2012 TOWN OF HEATH
LOCAL MULTI-HAZARD
MITIGATION PLAN
DRAFT
Last updated 03/12/14
Prepared by:
The Heath Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning Committee
Timothy Lively, Emergency Management Director
Sheila Litchfield, Selectboard Chair
Michael Smith, Fire Department and DPW
Doug Mason, Planning Board
Margo Newton, Police Department
Crystal Smith, Fire Department
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Peggy Sloan, Director of Planning & Development
Kimberly Noake MacPhee, P.G., Land Use and Natural Resources Program Manager
Mary Praus, Land Use Planner
Ryan Clary, Senior GIS Specialist
This project was funded by a grant received from the Massachusetts Emergency Management
Agency (MEMA)
TABLE OF CONTENTS – Update when changes are done
1 - INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1
Hazard Mitigation .............................................................................................................. 1
Planning Process ................................................................................................................ 2
Plan Updates and Changes ................................................................................................. 4
2 – LOCAL PROFILE..................................................................................................... 5
Community Setting ............................................................................................................ 5
Infrastructure ...................................................................................................................... 6
Natural Resources .............................................................................................................. 7
Cultural and Historic Resources ........................................................................................ 8
Community Facilities and Resources............................................................................... 10
3 – HAZARD IDENTIFICATION & ANALYSIS ..................................................... 11
Natural Hazard Identification .......................................................................................... 11
Vulnerability Assessment ................................................................................................ 43
Hazard Analysis Methodology ........................................................................................ 43
Development Trends Analysis ......................................................................................... 73
4 –MITIGATION STRATEGIES ................................................................................ 75
Mitigation Strategies ........................................................................................................ 75
Future Mitigation Strategies .......................................................................................... 106
National Flood Insurance Program Compliance ...................................................... 116
5 – PLAN ADOPTION & IMPLEMENTATION..................................................... 120
Plan Adoption – to be updated after planning process is complete ............................... 120
Plan Maintenance Process ........................................................................................... 120
6– appendix ................................................................................................................... 127
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation • Plan Page i
1 - INTRODUCTION
Hazard Mitigation
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Massachusetts Emergency
Management Agency (MEMA) define Hazard Mitigation as any sustained action taken to reduce
or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards such as flooding, storms,
high winds, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, etc.
Mitigation efforts undertaken by
communities will help to minimize damages to buildings and infrastructure, such as water
supplies, sewers, and utility transmission lines, as well as natural, cultural and historic resources.
Planning efforts, like the one undertaken by the Town of Heath and the Franklin Regional
Council of Governments, make mitigation a proactive process. Pre-disaster planning emphasizes
actions that can be taken before a natural disaster occurs. Future property damage and loss of
life can be reduced or prevented by a mitigation program that addresses the unique geography,
demography, economy, and land use of a community within the context of each of the specific
potential natural hazards that may threaten a community.
Preparing a Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan before a disaster occurs can save the
community money and will facilitate post-disaster funding. Costly repairs or replacement of
buildings and infrastructure, as well as the high cost of providing emergency services and
rescue/recovery operations, can be avoided or significantly lessened if a community implements
the mitigation measures detailed in the Plan. FEMA requires that a community adopt a predisaster mitigation plan as a condition for mitigation funding. For example, the Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA), and the
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program are programs with this requirement.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 1
Planning Process
The natural hazard mitigation planning process for the Town of Heath included the following
tasks:







Review of the Heath 2007 Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, assessment of
relevancy of existing materials, status of action items and addition of new materials based
upon MEMA recommendations and SEPT input.
Identifying the natural hazards that may impact the community and past occurrences of
hazards at the local or regional level.
Conducting a Vulnerability/Risk Assessment to identify the infrastructure (i.e., critical
facilities, public buildings, roads, homes, businesses, etc.) at the highest risk for being
damaged by the identified natural hazards.
Identifying and assessing the policies, programs, and regulations a community is
currently implementing to protect against future disaster damages. Examples of such
strategies include:
o Preventing or limiting development in natural hazard areas like floodplains,
wetlands, drinking water recharge areas, and conservation land;
o Implementing recommendations in existing planning documents including
Stormwater Management Plans, and Emergency/Evacuation Plans that address the
impacts of natural hazards; and
o Requiring or encouraging the use of specific structural requirements for new
buildings such as buried utilities, flood-proofed structures, and lightening
grounding systems.
Identifying deficiencies in the current strategies and establish goals for updating, revising
or adopting new strategies.
Identifying specific projects that will mitigate the risk to public safety and damages to
infrastructure from hazards.
Adopting and implementing the final Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
The planning process for the Town of Heath also incorporated the following procedures:

Providing an opportunity for the public to comment on the plan during the drafting and
prior to the approval of the plan. Publicity was done with a press release in the Greenfield
Recorder in ________ as well as via a flyer posted at the Town Offices. See Appendix B
for copies of the flyers and the press release. Copies of draft sections of the plan have
been available to the public at the Town Offices throughout the entire planning process.
The final draft plan was made available for public review on-line at
http://www.townofheath.org/and at the Town Offices.

Provided an opportunity for neighboring communities, local and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation activities and agencies that have the authority to regulate
development, and others to be involved in the planning process. Some stakeholders
include the Towns of Rowe, Charlemont, Buckland, and Colrain as well as the Mohawk
School System. See Appendix __ for a copy of the stakeholder invitation to participate
letter that was sent to stakeholders in February of 2014.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 2

Reviewing and incorporating, if appropriate, existing plans, studies, reports and technical
information. Plans reviewed and incorporated include:
o Draft Regional Transportation Plan 2012
o Sustainable Franklin County 2013
 Documenting the planning process, including how it was prepared, and how the public
was involved.
Much of this work was carried out by the staff of the FRCOG Planning Department with the
assistance of the Committee which included representation from the EMD, Fire Department,
Police Department, Selectboard, and Planning Board. Meeting minutes, sign in sheets and other
documents are located in the appendix of this document.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 3
Plan Updates and Changes – Update when changes are done
As indicated above in the Planning Process section, changes and updates were made to this Plan
based upon MEMA and FEMA recommendations and Committee input. The following sections
of the Heath 2007 Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan were added to and/or substantially
updated to create the 2012 Heath Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan:



Section 2: Local Profile
Cultural and Historic Resources section added ............................................... pp. 10-12
Section 3: Hazard Identification and Analysis
Hazard Identification
Location and Extent for Each Hazard added ........................................ pp.14-35
Drought and Extreme Temperatures added .......................................................p
Beaver Dams (Sub-Category of Dam Failure) added ........................... pp.26-28
Landslides added ................................................................................... pp.29-30
Ice Jams added ...................................................................................... pp.30-31
Manmade Hazards added ...................................................................... pp.31-35
Vulnerability Assessment
Assessment by Hazard – detailed section for each hazard added
Exposure ................................................................................... pp.36-61
Damages .................................................................................... pp.36-61
Loss estimates ........................................................................... pp.36-61
Population impacts .................................................................... pp.36-61
Data deficiencies ...................................................................... pp.36-61
Development Trends Analysis .............................................................. pp.67-68
Current Zoning Map added ...........................................................................p.70
Updated Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Map added ............................p.71
Hazard Analysis Methodology
New Methodology developed ............................................................... pp.62-65
All Hazards Vulnerability Assessment Table added ....................................p.66
Section 4: Mitigation Strategies
Current Mitigation Strategies were added for new hazards
Landslides ......................................................................................... pp.109-111
Ice Jams .......................................................................................................p.112
Manmade Hazards ............................................................................ pp.113-114
Future Mitigation Strategies
Prioritization of Hazards added .........................................................................
Identification of Most Important Hazards added .................................................
Goal Statement and Action Items updated.......................................................................
2005 Action Items Completed added
Prioritization of Action Items added ....................................................................
Prioritized Action Plan new format with Potential Funding Sources added ...................
Preparedness and Response Action Plan added ...............................................................
NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) and additional NFIP info added ......................

