accidents occurred as a result of the treacherous conditions, and many power lines were downed due to the weight of snow. Many livestock were killed by the snow and accompanying cold temperatures because the storm occurred in the calving season. The highest snow amount was 12 inches at Albin and Lusk, and sustained winds were generally 40 to 50 mph through the event. October 1997 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, and Platte An early season blizzard dumped up to 20 inches of snow in areas of southeastern Wyoming, downing power poles and power lines as well as making many roads impassable. Wet, wind-driven snow damaged trees in addition to unharvested milo, corn, and sunflower fields. Many motorists were stranded on impassable roads or when vehicles slid off roads. High School athletic events were postponed, and high school bands and athletic teams were stranded when their buses could continue no further. The following occurrences were documented as occurring on the 24th. Semi-tractor trucks with trailers tipped over after jackknifing on I-80 near Sinclair and at milepost 340. The Wyoming Highway Patrol received 198 accident reports by 1645 MST, compared to the normal of 30 to 50. I-25 was closed from the Colorado border to Wheatland at approximately 1600 MST. I-80 was closed the entire length of Wyoming by late evening. The following occurrences were documented as occurring on the 25th. I-80 remained closed from the Nebraska border to Rock Springs. A Wyoming Department of Transportation employee received minor injuries when the snow plow he was operating flipped over east of Cheyenne. Postal delivery service from Cheyenne was shut down for the first time in at least 15 years. Two hunters were rescued in the Snowy Range near 110 ---PAGE BREAK--- Arlington after spending the previous night in the Medicine Bow National Forest. The Wyoming Highway Patrol received 252 accident reports since 0800 MST on the 24th, several times the normal figure. March 1998 $65,000 A winter storm affected parts of southeast Wyoming, with a total of 11 inches of snowfall reported in Rawlins, 10 inches at Lusk and Hanna, and 8 inches of snowfall was reported across Platte County. The Wyoming Highway Patrol received 19 reports of automobile accidents involving injuries due to snow packed roads, and another 90 accidents without injuries between midnight and 1917 MST. October 1998 Converse and Niobrara $225,000 Eight to 12 inches of heavy, wet snow fell across eastern Converse County and Niobrara County. The heavy snow downed trees and power lines. The build-up of ice up to 6 inches around the power lines along with 40 mph winds, caused 200 power poles to snap; 4000 people were without power for up to five days in the Lusk, Manville, Van Tassel, and Lance Creek areas. I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie was closed due to near zero visibility. February 2000 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Niobrara, and Platte $100,000 Heavy snow fell over parts of south-central and eastern Wyoming, resulting in icy roads and numerous accidents. I- 80 was closed for a while between Laramie and Rawlins. Around 8 inches of snow accumulated in Rawlins, with 6 inches reported in Douglas, Wheatland, and Lusk. Twelve injuries. February 2000 Converse and Niobrara $100,000 Heavy snow combined with gusty winds over east-central Wyoming to produce blizzard-like conditions with near zero visibilities in some areas. Many roads were closed with numerous accidents, stranding some travelers. Snowfall of 3 to 5 inches was common. 15 injuries. February 2000 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Laramie, and Platte $100,000 Heavy snow fell over south central and southeast Wyoming over a two-day period, with 5 to 9 inches common. Elk Mountain, reported 12 to 14 inches of snow while Cheyenne, recorded a record 10.5 inches. I-80 between Laramie and Rock Springs, as closed during much of the storm, stranding up to 1200 travelers, mostly in Rawlins. February 2001 Carbon, Converse, Sweetwater Heavy snow fell in a swath from south central into east central Wyoming, with as much as 11 to 13 inches of snow reported in Rawlins and 6 to 7 inches in Douglas. A 250-mile stretch of I-80 was closed for much of the day between Laramie and Rock Springs, with many secondary roads also closed. April 2001 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Laramie, and Platte $100,000 The second major winter storm in 10 days produced heavy snow over much of southeast Wyoming, with blizzard conditions in some spots. Twelve to 16 inches recorded in Wheatland and Cheyenne. All roads out of Cheyenne, were closed again, as was much of I-80. Power outages were also reported in parts of Laramie County as winds gusted to around 40 mph. March 2002 Converse, Carbon, Niobrara $10,000 Heavy snow fell across a swath of southeast Wyoming from near Rawlins to Lusk. Lusk was buried under 24 to 26 inches of snow, which caused a drive-in canopy to collapse. Douglas reported around 18 inches of snowfall while Rawlins and Shirley Basin recorded 12 to 15 inches. Many roads in the area were closed for more than 24 hours. March 2003 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, and Platte $100,000 A powerful winter storm produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions over much of southeastern Wyoming over a 2.5-day period, closing most roads and isolating many areas. Snowfall amounts of 2 to 3 feet were reported over the Laramie Mountains west of Cheyenne. Snowfall amounts from 12 to 20 inches were common over the adjacent plains from Douglas to Cheyenne, with Cheyenne recording just over 18 inches. In addition, gusty winds from 30 to 45 mph combined with the snow to produce drifts from 6 to 10 feet in some areas. March 2007 Albany, Carbon, Converse, Niobrara 4 to 8 inches of snow reported with unofficial amount near 12 inches. Visibilities occasionally less than 1/4 mile due to blowing snow with drifts in excess of 6 feet. December 2008 Converse Extreme cold and windchills. January 2009 Converse Blizzard April Converse Blizzard and winter storm 111 ---PAGE BREAK--- 112 2009 October 2009 Converse Heavy snow December 2009 Converse Winter Storm May 2010 Converse Heavy snow ---PAGE BREAK--- Impacts Winter storms usually cover a significant part of the State, and as such are difficult to describe regionally or on a county-specific level. The historic dollar impact of winter storms statewide is roughly $161 million. In 2010 dollars the statewide impact is nearly $463 million. The actual impacts are much greater because of the effects on transportation and because of loss of life and injuries. The impacts from loss of livestock can carry over for many years. Winter storms in Converse County could cause: • power and communications system outages, • closures of schools and businesses, • road closures, • temporary shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies, • stranded motorists, • traffic accidents, • temporary loss of emergency services, • hardships for people, livestock and wildlife, • property damage due to snowloads and frozen pipes, and • flooding due to rapid snowmelt. The history of winter storms in Converse County indicates that for a worst-case scenario the dollar impacts could be in excess of $20 million (2010 dollars.) This figure was arrived at by dividing the statewide figure of $463 million by the number of counties in the state (23.) Enough power lines could be toppled that emergency intervention could be required and significant property and stock/crop damage could occur. Life safety will continue to be a concern for motorists, hunters, or outdoor enthusiasts stranded by winter storms. Injuries and deaths will likely occur during storm related vehicle accidents. Converse County has a winter storm of significance about every two years. Summary PROPERTY AFFECTED: Medium POPULATION AFFECTED: Medium PROBABILITY: High JURISDICTION AFFECTED: County F113 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 13. MITIGATION GOALS AND PROJECTS How the Goals and Mitigation Actions Were Developed Previous work by the county had identified six draft goals. These goals were validated by the Local Emergency Planning Committee and a seventh goal was added after holding the public meetings. Objectives and mitigation projects were developed under each of the goals. Projects in this updated plan were identified from: • the history of hazards in the county, • the probability of future occurrences, • the vulnerability of key systems and facilities, • the review of other plans, • the citizen survey conducted for the project, • the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, • earlier drafts of the plan, • problem statements developed at public meetings in each of the incorporated communities (see Appendix A for problem statements), • input from the LEPC, and • input from elected officials. Hazards of Most Concern Participants were asked to validate the list of hazards at the initial LEPC meeting. Citizens were also asked in the sample survey which hazards they were most concerned about. The top hazard of concern in the citizen survey was hail (89% were either very or somewhat concerned), winter storms (87% were either very or somewhat concerned), windstorms (82% were either very or somewhat concerned), wildfire (80% were either very or somewhat concerned), and tornado (78% were either very or somewhat concerned.) In descending order of concern following these top five hazards were drought hazardous material spills and flood, landslide, dam failure, and land subsidence all with less than 50% of the respondents either very or somewhat concerned. Project Costs Costs were estimated to fall within three ranges low, medium, or high. Low Cost Projects: from $0 to $5000 Medium Cost Projects: from $5001 to $50,000 High Cost Projects: Over $50,000 114 ---PAGE BREAK--- 115 Project Priorities Priority rankings of High, Medium, or Low were also assigned. The projects were ranked initially by the contractor based on the following criteria. The LEPC validated the rankings. • perceived cost effectiveness and feasibility of obtaining funding, • level of risk to life and property posed by hazard which project addresses, • reasonableness of project and extent to which it provides a long-term solution • potential consequences of not implementing • support from the public and elected officials • compatibility with other plans and policies Project Types The citizen survey indicated a strong preference for emergency response and education and awareness types of projects. However, a range of types of mitigation actions or projects were identified by the participants in the planning process. A range of project types have been included in the mitigation actions including Coordination, Education and Awareness, Prevention, Preparation, Property Protection, Structural, and Natural Resource Protection. Table 13.1 Project Types Goal Project Types 1. Coordination, Education and Awareness, Prevention, Preparation 2. Education and Awareness, Prevention, Property Protection 3. Education, Natural Resource Protection, Prevention, Preparation, Property Protection, Structural 4. Coordination, Education, Natural Resource Protection, Prevention, Preparation, Property Protection, Structural 5. Coordination, Education, Natural Resource Protection, Prevention 6. Education, Prevention, Preparation, Property Protection 7. Coordination, Education, Preparation Reducing Effects of Hazards on Existing Buildings and Infrastructure This MHMP update contains a range of types of projects, including some projects that will reduce the effects of natural hazards on existing buildings and infrastructure. Projects under Goals 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 contain projects that will reduce potential effects of natural hazards on existing buildings and infrastructure. ---PAGE BREAK--- See projects numbered 2.1.2, 3.1.1, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.3, 3.4.5, 3.4.6, 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 6.1.3, and 7.3.1. Reducing Effects of Hazards on New Buildings and Infrastructure This MHMP update contains a range of types of projects, including some projects that will reduce the effects of natural hazards on new buildings and infrastructure. Projects under Goals 2, 3, 4, and 7 contain projects that will reduce potential effects of natural hazards on new buildings and infrastructure. See projects numbered 2.2.1, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.4.3, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.3.2, 6.1.3, and 7.3.1. Project Selection and Implementation The jurisdictions will need to revisit and determine the priority of the identified mitigation actions for their jurisdictions on an annual basis in light of the available resources. Each spring prior to the annual budget setting, the County Emergency Management Coordinator will contact the mayors of Douglas, Glenrock, Lost Springs, and Rolling Hills, and the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners by letter or appearance at a regularly-scheduled meeting. The purpose of the contact will be to update the elected officials on projects in the plan, request the local jurisdiction’s project priorities for the coming year, and determine any support needed from County Emergency Management. The county can assist in applying for grant funds, and obtaining information, training, and technical expertise. Projects will be undertaken only as resources—including funding, staff time, and technical expertise--are available. Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis The county can also make available information regarding the STAPLEE method for evaluating and prioritizing mitigation actions. The STAPLEE method looks at Social, Technical, Administrative, Political, Legal, Economic, and Environmental aspects of projects to weigh pros and cons of implementing specific projects. Information on this analysis method can be found in FEMA’s Developing the Mitigation Plan (FEMA 386-3). The jurisdictions will need to consider compatibility with goals and objectives in the state’s plan, compatibility with goals in this plan, impacts of the project on other jurisdictions, costs and benefits, funding priorities, and compatibility with other plans and programs when selecting projects to implement. Each goal statement below is followed by a table giving information about the specific mitigation actions or projects. The project tables identify parties responsible for implementation, project priority, cost range, and the status of the projects. 116 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 13.2 Goal One: Reduce the threat of contamination from Hazardous Materials incidents. Action Jurisdiction Cost/Funding Lead agencies Priority/Time Objective 1.1 Protect residents of Converse County from hazardous material spills through education. Action 1.1.1. Raise awareness and educate the public on sheltering in place, disaster/emergency supplies and plans, and evacuation. County (Low cost) State Mitigation Fund Converse County Emergency Management (CCEMA), Red Cross, Homeland Security Medium On-going 1.1.2. Train and equip local emergency responders to enhance their ability to respond to HazMat incidents. County (Medium cost) Homeland Security grants, Hazard Mitigation Program Grant (HMPG), HazMat State Program Support, State Disaster Preparedness Grants Dept of Justice, Dept. of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS) High On-going Objective 1.2 Protect residents of Converse County from hazardous material spills through enforcement. Action 1.2.1. Implement and enforce city ordinances to restrict where trucks are hauling. Douglas Local resources Elected officials , Law enforcement Medium One year Objective 1.3 Be prepared for hazmat incident in Douglas or Glenrock. 1.3.1. Review and exercise Douglas evacuation plan. Douglas Local resources CCEMA, Douglas Medium Three Years 1.3.2. Conduct hazmat tabletop exercise in Glenrock for a yellow cake spill at junction of Hwys 26 and 95 Glenrock Local resources CCEMA, Douglas Medium Three Years 117 ---PAGE BREAK--- Tanker rollover, 55 Ranch Road, February 2009 Funnel west of Glenrock, June 2009 Table 13.3 Goal Two: Reduce tornado damage in the county Action Jurisdiction Cost/Funding Lead agencies Priority/Time Objective 2.1. Minimize injuries, casualties, and property damage due to tornadoes through education. 2.1.1 Put on severe weather spotter training for the public County (Low cost) National Weather Service CCEMA, National Weather Service (NWS) High On-going 2.1.2 Educate the public on tornado awareness and what to do in case of a tornado County Low cost) Local resources CCEMA, Red Cross, NWS Medium On-going Objective 2.2 Minimize injuries, casualties, and property damage due to tornadoes through code enforcement. 2.2.1. Enforce building codes (to include use of hurricane clips) Douglas Glenrock (Low cost) Local resources Code enforcement officers Douglas, Glenrock Medium On-going 118 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 13.4 Goal Three: Reduce flood damage in the county Action Jurisdiction Cost/Funding Lead agencies Priority/Time Objective 3.1 Reduce potential for flood damage through education. 3.1.1 Work with existing floodplain residents to elevate or flood proof their structures. Obtain funding assistance and technical guidance. County Douglas (High cost) HMGP, FEMA funds County Planning Dept Town and city planning Depts, CCEMA Medium Five Years Objective 3.2. Minimize potential for loss of life and property damage from dam breach or failure. Action Time Frame Funding Staffing Priority 3.2.1 Participate in annual tour of LaPrele Dam. Jointly review Emergency Action Plan. County (Low cost) Local resources CCEMA, La Prele Irrigation District High One Year Objective 3.3 Reduce flood damage through programs and policies. 3.3.1 Continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. County, Douglas, Glenrock (Low cost) Local resources CCEMA, Douglas, Glenrock, Converse County High On-going 3.3.2 Implement direction in to steer development away from floodplains in Douglas and Glenrock or require mitigation. Douglas, Glenrock (Low cost) Local resources Town and City Planning Departments High On-going 3.3.3 Acquire property in the floodplain and transition those areas into green spaces. Douglas (High cost) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, HMGP, State Disaster Preparedness Grants Planning Departments, Elected officials Low Five yeras Objective 3.4 Reduce potential for flood damage to property. Action Jurisdiction Funding Lead agencies Priority/Time 3.4.1 Obtain funding to implement engineers’ recommendation for drainage plans in West Plains Subdivision County, Douglas (High cost) HMGP, FEMA CCEMA, Douglas, Converse County High Three Years 3.4.2 Engineer and reconstruct berm to protect the Deer Creek RV Park. County (Medium cost) HMGP CCEMA, Glenrock Medium Five Years 3.4.3 Make stormwater system improvements identified in Glenrock. Glenrock (High cost) Glenrock, HMGP Glenrock, FEMA Medium Five Years 119 ---PAGE BREAK--- Action Jurisdiction Cost/Funding Lead agencies Priority/Time 3.4.4 Monitor snowpack in Deer Creek and devise method to warn RV Park operator of floods. County (Low cost) County, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) CCEMA, NRCS Medium On-going 3.4.5 Address debris collection on Coal Shadow Rd and Hwy 20/26 Deer Creek bridges County (Medium cost) County CCEMA, County Road and Bridge Low Five Years 3.4.6 Evaluate ice jam flooding potential from the North Platte at Glenrock. Devise and implement mitigation actions. County Glenrock (High cost) WOHS, FEMA CCEMA, WOHS, FEMA Medium Three Years North Platte at Douglas 120 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 13.5 Goal Four: Reduce damage and potential loss of life from wildland fire in the county (Note: CCEMA is not the lead agency for this goal. Projects have been taken from the CWPP.) Action Jurisdiction Cost/Funding Lead Agencies Priority/Time Objective 4.1. Minimize future damages through education. 4.1.1. Expand defensible space program begun by State Forestry Division to include more areas of the forested southern part of the County. County (High Cost) State Disaster Preparedness grant, EMPA Grant, DRI, NWS, E911 funds WY Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Forest Service 9FS), Rural Fire Districts High Five Years 4.1.2. Educate rural residents about the use of defensible space to protect property from wildland fire. Educate public on fire resistant construction materials. County (Medium cost) State Mitigation Fund, BLM, County Extension Office CCEMA, County Extension, BLM Medium On-going 4.1.3 Actively enforce burning ordinance. Place reminder message on water bill annually. Rolling Hills Low Cost Rolling Hills High On-going Objective 4.2 Improve wildland fire response capability. 4.2.1 Improve access to rural water sources for fire trucks. Fit stock ponds, rural water tanks, etc. with valves compatible to fire apparatus. County Unknown Private land owners Medium On-going 4.2.2 Implement communications interoperability for emergency responders via the use of cooperative infrastructure to meet all agencies’ wireless communications needs. County, Douglas, Glenrock, Rolling Hills Unknown PSMC Steering Committee High Five Years 4.2.3 Drill strategically-placed deep source water wells around rural areas for firefighting. County (High cost) State of Wyoming Private land owners, Converse Co Rural Fire Department Low Five years Objective 4.3 Ensure adequate access for suppression and evacuation. 4.3.1 Sign county bridges with GVW limits County (Medium cost) County Road and Bridge County Road and Bridge Medium Five Years 4.3.2 Identify water sources for all subdivisions located in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI.) County (Low cost) County, Subdivisions Wyoming Division of Forestry (WDF) High Three Years 4.3.3 Develop a map of all water sources. Provide to appropriate fire departments. County (Medium cost) Local resources WDF, CCEMA Medium Three Years 4.3.4 Incorporate Firewise access requirements into county subdivision review for WUI areas. County (Low cost) Local resources County Planning, CCEMA Medium Three Years 4.3.5 Assist in addressing access issues in Downey Park, Little Medicine, Boxelder Roads, driveways. County (Low cost) County, Subdivisions, FS WDF, BLM, FS, Co Road and Bridge, Subdivisions High On-going Objective 4.4 Reduce hazard fuels. 4.4.1 Support hazard fuel reduction projects on all ownerships. County (Low cost) BLM, Forest Service, WDF CCEMA High On-going 121 ---PAGE BREAK--- Grass fire northwest of Douglas, October 2010 Table 13.6: Goal Five: Reduce economic impacts of droughts Action Jurisdiction Cost/Funding Lead Agencies Priority/Time Objective 5.1. Minimize damages due to drought. 5.1.1. Continue to implement water rationing measures in Douglas (regulatory) and Glenrock (voluntary) as necessary during drought situations. Douglas, Glenrock (Low cost) Local resources Elected officials High One Year 5.1.2. Educate residents on benefits of conserving water not just during drought. Include education on drought-tolerant plantings (crops & residential.) County (Low cost) County, Water Utilities CCEMA, University of WY, County Extension Office, Converse Conservation District (CCD) Medium On-going 5.1.3 Develop or increase water storage capabilities for livestock industry. County (Medium cost) Private, NRCS Private land owners, CCD, Ag. Organizations Medium On-going 122 ---PAGE BREAK--- Table 13.7 Goal Six: Reduce the threat to safety of citizens imposed by winter storms Action Jurisdiction Cost/Funding Lead Agencies Priority/Time Objective 6.1. Minimize injuries, casualties, and property damage through education and coordination. 6.1.1. Educate the public on winter storm preparedness including emergency supplies. County (Low cost) Local resources CC EMA, Red Cross, National Weather Service High On-going 6.1.2 Publish snow plowing priorities for county roads. County (Low cost) Local resources County Road and Bridge, CCEMA Medium On-going 6.1.3 Enhance tree trimming program near utility lines and other vulnerable areas. County Douglas, Glenrock (Medium cost) County and municipalities Town/city maintenance, County Road and Bridge Medium On-going 6.1.4 Continue to work with WYDOT on location and timing of Interstate closures County (Low cost) Local resources CCEMA, Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) High On-going Objective 6.2 Improve capability to shelter and rescue people. 6.2.1 Outfit Lost Spring community building with shelter supplies for 15 people. Lost Springs (Low cost) Red Cross, CCEMA, Lost Springs Lost Springs, Red Cross, CCEMA High Two Years 6.2.2 Obtain 2 snowmobiles for Search and Rescue. County (Medium cost) County County Sheriff, CCEMA Medium Five years 6.2.3 Acquire a back-up generator for the Glenrock Recreation Center—one of the designated shelters. Glenrock (Medium cost) CDBG, EMPA Grant, DRI, HMGP, Public Assistance Senior Center Staff, Glenrock, CCEMA Medium One Year 123 ---PAGE BREAK--- 124 Table 13.8 Goal Seven: Enhance overall preparedness for natural hazard incidents. Objective 7.1 Improve communications capability. Action Jurisdiction Cost/Funding Lead Agencies Priority/Time 7.1.1 Set up mobile command center as a dual console dispatch. County (Medium cost) CCEMA,FEMA CCEMA Medium Three Years 7.1.2 Identify two additional areas outside the downtown core of Douglas to access into 911 if needed. Hardwire these locations ahead of time. County (Medium cost) CCEMA,FEMA CCEMA and LEPC High Two Years 7.1.3 Install 911 trunk in Rolling Hills Fire Station. Rolling Hills (Medium cost) CCEMA,FEMA CCEMA High Two Years 7.1.4 Develop and run a PSA educating people to listen to their car radios during a loss of power. County (Low cost) Local resources CCEMA, Radio station Low Three Years 7.1.5 Evaluate communications means for Lost Spring during a disaster. Lost Springs (Low cost) CCEMA CCEMA, Lost Springs High Two Years Objective 7.2 Strengthen power back-up for emergencies. 