Section 5: Plan Adoption and Implementation
Potential Funding Sources Table added ........................................................................p.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 4
2 – LOCAL PROFILE
Community Setting
The Town of Heath is a Massachusetts hilltown, located in the northwestern corner of Franklin
County, midway between the Connecticut River and the New York state line, along the Vermont
border. It is bordered by the Vermont Towns of Whitingham and Halifax on the north, Rowe on
the west, Charlemont on the south, and Colrain on the east. The town is relatively remote from
large population centers, located seventeen miles from Greenfield and thirty-five miles or more
from the other closest cities in Massachusetts or Vermont.
European settlement of the town began in the early 1740s. Most initial settlers bought land in
what are currently Charlemont and southern Heath. The rest of the land in current day Heath
was sold to a partnership of Boston businessmen in 1741 and is where the initial settlements in
Heath were located, though the town was not permanently settled until after the French and
Indian Wars. Settlement first occurred on what are currently known as Charlemont Hill and
Burnt Hill in southwestern and southeastern parts of town, reaching Colrain Stage Road by 1785,
the year Heath was incorporated. Due to the difficulty of crossing the West Branch Brook,
settlement of northern Heath took place later, mostly from Colrain and Vermont. By 1830
northern Heath was well populated and virtually all of the roads that currently exist had been
built, along with some that have fallen into disuse and blended into the landscape.
Farming has been the main occupation throughout Heath’s history despite very rocky soils, many
steep slopes, a relatively short growing season, and too few animals to fertilize the soil after its
initial depletion. Heath farms were most productive during the sheep-raising period of New
England history. Today, several farms are active, with products such as blueberries, grass-fed
beef, grains, vegetables, honey and maple syrup. A few saw and grist mills were built in the
past, but these were always small operations because of limited water resources in the town’s
streams. Some small logging operations currently operate in town.
From any direction it is a climb to reach Heath's town center, which consists of the Heath Union
Church, the Community Center, Town Offices in the old Grange building, Heath Public Library
and the post office. Also on the windswept common are the old general store, which now serves
as a home, the 1834 Town Hall and the 1844 one-room schoolhouse (both traditional white
clapboard New England style buildings), and a large colonial house and barn. A mile to the north
and higher on the hill are the Heath Fairgrounds. In mid-August each year, one of the last oldtime country fairs occurs here.
Vistas open from many spots in Heath: west to Mount Greylock, north to the Green Mountains
of Vermont, northeast to Mount Monadnock, and south to the Mount Holyoke Range. The
beauty of Heath's setting has attracted summer residents looking for country living in an
attractive location. Among them have been several new "Heathens" who were prominent clergy,
most famous being Reinhold Niebuhr, who first coined his serenity prayer in the Heath Union
Church. Many summer residents decide to retire to Heath. Other residents include local
craftsmen and those who want to make their homes in Heath despite the rigorous commute.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 5
Because residential development in Heath has occurred in disparate clusters of small frontage
lots, the extent of development varies from one stretch of road to another, and from one side of a
road to another. Throughout Heath, distances between intersections are long, generally between
a half-mile and a mile. No part of town stands out as a center of population density, except for
the private subdivision called Mohawk Estates. Located in the southeast corner of town,
Mohawk Estates is organized around Papoose Lake, an old beaver pond which is maintained as
open water by controlling the population of aquatic plants. Mohawk Estates was originally
created for summer camping, and land surrounding the lake is occupied by trailers, hunting
cabins, and small, year-round homes. Parcel sizes are commonly a quarter acre, but may be up
to two acres. Mohawk Estates is by far the most extensive and intensive subdivision in Heath,
and the only place where private roads have been built to accommodate recent residential
development.
According to the 2005 MassGIS Land use data, the total land area of Heath is approximately
15,932 acres, with roughly acres of 480 developed lands. Of these developed lands, 378 acres,
or a little over 2 percent, are classified as residential. The remaining land is classified as
undeveloped, with forest as the largest category consisting of 13,325 acres or about 84%.
Agricultural uses (cropland, woody perennials, and pasture) predominate on 1,386 acres or
nearly 9 percent of the total land area.
Infrastructure
Heath’s rugged geography has been a major factor in the development of its infrastructure. The
town is approximately twenty-five square miles in size and mostly covered in forest (83 percent).
Roads and Highways
There are no major arteries running through Heath. State Route 2, the closest major artery, is
accessed via the Towns of Charlemont and Florida. It connects the area to nearby towns and
urban centers. The closest access to I-91, Franklin County’s major north/south route, is in
Greenfield. The principal highway in town is State Route 8A running north/south, which
intersects cross-state Route 2 in neighboring Charlemont. Road building in Heath is constrained
by the town’s rugged landforms. The network of roads is more extensive in the central and
western portions of town, where slopes are longer and gentler. The number of public roads in
use in Heath has actually declined since the population peaked in 1830. Roads still in use are
those which have access to the best agricultural soils, often located on the saddles and plateaus of
the ridges. Of Heath’s approximately 64 total miles of roads, about 36 miles, or nearly 56
percent, are gravel.1
Rail
There is neither passenger nor freight rail service in the Town of Heath.
1
Massachusetts Department of Transportation, 2007.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 6
Public Transportation
Heath is a member of the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA). There is no fixed route
service, but FRTA provides paratransit services for the elderly and disabled through the
Shelburne Council on Aging. There is no other public transportation available in Heath.
Other Transportation
Harriman & West Airport is a General Aviation facility located three miles west of North
Adams, a distance of some twenty miles from Heath. The airport has a 4,300 ft. x 100 ft. asphalt
runway. No instrument approaches are available.
Public Drinking Water Supply
The Town of Heath does not have a municipal water supply system. Private wells serve all
residences in Heath. Drinking water for the Heath School comes from an on-site public well,
categorized by DEP as a non-transient, non-community water source for testing purposes.
Sewer Service
The Town of Heath is served entirely by private septic systems.
Schools
Public schools serving Heath include Heath Elementary School in town and the Mohawk Trail
Regional High School in Buckland.
Telecommunications and Emergency Communications System
The Town of Heath currently has no cell phone coverage and no broadband service. DSL is
available to some, including the Fire Department and Emergency Operations Center. In an effort
to address the Town’s inadequate access to high-speed internet, Heath has joined WiredWest, a
municipal cooperative of member towns that is working with state and local organizations to
build a financially sustainable, state-of-the-art fiber-optic network to serve members. Part of the
Town has been wired for high-speed internet, but the remainder of the Town is without those
services. The middle mile of fiber optic cable was laid to the Town Hall only. WiredWest would
not include middle mile cable to the Emergency Operations Center, the Fire Station, or Senior
Center, which also serves as one of the Town’s shelter. The Town has gotten a quote from Axia
for running middle mile services to their EOC and have been told it would cost approximately
$30K to do so.
The Town is now equipped with Code Red, a voluntary Reverse 911-type service that the Town
can use to notify residents of emergencies and other high-priority information. The Town is still
promoting the service through their website, encouraging residents to sign up.The Town also
keeps a list of residents requiring additional assistance during emergencies. This list is updated
regularly. It was updated in the last year by the Town Nurse.
Natural Resources
Terrain, Topography and Forest Cover
The Town of Heath’s most noteworthy natural features are its abundant forestland and scenic
vistas. The town possesses a rugged landscape with steep hills and deep ravines, which are
extensions of the Green Mountains. Elevations range from 900 feet above sea level, at the mouth
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 7
of West Branch of the North River, to 1,909 feet, at the peak of Underwood Hill. Heath’s most
rugged landforms are on the east side of town, along Burnt Hill and the lower valley of the West
Branch of the North River. The great variation of Heath’s landscape creates many areas of
scenic value. There are views to mountains near and far in all directions, dams and dam
remnants as reminders of the town’s past, and numerous waterfalls.
Water Resources
Heath’s surface water is found in streams, ponds, and wetlands. Both isolated and bordering
vegetated wetlands are found in Heath, and are the sources of many of Heath’s streams.
According to MassGIS 2005 Land Use Data, there are approximately 327 acres of wetlands in
Town and approximately 23 acres of streams and ponds.
The Town of Heath contains the headwaters of a number of streams which flow into the
surrounding towns of Colrain, Rowe, and Charlemont. Those streams originate in the central
uplands of Heath and flow through the southern part of town. Streams in Heath which have
sources outside of Heath’s borders originate less than two miles away in Rowe or in
Whitingham, Vermont. These streams run in the northern part of town, flowing from north to
south and from west to east to feed the West Branch of the North River. All of Heath’s streams
are Class B waters and are protected under the Massachusetts Wetlands and Rivers Protection
Act.
Ponds in Heath include Papoose Lake, which lies in the headwaters of Davenport Brook, and
other smaller ponds in the vicinity of the north loop of Hosmer Road. Dams remaining along
Mill Brook form a series of small reservoirs. Beaver dams are also prevalent along many of
Heath’s streams. See pages 33-34 and Map 3-1 for more information on beaver dams.
Heath has ample groundwater, which collects between tilted layers of bedrock. Heath recharges
its underground aquifers through sandy glacial deposits lying along the West Branch Brook, Mill
Brook, Avery Brook, and Taylor Brook.
The Town of Heath Wetlands Protection Bylaw applies stricter standards and provides an
additional level of protection to surface water bodies, waterways, wetlands, and also banks and
beaches. With the town bylaw, isolated wetlands achieve protected status. Since 1989, Heath’s
zoning bylaw has included a Water Supply Protection Overlay District to limit the possibility of
groundwater contamination. Of the five areas which are subject to the regulations, two are at the
edge of town. The associated aquifers may not be subject to the same level of protection across
the town border. Also a number of aquifer recharge areas are located outside of the Water
Supply Protection Districts. Heath’s zoning bylaws also include a Floodplain Overlay District in
two locations, both along West Branch Brook. Within the Floodplain District, property owners
must comply with state regulations for floodplain development, and must show that their plans
will not adversely affect water flows or water levels during floods.
Cultural and Historic Resources
The importance of integrating cultural resource and historic property considerations into hazard
mitigation planning is demonstrated by disasters that have occurred in recent years, such as the
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 8
Northridge earthquake in California, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, or floods in the
Midwest. Closer to home, the June 1, 2011 tornado, which ripped through Springfield, Monson
and other towns in Hamden and Worcester Counties, caused injuries, loss of life and widespread
damages to historic properties. The effects of a disaster can be extensive—from human
casualties to property and crop damage to the disruption of governmental, social, and economic
activity.
Often not measured, however, are the possibly devastating impacts of disasters on historic
properties and cultural resources. Historic structures, artwork, monuments, family heirlooms,
and historic documents are often irreplaceable, and may be lost forever in a disaster if not
considered in the mitigation planning process. The loss of these resources is all the more painful
and ironic considering how often residents rely on their presence after a disaster, to reinforce
connections with neighbors and the larger community, and to seek comfort in the aftermath of a
disaster.2
Historic properties and cultural resources can be important economic assets, often increasing
property values and attracting businesses and tourists to a community. While preservation of
historic and cultural assets can require funding, it can also stimulate economic development and
revitalization. Hazard mitigation planning can help forecast and plan for the protection of historic
properties and cultural resources.
Cultural and historic resources help define the character of a community and reflect its past.
These resources may be vulnerable to natural hazards due to their location in a potential hazard
area, such as a river corridor, or because of old or unstable structures. The 2011 Heath
Comprehensive Emergency Management (CEM) Plan identifies cultural resources in Town,
some of which contain historic documents and cultural artifacts (Table 2-1).
Table 2-1: Heath CEM Plan Cultural Resources
Resource Name
Fort Shirley
Town Museum 1
Town Museum 2
Resource Location
East Hosmer Road
East Main Street
East Main Street
Materials
Contained
Resource Type
Historical Site
Historical Building
Historical Building
None
Museum, artifacts
Museum, artifacts
Source: 2012 Heath CEM Plan
The Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS)3 lists a total of 71 areas,
buildings, burial grounds, objects, and structures of cultural and/or historic significance in Heath.
Designation on this list does not provide any protective measures for the historic resources but
designated sites may qualify for federal and state funding if damaged during a natural or
manmade hazard. MACRIS data are compiled from a variety of records and files maintained by
the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), including but not limited to, the Inventory of
Historic Assets of the Commonwealth, National Register of Historic Places nominations, State
Register of Historic Places listings, and local historic district study reports.
2
Integrating Historic Property and Cultural Resource Considerations Into Hazard Mitigation Planning, State and Local
Mitigation Planning How-To Guide, FEMA 386-6 / May 2005.
3
http://mhc-macris.net/Results.aspx
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 9
Community Facilities and Resources
It is important for communities to determine which areas or specific populations in their
community may need special attention in times of an emergency. In addition to the infrastructure
previously described, these critical facilities are identified on Map 1.
Critical Facilities
A community’s critical facilities include important municipal structures (i.e., town hall),
emergency service structures (i.e., municipal public safety complex, shelters, and medical
centers), and locations of populations that may need special assistance (i.e., nursing homes, day
cares, schools, prisons) and major employers or other areas where there is a dense concentration
of people. In Heath, the identified critical facilities are shown in Table 2-2.
Table 2-2: Heath CEM Plan Critical Facilities
Resource Name
Sawyer Hill Police Station
Heath Fire Station
Heath Town Hall
Heath Post Office
Heath Community Hall/Senior Center
Heath DPW Facilities
Resource Location
1 East Main Street
123 Branch Hill Road
1 East Main Street
1 East Main Street
1 West Main Street
122 Branch Hill Road
Source: 2012 Heath CEM Plan and Committee members
Natural Hazard Emergency Shelters
The Comprehensive Emergency Management (CEM) Plan for Heath was last updated April 03,
2012 by town officials and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. The document
“outlines an emergency management program for planning and response to potential emergency
or disaster situations,” which includes emergency shelters to accommodate victims of natural
hazards, as shown in Table 2-2.
Table 2-2: Heath Emergency Shelters
Resource Name
Heath Community Hall/Senior Center*
Heath Elementary School
Mohawk Estate Recreation Hall
Heath Union Church
Trinity Community Church**
Resource Location
1 West Main Street
18 Jacobs Road
Mohawk Beach Drive
3 East Main Street
220 Number Nine Road
Generator? Capacity
Feeding
Capacity
Y
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
N
150
200
100
50
100
*This is the Town’s primary shelter and is also a public water supply. It is not currently equipped with cots.
**Located in or very near the flood plain. Source: 2012 Heath CEM Plan and Committee members
The Committee should periodically review the available shelters to determine each shelter’s
potential occupancy, accessibility via evacuation routes, susceptibility to hazards (such as floods
and high winds), and access to back up utilities.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 10
3 – RISK ASSESSMENT
Natural Hazard Identification and Profile
Historical research, conversations with local officials and emergency management personnel,
available hazard mapping and other weather-related databases were used to identify the hazards
that are most likely to have an impact on the Town of Heath. It should be noted that because
different sources of data are used for various hazards, the year of most recent information
available may vary from one hazard to another. In all cases the most recent information available
at the time that work was done on this plan was used.
Two hazards, drought and temperature extremes, historically have not been significant hazards
for Heath. These hazards are no more likely to occur in Heath than elsewhere in the state.
Therefore, drought and extreme temperatures were not covered in detail in this plan, other than a
summary of these two hazards, which is presented, below. For more information on these
hazards, please refer to the recently updated Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan (2013).
Drought is a period characterized by long durations of below normal precipitation. Drought
conditions occur in virtually all climatic zones yet its characteristics vary significantly from one
region to another, since it is relative to the normal precipitation in that region. Drought can
affect agriculture, water supply, aquatic ecology, wildlife, and plant life. The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts is often considered a ‘water-rich’ state. Abundant precipitation results from
frontal systems or storms that move across the continent and exit through the Northeast. Under
normal conditions, regions across the state annually receive between 44 and 47 inches of
precipitation.
There is no universal definition for extreme temperatures. The term is relative to the usual
weather in the region based on climatic averages. Extreme heat, for this climatic region, is
usually defined as a period of 3 or more consecutive days above 90 °F, but more generally a
prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity.
Extreme cold, again, is relative to the normal climatic lows in a region. Temperatures that drop
decidedly below normal and wind speeds that increase can cause harmful wind-chill factors. The
wind chill is the apparent temperature felt on exposed skin due to the combination of air
temperature and wind speed. Massachusetts has four well-defined seasons. The seasons have
several defining factors, with temperature one of the most significant. Extreme temperatures can
be defined as those that are far outside of the normal ranges for Massachusetts.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 11
Floods
General Description
The average annual precipitation for Heath and surrounding areas in the Connecticut River
Valley is 46 inches (2010 data).4 Heath received 51 inches of rain in 2002, the most recent year
for which there is complete data available.5 There are three major types of storms that bring
precipitation to Heath. Continental storms that originate from the west continually move across
the region. These storms are typically low-pressure systems that may be slow-moving frontal
systems or more intense, fast-moving storms. Precipitation from coastal storms, also known as
nor’easters, that travel into New England from the south constitute the second major storm type.
In the late summer or early fall, the most severe type of these coastal storms, hurricanes, may
reach Massachusetts and result in significant amounts of rainfall. The third type of storm is the
result of local convective action. Thunderstorms that form on warm, humid summer days can
cause locally significant rainfall.
Floods can be classified as either flash floods, which are the product of heavy, localized
precipitation in a short time period over a given location or general floods, which are caused by
precipitation over a longer time period in a particular river basin. There are several local factors
that determine the severity of a flooding event, including: stream and river basin topography,
precipitation and weather patterns, recent soil moisture conditions, amount of impervious surface
area, and the degree of vegetative clearing. Floods occur more frequently and are one of the
most costly natural hazards in the United States.
Flash flooding events typically occur within minutes or hours after a period of heavy
precipitation, after a dam or levee failure, or from a sudden release of water from an ice jam.
Most often, flash flooding is the result of a slow-moving thunderstorm or the heavy rains from a
hurricane. In rural areas, flash flooding often occurs when small streams spill over their banks.
However, in urbanized areas, flash flooding is often the result of clogged storm drains (leaves
and other debris) and the higher amount of impervious surface area (roadways, parking lots, roof
tops). In contrast, general flooding events may last for several days. Excessive precipitation
within a watershed of a stream or river can result in flooding particularly when development in
the floodplain has obstructed the natural flow of the water and/or decreased the natural ability of
the groundcover to absorb and retain surface water runoff (e.g., the loss of wetlands and the
higher amounts of impervious surface area in urban areas).
A floodplain is the relatively flat, lowland area adjacent to a river, lake or stream. Floodplains
serve an important function, acting like large “sponges” to absorb and slowly release floodwaters
back to surface waters and groundwater. Over time, sediments that are deposited in floodplains
develop into fertile, productive farmland like that found in the Connecticut River Valley. In the
past, floodplain areas were also often seen as prime locations for development. Industries were
located on the banks of rivers for access to hydropower. Residential and commercial
development occurred in floodplains because of their scenic qualities and proximity to the water.
Although periodic flooding of a floodplain area is a natural occurrence, past and current
4
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation precipitation data,
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/rainfall/index.htm.
5
Ibid.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 12
development and alteration of these areas will result in flooding that is a costly and frequent
hazard.
Fluvial erosion hazard (FEH) zones are areas along rivers and streams that are susceptible to
bank erosion caused by flash flooding. Any area within a mapped FEH zone is considered
susceptible to bank erosion during a single severe flood or after many years of slow channel
migration. While the areas of the FEH zones often overlap with areas mapped within the 100year flood plain on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), the FIRMs only show areas that
are likely to be inundated by floodwaters that overtop the riverbanks during a severe flood.
However, much flood-related property damage and injuries is the result of bank erosion that can
undermine roads, bridges, building foundations and other infrastructure. Consequently, FEH
zones are sometimes outside of the 100-year flood plain shown on FIRMs. FEH zones can be
mapped using fluvial geomorphic assessment data as well as historic data on past flood events.
Both the FIRMs and FEH maps should be used in concert to understand and avoid both
inundation and erosion hazards, respectively.6
Location and Extent
Franklin County has several major rivers and numerous tributaries which are susceptible to flood
events. The major rivers in the region include the Connecticut, the Deerfield, and the Millers.
There are no rivers that flow through Heath. In Heath, the 100-year floodplain covers about 53
acres, or less than one percent of the town, including only about one acre of developed
residential land.7 In addition to the 100-year floodplain, there are a number of streams in Heath
with the potential to cause localized flooding. Although the Town has no major rivers flowing
through it, its steep terrain and deeply cut stream valleys make the parts of the town – especially
those parts located along streams and in valleys - vulnerable to localized flooding events.
Table 3-1 shows occurrences of flooding in Franklin County since 1993, through September
2011. Table 3-2 shows the one reference to flooding in Heath which occurred in April of 2007.
Table 3-1: Flooding Events in Franklin County Since 1993
# of Flood
Annual Property
Annual Crop
Year
Events
Damage
Damage
2013
0
$0
$0
2012
2
$0
$0
2011
8
$22,275,000
$0
2010
1
$150,000
$0
2009
0
$0
$0
2008
3
$38,000
$0
2007
1
$250,000
$0
2006
0
$0
$0
2005
5
$11,435,000
$0
2004
2
$10,000
$0
6
Ammonoosuc River Fluvial Erosion Hazard Map for Littleton, NH. Field Geology Services,
2010.
7
2005 MassGIS land use data.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 13
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
# of Flood
Events
1
0
1
1
0
4
0
11
3
2
5
Total # of
Years
Total # of
Flood Events
21
50
Year
Annual Property
Damage
$10,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$75,000
$0
$1,800,000
$0
$0
$0
Average Annual
Property
Damage
$720,860
Annual Crop
Damage
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Average Annual
Crop Damage
$0
Source:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=199
6&endDate_mm=06&endDate_dd=30&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28C%29+Flood&county=FRANKLIN
&zone=ALL&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS#
Table 3-2: Flood Events in Heath 1991-20138
Property
Date
Type
Crop Damage Excerpts from storm details for Heath only
Damage
04/16/2007 Flood
$250,000
$0 An unusually strong and slow moving
coastal storm for mid April. This storm
brought a variety of impacts in southern
New England, including heavy snow to the
higher elevations of western MA, damaging
winds in excess of 60 mph, widespread river
and stream flooding. Multiple roads were
closed due to flooding in Heath.
Source:http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~260419
(previous
query)
and
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=199
6&endDate_mm=08&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28C%29+Flood&county=FRANKLIN
&zone=ALL&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS (accessed 11/25/2013).
Tropical Storm Tammy, 2005
In October 2005, rains from Tropical Storm Tammy and a subtropical depression caused severe
flooding in New England, with Massachusetts sustaining $6.5 million in damages. A trailer park
in Greenfield was destroyed, leaving 70 people homeless. Roads were washed out as more than
20 inches of rain fell on some areas of the region. In Heath, power was knocked out for a day and
phone service was also lost, including 911.
8
The NOAA database is undergoing its 3rd upgrade. 18 event(s) were reported between 01/01/1996 and 08/31/2013 (6453 days).
Website accessed November 2013.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 14
Tropical Storm Irene
The most recent – and dramatic – example of flooding occurred in the area during and after
Tropical Storm Irene which struck Franklin County on August 28, 2011. Irene hit Western
Massachusetts in a far more dramatic way than was anticipated. Given that the vast majority of
damage caused by Irene was as a result of flooding, Irene is included in this section of the Plan.
According to the National Weather Service, up to 9.92 inches of rain fell during the storm,
though amounts varied significantly across Franklin County. Rivers, streams and brooks
throughout the County and parts of neighboring Hampshire County and Southern Vermont
surpassed flood levels and rising water gathered debris that clogged culverts. Roads and bridges
were washed out and homes and businesses were flooded and, in some cases, washed away
altogether. About 140 Air National Guard members established a base of operations at nearby
Mohawk Trail Regional High School in Buckland and were deployed to repair the damage left in
Irene’s wake. Damage to roads in nearby Hawley was so severe that for several days travel was
only possible by helicopter.
Although the Town of Heath did not experience any significant power outages due to Irene,
residents were not so fortunate where their roads were concerned. As shown on the Critical
Facilities Map, many roads in Heath had significant portions that were completely washed away.
When asked to help map the roads impacted by Irene, Michael Smith, from the Town’s DPW
and Fire Department stated that it might be easier to map the roads that were not impacted,
illustrating the widespread devastation Heath experienced.
Table 3-3 shows a list of roads heavily impacted by Tropical Storm Irene flood waters and the
Critical Facilities Map 3-1 shows the locations of the road damages. Route 8A, Number Nine
Road and Stone Hill Road, all paved roads, had significant sections of washouts from Irene’s
flood waters. In addition to these washouts, eleven other non-paved roads also experienced
significant washouts. As shown in the following pictures, flood waters washed away large
sections of road in some cases. In other cases, the roads became channels for rushing water and
were subjected to severe scouring, with much of the fill washed away, leaving large rocks and
boulders exposed. In many cases, culverts did not have the capacity to handle the onslaught of
flood waters, and water rushed up and over road ways.
Table 3-3: Road Damages Due to Tropical Storm Irene Flood Waters
Critical Facilities
Road Name
Map ID #
I1
Taylor Brook Road
I2
Flagg Hill Road
I3
Swamp Road
I4 and I5
Hosmer Road*
I6
Dell Road
I7
Long Hill Road
I8
Judd Road
I9
Route 8A
I10
Rowe Road
I11
Number Nine Road
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 15
Critical Facilities
Map ID #
I12
I13
I14
I15
Road Name
Stone Hill Road
West Branch Road
Sadoga Road
Brunelle Road
Source: Committee
Roads in Heath were damaged – or washed away altogether – as a result of flooding from Tropical Storm Irene.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 16
Heath town officials, first responders, DPW and volunteers cooperated to manage the impacts from Irene.
In the region, two regional shelters were opened including one at Greenfield Middle School. At
least 42,000 homes and businesses in the region were initially without power. Governor Duval
Patrick declared a state of emergency and President Barack Obama issued disaster decrees for
Berkshire and Franklin Counties and FEMA opened disaster recovery assistance offices in two
Franklin County towns. Despite the magnitude of damage, no deaths were reported as a result of
Irene.
FEMA preliminary damage assessment (PDA) from the storm totals a cost of $27,713,911
statewide for municipal public damage, not including damage incurred by state-owned
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 17
infrastructure. Franklin County’s PDA estimates a total of $22,816,077 in damages, or 82% of
the cost of all local public damage statewide.
Chronic Flooding
In addition to the dramatic examples of flooding due to tropical storms, Heath also has several
areas of chronic flooding. These are areas that regularly flood during heavy rains. They are listed
in the following table and shown on the Critical Facilities Map 3-1. As well as these chronic
flooding areas, there are several places in Town where the culverts are too small to handle
heavier rain events. The culverts are regularly overwhelmed and rain water rushes up over the
roads where the culverts are located. They are shown on the Critical Facilities Map with a star
symbol.
Table 3-4: Areas of Chronic Flooding in Heath
Critical Facilities
Road Name
Map ID #
F1
Hosmer Road
F2
Sadoga Road
F3
Flagg Hill Road
F4
Brunelle Road
F5
Swamp Road
Potential Mitigation Measures for Flooding
Potential projects to help mitigate the effects of flooding include:
 Continue to cut brush immediately around bridge abutments and culverts to reduce the
opportunity for snags.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 18
Map 3-1: Town of Heath Critical Facilities and Infrastructure 2014
Beaver Deceiver in Place
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 19
Severe Winter Storms
General Description
Severe winter storms can pose a significant risk to property and human life because the rain,
freezing rain, ice, snow, cold temperatures and wind associated with these storms can disrupt
utility service, phone service and make roadways extremely hazardous. Severe winter storms
can be deceptive killers. The types of deaths that can occur as a result of a severe winter storm
include: traffic accidents on icy or snow-covered roads, heart attacks while shoveling snow, and
hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Infrastructure and other property
are also at risk from severe winter storms and the associated flooding that can occur following
heavy snow melt. Power and telephone lines, trees, and telecommunications structures can be
damaged by ice, wind, snow, and falling trees and tree limbs. Icy road conditions or roads
blocked by fallen trees may make it difficult to respond promptly to medical emergencies or
fires. Prolonged, extremely cold temperatures can also cause inadequately insulated potable
water lines and fire sprinkler pipes to rupture and disrupt the delivery of drinking water.
Severe winter storms can include blizzards, heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice storms. A
blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds and low temperatures. The
difference between a blizzard and a snowstorm is the strength of the wind. To be a blizzard, a
snow storm must have sustained winds or frequent gusts that are greater than or equal to 56 km/h
(35 mph) with blowing or drifting snow which reduces visibility to 400 meters or a quarter mile
or less and must last for a prolonged period of time — typically three hours or more.9 Snowfall
amounts do not have to be significant. A severe blizzard has winds over 72 km/h (45 mph), near
zero visibility, and temperatures of −12 °C (10 °F) or lower. A ground blizzard has snowdrifts
and blowing snow near the ground, but no falling snow.10 Blizzards can bring near-whiteout
conditions, and can paralyze regions for days at a time, particularly where snowfall is unusual or
rare. Freezing Rain is rain that falls as a liquid but freezes into glaze upon contact with the
ground.11 Heavy Snow generally means snowfall accumulating to 4" or more in depth in 12
hours or less; or snowfall accumulating to 6" or more in depth in 24 hours or less.12
Location and Extent
Franklin County regularly experiences severe winter storm events between the months of
December and April. According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), there have been
a total of 111 snow and ice events reported in Franklin County between February 1, 1993 and
February 26, 2010, including heavy snow, snow, ice storms, snow squalls, freezing rain and
winter storms.13 The NCDC web site has more detailed information about each of the listed
storms. Eleven out of the 115 snow and ice events that impacted Franklin County (as well as
other areas of Massachusetts) resulted in Presidential Disaster Declarations or Emergency
Declarations, which then made the state, residents and businesses eligible for federal disaster
9
http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?letter=b
10
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/69478/blizzard
http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?letter=f
12
http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?letter=h
13
http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms
11
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 20
relief funds. Table 3-5 lists the 7 recent severe winter disasters that have led to Presidential
Disaster or Emergency Declarations in Massachusetts.
Table 3-5: Major Disaster and Emergency Declarations in Massachusetts, 1993 - 2009
Disaster #/
Federal
Date of
Disaster Name
Declared Areas
Type of
Share
Event
Assistance
Disbursed
Blizzards, High Winds March 1993 All 14 Counties
and Record Snowfall
Blizzard
January 1996 All 14 Counties
Snowstorm
March 2001
Counties of Berkshire, Essex,
Franklin, Hampshire, Middlesex,
Norfolk, and Worcester. The cost
share is 75% federal and 25% local.
February 2003 All 14 Counties. The cost share is
75% federal and 25% local.
December
Counties of Barnstable, Berkshire,
2003
Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden,
Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk,
Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester
January 2005 All 14 Counties
Snowstorm
Snowstorm
Snowstorm
Severe Winter Storm
Severe Storms and
Flooding
Severe Winter Storm
and Snowstorm
Tropical Storm Irene
FEMA-3103-EM
(PA)
FEMA-1090-EM
(PA)
FEMA-3165-EM
(PA)
FEMA-3175-EM
(PA)
FEMA-3191-EM
(PA)
FEMA-3201-EM
(PA)
December
Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, FEMA-3296-EM2008
Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, MA
Suffolk, and Worcester
*(Figure as of 9/8/2009)
December
5 counties (Berkshire, Franklin,
FEMA-1813-DR2008
Hampden, Hampshire, and
MA(PA)
Worcester Counties)
January 2011 Berkshire, Essex, Hampshire,
FEMA-1959-DR
Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk and
(PA)
Hampden Counties
August 27-29, Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden,
FEMA-4028-DR
2011
Hampshire, Norfolk, Bristol,
Plymouth, Barnstable, Martha’s
Vineyard, and Nantucket Counties
$1,284,873
$16,177,860
$21,065,441
$28,868,815
$35,683,865
$49,945,087
$66,509,713
$32,058,172
$1,050,102
$26,620,515
Severe Storm and
Snowstorm
October 2011 Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden,
FEMA-4051-DR
$71,927,443
Hampshire, Middlesex, and
(PA)
(obligated)
Worcester Counties
Severe Winter Storm, February 8-9, All 14 Counties
FEMA-DR-4110
$16,474,989
Snowstorm and
2013
(obligated)
Flooding
Notes: Public Assistance (PA) Project grants. Supplemental disaster assistance to states, local governments,
certain private non-profit organizations resulting from declared major disasters or emergencies.
Although ice storms occur much less frequently than snow storms (4 out of 115 in the NCDC
database), their impact can be devastating. A December 2008 ice storm deposited half an inch of
ice on exposed surfaces across Franklin County. This major ice storm affected interior
Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire as well as much of northern New England. The ice
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 21
buildup on exposed surfaces combined with breezy conditions resulted in numerous downed
trees, branches, and power lines, which resulted in widespread power outages. Road travel was
treacherous. Many homes, mainly in the western part of the county, were without power for
weeks. More than 300,000 customers were reportedly without power in Massachusetts and an
additional 300,000 were without power in the state of New Hampshire. The storm prompted a
Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance for Franklin County and indirectly caused the
death of a utility worker. FEMA distributed $50 million to the Commonwealth, part of an $80
million grant to northeastern states affected by the storm. Outages were widespread in Heath for
up to one week after the storm. Several roads were blocked with downed trees and live power
lines for a couple of days. The Red Cross help the Town open a shelter, which was staffed by the
Board of Health and kept open for four days.
On October 29, 2011, an early snow storm brought over a foot of snow in some areas of the
county. In lower elevations, the snow was heavier and caused many tree limbs, most of which
still held their leaves, to break and fall. Power outages were widespread across New England,
and lasted over a week in a few places in the Connecticut River valley. Eighteen to twenty-five
inches of snow fell across western Franklin County. Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees,
breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages. In
Heath, outages were widespread.
Not all severe winter storms result in Presidential Disaster Declarations or Emergency
Declarations although damage to property and infrastructure, fatalities, and interruptions to
critical services and businesses can occur as a result of these events. The Northeast Snowfall
Impact Scale (NESIS) developed by Paul Kocin and Louis Uccellini of the National Weather
Service (Kocin and Uccellini, 2004) characterizes and ranks Northeast snowstorms that have a
large geographic impact. NESIS has five categories: Extreme, Crippling, Major, Significant, and
Notable. The index differs from other meteorological indices in that it uses population
information in addition to meteorological measurements. NESIS scores are a function of the
area affected by the snowstorm, the amount of snow, and the number of people living in the path
of the storm. Thus NESIS gives an indication of a storm's societal impacts. This scale was
developed because of the impact Northeast snowstorms can have on the rest of the country in
terms of transportation and economic impact.14 The NESIS database includes 47 storms, many
of which have dumped at least 10-20 inches on Franklin County towns. The database also
includes maps (see Map 3-2) of the affected areas.15 Because of the rural nature of the Franklin
County, a storm classified as Extreme or Crippling for the affected area may not have had as
devastating an impact on the towns in Franklin County. However, the severity of these storms
and their impact on Franklin County, neighboring counties and other New England states may
affect the availability of disaster relief services.
The entire Town of Heath is at risk to the impacts of severe winter storms. The 2010
Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan includes a map (Map 3-3) of Mean Annual Snowfall
for the period 1959-2009. This map shows that many of the towns in western Franklin County
14
15
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/snow-and-ice/nesis.php
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/snow-and-ice/rsi/nesis
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 22
receive the greatest amount of annual snowfall in the state. The mean annual snowfall for the
Town of Heath is >72 inches.
Map 3-2: Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale
Map 3-3: Mean Annual Snowfall for the period 1959-2009
Potential Mitigation Measures for Severe Winter Storms
 Continue program of tree maintenance & trimming along roads.
 Develop regional plan to insure reliable access to fuel during extended power outages.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 23
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
General Description
Hurricanes are violent rainstorms with strong winds that can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per
hour. Hurricanes generally occur between June and November and can result in flooding and
wind damage to structures and above-ground utilities. In Massachusetts, major hurricanes
occurred in 1904, 1938, 1954, 1955, 1960 and 1976. According to MEMA maps, in 1959,
Hurricane Gracie passed through the upper quarter of Heath, however, it passed through as a
tropical depression with a wind speed of thirty-five miles per hour.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (see Figure 3-1) is a 1 to 5 rating based on a
hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes
reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for
significant loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, and
require preventative measures.16 Tropical storms, defined as having sustained winds from 34-73
mph, have also resulted in high winds and damages in Franklin County.
Figure 3-1: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php
Location and Extent
In Massachusetts, major hurricanes occurred in 1904, 1938, 1954, 1955, 1960, 1976, 1985 and
1991.17 The Great New England Hurricane of 1938, a Category 3 hurricane which occurred on
September 21, 1938, was one of the most destructive and powerful storms ever to strike Southern
New England. Sustained hurricane force winds occurred throughout most of Southern New
16
National Weather Service National Hurricane Center:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php .
17
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 24
England. Extensive damage occurred to roofs, trees and crops. Widespread power outages
occurred, which in some areas lasted several weeks. Rainfall from this hurricane resulted in
severe river flooding across sections of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The combined effects
from a frontal system several days earlier and the hurricane produced rainfall of 10 to 17 inches
across most of the Connecticut River Valley. This resulted in some of the worst flooding ever
recorded in this area.18 The last hurricane to make landfall in New England was Hurricane Bob,
a weak category 2 hurricane, in August 1991.
In Franklin County, Hurricane Bob caused roughly $5,555,556 in property and crop damages.19
Between 1990 and 2008, 16 tropical storms impacted the County, causing almost $600,000 in
property damages.20 Tropical Storm Irene hit Franklin County on August 28, 2011, resulting in
over $22 million in property damages from flooding and an additional $3,050,000 in other,
mostly wind-related, damage.21
Tropical storms, defined as having sustained winds from 34-73 mph, have also resulted in high
winds and damages in Franklin County. Between 1990 and 2011, one hurricane and 17 tropical
storms have been recorded in Franklin County (Table 3-4). Hurricane Bob in 1991 caused over
5.5 million dollars in property damage in the county, and over $500,000 in crop damage.
NOAA’s Storm Events Database listed no data for Hurricanes or Tropical Storm events for
Western Franklin County.
As described in the previous Floods section, Tropical Storm Irene caused significant damage
throughout Franklin County, which was declared a disaster area by President Obama a little over
a week after the storm. The major impacts of the storm came from heavy rains and flooding.
Wind gusts did cause power outages in parts of the county. Impacts to Heath were more from
floods more than wind, and power outages were few in Heath .
The entire Town of Heath is potentially at risk from wind and flood impacts of hurricanes and
tropical storms.
Potential Mitigation Measures for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms


Continue program of tree maintenance & trimming along roads.
Develop regional plan to insure reliable access to fuel during extended power outages
Tornados
General Description
Tornados are swirling columns of air that typically form in the spring and summer during severe
thunderstorm events. In a relatively short period of time and with little or no advance warning, a
tornado can attain rotational wind speeds in excess of 250 miles per hour and can cause severe
18
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/hurricane/hurricane1938.shtml
Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database (SHELDUS), http://webra.cas.sc.edu/hvri/
20
Ibid.
19
21
Hazards & Vulnerability Research Institute (2013). The Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database for the United
States, Version 12.0 [Online Database]. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina. Available from
http://www.sheldus.org
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 25
devastation along a path that ranges from a few dozen yards to over a mile in width. The path of
a tornado may be hard to predict because they can stall or change direction abruptly. Within
Massachusetts, tornados have occurred most frequently in Worcester County and in communities
west of Worcester. High wind speeds, hail, and debris generated by tornados can result in loss of
life, downed trees and power lines, and damage to structures and other personal property (cars,
etc.).
Location and Extent
The Enhanced Fujita Scale (Figure 3-2), implemented in February 2007, is used by
meteorologists to rate tornado damage on a scale from EF0 to EF5. The EF Scale incorporates
more damage indicators and degrees of damage than the original Fujita Scale, allowing more
detailed analysis and better correlation between damage and wind speed.
Figure 3-2: Enhanced Fujita Scale
Since 1996, three tornadoes have been reported in Franklin County, in the towns of Heath
(1997), Charlemont (1997), and Wendell (2006). See Table 3-6. The July 2006 tornado in
Wendell was rated F2 (Strong) on the Fujita Scale with winds estimated near 155 mph.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 26
“Gustnado” is a slang term for a short-lived, ground-based, shallow, vortex that develops on a
gust front associated with either thunderstorms or showers. Gustnadoes have been known to
cause damage in Franklin County. In 2009, a gustnado destroyed a tobacco barn and downed
trees in the neighboring town of Sunderland.
According to NOAA, a gustnado may only extend to 30 to 300 feet above the ground with no
apparent connection to the convective cloud above. They may be accompanied by rain, but
usually are 'wispy', or only visible as a debris cloud or dust whirl at or near the ground. Wind
speeds can reach 60 to 80 mph, resulting in significant damage, similar to that of a F0 or F1
tornado. However, gustnadoes are not considered to be a tornado, and in some cases, it may be
difficult to distinguish a gustnado from a tornado. Gustnadoes are not associated with stormscale rotation (i.e. mesocyclones) that is involved with true tornadoes; they are more likely to be
associated visually with a shelf cloud that is found on the forward side of a thunderstorm.
Table 3-6: Tornados in Franklin County 1996 - 2013
Date
Location
Hazard
Type
Injuries
Fatalities
Property
Damage
7/3/1997
Heath
Tornado
0
0
$ 50,000
7/3/1997
Charlemont
Tornado
0
0
$ 50,000
Crop
Damage
Remarks
7/11/200
F2 Tornado; winds
Wendell
Tornado 0
0
$ 200,000
6
near 155 mph
Source: NOAA National Climate Data Center
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=199
6&endDate_mm=08&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&county=FRANKL
IN&zone=ALL&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS
Within Massachusetts, tornados have occurred most frequently in Worcester County and in
communities west of Worcester. However three tornados touched down in the Springfield area
on June 1, 2011, causing significant damage to the built and natural environment and resulting in
three deaths. No tornados have impacted Heath in recent years according to the Committee.
However, although the probability of a tornado is low, the entire town of Heath could be
impacted equally by a tornado.
Potential Mitigation Measures for Tornados


Continue program of tree maintenance & trimming along roads.
Develop regional plan to insure reliable access to fuel during extended power outages.
Microbursts and Thunderstorms
General Description
The category of Microbursts and Thunderstorms includes associated storm effects including hail
and lightning. Damaging winds due to severe thunderstorms and microbursts are common in
western Massachusetts and can cause significant damage. The National Weather Service defines
a severe thunderstorm as having large hail, at least 3/4 inches (0.75 inches) in diameter, and/or
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 27
damaging winds, at least 58 mph, or 50 knots.22 A microburst is a downdraft (sinking air) in a
thunderstorm that is less than 2.5 miles in scale. Some microbursts can pose a threat to life and
property, but all microbursts pose a significant threat to aviation. Although microbursts are not
as widely recognized as tornados, they can cause comparable, and in some cases, worse damage
than some tornados. In fact, wind speeds as high as 150 mph are possible in extreme microburst
cases. There are a handful of factors that cause microbursts to develop, including mid-level dry
air entrainment, cooling beneath the thunderstorm cloud base, sublimation (occurs when the
cloud base is above the freezing level), and the existence of rain and/or hail within the
thunderstorm (i.e. precipitation loading).23
Location and Extent
The entire town of Heath can be impacted by microbursts or strong thunderstorm winds and
associated flooding. As stated on page 14 of the Floods section, those parts of Town along
streams and brooks as well as According to data supplied by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center, from December 2006 –
October 2013, Heath experienced three microburst (or “thunderstorm wind”) events (see Table
3-7). All three events caused property damage, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
No hail or lightning events were reported in Heath from 1996 – 2013, according to the NOAA
database.
Table 3-7: Thunderstorm Wind Events in Heath, 1996 to 2013
Property
Crop
Excerpts from storm details for Heath
Date
Type
Damage Damage
only
Thunderstorm
06/05/2002
$2,000
$0
None available
Wind
A hot and humid air mass combined with
an approaching cold front sparked strong
to severe thunderstorms across interior and
Thunderstorm
07/27/2005
$5,000
$0
northeast Massachusetts during the late
Wind
afternoon and early evening hours of 27
July. These thunderstorms produced
damaging winds and dangerous lightning.
A lingering surface trough and an
approaching cold front resulted in showers
Thunderstorm
07/06/2011
$3,000
$0
and thunderstorms developing across
Wind
western Massachusetts. These
thunderstorms produced damaging winds.
Source: NOAA National Climate Data Center
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=199
6&endDate_mm=08&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&county=FRANKL
IN&zone=ALL&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS
22
23
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/sevwxdef.html
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ama/?n=microbursts
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 28
Potential Mitigation Measures for Microbursts and Thunderstorms


Continue program of tree maintenance & trimming along roads.
Develop regional plan to insure reliable access to fuel during extended power outages.
Wildfires and Brushfires
General Description
According to FEMA, there are three different classes of wildland fires: surface fires, ground
fires and crown fires.24 The most common type of wildland fire is a surface fire that burns
slowly along the floor of a forest, killing or damaging trees. A ground fire burns on or below the
forest floor and is usually started by lightening. Crown fires move quickly by jumping along the
tops of trees. A crown fire may spread rapidly, especially under windy conditions.
While wildfires have not been a significant problem in Heath, there is always a possibility that
changing land use patterns and weather conditions will increase a community’s vulnerability.
For example, drought conditions can make forests and other open, vegetated areas more
vulnerable to ignition. Once the fire starts, it will burn hotter and be harder to extinguish. Soils
and root systems starved for moisture are also vulnerable to fire. Residential growth in rural,
forested areas increases the total area that is vulnerable to fire, and places homes and
neighborhoods closer to areas where wildfires are more likely to occur.
Location and Extent
According to statistics provided by the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS),
from 2004 to 2010 (Table 3-8), there were eight fires reported in Heath. Frequency of fire can be
affected by rainfall and other natural conditions, including downed trees from storms.
Table 3-8: Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System, 2004-2010
Department
BERNARDSTON
CHARLEMONT
COLRAIN
CONWAY
DEERFIELD
ERVING
GILL
GREENFIELD
HAWLEY
HEATH
LEVERETT
LEYDEN
MONTAGUE CENTER
NEW SALEM
NORTHFIELD
ORANGE
24
Total # of
Brush Fires
47
15
13
29
26
10
17
51
2
8
11
3
49
23
1
36
2004
5
3
3
4
6
4
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
0
0
4
2005
14
1
1
5
5
2
1
1
0
1
1
0
8
0
0
3
2006
7
0
0
5
1
7
4
2
0
3
0
10
3
0
3
2007
5
8
3
3
1
0
4
11
0
0
5
2
7
5
0
9
2008
8
1
0
4
4
3
1
13
0
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
FEMA, “Fact Sheet: Wildland Fires,” September 1993.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 29
2009
5
2
1
4
7
0
1
6
0
2
1
0
9
5
0
6
2010
3
0
5
4
3
0
3
16
0
2
0
0
11
9
0
11
Department
SHELBURNE CTR
SHELBURNE FALLS
SHUTESBURY
SOUTH DEERFIELD
SUNDERLAND
TURNERS FALLS
WARWICK
WENDELL
WHATELY
Total
Total # of
Brush Fires
13
7
6
21
22
45
5
10
28
498
2004
4
0
0
4
4
8
2
0
6
63
2005
2
0
1
2
6
5
1
0
7
67
2006
5
1
0
3
6
4
1
6
6
77
2007
2
4
0
5
0
7
0
2
1
84
2008
0
1
1
2
1
1
0
0
3
48
2009
0
1
2
2
0
4
0
1
0
59
2010
0
0
2
3
5
16
1
1
5
100
Often brush fires are started on residential lots to clear grass, brush and other woody debris and
become a problem when the homeowner can no longer control them. In 2010, Shelburne Control
issued 218 burn permits in Heath. According to the Committee, there are isolated areas of
downed trees with minor risk for fueling a wildfire.
Potential Mitigation Measures for Wildfires and Brushfires
 Offer fire education in the Town newsletter or on the Town website.
 Use ongoing care in issuing burn permits.
 A copy of all forest cutting plans submitted to the Conservation Commission should be
distributed to the Fire Department. The plans include the location of wood roads and
access trails that could be used in the event of a wildfire.
Dam Failures
General Description
Although dams and their associated impoundments provide many benefits to a community, such
as water supply, recreation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control, they also pose a
potential risk to lives and property. Dam failure is not a common occurrence but dams do
represent a potentially disastrous hazard. When a dam fails, the potential energy of the stored
water behind the dam is instantly released, oftentimes with catastrophic consequences as the
water rushes in a torrent downstream, flooding an area engineers refer to as an “inundation area.”
The number of casualties and the amount of property damage will depend upon the timing of the
warning provided to downstream residents, the number of people living or working in the
inundation area, and the number of structures in the inundation area.
Many dams in Massachusetts were built in the 19th century without the benefit of modern
engineering design and construction oversight. Dams can fail because of structural problems due
to age and/or lack of proper maintenance. Dam failure can also be the result of structural
damage caused by an earthquake or flooding brought on by severe storm events.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR) is the agency
responsible for regulating dams in the state (M.G.L. Chapter 253, Section 44 and the
implementing regulations 302 CMR 10.00). Until 2002, DCR was also responsible for
conducting dam inspections but then state law was changed to place the responsibility and cost
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 30
for inspections on the owners of the dams. However, the new regulations have not been issued,
so the DCR is still conducting inspections, but only of dams classified as high hazard.
The state has three hazard classifications for dams:
 High Hazard: Dams located where failure or improper operation will likely cause loss of
life and serious damage to homes, industrial or commercial facilities, important public
utilities, main highways, or railroads.
 Significant or Medium Hazard: Dams located where failure or improper operation may
cause loss of life and damage to homes, industrial or commercial facilities, secondary
highways or railroads or cause interruption of use or service of relatively important
facilities.
 Low Hazard: Dams located where failure or improper operation may cause minimal
property damage to others. Loss of life is not expected.
The inspection schedule for dams is as follows:
 Low Hazard dams – 10 years
 Significant/Medium Hazard dams – 5 years
 High Hazard dams – 2 years
The time intervals represent the maximum time between inspections. More frequent inspections
may be performed at the discretion of the state. Dams and reservoirs licensed and subject to
inspection by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are excluded from the
provisions of the state regulations provided that all FERC-approved periodic inspection reports
are provided to the DCR. All other dams are subject to the regulations unless exempted in
writing by DCR.
Location and Extent25
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) identifies six dams as
being located within the Town of Heath (Papoose Lake Upper Dam, Papoose Lower Lake Dam,
Reverend Charles E. Gilbert #1 Dam, Reverend Charles E. Gilbert #2 Dam, Robbins Pond #1
Dam, and Robbins Pond #2 Dam). The Committee indicated that only the first two dams are
significant. The Papoose Lake Upper Dam is considered a Medium/Significant Hazard dam
while the Papoose Lower Lake Dam is a Low Hazard dam. The other dams are minor and, if
breached, would not have significant impact on the Town. The Committee stated that only two
houses would be impacted in the event of a dam breach on the Papoose Lake Upper Dam.
In January of 2011, the MA DCR Office of Dam Safety provided updated information about one
Significant Hazard Potential dam in Heath, the Papoose Lake Upper Dam. Under private
ownership, this dam’s overall physical condition was listed as “fair” with “significant operational
and maintenance deficiencies, no structural deficiencies”.
25
The two main sources for dam information in town are the town-generated CEM Plan and the state dam details
sheets from the Office of Dam Safety. These sources can be contradictory. Information is also available on the
National Inventory of Dams website: http://crunch.tec.army.mil/nid/webpages/nid.cfm
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 31
The Town of Heath has not been impacted by a dam breach in recent history, however the area
of Heath within the inundation area of the Papoose Lake Upper Dam is at risk for the impacts of
flooding.
Beaver Dams
Along with manmade dams, failure of beaver dams can cause flooding as well. Alteration of the
landscape by beavers is a natural process that creates habitat for shore birds, mammals and rare
amphibians. However, beaver ponds can flood structures, roads and utilities, causing costly and
potentially dangerous situations. Beaver activity can also pollute drinking water supplies.
Mitigation measures suggested by Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
and other agencies can help communities and homeowners deal with nature’s master builders.
Until 1996, when a ballot initiative passed restricting the practice, Massachusetts residents were
permitted to trap beavers. That change in policy caused a spike in the beaver population, which,
in turn, led to a sharp increase in complaints about beaver activity and its effects. The law was
modified in 2000 so that town Board of Health members could issue emergency trapping
permission outside of the usual trapping season. State law makes it illegal for any person to
disturb or tear open a beaver dam or beaver lodge without written permission from MassWildlife
and the local Conservation Commission or Department of Environmental Protection. Permits are
needed to disturb a beaver dam for any reason in Massachusetts. Even dams that cause flooding
require permits to be breached.26
In 2011, a bill is under consideration with the State Legislators which would give individuals and
towns an additional option when they are having issues with beavers. Under this new bill, a
special permit could be obtained from the State Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. The bill
does not aim to repeal the bill that bans trapping but rather allows the issuing of an emergency
permit under the provisions allowed within the laws of the State. The proposed bill also calls for
the State to begin keeping better records of all permits issued and how many beavers are trapped
each year.
An increased beaver population, combined with land development reducing beaver habitat,
means that humans and beavers continue to clash. Several mitigation measures, when applied
thoughtfully, legally and with maintenance measures in mind, can help with beavers’ negative
effects, while preserving beavers’ positive impact on the land.27
While trapping beaver can have short-term benefits, the right conditions for beaver habitat will
eventually lure new beavers. It may be best to combine trapping with measures that discourage
beaver activity that’s bad for humans. Techniques used to mitigate the flooding damage caused
by beaver include breaching of beaver dams, protecting road culverts with fences or guards, and
controlling water levels with water flow devices. All these techniques require a certain degree of
effort and regular maintenance to insure water levels that can be tolerated (thereby preserving the
positive aspects of the associated wetland). See the MassWildlife publication The Use of Water
26
Langlois, S.A. and T.A. Decker. 2004. The Use of Water Flow Devices and Flooding Problems Caused by Beaver
in Massachusetts (Rev. Ed.). MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. 18pp.
27
Otsego County (NY) All Hazards Mitigation Plan, 2010.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 32
Flow Devices and Flooding Problems Caused by Beaver in Massachusetts for details on these
mitigation measures. The following techniques were adapted from that publication.

Dam breaching is an immediate but very short-term solution to flooding problems caused
by beaver. Potato hoes or stone hooks are the best tools for dismantling dams by hand.
Shovels and spading forks are ineffective. Good water control is possible if the breach is
kept shallow and broad so that the water level falls slowly. Opening a deep breach creates
a dangerous situation and may cause serious flooding and erosion downstream. Tractoror truck-mounted excavators may be used by town, county or state highway employees to
remove large amounts of material from beaver dams but care should be taken to avoid
downstream flooding. Neighbors should be told where, when, and why a dam excavation
is going to be done. If the method is justified and must be used, it is best done in midsummer when the water level is low.

Beavers build dams instinctively. When they sense running water, they start to build or
repair dams. Culverts, especially ones made out of metal, will amplify the sound of the
water rushing through them. Thus, beaver will commonly block road culverts with sticks,
mud and rocks. This can cause flooding upstream. Culverts blocked from the inside are
difficult to clean and potentially dangerous. The use of meshes and grills, placed on both
the upstream and downstream ends of the culvert, can prevent beavers from entering.
Several strategies are listed in The Use of Water Flow Devices and Flooding Problems
Caused by Beaver in Massachusetts.

Water Level Control Devices (WLCDs) keep beavers away from an intake pipe that
lowers the water level of the pond. It’s been estimated that only 4.5% of beaver problems
in Massachusetts will respond to these devices. Using and maintaining a WLCD in
conjunction with trapping young beavers can allow coexistence for years. Several types
of WLCDs are available. For construction details, see The Use of Water Flow Devices
and Flooding Problems Caused by Beaver in Massachusetts.
Location and Extent of Beaver Dams
The Committee identified four active beaver dams with impoundments in Town. Their locations
are shown on Map 3-1: Critical Facilities Map. In the case of the beaver dam on Route 8A, water
in the impoundment is often only a few inches below the level of the road. The Town of Heath is
at a low risk for impacts from a breached beaver dam.
Earthquakes
General Description
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground that is caused by the breaking and
shifting of rock beneath the Earth’s surface. Earthquakes can occur suddenly, without warning,
at any time of the year. New England experiences an average of 30 to 40 earthquakes each year
although most are not noticed by people.28 Ground shaking from earthquakes can rupture gas
mains and disrupt other utility service, damage buildings, bridges and roads, and trigger other
hazardous events such as avalanches, flash floods (dam failure) and fires. Un-reinforced
28
Northeast States Emergency Consortium Web site: www.nesec.org/hazards/Earthquakes.cfm.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 33
masonry buildings, buildings with foundations that rest on filled land or unconsolidated, unstable
soil, and mobile homes not tied to their foundations are at risk during an earthquake.29
The Richter magnitude scale was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter of the California
Institute of Technology as a mathematical device to compare the size of earthquakes. The
magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded
by seismographs. Adjustments are included for the variation in the distance between the various
seismographs and the epicenter of the earthquakes. On the Richter Scale, magnitude is expressed
in whole numbers and decimal fractions. For example, a magnitude 5.3 might be computed for a
moderate earthquake, and a strong earthquake might be rated as magnitude 6.3. Because of the
logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold
increase in measured amplitude; as an estimate of energy, each whole number step in the
magnitude scale corresponds to the release of about 31 times more energy than the amount
associated with the preceding whole number value.
Earthquakes with magnitude of about 2.0 or less are usually called microearthquakes; they are
not commonly felt by people and are generally recorded only on local seismographs. Events with
magnitudes of about 4.5 or greater - there are several thousand such shocks annually - are strong
enough to be recorded by sensitive seismographs all over the world. Great earthquakes, such as
the 1964 Good Friday earthquake in Alaska, have magnitudes of 8.0 or higher. On the average,
one earthquake of such size occurs somewhere in the world each year. The Richter Scale has no
upper limit.
It is important to note that the Richter Scale is not used to express damage. An earthquake in a
densely populated area which results in many deaths and considerable damage may have the
same magnitude as a shock in a remote area that does nothing more than frighten the wildlife.
Large-magnitude earthquakes that occur beneath the oceans may not even be felt by humans.30
The effect of an earthquake on the Earth's surface is called the intensity. The intensity scale
consists of a series of certain key responses such as people awakening, movement of furniture,
damage to chimneys, and finally - total destruction. Although numerous intensity scales have
been developed over the last several hundred years to evaluate the effects of earthquakes, the one
currently used in the United States is the Modified Mercalli (MM) Intensity Scale. It was
developed in 1931 by the American seismologists Harry Wood and Frank Neumann. This scale,
composed of 12 increasing levels of intensity that range from imperceptible shaking to
catastrophic destruction, is designated by Roman numerals. It does not have a mathematical
basis; instead it is an arbitrary ranking based on observed effects.
The Modified Mercalli Intensity value assigned to a specific site after an earthquake has a more
meaningful measure of severity to the nonscientist than the magnitude because intensity refers to
the effects actually experienced at that place.
The lower numbers of the intensity scale generally deal with the manner in which the earthquake
is felt by people. The higher numbers of the scale are based on observed structural damage.
29
Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site: www.fema.gov/hazards/earthquakes/quake.shtm.
30
Adapted from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/richter.php
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 34
Structural engineers usually contribute information for assigning intensity values of VIII or
above.31 The figure below shows the Modified Mercalli Scale (far left column) and the
corresponding Richter Scale magnitude rating (far right column).32
Figure 3-3: Earthquake Measurement Scales
Location and Extent
Map 3-4 and Tables 3-9 and 3-9-a show historic occurrences of earthquakes in the Northeastern
part of the United States. This Northeast States Emergency Consortium data is current as of
December 2013. A NOAA data query for earthquake events in Franklin County between the
years 1996 and 2013 turned up no events.
Map 3-4: Earthquake Activity in the Northeast from October, 1975 - March, 2010
31
32
Adapted from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mercalli.php
Adapted from http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/80153368.png
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 35
www.nesec.org/hazards/earthquakes.cfm
Table 3-9: Northeast Earthquakes with a Magnitude of 4.2 or more 1924 - 2007
Location
Date
Magnitude
Ossipee, NH
December 20, 1940
5.5
Ossipee, NH
December 24, 1940
5.5
Dover-Foxcroft, ME
December 28, 1947
4.5
Kingston, RI
June 10, 1951
4.6
Portland, ME
April 26, 1957
4.7
Middlebury, VT
April 10, 1962
4.2
Near NH Quebec Border, NH
West of Laconia, NH
Plattsburg, NY
Source: Northeast States Emergency Consortium Web site:
June 15, 1973
4.8
Jan. 19, 1982
4.5
April 20, 2002
5.1
www.nesec.org/hazards/earthquakes.cfm.
On June 22, 2010 there was a magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Canada which could be felt in
Franklin County. No damage was reported, but residents stated they felt the quake and were unnerved by the experience. On August 23, 2011 an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale
centered in Virginia was felt throughout the northeast, prompting the evacuation of a number of
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 36
multi-story buildings in the Franklin County region, but causing no property damage or personal
injury.
Table 3-9-a: Northeast States Record of Historic Earthquakes
State
Years of Record
Number Of Earthquakes
Connecticut
1668 - 2007
137
Maine
1766 - 2007
544
Massachusetts
1668 - 2007
355
New Hampshire
1638 - 2007
360
Rhode Island
1776 - 2007
38
Vermont
1843 - 2007
73
New York
1840 - 2007
755
Source: Northeast States Emergency Consortium Web site: www.nesec.org/hazards/earthquakes.cfm
Massachusetts introduced earthquake design requirements into their building code in 1975.
However, these specifications apply only to new buildings or to extensively modified buildings.
Existing buildings, bridges, water supply lines, electrical power lines and facilities, etc. have
generally not been designed to withstand the forces of an earthquake. According to the 2000 U.S.
Census, 32 percent of the housing in Heath was built before 1970.
The entire town is equally at risk to the effects of an earthquake.
Landslides
General Description
Landslides are geological phenomena that include a wide range of ground movement, such as
rock falls, failure of slopes and shallow debris flows. They can occur in coastal, mountain, and
river edge environments.
Landslides occur when the stability of a slope changes from a stable to an unstable condition. A
change in the stability of a slope can be caused by a number of factors, acting together or alone.
Natural causes of landslides include:







groundwater pressure acting to destabilize the slope
loss or absence of vertical vegetative structure, soil nutrients, and soil structure (e.g. after
a wildfire)
erosion of the toe of a slope by rivers
weakening of a slope through saturation by snowmelt or heavy rains
earthquakes adding loads to barely-stable slopes
earthquake-caused liquefaction destabilizing slopes
volcanic eruptions
Landslides are created by human activities as well, including deforestation, cultivation and
construction, which destabilize already fragile slopes. Landslides can also occur due to:

vibrations from machinery or traffic
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 37