7.2.1 Obtain back-up power for the radio station in Douglas. County (Medium cost) CCEMA, Radio CCEMA High Two Years 7.2.2 Obtain means of back-up power for Rolling Hills town hall. Rolling Hills (Medium cost) Rolling Hills, CCEMA Rolling Hills, CCEMA Medium Three Years Objective 7.3 Ensure adequate access and services during emergencies 7.3.1 Obtain emergency access easements to Dunham Road and S. Coyote in Rolling Hills Rolling Hills (Medium cost) Rolling Hills, FEMA Rolling Hills, CCEMA Medium Five Years 7.3.2 Develop plan to deliver potable water to Glenrock if water pipelines are compromised. Glenrock (Low cost) Glenrock Glenrock Public Works, CCEMA Medium Three Years 7.3.3 Develop contingency plan for compromise of Hwy 95 bridges over the North Platte to Rolling Hills. Rolling Hills (Low cost) Local resources Rolling Hills, CCEMA, WYDOT High Two Years Objective 7.4 Improve overall effectiveness of response capability. 7.4.1 Increase level of NIMS compliance in county. County (Low cost) FEMA CCEMA ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 14. PLAN MONITORING, MAINTENANCE, REVISION, AND COORDINATION Responsible Parties The Converse County Commissioners in cooperation with the Mayors of Douglas, Glenrock, Lost Springs, and Rolling Hills are responsible for ensuring that the MHMP is kept current. With adoption of the plan, the Commissioners designate the Converse County Emergency Management Coordinator—with the assistance of the Local Emergency Planning Committee—as the lead in accomplishing the on-going responsibility. Plan Monitoring and Evaluation There are two types of plan monitoring and evaluation; effectiveness and implementation. Effectiveness monitoring looks at whether the plan has addressed needed items. Implementation monitoring looks at whether projects in the plan are being undertaken and completed. The County Emergency Management Coordinator with the help of the LEPC will ask the following questions to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the plan. • Have any potential hazards developed that were not addressed in the plan? • Have any natural disasters occurred that were not addressed in the plan? • Has any unanticipated development occurred that is vulnerable to hazards? • Are there any additional mitigation ideas that need to be incorporated? • Have projects been initiated and/or completed? • What are the barriers to completing projects identified in the plan? Each May or June the LEPC will meet to ask and answer the questions listed above. The discussion will be documented so that when the plan is revised, the findings of the monitoring can be incorporated into the revision. The County Emergency Management Coordinator will convene the LEPC for this purpose. Plan Update Review Triggers Any of the following three situations could trigger a review and update of the plan. • Occurrence of a major natural disaster in or near the county • Passage of five years • Change in state or federal regulations which must be complied with. 124 ---PAGE BREAK--- Revision Procedures Should a major natural disaster occur in Converse County, the LEPC shall meet following the disaster to determine whether a review of the MHMP is warranted. In the absence of a major natural disaster, the five-year review will take place during the nine- month period preceding the FEMA approval anniversary date. The Converse County Emergency Management Coordinator will publish a legal ad in the local newspapers of record notifying the public that an update is being initiated and providing information on how and where to get information on the project and how to provide input. The coordinator will then convene the LEPC and with their assistance and/or the assistance of the WOHS or a contractor as determined necessary, carry out the following tasks; 1. Review the Hazard Mitigation Plan Review Crosswalk form completed by WOHS and FEMA during their most recent review of the plan. 2. Examine and revise the risk assessment and development trends data as needed to ensure it is current. 3. Update the mitigation strategies to incorporate completion of actions and add any needed strategies or projects. 4. Identify problems that may be hindering or affecting implementation of the plan, and recommend actions for resolving those problems. 5. Recommend any necessary revisions to the MHMP. 6. Comply with all applicable regulations and statutes. Forty-five days prior to the five-year anniversary date, a final draft of the revised plan will be submitted to the WOHS. An annual review will be conducted by the County Emergency Management Coordinator for the purpose of summarizing the status and effectiveness of the plan mitigation goals or strategies. Incorporation into Other Plans If and when Converse County, the municipalities of Douglas, Glenrock, Lost Springs or Rolling Hills develop and/or update their comprehensive land use plans, the goals and projects in this MHMP will be considered and incorporated by reference or as appropriate. This plan information is provided to the state so that when the statewide hazard mitigation plan is updated, this information can be included. No other planning efforts are anticipated or underway. 125 ---PAGE BREAK--- 126 Opportunity for Continued Public Involvement To ensure the public will have the opportunity to remain involved in the implementation and annual updates of the plan, the following will take place. The County Emergency Management Coordinator will provide an annual summary presentation/report to the five governing bodies on what has been accomplished during the previous year and to receive guidance from the elected officials for the coming year. Each year following the May or June LEPC meeting called for the purpose of reviewing the status of the plan, the county will provide information to the newspapers of record to notify the public of the accomplishments of the previous year and allow comment for any revisions. ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX A: PLANNING PROCESS DOCUMENTATION A1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse County Local Emergency Planning Committee 107 N 5th St. Suite B‐8 Douglas, Wyoming 82633 Agenda, LEPC Meeting Date: 10-27-10 Location: Glenrock Town Hall Those not on the agenda will be given 5 minutes after Presentation. 1. Call to Order: 1:35 P.M. Chair Russ Dalgarn, 2nd Chair Scott Howe, Secretary- Treasurer Diena Bulman, Donnie Stewart-Glenrock Rec Center, Major Brown-CC Commissioner Elect, Leda Price-Lost Springs Mayor, Don Schoenleber-CCSO Undersheriff, Kirk Hughes-CC School District April Ramos-WY Nat’l Guard, Tom Sweet-Chief Glenrock Police Dept, Ron Casalenda-Douglas Police Dept, James Goodrich-WY State Fair, Dennis Switzer-KKTY Radio, Nena Grilley-Glenrock Resident, Lt. Col. Paul Phillips-CST, 1st Sgt John Dowdy-CST, Barb Beck-Beck Consulting. 2. Chair, Russ Dalgarn moved # 11-Presentations to # 2 slot 11. Lieutenant Colonel Paul Phillips along with 1st Sergeant John Dowdy of The Wyoming 84th Civil Support Team (CST), Cheyenne, WY gave out a handout and a presentation on the Support Team and what it could do for us:: They are a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) unit designed to support civil authorities at a domestic Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive (CBRNE) incident by identifying agents/substances, assessing current and projected consequences, advising the Incident Commander (IC) regarding response measures, and assisting with the appropriate requests for additional state support. They do not take over the scene but are there to assist us. They are a federally-funded (NO COST to us) full time WY National Guard unit comprised of 22 highly trained members stationed in Cheyenne, WY. The CST can assist in any and all hazardous events by providing rapid analysis of chemical or radiological hazards and presumptive identification of biological agents at a WMD incident of national significance, including acts of Mother Nature. They use special military and commercial detection and communications equipment and are specifically trained in WMD response. They can advise on event mitigation, medical treatment, resources, and other response concerns. This unit has as assets: reconnaissance, detection, and sampling gear, a mobile lab for analysis of unknown chem/bio samples, a lot of communications equipment such as field internet/fax/phone capability, many types of radios (to many to list here), teleconference systems, computer based tools used to assist responders in dealing with hazardous agent releases, and numerous pieces of personal protective equipment along with several types of specialized vehicles A2 ---PAGE BREAK--- and more. All of this can be used to assist us not only in the real live event, but in contingency and exercise planning. Assistance in emergency events may be requested by us through notification to the WY Office of Homeland Security and validated by the Adjutant General’s office. They are on 24 hours a day 7 days a week and can be on the way within 90 minutes of notification. This was an excellent presentation. 3. Minutes of Last Meeting: Accepted 4. Treasurers Report: We have not gotten the paperwork on the Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning (HMEP) Grant as of yet but understand it is coming and will be in the area of $2,600.00. 5. Correspondence: None 6. Unfinished Business: MOU (memorandum of understanding) with State Fairgrounds-per James Goodrich it is still in progress. It will be put it on the next meeting unfinished business. Red Cross (RC)-Heidi Wilikinson quit and was replaced by Traci Aguilar who was scheduled to be at this meeting but had other obligations. Also the Cheyenne RC Rep, Spencer Pollock was on our schedule but it looks like he did not make it either. Donnie Stewart – where does RC keep their Glenrock supplies? We believe at the Glenrock Rec Center. To date no inventory has been done that we are aware of. Chair Russ Dalgarn & Donnie Stewart Glenrock Schools will get together early November and see what can be found and an inventory done. Possibly get Traci to also be there. MOU between RC and Glenrock Rec Center will be put in on the next meeting unfinished business also. Douglas side Heidi did inventory what they have and what was needed and we (EMA) purchased what was needed for Douglas and it should all be kept there at the Douglas Rec Center and I (Russ) will check into that 7. Sub-Committee Reports: Public Awareness Committee (PAC) – Ron Casalenda and Dennis Switzer have again met and discussed where Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) this is at. There is still a long way and a lot to do before this will be where we can really use it to our benefit. We will continue to keep up on it and have meetings to stay up on it. At this time we are still at, call the radio guy who knows. Also the WY Weather Service is still available to us. We are still also keeping discussions going on the Code Web Red project. Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) Russ Dalgarn, all I know is we were to have a booth at the State Fair but did not, and I am not sure what happened. no one from this committee is here today. A3 ---PAGE BREAK--- Unable To Self Evacuate (UTSE) Scott Howe: couple things, lot of concerns not yet addressed, and need to be by decision makers at the top. We need to get with Law Enforcement to see if there are any laws to do an evacuation for one thing and could cause a problem. With UTSE, one of the problems we have always faced is who will need it, mother with kids at home with a broke down car to a school full of kids, to someone with a major medical problem. How do we find these people, there is no list of who they all are and no one person or place that can keep a list of them. One thing we have proposed in our committee is using the Faith Base’s and schools. Possibly a big share of information could go out through the Faith Base. Scott passed out a hand out (see below page) that could be given out. These could be given to anyone that would need our assistance and left at Faith Base’s, Schools, Law Enforcement etc yet to be determined. If you are a person that is unable to self evacuate part of the responsibility is yours. You should have a plan and a responsibility as well to have something and somebody in place, buddy system or whatever, to help you get out or shelter in place. There is no way we can get everybody on any kind of a list. Our next big problem is any time you have an evacuation or major emergency the 911 system is just going to be swamped. Trying to figure out away, and here maybe the Faith Base and through education, can assist as well to divert as much of the telephone calls to others rather than the 911 system. Say if a lot of people need assistance they could call one designated person who could then call 911 for them instead of all them calling into the 911 system. A lot of educational and planning is needed. Russ Dalgarn –Donnie Stewart, how many special needs students in Glenrock side? Possibly 80ish, but severe cases, probably 4-5. Scott- this is as far as we have gotten at this time. UTSE? What does it mean, why should I care, what can I do? What it stands for is people “Unable To Self Evacuate”, in other words, folks that for any reason