blasting
earthwork which alters the shape of a slope, or which imposes new loads on an existing
slope
in shallow soils, the removal of deep-rooted vegetation that binds colluvium to bedrock
construction, agricultural or forestry activities (logging) which change the amount of
water which infiltrates the soil.
Location and Extent
A typical setting for a landslide might bring to mind the precarious seaside hills in California.
However, landslides have occurred much closer to home. According to WWLP News, early in
the morning on March 7 of 2011, torrential rains swept away a piece of cemetery into the
backyards of homes and nearby streets in Greenfield, MA. The landslide sent silt, mud, and
debris slid down from the Green River Cemetery into homes on nearby Meridian Street.
Residents did not hear a thing. A passerby called 911 and alerted authorities that part of the
Green River Cemetery had slid down onto Meridian Street. Residents of three homes were
evacuated. This area of Greenfield has been in the news before due to other landslides.
According to the Greenfield Recorder, state geologists estimated that about 1,500 to 3,000 cubic
yards of mud and debris came down into the yards but that no graves were involved. Three
inches of rain in Greenfield over a day and a half contributed to the disaster that caused
thousands of dollars worth of damage. The company called in to divert water away from homes
below and help clear their yards of some of the mud found that a drainage system that had been
installed in 1986 was been plugged and buried by the mudslide. The drainage system was
cleaned out and was found to be in good shape and should handle any future rains adequately.
The Town indicated that it is the responsibility of the Cemetery board to make sure the system is
evaluated and cleared of any silt accumulation on a regular basis.
The aftermath of the mudslide from the Green River Cemetery included cleanup on a nearby street and bridge.
The Connecticut River Valley is given a Moderate landslide incidence rating (1.5% to 15% of
the area involved) while the remainder of the state is listed as Low landslide incidence (less than
1.5% of the area involved).33
33
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. National Landslide Hazards Mitigation Strategy: A
Framework for Loss Reduction. 2000.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 38
Heath’s rugged landscape with steep hills and deep ravines makes the possibility of landslides
more likely. Any destabilization of the steep hills (major development removing vegetative
cover, heavy rains following a wildfire) could cause a landslide with potentially devastating
consequences.
The Committee identified two localized sites of recurrent landslides along a stream on Dell
Road. See Map 3-1 for their location. Other than those two relatively minor sites, the Town of
Heath is at a low overall risk to the impacts of landslides.
Ice Jams
General Description
Ice jams (or ice dam) occur when water builds up behind a blockage of ice. Ice dams can occur
in various ways, but in New England they predominantly form on rivers and streams and mainly
threaten infrastructure.
When the upstream part of a river thaws first and the ice is carried downstream into the stillfrozen part of the watercourse, ice can form an ice dam and flood low lying areas upstream of the
jam. Also, once an ice dam breaks apart, the sudden surge of water that breaks through the dam
can flood areas downstream of the jam. Ice jams and flooding usually occur in spring; however,
they can happen as winter sets in when the downstream reach of a river freezes first. Where
floods threaten, the blockage can be removed mechanically.
Map 3-5: Ice Jam Occurrences in Massachusetts 1934-2009
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 39
Location and Extent
According to information in the 2010 Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan, ice jams have
occurred with varying frequency on several rivers in Franklin County, including the Deerfield,
Millers, Green, North and South Rivers between 1934-2009 (see map, below).
Given the lack of major rivers and other water bodies in Heath, the overall risk to Heath from ice
jams is very low. The Committee confirmed that there have been no occurrences of ice jams in
Heath recorded.
Manmade Hazards34
General Description
Most non-natural or manmade hazards fall into two general categories: intentional acts and
accidental events, although these categories can overlap. Some of the hazards included in these
two categories, as defined by MEMA, consist of intentional acts such as explosive devices,
biological and radiological agents, arson and cyberterrorism and accidental events such as
nuclear hazards, invasive species, infrastructure failure, industrial and transportation accidents.
Accidental events can arise from human activities such as the manufacture, transportation,
storage, and use of hazardous materials.
Note: This plan does not address all manmade hazards that could affect Heath. A complete
hazards vulnerability analysis was not within the scope of this update. For the purposes of the
2011 plan, the Committee has evaluated non-natural hazards that are of an accidental nature.
They include industrial transportation accidents and industrial accidents in a fixed facility.
Hazardous Materials Definition
Hazardous materials in various forms can cause death, serious injury, long-lasting health effects,
and damage to buildings, homes, and other property. Many products are shipped daily on the
nation's highways, railroads, waterways, and pipelines. Chemical manufacturers are one source
of hazardous materials, but there are many others, including service stations, hospitals, and
hazardous materials waste sites. Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable
and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. These substances are most often
released as a result of transportation accidents or because of chemical accidents in plants.
A release may occur at a fixed facility or in transit. Communities with a large industrial base may
be more inclined to experience a hazardous materials release due to the number of facilities such
materials in their manufacturing process. Communities with several major roadways may be at a
greater risk due to the number and frequency of trucks transporting hazardous materials passing
through.
Location and Extent
Industrial Accidents - Transportation
Franklin County transportation systems include road, rail, and air. Accessible and efficient
freight transportation plays a vital function in the economy of the region. Most freight and goods
being transported to and from Franklin County are by truck; however, a significant amount of
34
Content adapted from Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 40
freight that moves through the county is being hauled over the three main rail lines. Given that
any freight shipped via air needs first to be trucked to an airport outside the region, air
transportation is not being evaluated in this plan.
According to the Franklin County Hazardous Material Emergency Plan,35 approximately 13 to
15 trucks per hour traveling through the region contain hazardous materials (Table 3-10). Most
of these vehicles are on Interstate 91, however a small number of trucks use 8A, which goes
through Heath. The Heath CEM Plan lists Rt. 8A [North and South] from the Vermont state line
to the town of Charlemont, MA as a hazardous transportation route.
Table 3-10: Estimated Levels of Hazardous Material Transported on Area Roadways
Number of Tank or Van
Trucks Carrying Hazardous Materials
Roadway
per hour
Interstate 91
10
Route 2
2
Other major roadways (Routes 5/10, 63, 47,
1 or 0
116,202, 8A, 78, 122, 142, and 2A)
Industrial Accidents – Fixed Facilities
An accidental hazardous material release can occur wherever hazardous materials are
manufactured, stored, transported, or used. Such releases can affect nearby populations and
contaminate critical or sensitive environmental areas. Those facilities using, manufacturing, or
storing toxic chemicals are required to report their locations and the quantities of the chemicals
stored on-site to state and local governments. The Heath CEM Plan lists businesses and town
facilities that use hazardous materials (Table 3-11).
Table 3-11: Facilities that Use Hazardous Materials
Facility Name
Heath Elementary School
Heath DPW
Facility Location
18 Jacobs Road
122 Branch Hill Road
Hazardous Chemical
Inventory
Heating oil
Diesel, gasoline, salt
In addition to the above facilities, some farmers store agricultural chemicals on their properties.
Given that some farmland is located in or near floodplains and their adjacent water bodies, the
potential for an accidental hazardous materials spill to impact water quality is present. This plan
does not include an in-depth evaluation of hazardous materials as they relate to farming. In
many cases, farmers do use and store pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers on their property. And
in most cases, farmers are utilizing best management practices in the use and storage of
agricultural chemicals and have undergone any required training and licensing if they are
applying these chemicals to the land.
35
Franklin County Regional Emergency Planning Committee, Franklin County Hazardous Material Emergency Plan
and Maps, 2006. Based on a one-time survey conducted in 2003.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 41
Despite training and best management practices, an accidental release of hazardous materials can
occur and potentially threaten human health and the environment. One approach that the Town
could take to help prepare for a hazardous materials spill on a farm would be to become familiar
with the types and quantities of chemicals stored on site at the larger farms. This would assist
first responders in being adequately prepared to protect human health and prevent contamination
of the environment in the event of a major spill or other accidental release of hazardous
materials.
Hazardous facilities located outside of town boundaries can potentially impact the Town as well.
The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant is located on the Connecticut River in Vernon,
Vermont, near the Vermont/Massachusetts border and approximately 20 miles from Heath. In
January 2010, the facility notified the Vermont Department of Health that samples taken in
November 2009 from a ground water monitoring well on site contained tritium. This finding
signals an unintended release of radioactive material into the environment. Testing has shown
that contaminated groundwater has leaked into the Connecticut River, though tritium levels in
the river have remained below the lower limit of detection.36
More recently, the 2011 tsunami and earthquake in Japan that damaged a nuclear power plant
demonstrates the potential vulnerability of these facilities to natural disasters, and the geographic
extent that could be impacted by an accident. The future operation of the Vermont Yankee power
plant is currently unclear. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently extended the plant’s
operating license for 20 more years, while the State of Vermont has denied an extension of the
current license, which expires in March 2012. Nevertheless, Town officials should stay abreast
of proper evacuation procedures in the event of an accident at the Vermont Yankee nuclear
power plant.
36
Vermont Department of Health. http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/rad/vt_yankee.aspx
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 42
Risk Assessment Methodology
In updating Heath’s 2007 Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Franklin Regional Council
of Governments developed the All Hazards Risk Assessment methodology for assessing the risk
of hazards. The All Hazards Risk Assessment is an interactive table that the Committee
completed with the FRCOG staff to evaluate all the natural hazards that can impact the town
based on probability of occurrence, severity of impacts, area of occurrence and preparedness.
This assessment builds on the information gleaned in each individual hazard assessment as well
as local knowledge.
The completed table gives the town an overall understanding of the natural hazards, provides
guidance on which hazards the Town may want to focus mitigation efforts on, reaffirms that
Heath’s planning and preparedness is on track, and shows residents that town departments and
agencies are organized in case of a natural disaster. Note that the Assessment does not include
manmade hazards, given lack of data assessed for this plan. In rating the hazards, the Committee
considered the following issues for three of the categories:
Probability of Occurrence
1) Known risk
2) Historical data (previous occurrences)
Severity of Impacts
A. Building stock
B. Critical facilities
C. Transportation systems
D. Lifeline utility systems
E. Communications systems and networks
F. High potential loss facilities
G. Hazardous material facilities
H. Economic elements
I. Special consideration areas
J. Historic, cultural, and natural resource areas
K. Natural resources
Preparedness
1) Status of current plans
2) Training status
3) Availability of backup systems
4) Community resources (equipment, personnel, etc.)
The following rating charts were used to determine the rating for each event.
Table 3-12: Probability of Occurrence Rating Chart
Classification
Very High
#
5
Probability of Occurrence
events that occur at least once each year (100% per year)
High
4
events that occur from once in 2 years to once in 4 years (25% to 50% per year)
Medium
3
events that occur from once in 5 years to once in 50 years (2% to 20% per year)
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 43
Classification
Low
#
2
Probability of Occurrence
events that occur from once in 50 years to once in 100 years (1% to 2% per year)
Very Low
1
events that occur less frequently than once in 100 years (less than 1% per year)
Table 3-13: Severity of Impacts Rating Chart
Classification
#
Severity of Multiple Impacts
Catastrophic
4
Multiple deaths and injuries possible. More than 50% of property in affected
area damaged or destroyed. Complete shutdown of facilities for 30 days or
more.
Critical
3
Multiple injuries possible. More than 25% of property in affected area
damaged or destroyed. Complete shutdown of facilities for more than 1
week.
Limited
2
Minor injuries only. More than 10% of property in affected area damaged or
destroyed. Complete shutdown of facilities for more than 1 day.
Minor
1
Very few injuries, if any. Only minor property damage and minimal
disruption on quality of life. Temporary shutdown of facilities.
Table 3-14: Severity of Impacts Definitions
Severity of Impact
Category
Built
Built
Built
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Severity of Impact Category Definitions
Building Stock includes residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Hazardous Material Facilities include facilities housing industrial/hazardous materials, such
as corrosives, explosives, flammable materials, radioactive materials, and toxins.
Historic, Cultural, and Natural Resource Areas may include buildings, structures, objects,
sites, national and local historic or significant districts, and historical archival storage
facilities.
Critical Facilities are essential to the health and welfare of the whole population and are
especially important following hazard events. Since vulnerability is based on service losses
as well as building structure integrity and content value, assess the effects on the service
function interruption of critical facilities as well as their physical aspects. For purposes of
this mitigation planning guidance, critical facilities may include emergency service facilities
such as hospitals and other medical facilities, jails and juvenile detention centers, police and
fire stations, emergency operations centers, public works facilities, evacuation shelters,
schools, and other uses that house special needs populations.
Transportation Systems include airways (including airports, heliports, etc.), roadways
(including highways, bridges, tunnels, roadbeds, overpasses, transfer centers, etc.), railways
and public transit (including trackage, tunnels, bridges, rail yards, depots, etc.), and
waterways (including canals, locks, seaports, ferries, harbors, dry-docks, piers, etc.).
Infrastructure
Lifeline Utility Systems such as potable water, wastewater, oil, natural gas, electric power,
substations, power lines, etc.
Infrastructure
Communications Systems and Networks such as telephones, emergency service radio
systems, repeater sites and base stations, television and radio stations, etc.
Natural
Natural Resources include agricultural land, water supply lands, rivers.
Population
High Potential Loss Facilities include facilities that would have a high loss associated with
them, such as nuclear power plants or dams.
Economic Elements include major employers, financial centers, and other business or retail
districts in the community that could significantly affect the local or regional economy if
interrupted.
Population
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 44
Severity of Impact
Category
Population
Severity of Impact Category Definitions
Special Consideration Areas include areas of high density residential, commercial,
institutional, and industrial development that, if damaged, could result in economic and
functional losses and in high death tolls and injury rates.
Table 3-15: Area of Occurrence Rating Chart
Classification
#
Percentage of Town Impacted
Large
3
More than 50% of the town affected.
Medium
2
10 to 50% of the town affected.
Isolated
1
Less than 10% of the town affected.
Table 3-16: Preparedness Rating Chart
Classification
Poor
Fair
Good
#
3
2
1
To determine the final hazard index for each hazard, each category was assigned a weight.
Probability of Occurrence was given the most weight (45%), followed by Severity of Impacts
(30%), Area of Occurrence (15%), and Preparedness (10%). Ratings were entered into a
spreadsheet that calculated the Weighted Hazard Index for each hazard. Hazards with higher
index scores represent the events most in need of organization focus and resources for
emergency planning and mitigation projects.
The results of the All Hazards Risk Assessment can be seen in Table 3-17. The hazards
receiving a Weighted Hazard Index of 4 or more are – in order of vulnerability – are Severe
Winter Storms (4.75), Thunderstorms (4.6), Hurricanes and Tropical Storms (4.45), and
Flooding (4.0).
Severe Winter Storms and Thunderstorms both rated high due to their very high probability of
occurrence (at least annually) and their large area of occurrence (more than 50% of the town
affected). Hurricanes and Tropical Storms, while having only a medium probability of
occurrence (once every 5 to 50 years), still received a significant overall score due to their
potential to have critical impact to infrastructure (complete shutdown of facilities for more than
one week) and to their large area of occurrences (more than 50% of the town affected). Floods
also received a medium probability of occurrence, but rated critical in their severity of impact to
infrastructure and had a large area off occurrence. In all of these hazards receiving a Weighted
Hazard Index of 4.0 or more, the Committee evaluated the Town’s preparedness as good, the
highest preparedness rating.
In the group of hazards receiving a Weighted Hazard Index of between 2.5 and 4, only Wildfires
and Brushfires received a very high probability of occurrence. The Committee, however,
evaluated the severity of impacts from this hazard to be minor and the area of occurrence to be
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 45
isolated. The Committee evaluated the Town’s preparedness for Wildfires as good. Dam
Failures, Landslides, Tornados, and Microbursts all received a medium probability of
occurrence, minor severity of impacts, isolated area of occurrence, and good preparedness.
Hazards receiving a Weighted Hazard Index of less than 2.5 are Ice Jams and Earthquakes. Ice
jams were evaluated as having a very low probability of occurrence (less than once in 100 years),
minor severity of impacts, and isolated area of occurrence. The Committee judged the Town to
be poorly prepared for Ice Jams, however, due to their lack of equipment and expertise that
might be needed should the Town need to address a significant Ice Jam. Earthquakes also
received very low probability of occurrence and minor severity of impacts. But, unlike Ice Jams,
Earthquakes were judged to have a large area of occurrence. As with Ice Jams, the Committee
indicated the Town is also poorly prepared for Earthquakes, given their widespread nature, the
age of the build environment, and lack of experience dealing with Earthquakes.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 46
TABLE 3-17: All Hazards Risk Assessment Table
EVENTS
PROBABILITY
OF
OCCURRENCE
SEVERITY OF IMPACTS
AREA OF
OCCURRENCE*
PREPAREDNESS
30%
15%
10%
Population Infrastructure
1-4*
1-4*
1-3
1-3
WEIGHTED
HAZARD
INDEX
ASSIGNED WEIGHTING
FACTOR
45%
INDEX VALUE
1-5
Built
1-4*
Natural
1-4*
Severe Winter Storms
5
1
2
1
2.5
3
1
4.75
Thunderstorms
Hurricanes and Tropical
Storms
5
2
1
1
2
3
1
4.6
3
2
2.5
1
3
3
1
4.45
Floods
3
1
2
1
3
3
1
4
Wild Fires and Brush Fires
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
3.7
Dam Failures
3
1
1.5
1
1
1
1
2.95
Landslides
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2.8
Tornados
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2.8
Microbursts
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2.8
Earthquakes
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
2.4
Ice Jams
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2.1
NATURAL HAZARDS
* See rating charts
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 47
Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability Overview
This section presents exposure, damages, loss estimates, population impacts and data
deficiencies for each of the hazards addressed in the Natural Hazard Identification and Profile
Section of the Plan. Additionally, an overall vulnerability assessment is provided for each
hazard. This analysis is an in-depth look at each hazard in Heath. Coupled with the All Hazards
Vulnerability Assessment from the previous section, these findings will support planning efforts
based on a better understanding of the potential impacts associated with each hazard and provide
a foundation for the mitigation strategy presented in Section 5.
Vulnerability Assessment Methodology
The Vulnerability Assessment is a series of tables that enabled FRCOG staff to determine the
vulnerability of Heath to flooding and to calculate the potential costs of flooding to the town.37
Estimated losses for all other hazard events were also determined, based on damages from past
recorded events. The potential implications for vulnerable populations such as senior and low
income populations in the event of a hazard are also assessed.
Floods
Hazard Summary
In this section, a vulnerability assessment was prepared to evaluate the potential impact that
flooding could have on the portions of Heath located within the 100-year floodplain. Flooding
was chosen for this detailed evaluation because it is a natural hazard likely to impact the
community and the location of the impact can be determined by mapping of areas inundated
during severe flooding events. Flooding can be caused by severe storms, such as hurricanes,
nor’easters, and microbursts, as well as ice jams and snow melt. To determine the vulnerability
of the town, data was gathered and calculated for the value of residential, commercial, and
industrial properties. The damage estimates presented are rough estimates and likely reflect a
worst-case scenario. Computing more detailed damage assessments based on assessor’s records
is a labor-intensive task and beyond the scope of this project.
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented in the Hazard Identification section of this plan, on pages 13
through 17. National weather databases and Town of Heath data were collected and analyzed.
Data on historic property damage and loss, and injuries and deaths, was collected for Franklin
County from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National
Climatic Data Center website. This data was used to support an evaluation of exposure and
potential impacts associated with this hazard. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts State
Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 was also reviewed for information on flooding and the SEPT
members interviewed for additional information.
37
These tables were developed to provide towns with a template for calculating and estimating potential losses and
costs of flooding. They draw from and integrate the work of other Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans, specifically the
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for Thurston County, Washington, September 2009, but the tables can be linked to
the most recent demographic, land use, and infrastructure information (databases) and automatically calculate and
estimate the cost of flooding to each town or region.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 48
Impact on the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
Flooding can cause a wide range of issues, from minor nuisance roadway flooding and basement
flooding to major impacts such as roadway closures. Specific damages associated with flooding
events include the following primary concerns:









Blockages of roadways or bridges vital to travel and emergency response
Breaching of dams
Damaged or destroyed buildings and vehicles
Uprooted trees causing power and utility outages
Drowning, especially people trapped in cars
Contamination of drinking water
Dispersion of hazardous materials
Interruption of communications and/or transportation systems
Debris management issues including debris removal and identification of disposal sites
Property Damage
Of Heath’s total 15,932 acres, 53 acres lie within the 100-year floodplain. Only one acre of this
floodplain land is developed for residential use. Table 3-18 displays the number of dwelling
units and the estimated population living in the 100-year floodplain in Heath. According to 2005
MassGIS Land Use data there is one dwelling units located in the floodplain. Using this number
and Heath’s average household size as of the 2010 U.S. Census, it is estimated that two people,
or 0.3% of Heath’s total population, reside in the floodplain.
Table 3-18: Number of Dwelling Units and Percent of Total Population Residing in Flood
Hazard Area
Average # of
Number of
Total Town
people per
Dwelling Units in
Population
household
Flood Hazard Area
805
2.34
1
Source: 2010 U.S. Census; 2005 MassGIS Land Use data.
Estimated population
in Flood Hazard Area
2
% of total
population that
reside in the Flood
Hazard Area
0.3%
Table 3-19 shows that no commercial, industrial, and public/institutional land uses are located in
within the floodplain.
Table 3-19: Acres of Commercial, Industrial, and Public/Institutional Land Use Within
the Flood Hazard Area
Land Use
Total acres in Town
1.16
Commercial
0
Industrial
9.1
Public/Institutional
Source: 2005 MassGIS Land Use data.
Acres in Flood Hazard
Area
% of total acres in Flood
Hazard Area
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 49
The average assessed values of the residential, commercial, and industrial land uses located
within the floodplain are displayed in Table 3-20. The total average assessed value for
residential land use within the floodplain is $224,529.
Table 3-20: Average Assessed Value of Land Use in Flood Hazard Area
Average Assessed
Total Acres in
Total Assessed Average Assessed Acres in Flood
Value in Flood
Land Use
Town
Value
Value Per Acre
Hazard Area
Hazard Area
378.5
$84,142,920
$222,306
1.01
$224,529
Residential
1.2
$943,368
$813,248
0
$0.00
Commercial
0.0
$144,200
N/A
0
$0.00
Industrial
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid
Section 2011; 2005 MassGIS Land Use data.
Table 3-21 identifies the average assessed value of all residential, commercial, and industrial
land uses located in the floodplain in Heath, and the losses that would result from 1%, 5%, and
10% damage to this inventory as a result of a major flooding event. There are no commercial or
industrial land uses within the flood plain and only 1 acre of residential land use in Heath.
Table 3-21: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use Category
Total Building Value in
1% Damage
5% Damage
10% Damage
Structure
Flood Hazard Area
Loss Estimate
Loss Estimate
Loss Estimate
$224,529
$2,245
$11,226
$22,453
Residential
$0
$0
$0
$0
Commercial
$0
$0
$0
$0
Industrial
Total
$11,589,500
$2,245
$11,226
$22,453
Source: Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section 2011.
Table 3-22 presents 1%, 5%, and 10% damage loss estimates for the structures identified in table
3-20 in the event of a flood. A flood damaging the residential structure would cause an estimated
$112,225 in damages.
Table 3-22: Estimates of Building Contents by Class
Occupancy Class
Contents Value % (as a
percentage of building
replacement value)
Residential (including temporary lodging, dormitory, and
nursing homes)
50%
Source: Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for Thurston County, Washington, September 2009.
Population Impacts
The Town should be aware that senior and low income segments of Heath’s population may be
more vulnerable to hazard events due to a number of factors. Senior and low income populations
may be physically or financially unable to react and respond to a hazard event and require
additional assistance. Access to information about the hazard event may be lacking, as well as
access to transportation in the case of an evacuation. The location and construction quality of
housing can also pose a significant risk. Table 3-23 displays the number of senior and low
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 50
income residents in Heath. It should be noted that there may be overlap within the two
categories, so that the total number of persons exposed may be lower than what is shown in the
table. However the town should be aware of the potential needs of residents within these
population segments in the event of a hazard occurrence.
Table 3-23: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Another segment of Heath’s population that may me more vulnerable to hazard events is
residents of Mohawk Estates. This development is made up primarily by trailers, hunting cabins,
and small, year-round homes and is adjacent to Lake Papoose. Two of the homes in this
development would be in the path of a flood in the event that the dam on Lake Papoose failed.
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
Flooding is common in New England, often causing significant impacts to roads, structures,
facilities, utilities, and populations. Existing and future mitigation efforts should continue to be
developed and employed that will enable Heath to be prepared for these events when they occur.
Particular areas of vulnerability include low-income and elderly populations, trailer homes, and
infrastructure in the low-lying areas that can be impacted by flooding related to ice jams or rapid
snow melt.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from flood hazards, the following data deficiencies were
identified:
 Lack of available data on the number of vulnerable populations living in households in
the floodplain.
 Lack of digital floodplain data to overlay on zoning to determine number of developable
lots in the flood hazard area.
Severe Winter Storms
Given Heath’s high elevations, severe snow and ice storms are common in Heath, often
impacting the Towns’ roads, structures, facilities, utilities, and population, especially rugged
terrain and dispersed population. Existing and future mitigation efforts should continue to be
developed and employed that will enable the Town to be prepared for these events.
Hazard Summary
Severe winter storms cause significant concern because they happen often and can be quite
severe; they cost residents money; they require snow and ice removal, which can limit access to
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 51
facilities and can cause health problems; they can cause utility failure and flooding from ice
jams; and they put stress on community resources.
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented in the Hazard Identification section of this plan, on pages 17
through 19. National weather databases and Town of Heath data were collected and analyzed.
Data on historic property damage and loss, and injuries and deaths, was collected for Franklin
County from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National
Climatic Data Center website. This data was used to support an evaluation of exposure and
potential impacts associated with this hazard. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts State
Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 was also reviewed for information on severe winter storm hazard
data and mitigation measures.
Impact on the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
Heavy snowfall coupled with low temperatures often results in increases in traffic accidents;
disruptions in transportation, commerce, government, and education; utility outages due to
falling trees, branches, and other objects; personal injuries associated with slippery surfaces and
freezing temperatures; and numerous other problems. Specific damages associated with severe
winter storm (snow) events include the following primary concerns:
 Injuries and fatalities associated with accidents, low temperatures, power loss, falling
objects and accidents associated with frozen and slippery surfaces and snow
accumulation
 Increases in the frequency and impact of traffic accidents, resulting in personal injuries
 Ice-related damage to trees, building and infrastructure inventory, and utilities
 Roads damaged through freeze and thaw processes
 Stress on the local shelters and emergency response infrastructure
 Lost productivity that occurs when people cannot go to work, school, or stores due to
inclement conditions
New England’s climate offers no immunity to the potential damaging effects of severe winter
storms. Some minimum damage is anticipated annually, with potential extensive damage
occurring about once every 10 years.
Property Damage
According to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), there have been a total of 115 snow
and ice events reported in Franklin County between 1993 and 2013, including heavy snow,
snow, ice storms, snow squalls, freezing rain and winter storms (Table 3-24). The NCDC web
site has more detailed information about each of the listed storms. An average of 5 such events
occurs each year. Over 21 years, winter storms have caused an average of $3.9 million in
damages per year in Franklin County.
Population Impacts
As discussed above, some traffic accidents associated with storm events include injuries and in
limited cases, deaths. However, the number of injuries and deaths reported for accidents is
generally low.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 52
Table 3-24: Severe Winter Storms in Franklin County (Heavy Snow/Ice)
Year
# of Heavy Snow/Ice Events Annual Property Damage Annual Crop Damage
2013
0
$0
$0
2012
2
$0
$0
2011
2
$1.01 million
$0
2010
3
$30,000
$0
2009
5
$0
$0
2008
12
$6,020,000
$0
2007
7
$10,000
$0
2006
0
$0
$0
2005
9
$625,000
$0
2004
3
$0
$0
2003
5
$50,000
$0
2002
7
$1,605,000
$0
2001
7
$11,000,000
$0
2000
7
$0
$0
1999
6
$0
$0
1998
3
$0
$0
1997
6
$10,030,000
$0
1996
10
$47,000,000
$0
1995
6
$0
$0
1994
8
$5,050,000
$0
1993
7
$0
$0
# of Years
Total # of Events
Average Annual Property
Damage
Average Annual Crop
Damage
21
115
$3,925,238
$0
Source: NOAA National Climatic Data Center. http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms
Populations considered most vulnerable to severe winter storm impacts are identified based on a
number of factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a
hazard and the location and construction quality of their housing. Table 3-25 summarizes the
population in Heath over the age of 65 or living in households with an income below $25,000 per year.
Table 3-25: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons
Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Another segment of Heath’s population that may me more vulnerable to hazard events is
residents of Mohawk Estates. This development is made up primarily by trailers, hunting cabins,
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 53
and small, year-round homes and structures may not stand up as well to heavy snow loads on
rooftops and to wind and ice.
The entire built environment of Heath is vulnerable to a severe winter storm. Table 3-26
identifies the assessed value of all residential, commercial, and industrial land uses in Town, and
the losses that would result from 1%, 5%, and 10% damage to this inventory as a result of a
severe winter storm.
Table 3-26: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use
Average Assessed
Value of Land by
1% Damage Loss
5% Damage Loss
10% Damage Loss
Land Use
Use
Estimate
Estimate
Estimate
Residential
$84,142,920
$841,429
$4,207,146
$8,414,292
Commercial
$943,368
$9,434
$47,168
$94,337
Industrial
$144,200
$1,442
$7,210
$14,420
$85,230,488
$852,305
$4,261,524
$8,523,049
Total
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section 2010.
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
The entire Town of Heath is vulnerable to the impacts of severe winter storms. Severe winter
storms are common in New England, often causing significant impacts to the roads, structures,
facilities, utilities, and population of Heath. Existing and future mitigation efforts should
continue to be developed and employed that will enable Heath to be prepared for these events
when they occur. The cascade effects of severe winter storms include utility losses,
transportation accidents, and flooding. Losses associated with flooding are discussed earlier in
this section. Particular areas of vulnerability include low-income and elderly populations, trailer
homes, and infrastructure such as roadways and utilities that can be damaged by such storms and
the low-lying areas that can be impacted by flooding related to ice jams or rapid snow melt.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from severe winter storms, no data deficiencies were identified.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
Hazard Summary
Hurricanes and tropical storms are rare in Heath, but could cause severe impacts such as
flooding, power outages, flying debris, damage to property and injury and loss of life. Existing
and future mitigation efforts should continue to be developed and employed that will enable the
Town to be prepared for these events. Hurricanes or tropical cyclones, can spin off tornadoes and
bring thunderstorms, high winds and, in coastal areas, storm surges in the sea, possibly resulting
in beach erosion and loss or damage to property. Inland, hurricanes mainly bring heavy rains
that can cause flooding.
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented in the Hazard Identification section of this plan, on pages 2526. National weather databases and Town of Heath data were collected and analyzed. Data on
historic property damage and loss, and injuries and deaths, was collected for Franklin County
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 54
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data
Center website, and the Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database (SHELDUS). This data was
used to support an evaluation of exposure and potential impacts associated with this hazard. The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 was also reviewed for
information on hurricanes and tropical storms hazard data and mitigation measures.
Impact on the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
High winds and heavy rain and/or hail associated with hurricanes and tropical storms can cause
damage to utilities, structures, roads, trees (potentially causing vehicle accidents) and injuries
and death. Other associated concerns are debris management issues including debris removal and
identification of disposal sites..
Property Damage
As presented in Table 3-27, historic data for hurricane and tropical storm events indicate one
hurricane and 17 tropical storms have been recorded in Franklin County since 1990. Hurricane
Bob in 1991 caused over $5.5 million in property damage in the county, and over $500,000 in
crop damage. In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused over $25 million in property damage.
Overall, tropical storms and hurricanes have caused an average annual property damage of just
$1.3 million over the last 24 years. Data from this source was only provided on a County level.
Table 3-27: Hurricane and Tropical Storm Events in Franklin County
# of Hurricane/ Tropical Annual Property
Year
Annual Crop Damage
Storm Events
Damage
2013
0
$0
$0
2012
0
$0
$0
2011
1
$25,325,000
$0
2010
0
$0
$0
2009
0
$0
$0
2008
0
$0
$0
2007
0
$0
$0
2006
5
$277,861
$0
2005
1
$33,889
$0
2004
1
$37,778
$0
2003
2
$127,381
$0
2002
0
$0
$0
2001
0
$0
$0
2000
0
$0
$0
1999
1
$7,692
$0
1998
2
$63,269
$0
1997
0
$0
$0
1996
0
$0
$0
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 55
Year
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
# of Years
24
# of Hurricane/ Tropical Annual Property
Annual Crop Damage
Storm Events
Damage
1
$0
$0
1
$35,714
$0
0
$0
$0
0
$0
$0
1
$5,555,556
$555,556
2
$7,142
$0
Average Annual
Average Annual Crop
Total # of Events
Property Damage
Damage
18
$1,373,746
$26,455
Source: Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database for the United States (SHELDUS):
http://webra.cas.sc.edu/hvri/products/sheldus.aspx.
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=1996&endDate_
mm=08&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28Z%29+Tropical+Storm&county=FRANKLIN&zone=WESTE
RN%2BFRANKLIN&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS
The entire built environment of Heath is vulnerable to the effects of a hurricane or tropical storm.
Table 3-28 identifies the assessed value of all residential, commercial, and industrial land uses in
Town, and the losses that would result from 1%, 5%, and 10% damage to this inventory as a
result of a severe winter storm.
Table 3-28: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use
Land Use
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Total
Average Assessed
Value of Land by
Use
$84,142,920
$943,368
$144,200
$85,230,488
1% Damage Loss
Estimate
$841,429
$9,434
$1,442
$852,305
5% Damage Loss
Estimate
$4,207,146
$47,168
$7,210
$4,261,524
10% Damage Loss
Estimate
$8,414,292
$94,337
$14,420
$8,523,049
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section 2011.
Population Impacts
Populations considered most vulnerable to hurricane and tropical storms in Heath are identified
based on factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a hazard
and the location and construction quality of their housing. Table 3-29 summarizes the population
over the age of 65 or living in households with an annual income below $25,000.
Table 3-29: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Population Category
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
Total
Number of Persons
Exposed
138
129
267**
Percentage of
Total Population
19.5%
18.2%
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed may be
lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 56
Another segment of Heath’s population that may me more vulnerable to hazard events is
residents of Mohawk Estates. This development is made up primarily by trailers, hunting cabins,
and small, year-round home. These structures may be particularly susceptible to the high winds
associated with hurricanes and tropical storms.
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
Hurricanes and tropical storms occur sporadically in New England, and can impact property,
crops, utilities and the population of Heath. The entire Town is equally at risk for the impacts of
hurricanes and tropical storms. Existing and future mitigation efforts should continue to be
developed and employed that will enable Heath to be prepared for these events. The cascade
effects of these severe storms include utility losses and transportation accidents and flooding.
Losses associated with flood hazards are discussed earlier in this section. Particular areas of
vulnerability include low-income and elderly populations, trailer homes, and infrastructure that
can be damaged by such storms and the low-lying areas that can be impacted by flooding.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from hurricanes and tropical storms, no data deficiencies were
identified.
Tornadoes
Hazard Summary
Tornados are rare in Heath but could cause severe impacts such as flooding, power outages,
flying debris, damage to property and injury and loss of life. Existing and future mitigation
efforts should continue to be developed and employed that will enable the Town to be prepared
for these events.
Data Collected and Used
National weather databases and Town of Heath data were collected and analyzed. Data on
historic property damage and loss, and injuries and deaths, was collected for Franklin County
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data
Center website, and the Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database (SHELDUS). This data was
used to support an evaluation of exposure and potential impacts associated with this hazard. The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 was also reviewed for
information on tornados and microburst hazard data and mitigation measures. See pages 27 and
28 for more information.
Impact on the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
High winds and heavy rain and/or hail associated with tornados and microbursts can cause
damage to utilities, structures, roads, trees (potentially causing vehicle accidents) and injuries
and death.
Property Damage
As presented in Table 3-30, historic data for tornado events indicate that between 1991 and 2013,
4 tornados were recorded in Franklin County. Over 23 years, tornados have caused an average
of $14,130 in property damages yearly.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 57
Table 3-30: Tornado Events in Franklin County
Annual Property
Annual Crop
Year
# of Tornado Events
Damage
Damage
2013
0
$0
2012
0
$0
2011
0
$0
2010
0
$0
2009
0
$0
2008
0
$0
2007
0
$0
2006
1
$200,000
2005
0
$0
2004
0
$0
2003
0
$0
2002
0
$0
2001
0
$0
2000
0
$0
1999
0
$0
1998
0
$0
1997
2
$100,000
1996
0
$0
1995
0
$0
1994
0
$0
1993
0
$0
1992
1
$25,000
1991
0
$0
Average Annual
Average Annual
# of Years
Total # of Events
Property Damage
Crop Damage
23
4
$14,130
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center Storm Events Database
website: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/.
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=1996&endDate_
mm=08&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&county=FRANKLIN&zone=WESTERN%2
BFRANKLIN&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS
One tornado has been recorded in Heath on 07/03/1997 with a total of $50K in property
damage38. The entire built environment of Heath is vulnerable to the high winds and/or flooding
38
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=1996&endDate_
mm=08&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&county=FRANKLIN&zone=WESTERN%2
BFRANKLIN&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 58
from a tornado. Table 3-31 identifies the building type and valuation of this inventory as well as
the losses that would result from 1%, 5%, and 10% damage to this inventory as a result of an
extreme wind and rain storm.
Table 3-31: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use
Average Assessed
Value of Land by
1% Damage Loss
5% Damage Loss
10% Damage Loss
Land Use
Use
Estimate
Estimate
Estimate
Residential
$84,142,920
$841,429
$4,207,146
$8,414,292
Commercial
$943,368
$9,434
$47,168
$94,337
Industrial
$144,200
$1,442
$7,210
$14,420
$85,230,488
$852,305
$4,261,524
$8,523,049
Total
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section
2011.
Population Impacts
Some traffic accidents associated with storm events include injuries and in limited cases, deaths.
Populations considered most vulnerable to tornado and microburst impacts are identified based
on a number of factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a
hazard and the location and construction quality of their housing. Table 3-32 summarizes the
population over the age of 65 or living in households with an income below $25,000 per year.
Table 3-32: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from tornados, no data deficiencies were identified.
Microbursts and Thunderstorms
Hazard Summary
Microbursts and thunderstorms are common in western Massachusetts and can cause significant
damage. Additional data were available for hail and lightning events, and are included in tables
3-37 and 3-38. Hail and lightning are events generally associated with thunderstorms.
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented in the Hazard Identification section of this plan, on pages 2930. National weather databases and Town of Heath data were collected and analyzed. Data on
historic property damage and loss, and injuries and deaths, was collected for Franklin County
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 59
Center website, and the Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database (SHELDUS). This data was
used to support an evaluation of exposure and potential impacts associated with this hazard. The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 was also reviewed for
information on tornadoes, thunderstorms, and microbursts hazard data and mitigation measures.
Impact on the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
High winds, heavy rain, lightning and/or hail associated with tornadoes, thunderstorms and
microbursts can cause damage to utilities, structures, roads, trees (potentially causing vehicle
accidents) and injuries and death.
Property Damage
Microbursts (“thunderstorm wind”) events and severe thunderstorms and their associated hail
and lightning events, brought about significant property damage. However, it is typically the
winds from thunderstorms that consistently cause the worst property damage. Thunderstorms
with associated wind damage, 169 of them in the last 24 years, caused an average annual
property loss of more than $81,938 and an average annual crop damage of $5,208 (Table 3-33).
It is important to note that each reported thunderstorm wind event is counted in the total, even if
they occurred in multiple towns on the same date. Even taking that into consideration, the
number of thunderstorms has increased in recent years. In the 1990s, there was an average of 3.8
storms per year, according to NOAA data. From 2000 to 2012, NOAA recorded an average of
9.5 storm events per year, 2.5 times the previous decade. Between 2007 and 2010, 72 storm
events were recorded countywide for an average number of 18 storms for those four years.
Table 3-33: Thunderstorm Wind Events in Franklin County
# of Thunderstorm
Annual Property
Year
Events
Damage
2013
8
$149,000
2012
8
$34,000
2011
9
$77,000
2010
30
$590,500
2009
2
$17,000
2008
21
$602,000
2007
19
$0
2006
6
$315,000
2005
9
$85,000
2004
4
$30,000
2003
1
$10,000
2002
6
$25,000
2001
5
$0
2000
3
$20,000
1999
5
$0
1998
8
$2,000
1997
7
$10,000
1996
5
$0
Annual Crop
Damage
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 60
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,250,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
# of Thunderstorm
Events
3
4
0
2
3
1
# of Years
Total # of Events
24
169
Year
Annual Property
Damage
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Average Annual
Property Damage
$81,938
Annual Crop
Damage
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Average Annual
Crop Damage
$5,208
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center Storm Events Database
website: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/.
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=1996&endDate_
mm=08&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28C%29+Thunderstorm+Wind&county=FRANKLIN&zone=W
ESTERN%2BFRANKLIN&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS
Thunderstorm wind events have been reported in or near Heath three times since 1996, causing
a total of $10K in property damages. See the Microburst and Thunderstorm section in the
Hazard Identification and Profile section for more information on these events.
As Table 3-34 shows, 84 hail storms in Franklin County between 1991 and 2013 have caused an
average of approximately $217 in property damage per year, and an average of $2,174 of crop
damage. The total amount of crop damage during this period resulted from a single incident on
June 16, 2008 that caused $50,000 in damage. Pea to marble size hail fell in a swath from
Colrain to Shelburne damaging apple and peach orchards from Colrain to Shelburne to Deerfield.
An estimated 45 acres of apples and two to three acres of peaches were damaged by the hail.
This storm was also accompanied by lightning and thunderstorm winds. It is important to note
that each reported hail event is counted in the total, even if they occurred in multiple towns on
the same date. No hail events were reported in Heath.
Table 3-34: Hail Events in Franklin County
Year
# of Hail
Annual Property
Events
Damage
2013
7
$0
2012
2
$0
2011
9
$0
2010
4
$0
2009
2
$0
2008
14
$0
2007
15
$0
2006
0
$0
2005
3
$5,000
2004
2
$0
2003
1
$0
2002
0
$0
Annual Crop
Damage
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$50,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 61
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
# of Years
23
3
1
0
9
1
3
4
4
0
0
0
Total # of
Events
84
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Average Annual Average Annual
Property
Crop Damage
Damage
$217
$2,174
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data
Center Storm Events Database website: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/.
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=1996&endDate_
mm=08&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2013&eventType=%28C%29+Hail&county=FRANKLIN&zone=WESTERN%2BFR
ANKLIN&submitbutton=Search&statefips=25%2CMASSACHUSETTS
Fifteen (15) lightning events (Table 3-35) have caused an average of more than $354,800 in
property damage per year over the last 20 years in Franklin County. These events include the
lightning strike that occurred in nearby Rowe on August 4, 2012 that resulted in the complete
destruction of the Rowe Elementary School, for a property loss with an insurance value of
$6,900,000. The average property damage per year during this period excluding that event in