are unable to get out of harm’s way by themselves. Why should we care? 1. It might very well be one of our own loved ones, elderly or injured, etc. 2. It could be a school full of children, daycare or Boys and Girls Club, etc. 3. Neighbors and friends that might spend time in a cast or wheelchair, etc. 4. Anyone with no means of transport fits this description YOU have been identified as someone that would be a valuable resource to the Converse County “UTSE” Committee that is being formed to address some gaps that our most vulnerable might slip through in an emergency. Ways to find these folks is our first priority, and how best to assist them to safety our next. A4 ---PAGE BREAK--- With many scenarios tying up most of our 1st responders, it will be up to good people like yourself to take the time to get educated, organized and prepared to act in an emergency. Please contact Scott Howe RN, PHRC (Public Health Response Coordinator), for more information and ways that you could help. Converse County Public Health: 358‐2536 Cell: 351‐3682 8. Announcements: None 9. New Business: None 10. Member Reports: None 11. Chair Russ Dalgarn:: Does anyone have anything else before we get to our last presentation??? Nothing 12. Presentation: Barb Beck out of MT with Beck Consulting, She is kind of a plans writing type of person that our office (Emergency Management - EMA) has contracted with to update and rewrite our Hazard Mitigation Plan and summit it to and get approved by Homeland Security and FEMA Regional 8 out of Denver. This needs to be done if we want any federal reimbursement on purchases, or emergencies such as a tornado or a hail storm etc. where we invite Homeland Security or other Federal agencies in to assist us. Our plan at this time has stuff there but is in need of updating to bring it up to where we can submit it. It is the plans I (Russ) took over when I started at EMA from Diena who took them over from Dennis, who got them from Chris, etc. We have not been able to get them approved by FEMA Regional 8. Diena and I have both pulled our hair over it as we work on it, make changes, turn it in and they tell us we are using the incorrect formats so we start over with the same results etc. The County Commissioners have agreed to allow us to hire Barb to get our Mitigation Plan approved by FEMA within a time frame. Barb is here to tell us what she has planned for us. A5 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan LEPC Meeting Summary Glenrock, October 27, 2010 Contractor, Barb Beck briefly introduced herself and gave an overview of the meeting agenda. She handed out a briefing paper. Participants signed in on the LEPC attendance list. MHM Planning The contractor explained that revising the MHMP is a process that the county is now going through to look at hazards and what can be done to prevent loss or damage of life and property. This process will build on the work done by the county previously, but never finalized. The plan is being prepared by the county to increase disaster resistance, to make the county and its local jurisdictions eligible for project funds, and for post-disaster assistance. Each local jurisdiction that wants to adopt the plan must have one or more projects in the plan. Adoption is not required, but jurisdictions that do not adopt the plan will not be eligible for project funds and may not be eligible for post- disaster assistance. Each of the following has a role in preparing this plan: • Contractor: research, prepare the hazard profiles, review other plans, compile information, refine the goals and projects lists, write up the plan, hold public meetings, provide plan to county that meets requirements for state and federal approval, • Emergency Management Coordinator: serve as liaison with County Commissioners, provide copies of existing plans, review drafts, post information on the county’s website, submit the plan to Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS) and FEMA, • The public: identify project ideas, review the draft and give input on plan • Town, City and County governments: validate the goals, provide project ideas, provide information on critical infrastructure, adopt the plan--at their discretion, and implement projects in the plan, • WOHS and FEMA: provide funding to prepare the plan, review and approve plan, provide opportunity to compete for project funds, provide post-disaster assistance as requested. Barb explained that FEMA does not dictate the contents of the plan, but reviews primarily to ensure a good process that allowed for public input was followed. Several previous county coordinators have worked on the plan, but there was not much opportunity for the public to comment or be involved. And, the plan was never completed or adopted. This effort will produce a final plan that will be good for county residents and meet the requirements of the state and FEMA. The general schedule for completion of the plan is: A6 ---PAGE BREAK--- • October: Meet with LEPC to validate goals and do a preliminary review of the project list. • November-December: Review other plans, prepare the hazard profiles, work on refining the goals, write the introduction and describe development trends. • January: Meet again with the LEPC to prioritize the project list. Hold public meetings in Glenrock and Douglas to get input on projects. Put draft plan together. • Feb-March: Public review period, incorporate comments from public. • April: Provide plan to WYOS for review. WYOS forwards plan to FEMA. • May-June: FEMA review and approval of plan. Once FEMA approval is obtained, the plan can be adopted by the four communities and the county. Natural Hazards in Converse County The contractor provided a three-page handout that listed the hazards identified in earlier planning efforts. Each hazard was given a numerical rating for frequency, magnitude, warning time, and severity. The prioritization list was based on interviews and information obtained at public meetings and surveys. These meetings and interviews were not documented. The LEPC looked at the rating generated in the past and adjusted them as follows: Hazard Risk Priority Wildfire High Winter Storms High Flood High Hail High Windstorm High Hazmat spill High Drought Moderate Tornado Moderate Earthquake Low Dam Failure Low Landslide Low Subsidence Low Draft Goals and Projects The contractor provided a handout with the previously-drafted goals and projects. There are six goal statements with projects under each. The group first discussed the goal statements and determined that for now, all of the highest priority hazards were addressed in one or more of the goals. Several projects were deleted from the table because they were already accomplished or no longer appropriate. For example, the county has already implemented Reverse 911, so this was deleted from the draft project list. The resulting draft goal and project list is attached as a separate document. The contractor will follow-up on several suggestions and also be meeting with municipal and county planners and public works’ employees to gather additional ideas for projects. A7 ---PAGE BREAK--- Wrap-up A revised project list will be presented to the LEPC at their next meeting in January. Project information will be posted on the county website (www.conversecounty.com.) Douglas and Glenrock representatives indicated they would also like to post information on their sites. Contractor Beck will provide the briefing paper and other documents as they are generated for posting. 13. Next Meeting: Wednesday January 26th, 2011 at 12:30 P.M. in the Douglas Community Room 107 N 5th St, basement. As it is a working lunch meeting lunch will be provided. 14. Adjourned: 3:38 A8 ---PAGE BREAK--- January 24, 2011 The Regular Council meeting of the Douglas City Council was held on January 24, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 101 N. 4th Street, Douglas, Wyoming. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL Mayor Jones called the meeting to order and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Upon roll call the following were present: Mayor: Bruce Jones Council Members: Dave Angiolillo Marilyn Werner Tony Reynolds Leroy Kingery Others Present: Administrator Steve Henning Deputy City Administrator Forrest Neuerburg City Clerk/Administrative Services/Finance Director Kori Pray Public Works Director Les Newton Police Chief Ryan Evans IT Gary Schwarz Streets and Alleys Super. Jim Sullivan PROCLAMATIONS Public Works Department Annual Holiday Luncheon: Mayor Jones presented the City of Douglas Public Works Department with a Proclamation of Appreciation for hosting their annual holiday luncheon. PRESENTATIONS FOR COUNCIL • Solid Waste Planning and Development Presentation-Cindi Langston, Casper Landfill Manager • Lined and Unlined Cell Presentation-Steve Moldt, Ingberg Miller • Multi-Hazardous Mitigation Plan-Barb Beck A9 ---PAGE BREAK--- PUBLIC COMMENTS Olive Baum and her neighbors appealed to council and mayor with Code Violation Concerns, and landlords that do not regulate and care-take their renters/rentals on North 2nd , North 3rd and South 3rd. ADOPT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES Councilman Werner moved to adopt the January 7, 2011 minutes, motion seconded by Councilperson Reynolds and upon a voice vote, all in favor. Councilman Kingery moved to adopt the January 10, 2011 minutes, seconded by Councilman Angiolillo. Upon a voice vote, all in favor. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Darlene Hageman-Housing Authority Board: Councilman Werner moved to accept Mayor Jones’ appointment of Darlene Hageman to the Housing Authority Board, seconded by Councilman Reynolds. All in favor. COUNCIL ITEMS • Boards and Commissions: Councilmember Werner moved to appoint Councilman Angiolillo to the CANDO Board, seconded by Councilman Kingery. Upon a voice vote, all in favor. Councilman Kingery moved with second by Councilman Reynolds to appoint Councilmember Werner and Councilman Angiolillo to the Joint Powers Board, with Mayor Jones and Councilman Reynolds as alternates. Upon a voice vote, all in favor. Wyoming Community Gas delegate appointee tabled until more information can be acquired. • Snow and Ice Policy: Councilman Reynolds requested the city host a study session on the Snow and Ice Policy for review of requested amendments and to have questions answered. Councilmember Werner seconded, and upon a voice vote, all in favor. • A Solid Waste Study Session was scheduled for Feb 18, 3:00pm • A City/County Joint Meeting was scheduled for Feb 2, 7:00am, at the Hospital, motion Councilmember Werner, second by Councilman Kingery. Upon a voice vote, all in favor. • National League of Cities Membership: Councilmember Werner moved to join the National League of Cities, 2nd by Councilman Reynolds; upon a voice vote, all in favor to join the National League of Cities. • S. Peasley Attorney Contract: Councilman Reynolds moved to accept the Scott Peasley attorney contract with the city, Councilman Angiolillo seconded. Upon a voice vote, all in favor. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS • A Solid Waste Information Book was provided to the council and mayor– the council would need to vote on the landfill/Solid Waste issues at the March 14 Council meeting. • Proposed Budget Amendments would be reviewed for approval at the February 14 Council meeting. A10 ---PAGE BREAK--- • Extended Sunday Hours Permit request Rex’s Waterhole: Councilman Reynolds moved to approve the permit, seconded by Councilman Angiolillo. Upon a voice vote, all in favor. • The Spice Ordinance will be coming before Council after a legislative review on the Spice issue. • A Planning employee was seeking Grant Writing training. COUNCIL INFORMATION • Planning Commission Minutes: the Planning Commission minutes were provided to council for review. • WAM Winter Workshop report – Mayor Jones, Councilman Reynolds, Councilmember Werner, Councilman Angiolillo and Councilman Kingery all reported on their attendance to the WAM Winter Workshop in Cheyenne. • The Senior Citizens had sent a thank you letter to the city for their continued support. RECESS/ADJOURNMENT Councilman Reynolds moved to adjourn at 9:05p.m., seconded by Councilperson Werner and the motion unanimously carried 3 in favor, Councilman Angiolillo opposed. The next regular scheduled meeting of the Douglas City Council will be held February 14, 2011 at 7:00pm. Mayor Bruce Jones ATTEST: City Clerk Kori L. Pray, CMC Published: January 24, 2011 A11 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Douglas City Council Briefing January 24, 2011 Contractor, Barb Beck, attended a regularly-scheduled meeting of the Douglas city council to provide a briefing on the Multi-Hazard Mitigation plan . Mayor Bruce Jones and aldermen, Marilyn Werner, Dave Angiolillo, Tony Reynolds, and Leroy Kingery were present. City Administrator, Steve Henning, Deputy City Administrator, Forrest Neuerberg, Public Works Director, Les Newton, the Police Chief and City Clerk were present in addition to Diena Bulman, Converse County Emergency Management, and several citizens. Beck thanked the Mayor for this opportunity to speak to the council and introduced herself. She provided a one-page briefing paper to the council, staff, and citizens. What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan? The hazard mitigation plan will cover the county and the four incorporated municipalities. The plan is being paid for by a grant from FEMA, so there is no cost to the City of Douglas. The plan will contain background information about the county, documentation of the planning process, hazard profiles, goals, and projects. The hazards that will be profiled for Converse County include; wildfire, winter storms, flood, hail, windstorm, hazardous material spills, drought, tornadoes, earthquake, dam failure, landslide, and subsidence. The overall goal of the plan is to reduce the risk of injury, loss of life, property damage or property loss. There are three major benefits of preparing the plan. 1. Increase awareness and make people and property safer, 2. Identify projects, projects in the plan can compete for funding assistance, and 3. Receive assistance from FEMA following a major disaster. The contractor explained that a mitigation plan looks at potential disasters ahead of time to see what might be done to prevent them or at least lessen the impacts. FEMA is emphasizing prevention through these plans. Roles Each of the following has a role to play in preparing this plan. • County Emergency Management: oversee work of contractor, assist in gathering plans, serve as liaison with elected officials, assist with website postings, review draft products • The Public: learn about hazards and the plan, make project suggestions, review and comment on the draft plan • Contractors: research and write the plan, hold and document public meetings, ensure the plan meets FEMA requirements A12 ---PAGE BREAK--- • Local Jurisdictions: Agree to undertake the plan, provide copies of existing plans, provide access to staff, identify project needs, review draft plan, adopt and implement. Note: adoption is not required, but Barb’s experience is that local jurisdictions have all wanted to adopt the plans. Each jurisdiction that adopts the plan must have one or more projects in the plan. • Wyoming Office of Homeland Security: Review draft, provide technical expertise, support county during FEMA review as needed. • FEMA: Fund the plan development, provide technical expertise, review and approve. The Planning Process The contractor met with the LEPC in fall of 2010. Research is being done on the hazards now. There will be a public meeting tomorrow and another meeting with the LEPC on Wednesday to focus on developing projects for the plan. After that, the draft will be assembled and presented. There will be a 4-week comment period. Then the plan will be submitted to the state and FEMA for approval. After receiving FEMA approval, the local jurisdictions can adopt the plan. Wrap-up The contractor invited the council members to visit the website to stay current, contact either the County Emergency Management Coordinator, Russ Dalgarn or contact her with suggestions, and review the draft plan when it becomes available this spring. Contractor Beck will provide the documents to the City of Douglas for posting on its website in addition to the county’s site. A13 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Meeting Agenda Douglas Community Room, January 25, 2011 3:00 Welcome and Introductions 3:10 What is a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan? • What is in a hazard mitigation plan? • Why are we updating the current plan and what is the process? • Who is involved in the update? 3:20 Natural hazards of concern in Converse County • What hazards are you most concerned about? • Develop problem statements 4:00 Plan Goals 4:10 Projects • What types of projects are there? • What ideas do you have for projects that could mitigate the identified hazards? 4:30 What happens next and how do I stay involved? 4:45 Adjourn A14 ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN MEETING Tuesday, January 25, 3:00 p.m. Douglas Community Room Grass fire, Northwest of Douglas, October 2010 • Anyone with an interest is encouraged to attend! • Agenda items include; explanation of the plan/process, identification of problems, and discussion of project ideas • For more information, contact: Emergency Management Coordinator, Russ Dalgarn, 358- 6880, or Contractor, Barb Beck, [PHONE REDACTED] A15 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Meeting Notes Douglas, Wyoming January 25, 2011 Welcome An agenda with a briefing paper on the back was available to attendees. Only three people attended. All were familiar with the reasons to prepare a hazard mitigation plan and the roles of the various entities in working on the plan. So, the group skipped ahead of the agenda to discuss the hazards being profiled, specific problems, the types of mitigation projects that should be considered, and develop project ideas. Problem Statements The railroad passes as close as .5 miles from Glenrock and the Interstate passes two miles from Glenrock. Both carry hazardous materials. Glenrock has a small number of people trained just to awareness level. Deer Creek floods in years of high snowpack. The primary property at risk is the Deer Creek RV Park. The park has approximately 75 spaces and year-round residents. The park has flooded multiple times in the past. The Highway 20/26 bridge across Deer Creek is susceptible to catching debris in the creek. The one-lane county bridge on Coal Shadow Road is in poor condition and susceptible to debris in the river. The bridge accesses residences in both Converse and Natrona Counties. Project Ideas based on Problem Statements 1) Conduct a table top exercise in Glenrock for a yellow cake spill at the junction of Highways 26 and 95. 2) Engineer a berm or rip-rap to protect the Deer Creek RV Park. 3) Monitor the snowpack in the Deer Creek drainage and warn the RV Park owner if flooding appears likely. Use town warning sirens to alert residents to imminent danger of flooding. 4) Evaluate the debris situation at the Deer Creek bridge over Highways 20/26 to see if a solution can be engineered. If not, monitor to ensure debris that could threaten bridge is removed. 5) Replace the county bridge on Coal Shadow Road (or look for other options.) A16 ---PAGE BREAK--- A17 ---PAGE BREAK--- Joint Meeting of the Converse County Commission and the Glenrock Town Council Glenrock, Wyoming January 25, 2011 Contractor, Barb Beck, and County Emergency Management Coordinator, Russ Dalgarn, attended a regularly-scheduled joint meeting of the Converse County Commissioners and the Glenrock town council to provide a briefing on the Multi-Hazard Mitigation plan. Commissioners Jim Willox, Dave Edwards, Mike Colling, and Major Brown were present. Glenrock Mayor Mike McQueary and aldermen, Linda Care, Chase Anfinson, and Rosalie Goff were present. Glenrock Public Works Director, Dave Andrews, was present. Rolling Hills Mayor, Devonie Mueller, was present. Beck thanked the officials for this opportunity to speak and introduced herself. She provided a one-page briefing paper to all present. What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan? The hazard mitigation plan will cover the county and the four incorporated municipalities. The plan is being paid for by a grant from FEMA, so there is no cost to the the local jurisdictions. The plan will contain background information about the county, documentation of the planning process, hazard profiles, goals and projects. The hazards that will be profiled for Converse County include; wildfire, winter storms, flood, hail, windstorm, hazardous material spills, drought, tornadoes, earthquake, dam failure, landslide, and subsidence. The overall goal of the plan is to reduce the risk of injury, loss of life, property damage or property loss. There are three major benefits of preparing the plan. 1. Increase awareness and make people and property safer, 2. Identify projects, projects in the plan can compete for funding assistance, and 3. Receive assistance from FEMA following a major disaster. Barb explained that a mitigation plan looks at potential disasters ahead of time to see what might be done to prevent them or at least lessen the impacts. FEMA is emphasizing prevention through these plans. The county has an emergency operations plan, also called an emergency response plan. The mitigation planning is a separate effort. A18 ---PAGE BREAK--- Roles Each of the following has a role to play in preparing this plan. • County Emergency Management: oversee work of contractor, assist in gathering plans, serve as liaison with elected officials, assist with website posting, review draft products • The Public: learn about hazards and the plan, make project suggestions, review and comment on the draft plan • Contractor: research and write the plan, hold and document public meetings, ensure the plan meets FEMA requirements (procedural and other) • Local Jurisdictions: Agree to undertake the plan, provide copies of existing plans, provide access to staff, identify project needs, review draft plan, adopt and implement. Note: adoption is not required, but in Barb’s experience local jurisdictions have wanted to adopt the plans. Each jurisdiction that wants to adopt the plan must have one or more projects in the plan. Projects are to be accomplished as resources (staff, funding, or technical expertise) are available. There is no requirement to complete the identified projects, no unfunded mandate. • Wyoming Office of Homeland Security: Review draft, provide technical expertise, support county during FEMA review as needed. • FEMA: Fund the plan development, provide technical expertise, review and approve. Assist during major disasters in the future as requested. The Planning Process The contractor met with the LEPC this fall. Research is being done on the hazards now. There will be another meeting tomorrow with the LEPC to focus on developing project ideas for the plan. After that, the draft will be assembled and presented. There will be a 6-week comment period. Then the plan will be submitted to the state and FEMA for approval. After receiving FEMA approval, the local jurisdictions can adopt the plan. The timeframe for the local jurisdictions to adopt will likely be early this coming summer. Wrap-up Barb invited the elected officials to visit the county’s website to stay current, contact either Russ Dalgarn or her with suggestions, and review the draft plan when it becomes available this spring. The City of Douglas will also be posting information on its website. A19 ---PAGE BREAK--- Hazard Mitigation Planning Converse County LEPC January 26, 2011 Quick Review • What is a hazard mitigation plan and why is it being prepared? • Who is doing what to prepare the plan? • What is in the plan? • Review list of hazards and priorities Problem Statements • Develop problem statements related to the hazards Project Ideas • Types of projects to consider (Emergency Services, Public Education and Awareness, Structural, Natural Resource Protection, Prevention, Property Protection) • Go over revised list of projects (handout) to see if problems are addressed • Identify and discuss specific projects for each jurisdiction Next Steps • Schedule, where to get information, how to stay involved A20 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse County Hazard Mitigation Plan LEPC Meeting, Douglas, Wyoming January 26, 2011 Quick Review Contractor, Barb Beck, explained the benefits of preparing a hazard mitigation plan, the contents of the plan, and the roles of the various entities in preparing a plan. The plan is funded by a grant from FEMA and covers all five of the local jurisdictions in the county—Douglas, Glenrock, Lost Springs, Rolling Hills, and the county. The natural hazards being profiled for the county and their relative priority are as follows. The group agreed to raise the priority of dam failure from low to moderate specifically because of general concerns related to the age of the LaPrele dam. • High: Wildland fire, winter storms, floods, hail, windstorms, hazardous material spills • Moderate: Drought, tornadoes, dam failure • Low: Earthquake, landslide, subsidence Issues and Problem Statements Examples of problem statements from other Wyoming and Montana counties were presented to stimulate discussion. The group identified the following problems and then went back and suggested project ideas to address these problems. The problem statements were not prioritized. Problem Statement Potential Projects/Follow Up The primary infrastructure for responding to an emergency is all located in the center of Douglas, in close proximity to the railroad tracks. Set up the mobile command center as a dual console dispatch. Identify two additional areas outside of the downtown core area (radio station and one other) that could access into 911 if needed. Hardwire trunk lines to these additional locations to be prepared. There is no backup for the Glenrock 911 center. Put a 911 trunk in at the Rolling Hills Fire station. The county conducts approximately 15 search and rescue operations a year. Many of