2012 is $9,800. No lightning events were recorded in Heath.
Table 3-35: Lightning Events in Franklin County
Year
# of Lightning Events
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
3
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
Annual Property
Damage
$48,000
$6,900,000
$0
$15,000
$0
$10,000
$0
$0
$50,000
$35,000
$0
$15,000
Annual Crop
Damage
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 62
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Year
# of Lightning Events
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
2
# of Years
Total # of Events
20
15
Annual Property
Damage
$20,000
$0
$0
$0
$3,000
$0
$0
$0
Average Annual
Property Damage
$354,800
Annual Crop
Damage
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Average Annual
Crop Damage
$0
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center Storm Events Database
website: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/.
The entire built environment of Heath is vulnerable to the high winds and/or flooding from a
tornado, thunderstorm or microburst. Table 3-24 identifies the assessed value of all residential,
commercial, and industrial land uses in Heath, and the losses that would result from 1%, 5%, and
10% damage to this inventory as a result of an extreme wind and rain storm.
Table 3-36: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use
Average Assessed
Value of Land by
1% Damage Loss
5% Damage Loss
10% Damage Loss
Land Use
Use
Estimate
Estimate
Estimate
Residential
$84,142,920
$841,429
$4,207,146
$8,414,292
Commercial
$943,368
$9,434
$47,168
$94,337
Industrial
$144,200
$1,442
$7,210
$14,420
$85,230,488
$852,305
$4,261,524
$8,523,049
Total
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section
2011.
Population Impacts
As discussed above, some traffic accidents associated with storm events include injuries and
deaths. However, the number of injuries and deaths reported for accidents is generally low.
Populations considered most vulnerable to tornado, microburst and thunderstorm impacts in
Heath are identified based on a number of factors including their physical and financial ability to
react or respond during a hazard and the location and construction quality of their housing. Table
3-37 summarizes the population over the age of 65 or living in households with an annual
income below $25,000.
Another segment of Heath’s population that may me more vulnerable to hazard events is
residents of Mohawk Estates. This development is made up primarily by trailers, hunting cabins,
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 63
and small, year-round home. These structures may be particularly susceptible to the high winds
associated with tornados, microbursts and thunderstorms.
Table 3-37: Senior and Low Income Populations in Heath Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
Thunderstorms and microbursts are common in New England. The entire Town of Heath is at
risk to the impacts of thunderstorms and microbursts. Existing and future mitigation efforts
should continue to be developed and employed that will enable Heath to be prepared for these
events. The cascade effects of these storm events include utility losses and transportation
accidents and flooding. Losses associated with the flood hazard are discussed earlier in this
section. Particular areas of vulnerability include low-income and elderly populations, trailer
homes, and infrastructure such as roadways and utilities that can be damaged by such storms and
the low-lying areas that can be impacted by flooding.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from thunderstorms and microbursts, no data deficiencies were
identified.
Wildfires and Brushfires
Hazard Summary
Wildfires can damage woodlands, homes, utilities and buildings, and could cause injuries or
deaths. Existing and future mitigation efforts should continue to be developed and employed
that will enable the Town to be prepared for these events. Burn piles that blaze out of control,
lightning strikes in forested land, campfires improperly managed, and arson can cause wildfires.
Heath could be vulnerable to these conflagrations, especially in times of drought. Fire
suppression can be expensive and dangerous for firefighters, and wildfires can threaten wildlife
habitat and human health.
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented in the Hazard Identification section of this plan, on pages 3031. National weather databases and Town of Heath data were collected and analyzed. Data on
Historic property damage and loss, and injuries and deaths, was collected for Franklin County
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data
Center website and from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Fire Incident Reporting
System (MFIRS). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 was
also reviewed for information on wildfires and brushfires hazard data and mitigation measures.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 64
Impact on the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
A major out-of-control wildfire can damage property, utilities and forested land; create smoke
that can cause breathing problems; and injure or kill people. Other associated concerns are
debris management issues including debris removal and identification of disposal sites.
Property Damage
No property damage, injuries or deaths have been recorded for Heath’s eight brushfires between
2004 and 2009.
Because portions of Heath are heavily wooded, the entire natural and built environment of the
Town is vulnerable to a wildfire. Table 3-38 identifies the building type and valuation of this
inventory as well as the losses that would result from 1%, 5%, and 10% damage to this inventory
as a result of a wildfire.
Table 3-38: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use
Average Assessed
Value of Land by
1% Damage Loss
5% Damage Loss
10% Damage Loss
Land Use
Use
Estimate
Estimate
Estimate
Residential
$84,142,920
$841,429
$4,207,146
$8,414,292
Commercial
$943,368
$9,434
$47,168
$94,337
Industrial
$144,200
$1,442
$7,210
$14,420
$85,230,488
$852,305
$4,261,524
$8,523,049
Total
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section
2011.
Population Impacts
Populations considered most vulnerable to wildfire impacts are identified based on a number of
factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a hazard and the
location and construction quality of their housing. Table 3-38 summarizes the population over
the age of 65 or living in households with an income below $25,000 per year.
Table 3-39: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
While wildfires have caused minimal damage, injury and loss of life to date in Heath, their
potential to destroy property and cause injury or death exists throughout Town. Existing and
future mitigation efforts should continue to be developed and employed that will enable Heath to
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 65
be prepared for these events when they occur. Wildfires can also cause utility disruption and airquality problems. Particular areas of vulnerability include low-income and elderly populations.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from wildfire hazards, no data deficiencies were identified.
Earthquakes
Hazard Summary
Earthquakes are rare in Franklin County, however tremors are unpredictable and can cause
significant damage to roads, structures, facilities, utilities, and population. Existing and future
mitigation efforts should continue to be developed and employed that will enable the Town to be
prepared for earthquakes.
While rare in Franklin County, earthquakes have happened in New England. New England
experiences an average of 30 to 40 earthquakes each year although most are not noticed by
people.39 Ground shaking from earthquakes can rupture gas mains and disrupt other utility
service, damage buildings, bridges and roads, and trigger other hazardous events such as
landslides, avalanches, flash floods (dam failure) and fires. Un-reinforced masonry buildings,
buildings with foundations that rest on filled land or unconsolidated, unstable soil, and mobile
homes not tied to their foundations are at risk during an earthquake.40
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented in the Hazard Identification section of this plan, on pages 3538. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded no earthquakes for Franklin
County in the last 20 years. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan
2010 was also reviewed for information on earthquake hazard data and mitigation measures.
Impact on the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
A major earthquake could cause severe damage to Heath buildings, including older structures
that were built before a 1975 law requiring new buildings to withstand earthquakes. Other
associated concerns are debris management issues including debris removal and identification of
disposal sites.
Property Damage
Historic data for earthquake events indicate that between 1991 and 2010, no earthquakes were
recorded in Franklin County during this period, causing no damage to property.41
The entire built environment of Heath is vulnerable to earthquakes. If a major earthquake were to
occur, the entire built environment of Heath would be vulnerable. Table 3-40 identifies the
assessed value of all residential, commercial, and industrial land uses in Heath, and the losses
that would result from 1%, 5%, and 10% damage to this inventory as a result of an earthquake.
39
Northeast States Emergency Consortium web site: www.nesec.org/hazards/earthquakes.cfm
Federal Emergency Management Agency web site: www.fema.gov/hazards/earthquakes/quake.shtm.
41
NOAA National Climactic Data Center. http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms
40
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 66
Table 3-40: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use
Average Assessed
Value of Land by
1% Damage Loss
5% Damage Loss
10% Damage Loss
Land Use
Use
Estimate
Estimate
Estimate
Residential
$84,142,920
$841,429
$4,207,146
$8,414,292
Commercial
$943,368
$9,434
$47,168
$94,337
Industrial
$144,200
$1,442
$7,210
$14,420
$85,230,488
$852,305
$4,261,524
$8,523,049
Total
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section
2011.
Population Impacts
Populations considered most vulnerable to earthquake impacts are identified based on a number
of factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a hazard and
the location and construction quality of their housing. Table 3-41 summarizes the population
over the age of 65 or living in households with an income below $25,000 per year.
Table 3-41: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Another segment of Heath’s population that may me more vulnerable to hazard events is
residents of Mohawk Estates. This development is made up primarily by trailers, hunting cabins,
and small, year-round home. These structures may be particularly susceptible to the potential
structural impacts of earthquakes. Also, if an earthquake caused a dam failure on Lake Papoose,
two of the homes would be in the path of a resulting flood.
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
Earthquakes, while rare, could cause significant impacts and losses to the roads, structures,
facilities, utilities, and population town-wide in Heath. Existing and future mitigation efforts
should continue to be developed and employed that will enable Heath to be prepared for these
events when they occur. Particular areas of vulnerability include low-income and elderly
populations, trailer homes and buildings erected before 1975, and infrastructure such as
roadways and utilities that could be damaged by earthquakes. Thirty-two percent of the housing
stock in Heath was built prior to 1970 (2000 US Census data).
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from earthquakes, no data deficiencies were identified.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 67
Dam Failures
Hazard Summary
Dams hold back water, and when a dam fails, the potential energy of the stored water behind the
dam is instantly released as water rushes in torrent downstream, flooding an area engineers refer
to as an “inundation area.” The number of casualties and the amount of property damage will
depend upon the timing of the warning provided to downstream residents, the number of people
living or working in the inundation area, and the number of structures in the inundation area.
Existing and future mitigation efforts should continue to be developed and employed that will
enable the Town to be prepared for these events.
When a dam fails, huge quantities of water quickly flow downstream. Areas adjacent to a river
or stream or on low ground are in danger of being inundated by a large volume of water that
could destroy structures, utilities, roadways and bridges, and cause injuries or deaths. Many
dams in Massachusetts were built in the 19th century without the benefit of modern engineering
design and construction oversight. Dams can fail because of structural problems due to age
and/or lack of proper maintenance. Dam failure can also be the result of structural damage
caused by an earthquake or flooding brought on by severe storm events.
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented in the Hazard Identification section of this plan, on pages 3134. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data
Center website shows no dam failures have occurred in or impacted Franklin County in the last
20 years and the Committee confirmed there have been no dam failures in Heath in the last 20 years.
Impact on the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
While dam failures are rare, their impacts can be devastating, including loss of property,
disruption to infrastructure, and injury and death. Other associated concerns are debris
management issues including debris removal and identification of disposal sites.
Property Damage
Historic data for dam failure events indicate that between 1993 and 2010, no events were
recorded in Franklin County, causing no property damage or population impacts.
Structures that lie in the inundation area of each of the dams in Heath are vulnerable to a dam
failure. Table 3-30 identifies the building type and valuation for all residential, commercial, and
industrial uses in the flood plain, as well as the losses that would result from 1%, 5%, and 10%
damage to this inventory as a result of a dam failure.
Table 3-42: Potential Estimated Loss in the Flood Plain by Land Use
Total Building Value in
1% Damage
5% Damage
10% Damage
Structure
Flood Hazard Area
Loss Estimate
Loss Estimate
Loss Estimate
$224,529
$2,245
$11,226
$22,453
Residential
$0
$0
$0
$0
Commercial
$0
$0
$0
$0
Industrial
Total
$11,589,500
$2,245
$11,226
$22,453
Source: Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section 2011.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 68
Population Impacts
Populations considered most vulnerable to dam failure are identified based on a number of
factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a hazard and the
location and construction quality of their housing. Table 3-29 summarizes the population over
the age of 65 or living in households with an income below $25,000 per year.
Table 3-43: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
As stated in other sections of this Plan, another segment of Heath’s population that may me more
vulnerable to hazard events is residents of Mohawk Estates. This development is made up
primarily by trailers, hunting cabins, and small, year-round home and is adjacent to Papoose land
and downstream from Papoose Lake Upper Dam. In the event of a dam failure, two homes in
Mohawk Estates would be in the path of a resulting flood.
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
Dam failures, while rare, can destroy roads, structures, facilities, utilities, and impact
populations. In Heath, potential impacts from a dam failure would likely be isolated to the
inundation areas of the two major dams identified - Papoose Lake Upper Dam, Papoose Lower
Lake Dam. Existing and future mitigation efforts should continue to be developed and employed
that will enable Heath to be prepared for these events when they occur. Particular areas of
vulnerability include low-income and elderly populations, buildings in the floodplain or
inundation areas, and infrastructure such as roadways and utilities that can be damaged by such
events.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from dam failure hazards, the following data deficiencies were
identified:
 Data for the location and condition of dams within Heath provided by the DCR Office of
Dam Safety Legal Department was incomplete. This plan uses 2005 data.
Landslides
Hazard Summary
Landslides rarely occur in Franklin County. Landslides are most often caused by heavy rains
destabilizing slopes but can have other causes, including clearing land for development,
earthquakes, and vibrations from machinery or blasting. Landslides can be dangerous because
they are unexpected and fast. They can bury structures with little warning and rescue efforts can
be threatened by new slides.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 69
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented on pages 38-40. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s National Climatic Data Center website shows no landslide events in Franklin
County for the last 20 years. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation
Plan 2010 was also reviewed for information on landslide hazard data and mitigation measures.
Impact to the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
While landslides are rare, their impacts can be devastating, including loss of property, disruption
to infrastructure, and injury and death. Continued development, particularly on steep slopes,
such as those that are plentiful in Heath, or unstable soils, increases the chances that landslides
will be a danger. Other associated concerns are debris management issues including debris
removal and identification of disposal sites.
Property Damage
Historic data for landslide events indicate that between 1993 and 2010, no landslide events were
recorded in Franklin County.
Table 3-45 identifies the assessed value of all residential, commercial, and industrial uses in
Town, as well as the losses that would result from 1%, 5%, and 10% damage to this inventory as
a result of a massive landslide.
Table 3-45: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use
Land Use
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Total
Average Assessed
Value of Land by
Use
$84,142,920
$943,368
$144,200
$85,230,488
1% Damage Loss
Estimate
$841,429
$9,434
$1,442
$852,305
5% Damage Loss
Estimate
$4,207,146
$47,168
$7,210
$4,261,524
10% Damage Loss
Estimate
$8,414,292
$94,337
$14,420
$8,523,049
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section 2011.
Population Impacts
Populations considered most vulnerable to landslide impacts are identified based on a number of
factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a hazard and the
location and construction quality of their housing. Table 3-46 summarizes the population over
the age of 65 or living in households with an income below $25,000 per year.
Table 3-46: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 70
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
Landslides, while rare in Franklin County, can destroy roads, structures, facilities, utilities, and
impact populations. In Heath, however, the risk to the Town from landslides is very low and
areas impacted isolated. Nonetheless, existing and future mitigation efforts should continue to be
developed and employed that will enable Heath to be prepared for these events when they occur.
Particular areas of vulnerability include low-income and elderly populations, and buildings,
roadways, and utilities near the foot of slopes, especially when slopes are destabilized.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from landslides, no data deficiencies were identified.
Ice Jams
Hazard Summary
Ice jams (or ice dams) occur when water builds up behind a blockage of ice. Ice jams can occur
in various ways, but in New England they predominantly form on rivers and streams and mainly
threaten infrastructure.
Data Collected and Used
Data for this hazard are presented in the Hazard Identification section of this plan, on page 4041. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center
website shows no ice jam events or damage in Heath over the last 20 years. The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010 was also reviewed for information on ice
jam hazard data and mitigation measures.
Impact to the Community
Exposure and Loss Estimation
Losses to ice jams include the rising waters along the river or stream that is being dammed, and
the rush of water downstream when the dam either melts or is broken up by human intervention.
Buildings, roadways and utilities are threatened by ice blockages.
Property Damage
Data on ice jams in Franklin County indicate that no property damage or injuries or deaths
occurred as the result of ice jams in the last 20 years.
The structures and people most at risk from an ice jam are those within the floodplain. The
average assessed values of the residential, commercial, and industrial land uses located within
the floodplain are displayed in Table 3-47.
Table 3-47: Potential Estimated Loss by Land Use Category
Total Building Value in
1% Damage
5% Damage
10% Damage
Structure
Flood Hazard Area
Loss Estimate
Loss Estimate
Loss Estimate
$224,529
$2,245
$11,226
$22,453
Residential
$0
$0
$0
$0
Commercial
$0
$0
$0
$0
Industrial
Total
$11,589,500
$2,245
$11,226
$22,453
Source: Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue - Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section 2011.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 71
Population Impact
Populations considered most vulnerable to ice jam impacts (Table 3-48) are identified based on a
number of factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a
hazard and the location and construction quality of their housing.
Table 3-48: Senior and Low Income Populations Exposed to Natural Hazard Events
Number of Persons Percentage of
Population Category
Exposed
Total Population
Senior (Over 65 years of age)
138
19.5%
Low Income (Persons with annual incomes less than $25,000)*
129
18.2%
Total
267**
37.7%
* Low income population was calculated by multiplying 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS)
** There may be overlap within the Senior and Low Income categories, so that the total number of persons exposed
may be lower than what is shown in the table.
Source: 2010 U.S. Census, 2005-2009 American Community Survey.
Overall Vulnerability Assessment
Ice jams occur throughout New England, often causing significant impacts and losses to roads,
structures, facilities, utilities, and the population. In Heath, given the lack of major rivers, the
risk for impacts of ice jams to the Town overall is low. Existing and future mitigation efforts
should continue to be developed and employed that will enable Heath to be prepared for these
events when they occur. Particular areas of vulnerability include low-income and elderly
populations, trailer homes, and infrastructure such as roadways near rivers and streams and
utilities and low-lying areas.
Data Deficiencies
In assessing the risks to Heath from ice jams, no data deficiencies were identified.
Manmade Hazards
Hazard Summary
Manmade hazards are being assessed at the local level for the first time in this plan update. A
preliminary assessment was made only of those manmade hazards of an accidental nature, such
as transportation accidents or fixed facility accidents involving hazardous materials. No formal
vulnerability assessment was done on manmade hazards, however the potential for accidents, the
unknown impact of such accidents and the lack of well-analyzed data make this hazard a high
priority on the Action Plan.
Data Deficiencies
 Need to research available models and data requirements to adequately evaluate the
potential impact of hazardous materials transportation and fixed-facility accidents on
drinking water supplies and on public health.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 72
Development Trends Analysis
In assessing development trends for the Town of Heath - and the impact those trends might have
on hazard mitigation - the Committee was asked to evaluate the probability of development in
town and areas most likely to be targeted for development. The committee was also asked about
any proposed development, and any major highway or public transit improvements that might
change accessibility to parts of town. Additionally, data such as number of building permits
issued, change in population, current zoning bylaws and the acres of developable land were
considered.
The Committee members forecasted that little to no development is likely over the next ten
years. The Committee’s assessment of development trends is reflected in the data consulted.
According to Census data for new privately-owned residential building permits issued in Heath,
a total of 29 permits were issued between the years 2000 and 2010. More notably, in the past
three years, only three permits have been issued annually[1] and according to the Committee, no
non-residential structures have been constructed in the last several years.
According to 2010 census data, the total population for Heath in 2010 is 706. This is a 12.3
percent decrease in population from the 2000 census, following a 12.4 percent increase in
population between 1990 and 2000. It is possible this sharp increase and decrease could be
attributed to some anomaly in the methodology used to collect data in 2000. Given this
inconclusive data, the Committee was also consulted on potential population growth. The
Committee input forecast little to no growth over the next several years.
As discussed in the Vulnerability Assessment Section of this plan, current development in the
floodplain is minimal. There are approximately 53 total floodplain acres in Town, in two distinct
locations. One floodplain location is made up of 46 acres in the northwest corner of Town, along
Number Nine Road and West Branch Brook, with about 1 acre of residential land within that
floodplain. There are about 20 acres of very low density residential development just to the
north of this floodplain area. The other floodplain area is on the West Branch North River near
West Branch Road. Given the very small number of floodplain acres in Town, there is little
probability of any significant development within floodplain areas.
The 2005 Heath Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan included build-out estimates based on current
zoning. This plan update counts structures that appear in 2005 land use maps, the most recent
data available. A better system for tracking development in the floodplain not only in Heath but
in other Franklin County towns should be developed. Data currently is not available for such
analysis.
[1]
http://censtats.census.gov/cgi-bin/bldgprmt/bldgbrowse.pl
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 73
Map 3-6: Heath Zoning Map
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 74
4 –MITIGATION STRATEGIES
This section of the Hazard Mitigation Plan is the long-term blueprint for reducing the losses
identified in the risk assessment.
Current Mitigation Strategies
Floods
One of the goals of this Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan is to evaluate all of the town’s existing
policies and practices related to natural hazards and identify potential gaps in protection.
Unfortunately, FEMA flood maps do not identify the 100-year floodplain zone for the Town of
Heath. The 100-year flood zone is the area that will be covered by water as a result of a flood
that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year. Thus, the Town faces special
challenges in identifying the areas that are prone to flooding for the development of specific
management plans.
Management Plans
The Comprehensive Emergency Management (CEM) Plan for Heath lists the following generic
mitigation measures for flood planning:
 Identify areas in the community that are flood prone and define methods to minimize
the risk. Review National Flood Insurance Maps.
 Disseminate emergency public information and instructions concerning flood
preparedness and safety.
 Community leaders should ensure that their community is enrolled in the National
Flood Insurance Program.
 Strict adherence should be paid to land use and building codes (e.g. Wetlands
Protection Act) and new construction should not be built in flood-prone areas.
 Ensure that flood control works are in good operating condition at all times.
 Natural water storage areas should be preserved.
 Maintain plans for managing all flood emergency response activities including
addressing potentially hazardous dams.
The Comprehensive Emergency Management (CEM) Plan for Heath lists the following generic
preparedness and response measures for floods:
 Place EOC personnel on standby during stage of flood ‘watch’ and monitor NWS/New
England River Forecast Center reports.
 Ensure that public warning systems are working properly and broadcast any
information that is needed at this time.
 Review mutual aid agreements.
 Monitor levels of local bodies of water.