these are in remote locations with difficult access—especially in winter. Existing equipment is not adequate to transport supplies and people. Purchase two snowcats for Search and Rescue Program There is a gas plant located 1.5 miles north of Douglas with the potential for a large explosion. Depending on wind direction, a hazardous material release could drift towards Douglas. Coordinate with facility EAP. Review and exercise Douglas evacuation plan. Heavy flooding by the North Platte River could cut off some areas of the county if bridges were lost. Review priorities with County Road and Bridge for bridge replacement. Public schools may or may not have been retrofitted for earthquake safety. Check on status of schools Rolling Hills does not have back‐up power at town hall Acquire a generator or retrofit for an A21 ---PAGE BREAK--- external generator Radio station does not have back‐up power and the station services a key communications role during an emergency. Acquire back‐up power for the radio station. People in rural areas lose phone service when they lose power. Educate people to use vehicle radio if other means of communication are lost. Prairie fires with flashy fuels are frequent in the county. Ranches and stock are endangered when this happens. There is currently a lack of water in some areas. Smoke from these fires is a public health hazard. Develop additional water supplies for fighting fires in rural areas of the county Dunham Road in Rolling Hills has residences and no public access. This could be a problem in a wildfire or any situation that required emergency access. Obtain an emergency access easement. Sirens do not cover all areas of the town of Rolling Hills. Test and determine areas lacking coverage. Augment existing coverage. Access roads to power plant east of Glenrock can drift closed in the winter. Travelers use Tank Farm Road as an alternate access route when the Interstate is closed during snow storms and can get stuck in deep snow. Review County Road and Bridge plowing priorities and/or sign to notify travelers of plowing status. The town of Lost Springs does not have supplies to shelter travelers during winter storms or other emergencies. Outfit community building with sheltering supplies for 15 people. Types of Projects • Emergency services • Education and Awareness • Structural • Natural Resource Protection • Prevention • Property Protection Wrap‐up Beck explained that a draft of the plan including the hazard profiles, goals and projects would be prepared. The draft will be presented to the LEPC at their next meeting in April which would initiate the public review and comment period. The next LEPC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 at 12:30 at the Glenrock town hall. A22 ---PAGE BREAK--- Placeholder for Rolling Hills Town Council Meeting agenda and notes, May 3, 2011 in final plan A23 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse County Local Emergency Planning Committee 107 N 5th St. Suite B-8 Douglas, Wyoming 82633 Agenda, LEPC Meeting Date:May 4th, 2011 1 P.M. Location: Converse County Glenrock Town Hall Those not on the agenda will be given 5 minutes after Presentation. 15. Call to Order: 1:05 Chair, Russ Dalgarn-CCEMA, 2nd Chair, Scott Howell-Public Health, Secretary-Treasurer, Diena Bulman-CCEMA, Staff Sgt. April Ramos-WY Army Natl Guard, Rosalie Goff-Town of Glenrock Councilperson, David Andrews-Town of Glenrock Public Works, Leda Price-Town of Lost Springs Mayor, Jerrad Hall-Rolling Hills Councilperson (Glenrock Fire), Traci Aguilar-Red Cross, Eric Pingrey-CC School District Tom Sweet-Glenrock Police Chief, Jay Johnson-Memorial Hospital, Ken Bollinger-Memorial Hospital, Dennis Switzer-KKTY & KYOD Radio, Barb Beck-Beck Consulting. 16. Minutes of Last Meeting: Accepted 17. Treasurers Report: Same amount of money $2,396.22, our match of $599.06=$2,995.28 but no ideas yet as how to spend it. It does need to be spent on HazMat items. Jay Johnson with the ambulance service has ideas and will get with us later. 18. Correspondence: None 19. Unfinished Business: MOU (memorandum of understanding) with State Fairgrounds/No one present from State Fairgrounds. MOUs with Red Cross and the Rec Centers/Traci Aguilar of the Red Cross will get the MOUs and below inventory lists taken care of. Inventory Lists of Red Cross items in both shelters/Rec Centers. Traci will also get a want list to bring supplies in both shelters so EMA can assist with that with scheduled County monies. A24 ---PAGE BREAK--- 20. Sub-Committee Reports: PAC (public awareness committee) Dennis Switzer advised Ron Casalenda is the Chair and not here today but: now that he purchased KYOD it will be easier to get notices etc out. Russ Dalgarn was there and they went through the equipment to see what was there and how it worked. Everything else is the same. UTSE (unable to self evacuate) Scott Howe advised they had a great meeting in Douglas where 33 people attended however it seems no one from the Douglas Police or the Douglas Fire Department ever attends any of these meetings and if they did it would be beneficial to all. One main issue is still how to notify the people and the responders and get them the assistance needed. I came up with an awareness appeal to give out, and did at this meeting and the above said meeting. (see below) Faith-based folks are probably the best place to begin giving out this information and working on getting knowledge out. I also believe some of the Seniors may like to take this project on. Also given out at the above meeting were Quick Series Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities & Medical Concerns booklets purchased with UTSE funds through the EMA. (Emergency Management Agency) A25 ---PAGE BREAK--- CERT (community emergency response team) Scott Howe advised we really need to get on this problem, that he and maybe one other are the only active CERT members anymore. We did at one time have some trainers but we really do need to do something to get our team going. CERT is the volunteer responders that work between the 1st responders (Law Enforcement, Fire, Medical etc) and the rest of the public during times of need. The are trained on minor medical skills, search of building skills, fire skills, all skills that they would need to respond to an emergency (tornado, flood, etc) to assist those in need. This is a great program and an invaluable resource so if anyone knows of someone that would like to take it over please have them contact us. Russ advised Natrona has 192 members and a totally deaf team. There is a Train your Trainers course coming up in Casper and Russ will send out a notice to all Department Heads etc. to see if anyone is interested. We really A26 ---PAGE BREAK--- can’t do anything until we get some trainers. In the past we had a Team on both sides of the County and we would like to see that again. 21. Announcements: Reference the Quick Series books: EMA purchased along with the Disabilities one above, one on all disaster emergency preparedness, one on floods, and one on the use of ICS (incident command system). If anyone is interested in one or more of them contact Diena or Russ at EMA 358-6880. 22. New Business: Russ asked Staff Sgt Ramos, if it got to the point we need assistance such as sandbagging, who is the change of command to go thru? April Ramos-you can contact me or the J.O.C. either one. The Natl Guard will be able to assist in getting people water if needed with water trucks etc. Russ asked Dave Andrews of Glenrock Public Works about the water situation across the County. He states from the Power Plant area shows a less chance of reaching flood level and the river should be able to carry it. The snowpack in place now and growing, both on this end of the range and higher up in the Snowy Range out of Laramie leans to a great potential. We need to beware there is a lot of water to come out of those mountains. It takes 2 days after they shut down the flow at Pathfinder to make a difference here and the flooding would already be done. Sandbagging on river and especially on the creeks it just moves the water elsewhere around the bags. Evacuation would be the best if it gets to that point. There may be a bit of flooding in the Glenrock floodplain areas. A big concern is wells and skeptics both in Glenrock and outlying areas. The river debris is also a concern with a lot of trees etc. hitting the bridges etc. Scott/PH asked Russ if there is anything being done about pollutions getting into the waterways. Russ-talking to all the people along the waterways and will ask them to watch their barrels of items etc and move them back out of the way etc. People should stay off the river as far as rafting, tubing, etc. people should also get and keep extra water around so they have it for drinking, bathing, toilets etc. 23. Member Reports: None 24. Presentation: Russ - Fairgrounds evacuation exercise on May 17th, 2011. State Fairgrounds is looking for about 200 people to assist with a tornado evacuation of their grandstands. Older people and handicapped people would also be great. Scott Howe will send out some information and Diena Bulman will be able to take names etc. The Fairgrounds will have a complete staff to assist also. A27 ---PAGE BREAK--- Anyone that would like to be there to assist let us know and tell everyone you know that might also be interested. Scott and Dennis will get together also and do a radio spot. Barb Beck/All Hazards Mitigation Plan: After the regularly scheduled meeting topics, hazard mitigation planning contractor, Barb Beck handed out copies of the draft mitigation chapter to attendees. She also passed out several hard copies of the full draft so LEPC members could see what the draft looked like in total. The contractor reviewed the reasons for preparing the plan and the fact that over the past seven months there have been LEPC meetings, public meetings, meetings with elected officials, a citizen survey, and development of the hazard profiles in preparation for putting this draft together. The LEPC and Emergency Management Office staff were commended for their contributions to the draft plan. Even though the plan is now out in draft form, there is still opportunity to make changes. Contractor, Beck, explained how the mitigation chapter was organized. There are seven goals. Each goal has objectives and actions (projects) under the objectives. There are 48 projects in the draft and several more will be added after visiting with the Rolling Hills town council the previous evening. Many of the projects have already been initiated and some are ongoing. The distribution of the projects across the jurisdictions is as follows; 34 for the county, 12 for Douglas, 10 for Glenrock, 5 for Rolling Hills, and 2 for Lost Springs. Some projects include more than one jurisdiction. The goals related to floods, wildland fires, and disaster preparedness have the largest number of projects. After this explanation, the LEPC worked its way through all of the goals and projects. Preliminary priorities for each project were validated by the LEPC. The few changes that resulted from the LEPC’s discussion will be reflected in the final plan. The contractor explained that hard copies of the draft are being distributed around the county, one to each of the local jurisdictions (Douglas, Glenrock, Lost Springs, Rolling Hills, and the county), to the two public libraries, and the county emergency management office. Digital copies are being provided to Douglas, Glenrock, and the county for posting on their respective websites. Articles announcing the availability of the draft plan for review have been submitted to the Douglas Budget, Independent, and Glenrock Bird and should be printed this week. The comment period goes until June 3. Comments should be submitted to Converse County Emergency Management in Douglas. After the close of the comment period, suggested changes will be incorporated and the plan submitted to the state Office of Homeland Security and then FEMA for approval. After FEMA approval is received, the local jurisdictions can adopt the plan. 25. Next Meeting: Wednesday July 27th @ 1 PM at the Hospital in the Boardroom Adjourned: 14:40 A28 ---PAGE BREAK--- A29 ---PAGE BREAK--- A30 ---PAGE BREAK--- A31 ---PAGE BREAK--- A32 ---PAGE BREAK--- Distribution List Name: LEPC Members: Andy Schnorf Ann and Nick, Red Cross, Church [EMAIL REDACTED] Annette Elliot Hilliard [EMAIL REDACTED] Ann's Best Care, Ann Rex [EMAIL REDACTED] Barb Davis, DFS [EMAIL REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Bob Chiapuzio, D. City Council [EMAIL REDACTED] Carlos Mesa Cheryl Ewing [EMAIL REDACTED] Chris Gray, Principal [EMAIL REDACTED] Chuck Bayne, WLEA [EMAIL REDACTED] Chuck Farley, R.H. Fire Dept. [EMAIL REDACTED] Clint Becker Sheriff [EMAIL REDACTED] Cory McMahon [EMAIL REDACTED] Dan Espeland [EMAIL REDACTED] Dave Andrews [EMAIL REDACTED] Dave Edwards ([EMAIL REDACTED]) [EMAIL REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Dennis Switzer, KKTY Radio [EMAIL REDACTED] Don M Schoenleber ([EMAIL REDACTED]) [EMAIL REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] Douglas Care Center,Kelly Rogge [EMAIL REDACTED] Dr. Schwahn DVM Ed Werner Chair [EMAIL REDACTED] Forrest Newerburg CODouglas [EMAIL REDACTED] G.R.Super Foods, Bill Blackburn [EMAIL REDACTED] Game Warden, Gary Boyd [EMAIL REDACTED] Heber Bingham LDS [EMAIL REDACTED] Heidi Wilkinson, Red Cross [EMAIL REDACTED] Helga Bull, Chamber Director [EMAIL REDACTED] Hummer Wickett [EMAIL REDACTED] James Goodrich‐Fair Director [EMAIL REDACTED] Jamie George [EMAIL REDACTED] Jay Johnson Jeff Nelson, GRFD Chief [EMAIL REDACTED] Jill Kingston, G.R. Sr. Center [EMAIL REDACTED] Jim Willox ([EMAIL REDACTED]) [EMAIL REDACTED] John Weigel, D.H.S. Principal [EMAIL REDACTED] Kathy Russell, D. City Council [EMAIL REDACTED] Kelli Rogge [EMAIL REDACTED] Kenzie Mares, CC Vet [EMAIL REDACTED] Kirk Hughes [EMAIL REDACTED] Leda Price Marilyn Werner Mayor Douglas [EMAIL REDACTED] A33 ---PAGE BREAK--- A34 ---PAGE BREAK--- A35 ---PAGE BREAK--- A36 ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- A38 ---PAGE BREAK--- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2011 Contact: Barb Beck (406) 208-0610, [EMAIL REDACTED] Draft Disaster Plan Released Converse County Emergency Management Coordinator, Russ Dalgarn, recently announced that the draft multi-hazard mitigation plan has been completed. “The whole purpose of the plan is to reduce the potential for loss of property and loss of life,” said Dalgarn. The draft plan has seven goals and 48 mitigation projects. The plan can be viewed at the Douglas city hall, Glenrock and Rolling Hills town halls, Lost Springs, the county courthouse, and the libraries in Douglas and Glenrock. According to Dalgarn, “A lot of work has gone into this draft and we hope that folks will take a look at it and give us their comments. I really want to thank the members of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LECP) for their input so far, and let people know that we still have the opportunity to make changes or add projects. The more input we get the better plan we’ll have in the end.” Dalgarn can be reached at 358-6880. Planning contractor, Barb Beck, added that “because some of these projects may help save lives in the future, we want to get it right and not miss something important that could make a difference.” The comment period is open until June 3. The plan will soon be posted on the Douglas city website, the Glenrock town website, and the county’s website. Comments can be submitted in writing to Converse County Emergency Management, 111 Cedar Street, Douglas, WY. 82633, or by e-mail to [EMAIL REDACTED]. A39 ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX B: CITIZEN SURVEY B1 ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 Prepared for: Converse County Emergency Management Agency P a Ken Markert, A rep red by: ICP MMI Planning Cody, WY. ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 1 h Converse County Hazard Plan Survey INTRODUCTION The Converse County Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey is part of a larger effort to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Converse County and its four incorporated municipalities. The survey was conducted to understand opinions of citizens residing in Converse County about natural hazards and specific mitigation actions. The results of the survey will be used in updating the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Diena Bulman from the Converse County Emergency Management Office prepared and mailed all survey materials. The surveys were returned to and collected by the Emergency Management Office. The consulting team wishes to acknowledge this contribution as critical to the success of the survey. SURVEY METHODS The survey was a sample survey. A sample consisting of 221 registered voters was randomly drawn from the Converse County voter rolls. The sample constituted 4% of the total number of voters residing in the county (5,546). The survey process began on February 14, 2011. To start, the 221 voters were each sent a postcard advising of their inclusion in the survey and requesting their participation. Eight days later, the survey questionnaire was sent to the sample list. Along with the questionnaire, voters were sent a cover letter explaining the survey. Two weeks into the process, a reminder postcard was sent to every individual in the sample. The survey was then closed on March 23, 2011 and responses received after this date were not included. During the process, a number of mailings were returned by the Post Office as undeliverable. Consequently, 11 voters were eliminated from the sample and the final sample size was 210 voters. At the close of this survey, out of the total of 210 delivered surveys, 97 surveys were completed and returned. SURVEY ACCURACY The purpose of a sample survey is to make generalizations about a population based on a scientifically selected subset of that population. A sample survey allows us to understand the views of the entire county by communicating with only a sample of the people in the county. If conducted properly, sample survey results can accurately represent the views of all people in the county. This survey was designed to achieve an accuracy level of 10%. This means that the results from the sample of voters have a 95% probability of being within 10% of the answers that all voters would give. For example, if 65% of the survey respondents said "yes" as the answer to a question then it is highly probable (95% chance) that between 55% and 75% or ‐ 10%) of all voters would have also answered "yes". For the Converse County Survey, achieving this level of accuracy is dependent on receiving at least 95 responses. Because 97 survey questionnaires were completed and returned, the survey has met this accuracy goal. ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 2 h How representative the survey results are is also affected by the survey response rate. The response rate is the percentage of the surveys that are completed and returned. As a general rule, when the response rate reaches 50% "self‐selection bias" is not a concern. Self‐selection bias is where the survey respondents are not representative of the entire population and have biased the survey results in one way or another. In mailed surveys with low response rates such as 10%, self‐selection bias is almost certain. In the Converse County survey, the response rate was 46%, not quite reaching the 50% goal, and indicating that the survey sample has a small risk of not representing the whole population. SURVEY QUESTIONS The questions asked in the survey were developed by the hazard mitigation consultants with input from the Emergency Management Agency staff. The questions were multiple choice with most having "other" as an open‐ended answer choice. This allowed survey respondents to write‐in their own answer. The full text of the survey appears at the end of this report. SURVEY RESULTS Survey results are presented beginning on the next page. The results are mostly reported as percentages. The percentages represent the percent of 97 surveys that were returned. For example, 52% equals 50 survey responses. In questions where more than one answer could have been selected, the percentages are again based on the 97 returned surveys. In other words, if respondents could select answers or or both, the results will show the percent of the 97 respondents that picked either alone or combined with the other answer. So if 33 respondents answered and 17 more answered "A and the result for answer is shown as 52% (33+17 ÷ 97). ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 3 h Question #1 – Respondent’s Location The first question asked survey respondents to indicate where they live: in Douglas, Glenrock, Lost Springs, Rolling Hills, or in Converse County outside of a town or city. Most respondents (36) indicated that they live in Douglas. The unincorporated county area was the next most common answer with 35 and Glenrock third with 17 responses. Two responses were received from Rolling Hills and none from Lost Springs. 2 0 19 41 35 0 10 20 30 40 5 Rolling Hills Lost Springs Glenrock Douglas Unincorporated County Number of Returned Surveys Location of Respondents 0 The location of respondents is roughly comparable to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2009 population estimates. The percentage of respondents from the unincorporated county is higher than the estimated percentage of residents that reside in the unincorporated county. 2009 Population Population Percent Survey Responses Douglas 6,212 40% 42% Glenrock 2,466 16% 20% Lost Springs 1 0% 0% Rolling Hills 512 3% 2% Unincorporated County 4,387 28% 36% ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 4 h Question #2 – Preparations This question asked respondents to indicate which steps their household has taken to prepare for hazard events. The most common response was "stored a flashlight and batteries" which 79% of respondents said they had done. In addition, more than half of all respondents said they had: stored medical supplies, received first aid/CPR training, stored a fire extinguisher, and identified utility shut‐ offs. Other preparation were employed by less than half of the respondents. 5% 5% 6% 6% 14% 33% 37% 39% 47% 56% 59% 60% 65% 79% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Flood Insurance Other No Response CERT training Supply kit Meeting place Radio Fire escape plan Food & water Utility Shut offs Fire Extinquisher First aid training Medical supplies Flashlight Percent of respondents selecting each answer Preparations for Hazard Events ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 5 h Question #3 – Confidence about Hazard Events This question asked respondents how confident they are that their household would know what to do in a natural or man‐made hazard event. Most respondents (74%) indicated that they are “somewhat confident” in their household’s ability to deal with hazard events, while only (16%) said they were "very confident". On the other hand, 7% of respondents said they were "not confident" that their household would know what to do in a hazard event. 2% 7% 74% 16% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% No Response Not confident Somewhat confident Very confident Percent of respondents selecting each answer Confidence about Hazard Events ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 6 h Question #4 – Concern about Specific Hazards This question asked respondents to review a list of different hazards and rate each in terms of how concerned they are about the specific hazard. Answer choices were "not concerned", "somewhat concerned", and "very concerned." The results are shown on the next page. To evaluate the responses, the results are sorted based on how many people answered either "somewhat concerned" or "very concerned". This combined result is shown in the far right column of the table on the next page. The hazards are sorted from highest to lowest in terms of this combined result. The results indicated that "hail", "severe winter storms", "wind storms", "wildfire", and "tornados" are the top concerns each identified by 78% or more of the respondents. Lesser concerns were "drought", "earthquakes", and "hazardous material spills" were the next highest grouping with more than half of all respondents indicating concern about each of these hazards. The hazards with the lowest indication of concern were "dam failure", "flood", "landslide", and "land subsidence". It should be noted that some hazards such as landslides and dam failures may be location‐specific and would not likely be a major concern of every resident. Other hazards, such as winter storms and earthquakes could affect any or all areas of the county. Some hazards with low indications of concern at the countywide scale could potentially be of much higher concern to people in specific, vulnerable locations. ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 7 h Very Concerned Somewhat Concerned Not Concerned No Response Very & Somewhat Concerned Hail 26% 63% 9% 2% 89% Winter storm 37% 49% 13% 0% 87% Wind storm 29% 54% 18% 0% 82% Wildfire 31% 49% 20% 0% 80% Tornado 19% 60% 22% 0% 78% Drought 12% 55% 27% 6% 67% Earthquake 6% 47% 42% 4% 54% Haz mat spill 10% 42% 44% 3% 53% Flood 11% 33% 53% 3% 44% Landslide 5% 27% 55% 13% 32% Dam failure 5% 18% 74% 3% 23% Land Subsidence 0% 6% 89% 5% 6% Level of Concern about Specific Hazards ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 8 h Question #5 – Receiving Disaster Information This question asked people which means they would use to receive information during a disaster. Most people indicated that they would use television, telephone, and radio. All other methods of getting information were significantly less important. More than half of all respondents (65%) said they would get information by siren warning; directly from police or firemen and by word of mouth Regarding other means, less than half of respondents said they would get information by: off the Internet from newspapers at their workplace by email notices and by Reverse 911 Survey respondents rarely selected some newer methods of communication, such as Facebook Amateur radio and Twitter It should be noted that most respondents selected more than one answer to this question. This indicates that most people would expect to receive information during a disaster by more than one method. Several people indicated that the different siren signals need to be better explained. 0% 1% 3% 5% 12% 23% 24% 31% 35% 36% 51% 63% 65% 77% 78% 89% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% No Response Other Twitter Amateur Radio Facebook Reverse 911 Email notice Workplace Newspaper Internet Word of mouth Police/firemen Siren Radio Television Telephone Percent of respondents selecting each answer Means of Receiving Disaster Information ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 9 h Question 6 ­ Mitigation Actions This question asked respondents to review a range of actions that their community could undertake to reduce the risk from natural hazards. Respondents could rate each action as "very important", "somewhat important", or "not important". The results are sorted in the table below based on most important to least important. "Emergency services" and "public education" were the most preferred types of actions while "property protection" was the least popular action choice. The actions were defined in the survey as follows: • Emergency Services: Examples include warning systems, evacuation planning, emergency response training, and protection of critical emergency facilities or systems. • Public Education and Awareness: Actions to inform citizens about hazards and techniques they can use to protect themselves and their property. • Structural Projects: Examples include dams, levees, detention/retention basins, channel modification, retaining walls, and storm sewers. • Natural Resource Protection: Examples include floodplain protection, slope stabilization, and forest management. • Prevention: Actions to influence land and building development. Examples include planning and zoning, building codes, and floodplain regulations. • Property Protection: Actions involving existing buildings to reduce hazard risk. Examples include acquisition, relocation, elevation, and structural retrofits. Very Important Somewhat Important Not Important No Response Emergency services 80% 15% 3% 1% Education 74% 22% 3% 1% Structural projects 47% 33% 15% 4% Natural resource protection 49% 36% 11% 3% Prevention 38% 41% 13% 7% Property Protection 23% 42% 26% 9% Importance of Types of Mitigation Actions ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 10 h Question 7 ­ More Information Wanted This question was the last question on the survey form. It asked respondents to identify hazards about which the respondent would like to receive more information. Respondents could pick more than one answer and usually did. These results may indicate the most productive topics for public education efforts. More than half (52%) indicated they would like more information about "severe winter storms". More than one‐third want more information about "wind storms", "tornados", and "wildfire". Less than a third of respondents want additional information about the other hazards. A significant number of respondents (21%) did not select any answer, indicating they do not want any additional information. 0% 2% 10% 18% 21% 25% 26% 30% 30% 31% 39% 42% 46% 52% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Other Landslide Dam failure Land Subsidence No Response Drought Flood Hail Hazardous materials Earthquake Wildfire Tornado Wind storm Winter storm Percent of respondents selecting each answer More Information Wanted ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 11 h SURVEY QUESTIONS Below is the exact wording of the seven questions asked in the survey. 1. Where do you live? (Please check one answer only.) In Douglas In Rolling Hills In Glenrock In Lost Springs In Converse County not in a town or city 2. Which of the following steps has your household taken to prepare for a natural hazard event? (Please check all that apply.) Received first aid/CPR training Made a fire escape plan Designated a meeting place Identified utility shutoffs Received Community Emergency Response Training Prepared a disaster supply kit Purchased flood insurance Stored food and water Stored flashlights and batteries Stored a battery-powered radio Stored a fire extinguisher Stored medical supplies (first aid kit, medications) Other: 3. How confident are you that your household would know what to do in a natural or manmade hazard event? (Please check one answer only.) Not at all confident Somewhat confident Very confident ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 12 h 4. How concerned are you about the following hazards to your home, business, and neighborhood? Please indicate whether you are NOT concerned, SOMEWHAT concerned, or VERY concerned. (Please circle one answer for each hazard or leave it blank if you don't know.) f Dam failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Drought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Earthquake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Flood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Hail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Hazardous materials spill . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Land subsidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Landslide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Severe winter storm . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Tornado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Wind storm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Wildfire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Somewhat Very f Other: Not Somewhat Very 5. Which of the following methods would help you receive information during a disaster? (Check all that apply.) Television Facebook posting Radio Twitter feeds Amateur radio Newspaper Telephone or cell phone Email notice Siren system Directly from police/fire personnel At your workplace By word of mouth Internet Other: Reverse 911 (Code Red) ---PAGE BREAK--- CONVERSE COUNTY HAZARD PLAN SURVEY March 30, 2011 g 13 h 6. A number of activities can reduce our risk from natural hazards. In general, these activities fall into one of the following six broad categories. Please tell us how important you think each one is for your community or the county to consider pursuing. (Please check one answer for each or leave it blank if you don't know.) Very Important Somewhat Important Not Important f Prevention: Actions to influence land and building development. Examples include planning and zoning, building codes, and floodplain regulations. f Property Protection: Actions involving existing buildings to reduce hazard risk. Examples include acquisition, relocation, elevation, and structural retrofits. f Natural Resource Protection: Examples include floodplain protection, slope stabilization, and forest management. f Structural Projects: Examples include dams, levees, detention/retention basins, channel modification, retaining walls, and storm sewers. f Emergency Services: Examples include warning systems, evacuation planning, emergency response training, and protection of critical emergency facilities or systems. f Public Education and Awareness: Actions to inform citizens about hazards and techniques they can use to protect themselves and their property. 7. Which of the following types of hazards would you like to have more information about? (Please check all that apply.) Dam failure Landslide Drought Severe winter storm Earthquake Tornado Flood Wind storm Hail Wildfire Hazardous materials spill Other: Land subsidence ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX C: RISK ASSESSMENT BY JURISDICTION C-1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Hazard City of Douglas Town of Glenrock Town of Lost Springs Town of Rolling Hills Converse County Dam Failure L M N/A N/A L Drought L L L L H Earthquake L L L L L Flood M M L L M Hail M M M M M HazMat M M L L M Landslide/ subsidence L L L L M Tornado/ wind storm H H H H H Wildland Fire L L M M H Winter Storm H H H H H Low, Medium, or High rating given for probability of occurrence based on historical events. Unique Vulnerabilities by Jurisdiction All of the participating jurisdictions have vulnerability to the hazards that could happen anywhere in the county. These include drought, earthquake, hail, tornadoes, wind storms, and winter storms. However, each of the jurisdictions has one or more of the hazards to which they are more vulnerable. Douglas and Glenrock are the most vulnerable to river flooding being located along the North Platte River. Isolated areas of the county could be vulnerable to flash flooding and land subsidence. Wildland fire is also a threat to properties located against the mountains in the southwestern areas of the county. All of the jurisdictions are vulnerable to hazardous material spills and releases because they are accessed by state highways, interstates, and/or have railroad routes. Douglas has the highest vulnerability to hazardous materials in the county because of the presence of the Interstate highway, the railroad, and an energy processing facility. Rolling Hills is situated away from surface water, but perched on dry hills. Rolling hills is relatively more vulnerable to wind and lightning events, and wildland fire—specifically grass fires. C-2 ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX D. LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE D1 ---PAGE BREAK--- D2 ---PAGE BREAK--- D3 ---PAGE BREAK--- D4 ---PAGE BREAK--- D5 ---PAGE BREAK--- D6 ---PAGE BREAK--- D7 ---PAGE BREAK--- D8 ---PAGE BREAK--- D9 ---PAGE BREAK--- D10 ---PAGE BREAK--- D11 ---PAGE BREAK--- D12 ---PAGE BREAK--- D13 ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX E. ACRONYMS USED IN THIS PLAN E1 ---PAGE BREAK--- BLM Bureau of Land Management CD Conservation District CRV Current Replacement Value CWPP Community Wildfire Protection Plan DEQ Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality E-911 Enhanced 911 emergency calling EM Emergency Management EMS Emergency Medical Services FD Fire Department FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FIA Flood Insurance Administration FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map GIS Geographical Information System HAZMAT Hazardous Materials LEPC Local Emergency Planning Committee LPT Local Planning Team MHMP Multi-hazard Mitigation Plan NCDC National Climate Data Center NFIP National Flood Insurance Program NIBS National Institute of Building Sciences NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NRCS Natural Resources and Conservation Service NSSL National Severe Storms Lab NWS National Weather Service ODP Office of Domestic Preparedness OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration PPE Personal Protective Equipment RMP Risk Management Plan SEO Wyoming State Engineer’s Office USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency USGS U.S. Geological Survey WYOS Wyoming Office of Homeland Security WSGS Wyoming State Geological Survey WUI Wildland Urban Interface WYDOT Wyoming Department of Transportation E2 ---PAGE BREAK--- APPENDIX F. RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION F1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Converse County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption Resolution (Resolution WHEREAS Converse County, Wyoming, and the communities of Douglas, Glenrock, and Rolling Hills have the potential to experience disasters that can damage commercial, residential, and public properties, displace citizens and businesses, roads and bridges, injure and kill livestock, injure and kill people, and present general public health and safety concerns; and WHEREAS the county and communities have prepared a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan that identifies goals and mitigation actions to reduce overall impact and potential for loss of life and loss or damage to property from natural hazards and hazardous material incidents; and WHEREAS the Converse County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan has been made available for review by elected officials and the public, and has been developed to meet current state and federal requirements: Now, therefore, be it resolved that: 1. The Converse County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is hereby adopted as an official plan of Converse County, Douglas, Glenrock, and Rolling Hills. 2. The Board of County Commissioners delegates the responsibility for annual review and monitoring of implementation to the Converse County Emergency Management Coordinator. 3. Each local government shall pursue implementation of the projects contained in the plan as resources allow. 4. Each local government shall consider and incorporate into other plans, elements of the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as appropriate. ---PAGE BREAK--- F2 County of Converse Chair, County Commission County Commissioner County Commissioner County Commissioner County Commissioner County Clerk Converse County Emergency Management Coordinator City of Douglas Mayor (date) Town of Glenrock Mayor (date) Town of Rolling Hills Mayor (date)