 Arrange for all evacuation and sheltering procedures to be ready for activation when
needed.
 Carry out, or assist in, needed flood-proofing measures such as sand bag placement, etc.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 75
 Regulate operation of flood control works such as flood gates.
 Notify all Emergency Management related groups that will assist with flood response
activities to be ready in case of flood ‘warning’.
 Broadcast warning/notification of flood emergency.
 Coordinate traffic control and proceed with evacuation of affected populations as
appropriate.
 Open and staff shelters and reception centers.
 Undertake, or continue to carry out, flood proofing measures.
 Dispatch search and rescue teams.
 Dispatch emergency medical teams.
 Refer to the Resource Manual (Core Functions) for information regarding
transportation providers.
Evacuation Options
Currently, the Heath Senior Center/Community Hall and Heath Elementary school are listed as
mass care shelter sites for victims of flooding. The town also identifies the following buildings
as Reception Centers (which have no kitchen facilities, but can house people and have bathroom
facilities): Town Hall, Trinity Community Church, Mohawk Estates Recreation Hall, Heath
Union Church, and the Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall at the Fairgrounds is also
listed as a reception center specifically in the event of a dam failure at the Papoose Lake Upper
Dam.
The following are evacuation routes identified in the CEM Plan in the event of a flood:
 Rt. 8A for evacuation to the North (Vermont)and South (Charlemont)
 North on Number Nine Rd to Groll Rd. for evacuation to the West (through Rowe)and
North on Number Nine Rd.South on Branch Hill Rd. to East on Colrain Stage Rd. to
Colrain
 North on Rt. 8A to South on West Branch Rd. for evacuation to the East (through
Colrain)
 South on Branch Hill Rd. to South on Bray Rd. to South on Avery Brook Rd. to Rt. 2 in
Charlemont
 From Center of town go West on Dell Rd. to South on Rt 8A to Charlemont and/or South
on Avery Brook Rd. to Rt.
Flood Control Structures
FEMA has identified no flood control structures within the Town of Heath.
Land Use Regulations that Mitigate Impacts from Flooding42
The Town of Heath has adopted land use regulations that serve to manage stormwater runoff,
and to protect groundwater and wetland resources, the latter of which often provide important
flood storage capacity. These regulations are summarized below and their effectiveness
evaluated in Table 4-1.
42
All bulleted items and direct quotes in the Heath Local Hazard Mitigation Plan are taken from the Town of Heath’s zoning and
subdivision regulations. Other references to those documents contained herein are paraphrases of the same.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 76
Subdivision Rules and Regulations
Heath’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations were last amended in August 1987. Section 1.1
states that the purpose of the regulations is to “protect the safety, convenience and welfare of the
inhabitants of the Town of Heath in laying out ways and subdivisions, including adequate access
to all lots, and to ensure quality road construction, good drainage and sanitary conditions.” The
Subdivision Rules and Regulations contain a number of provisions that could mitigate the
potential for flooding. Section 3.4.2 identifies the required contents of the Preliminary Plan,
including the proposed system of drainage and its impact on adjacent existing waterways and
aquifers, and the location of all streams and wetlands. The contents of the Definitive Plan are set
out in Section 3.5.2, and include “the location of natural objects and surfaces such as waterways,
streams and wetlands, natural drainage courses, ledge outcroppings, stone walls” and the
“proposed layout of storm drainage, water supply and sewerage disposal systems, including
layout of all underground utilities.”
According to Section 4.8.2, Conservation Restrictions:
Watercourses, drainage ways, channels, or streams shall be located within easements
conforming substantially with the lines of their courses. The width of the easements shall
not be less than 20 feet and their boundaries shall not be less than 6 feet from the
hundred year flood plain. Wetlands shall be located within easements whose boundaries
shall not be closer than 100 feet from the boundaries of the wetland. No building shall be
constructed and no paving or other activity shall be permitted within such easement
except as permitted under the Zoning By-Law, and under the Massachusetts Wetlands
Protection Act.
Under Section 5 of Heath’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations, developers are required to
provide adequate drainage and appropriate, sufficient, and necessary drainage rights must be
secured for the Town. Further, developers are required to pay for the installation of additional
subdrains or curtain drains to deal with unforeseen groundwater conditions which may be
encountered during construction. They are also required to install retaining walls where
necessary and to install bank plantings in all areas which might tend to wash out or erode.
Heath Protective Zoning Bylaws
The Town of Heath has established a set of bylaws designed in part to “plan for the orderly
growth of the Town of Heath and to . . . conserve the value of land and buildings including the
conservation of natural resources and the prevention of blight and pollution of the environment;
encourage the appropriate use of land throughout the town; conserve health and safety.” The
Zoning Bylaws include provisions that mitigate the potential for flooding. Section 2.2 governs
the removal of natural materials, requiring a Special Permit for the removal of sod, earth, mineral
aggregates, stone or rock from any parcel of land. Section 2.3, Erosion Control, provides
detailed instructions on how site design, materials and construction processes should be designed
to avoid erosion damage, sedimentation or uncontrolled surface water runoff.
Section 6.2 of the Zoning Bylaws, Site Plan Review, requires the inclusion in the Preliminary
Site Plan of the location of wetlands on the site and a surface drainage strategy that prevents
pollution and increased drainage off-site. Finally, Section 8.3, Conservation Development,
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 77
requires that the application include an “analysis of the site, including wetlands, water bodies,
slopes, the capability of soils to support the proposed development, areas within the 100-year
floodplain, and such other natural features as the Planning Board may request.”
Wetlands and Water Supply Protection
The Town of Heath Wetlands Protection Bylaw applies stricter standards and provides an
additional level of protection to surface water bodies, waterways, wetlands, and also banks and
beaches. With the town bylaw, isolated wetlands achieve protected status. The purpose of the
bylaw is:
to protect the wetlands, related water resources, and adjoining land areas in this
municipality by controlling activities deemed by the Conservation Commission
likely to have a significant or cumulative effect upon wetland values, including
but not limited to the following: public or private water supply, groundwater,
flood control, erosion and sedimentation control storm damage prevention, water
pollution control . . .
Generally, the Conservation Commission’s policies outlined in the regulations accompanying the
Bylaw prohibit development in any area below the 10 year flood level and require 100 percent
compensatory storage for any filling or building in the 100 year floodplain. They will also not
consider replication of wetlands adequate mitigation for the destruction of natural wetlands.
Further, in especially sensitive areas, the Commission may require that the landowner execute a
covenant or conservation restriction running with the land to protect the resource areas and
adjacent undeveloped buffer strips.
In addition, Zoning Districts in the Town of Heath include two overlay districts, a Water Supply
Protection and a Floodplain District. According to Section 4.3.1, the purpose of the Water
Supply Protection District is:
A. To protect, preserve and maintain present and potential sources of water
supply for the public health and safety;
B. To protect, preserve and maintain the existing and potential groundwater
recharge areas within the town;
C. To reduce erosion of topsoil and the subsequent sedimentation of surface
water bodies.
The Water Supply Protection District regulations include provisions limiting the amount of
impervious surfaces and requiring that all runoff from impervious surfaces be recharged on site
by being diverted to stormwater infiltration basins covered with natural vegetation that are
designed to handle a 100-year storm. Plot plans in the district are required to show the location
of wetlands, streams, water bodies and flood plain; existing drainage patterns; areas to be
rendered impermeable; and temporary and permanent erosion control measures planned, such as
sediment basins, stormwater basins, diversions, riprap, stabilization seeding, etc. The site plan
must also include a storm drainage plan and a siltation and sedimentation control plan.
According to Section 4.4.1, “The purposes of the Floodplain District are to protect the public
health, safety, and general welfare, to protect human life and property from the hazards of
periodic flooding, to preserve the natural flood control characteristics and the flood storage
capacity of the floodplain.” Only uses of low flood damage potential and causing no
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 78
obstructions to flood flows are allowed in the Floodplain District, including agricultural, forestry,
outdoor recreation, conservation and wildlife management uses.
National Flood Insurance Program
The Town of Heath has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program since September of
1976. No special flood hazard areas in Heath have been identified by FEMA.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 79
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Table 4-1: Flood Hazard Mitigation Measures
Description
Area
Effectiveness
Covered
Subdivision Regulations
Definitive Plan
The Definitive Plan requires that
profiles of the subdivision shall
show the location of waterways,
streams and wetlands, and natural
drainage courses, as well as the
proposed layout of storm
drainage, water supply and
sewerage disposal systems.
Easements
Easements are required for all
water courses, drainage ways,
channels, streams and wetlands.
No building, paving or other
activity is allowed in the
easements.
Adequate Drainage
Developers are required to
provide adequate drainage and
drainage rights, including paying
for installation of drains to deal
with unforeseen groundwater
conditions encountered during
construction.
Retaining Walls &
Developers are required to install
Bank Plantings
retaining walls and bank
plantings in areas that might wash
out or erode.
Zoning Bylaws
Special Permit required for the
Removal of
removal of natural materials,
Natural Materials
including sod, earth, mineral
aggregates, stone or rock.
Erosion control measures must be
Erosion Control
2012 Potential
Changes
Status
Entire town.
Somewhat
effective.
Consider requiring
Impact Statements for
construction beyond a
certain number of lots.
Recommended
in previous
plan. Still
relevant.
Entire town.
Somewhat
effective.
None
No changes
recommended
Entire town.
Somewhat
effective.
None
No changes
recommended
Entire town.
Somewhat
effective.
None
No changes
recommended
Entire town.
Somewhat
effective.
None
No changes
recommended
Entire town.
Somewhat
None
No changes
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 80
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Site Plan Review
Conservation
Development
Water Supply
Protection District
Floodplain District
Description
instituted to avoid erosion
damage,
sedimentation,
or
uncontrolled surface runoff.
Site Plan Review requires the
inclusion in the Preliminary Site
Plan of the location of wetlands
on the site and a surface drainage
strategy that prevents pollution
and increased drainage off-site.
Conservation Development
requires that the application
include an analysis of the site,
including wetlands, water bodies,
slopes, the capability of soils to
support the proposed
development, and areas within
the 100-year floodplain.
The Water Supply Protection
District regulations limit the
amount of impervious surfaces
and require that all runoff from
impervious surfaces be recharged
on site by systems designed to
handle a 100-year storm. Plot
plans in the district must show all
water resources; existing drainage
patterns; and erosion control
measures planned. The site plan
must also include a storm
drainage plan and a siltation and
sedimentation control plan.
Uses are restricted in the
Floodplain District to protect
human life and property from the
Area
Covered
Effectiveness
2012 Potential
Changes
effective.
Status
recommended
Entire town.
Somewhat
effective.
None
No changes
recommended
Entire town.
Somewhat
effective.
None
No changes
recommended
The Town should
create a new zoning
map showing the Water
Supply Protection
Districts.
Recommended
in previous
plan. Still
relevant.
Work with surrounding
towns that share
aquifers and aquifer
recharge areas to ensure
that they are protected
across town boundaries.
The Town should
create a new zoning
map showing the
Recommended
in previous
plan. Still
relevant.
Five areas, incl. two Somewhat
at the edge of town; effective.
four along West
Branch Brook and
one on Sanders
Brook.
Two locations
along West Branch
Brook, one in the
Somewhat
effective.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 81
Recommended
in previous
plan. Still
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Description
hazards of periodic flooding and
to preserve the natural flood
control characteristics and the
flood storage capacity of the
floodplain.
Wetlands Protection Bylaw
The Wetlands Protection Bylaw
provides an additional level of
protection to surface water,
wetlands, banks and beaches.
Conservation Commission
policies prohibit development in
any area below the ten-year flood
level and require 100 percent
compensatory storage for any
filling or building in the 100-year
floodplain.
Area
Covered
Effectiveness
NW corner along
Number
Nine Rd. and one
on E border on
West Branch Rd.
All wetlands
throughout town.
Effective.
2012 Potential
Changes
Status
Floodplain Protection
Districts.
relevant.
None.
No changes
recommended
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 82
Severe Winter Storms
Winter storms can be especially challenging for emergency management personnel even though
the storm has usually been forecast. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
(MEMA) serves as the primary coordinating entity in the statewide management of all types of
winter storms and monitors the National Weather Service (NWS) alerting systems during periods
when winter storms are expected.43 According to the CEM Plan for Heath, local officials judge
the town to be at high risk for blizzards and other types of severe winter storms.
Management Plans
The CEM Plan for Heath lists the following generic mitigation measures for severe winter
storms:
 Develop and disseminate emergency public information concerning winter storms,
especially material which instructs individuals and families how to stock their homes,
prepare their vehicles, and take care of themselves during a severe winter storm.
 Local governments should assume that winter will occur annually and budget fiscal
resources with snow management in mind.
 Maintain plans for managing all winter storm emergency response activities.
To the extent that some of the damages from a winter storm can be caused by flooding, all of the
flood protection mitigation measures described in Table 4-1 can also be considered as mitigation
measures for severe snowstorms/ice storms.
The CEM Plan for Heath lists the following generic preparedness and response measures for
severe winter storms:
 Ensure that warning/notification and communications systems are in readiness.
 Ensure that appropriate equipment and supplies, especially snow removal equipment, are
in place and in good working order.
 Review mutual aid agreements.
 Designate suitable shelters throughout the community and make their locations known to
the public.
 Implement public information procedures during storm ‘warning’ stage.
 Prepare for possible evacuation and sheltering of some populations impacted by the storm
(especially the elderly and those with special needs).
 Broadcast storm warning/notification information and instructions.
 Conduct evacuation, reception and sheltering activities.
 If appropriate, activate media center. Refer to Resource Manual (Core Functions) for
media center information.
 Dispatch search and rescue teams.
 Dispatch emergency medical teams.
 Take measures to guard against further danger from power failure, downed trees and
utility lines, ice, traffic problems, etc.
 Close roads and/or limit access to certain areas if appropriate.
 Provide assistance to homebound populations needing heat, food, and other necessities.
 Provide rescue and sheltering for stranded/lost individuals.
43
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan for the Town of Heath, November 2006.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 83
Restrictions on Development
There are no restrictions on development that are directly related to severe winter storms. The
same provisions of the Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Bylaws, and Wetlands Protection
Bylaws that are described in detail above in Table 4-1 in regard to flood mitigation are also
potentially relevant to the mitigation of the impact of severe winter storms. These provisions of
the Subdivision Regulations include: requirements of the Preliminary and Definitive Plans for
identifying water resources, detailing proposed drainage systems, and showing layout of all
underground utilities; easements required for all water courses, drainage ways and wetlands;
adequate drainage requirements; and retaining walls and bank plantings required in areas that
might wash out or erode. Section 4.6.5, Right-of-Way and Street Design Standards, mandates a
maximum grade of 8 percent on subdivision roads.
Relevant Zoning Bylaw provisions include: requiring a Special Permit for the removal of natural
materials; erosion control measures, including temporary cover during the winter; site plan
review requiring the location of wetlands and surface drainage strategies; conservation
development plans requiring an analysis of a site’s wetlands, slopes, and areas within the 100year flood plan; delineation of a Water Supply Protection District and a Floodplain District that
require stormwater management plans and limit uses.
Other Mitigation Measures
Severe snowstorms or ice storms can often result in limited or widespread loss of electrical
service. The shelters in Heath include the Heath Fire Station, Community Hall, Town Hall, and
the Town Garage. The Exhibit Hall at the Fairgrounds is also listed as a shelter in the event of a
dam failure at the Upper Papoose Lake Dam. Generators are located in the Community Hall,
Town Hall, Fire Station, and Town Garage shelters.
State Building Code
For new or recently built structures, the primary protection against snow-related damage is
construction according to the State Building Code, which addresses designing buildings to
withstand snowloads. The Town of Heath is a member of the Franklin County Cooperative
Building Inspection Program.
These regulations and codes are summarized below and their effectiveness in mitigating the
effects of severe snowstorms and ice storms is evaluated below in Table 4-2.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 84
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Table 4-2: Severe Winter Storms Mitigation Measures
Description
Area
Effectiveness
Covered
Subdivision Regulations
The Definitive Plan is required to
Definitive Plan
include the proposed layout of
storm drainage, water supply and
sewerage disposal systems,
including layout of all
underground utilities.
Street Design
Standards
The final profile of the new roads
shall not exceed a grade of eight
percent.
Entire town.
Entire town.
Zoning Bylaws
Removal of Natural Special Permit required for the Entire town.
removal of natural materials,
Materials
including sod, earth, mineral
aggregates, stone or rock.
Erosion Control
Site Plan Review
Erosion control measures must be Entire town.
instituted to avoid erosion
damage,
sedimentation,
or
uncontrolled surface runoff.
Temporary cover is required for
soil control during the winter.
Site Plan Review requires the Entire town.
inclusion in the Preliminary Site
Plan of the location of wetlands
Effective
for
mitigating or
preventing
localized
flooding/icing
of roads.
2012 Potential
Changes
Status
Encourage utility
companies to
underground utility
lines in all new
subdivisions.
Continue to encourage
regular tree
maintenance to reduce
number of limbs near
overhead power lines
None
Recommended
in previous
plan. Still
relevant.
Somewhat
effective.
None
No changes
recommended
Somewhat
effective.
None
No changes
recommended
Somewhat
effective.
None.
No changes
recommended
Effective for
mitigating or
preventing
localized
flooding/icing
of roads.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 85
Recommended
in previous
plan. Still
relevant.
No changes
recommended
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Description
Area
Covered
Effectiveness
2012 Potential
Changes
Status
on the site and a surface drainage
strategy that prevents pollution
and increased drainage off-site.
Other Protections
State Building Code
The FCCIP Building Inspectors Entire town.
serving the Town of Heath follow
the Massachusetts Building Code.
Effective.
None.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 86
No changes
recommended
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms (Also applies to Tornados, Microbursts and
Thunderstorms)
Of all the natural disasters that could potentially impact Heath, hurricanes provide the most lead
warning time because of the relative ease in predicting the storm’s track and potential landfall.
MEMA assumes “standby status” when a hurricane’s location is 35 degrees North Latitude
(Cape Hatteras) and “alert status” when the storm reaches 40 degrees north Latitude (Long
Island).44 The flooding associated with hurricanes can be a major source of damage to buildings,
infrastructure and a potential threat to human lives. Therefore, all of the flood protection
mitigation measures described in Table 4-1 can also be considered hurricane mitigation
measures. High winds that oftentimes accompany hurricanes can also damage buildings and
infrastructure. The Heath CEM plan identifies a moderate risk for hurricanes and other types of
severe warm weather storms.
The Town of Heath’s zoning bylaws, mobile home restrictions and State Building Code
regulations as listed below are equally applicable to wind events such as hurricanes and
tornadoes.
Management Plans
The CEM Plan for Heath includes the following generic mitigation measures for hurricane
planning and response:
 Develop and disseminate emergency public information and instructions concerning
hurricane preparedness and safety.
 Community leaders should ensure that the community is enrolled in the National Flood
Insurance Program.
 Develop and enforce local building codes to enhance structural resistance to high winds
and flooding. Build new construction in areas that are not vulnerable to direct hurricane
effects.
 Make informed decisions concerning protecting natural attributes such as beaches and
dunes with breakwaters and sea walls. Review National Flood Insurance Rate Maps and
Hurricane Evacuation Maps for possible impact on the community. Hurricane
Evacuation Maps are available for coastal communities along Buzzard’s Bay and
Nantucket Sound.
 Maintain plans for managing all hurricane emergency response activities.
The CEM Plan for Heath includes the following generic preparedness and response measures for
hurricanes:
 Ensure that warning/notification systems and equipment is ready for use at the
‘hurricane warning’ stage.
 Review mutual aid agreements.
 Designate suitable wind and flood resistant shelters in the community and make their
locations known to the public.
 Prepare for coordination of evacuation from potentially impacted areas, including
alternate transportation systems and locations of special facilities
44
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan for the Town of Heath, November 2006.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 87
 Activate warning/notification systems to inform public of protective measures to be
taken, including evacuation where appropriate.
 Conduct evacuation of affected populations.
 Open and staff shelters and reception centers.
 Dispatch search and rescue teams.
 Dispatch emergency medical teams.
 Activate mutual aid activities.
 Take measures to guard against further danger from downed trees and utility lines,
debris, etc.
 Refer to Resource Manual (Core Function) for information regarding transportation
providers.
Evacuation Options
According to the Heath’s CEM plan, Hosmer Rd., Stone Hill Rd., Sodoga Rd., Flagg Hill Rd.,
Stenson Rd., Brunelle Rd., Judd Rd., State Farm Rd., and Swamp Hill Rd. are all areas of high
hurricane vulnerability. The shelters for hurricane victims are located at the Heath Senior
Center/Community Hall, Heath Union Church and Heath Elementary school..
Zoning
The Town of Heath’s Zoning Bylaws include Section 6.3, Personal Wireless Service Facilities,
regulating telecommunications. This amendment was approved at Annual Town Meeting on
May 12, 2001. These regulations require that, if feasible, personal wireless service facilities
shall be located on existing structures. The height of ground-mounted structures shall not be
higher than 110 feet above ground level. Setbacks of 300 feet are required from any property
line, road, habitable dwelling, business or institutional use, or public recreation area. A setback
of at least 800 feet is required from any residential structure and 1,500 feet from the property line
of a school. Personal wireless facilities cannot be located in wetlands and disturbance to wetland
buffer areas should be minimized. Finally, storm water runoff must be contained on-site. All
facilities must be surrounded by a security barrier and must be accessible by a road maintained in
good order.
Restrictions on Development
The Town of Heath’s Zoning Bylaws do not place restrictions on development that are windrelated.
Mobile Homes
According to the Town of Heath’s Zoning Bylaws, mobile home parks are not permitted in the
town. Individual mobile homes are permitted only in the Primarily Agricultural and Residential
District, unless they are being used as emergency shelter during rebuilding of a damaged or
destroyed home.
State Building Code
For new or recently built structures, the primary protection against wind-related damage is
construction according to the State Building Code, which addresses designing buildings to
withstand high winds. The Town of Heath participates in the FCCIP building inspection services
program.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 88
Table 4-3: Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Mitigation Measures (Also Applies to Tornados, Microbursts and Thunderstorms)
Type of Existing or
Description
Area
Effectiveness
2012 Potential
Status
Proposed Protection
Covered
Changes
Zoning Bylaws
Personal Wireless
Service Facilities
Mobile Homes
Other Protections
State Building Code
Debris Management
Plan
The height of ground-mounted
structures shall not be higher than
110 feet above ground level.
Setbacks of 300 feet are required
from any property line, road,
habitable dwelling, business or
institutional use, or public
recreation area. A setback of at
least 800 feet is required from any
residential structure and 1,500 feet
from the property line of a school.
Mobile home parks are not
permitted in Town however,
individual mobile homes are
permitted throughout town.
Entire town.
Effective for
mitigating or
preventing
damages due to
high winds
associated with
hurricanes,
tropical storms
and other windrelated events.
None.
No changes
recommended.
Entire town.
Not effective
Require tie-downs for
new mobile homes to
prevent wind damage or
disallow mobile homes
in Town.
New
recommendation
The FCCIP Building Inspectors
serving the Town of Heath follow
the Massachusetts Building Code.
Entire town.
Effective.
None.
No changes
recommended.
A debris management plan could be
developed
Entire town.
Effective.
Consider participation in
the Regional Debris
Management Plan.
A Regional
Debris
Management
Plan was drafted
in 2009 but has
not been
implemented.
The Town should
consider
participating as
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 89
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Shelters
Description
The designated shelters for
residents are the Heath Community
Hall, the Town Hall, and the Town
Garage.
Area
Covered
Entire town.
Effectiveness
Somewhat
effective.
2012 Potential
Changes
Ensure that shelters are
identified for all natural
hazards and that they
have sufficient back-up
utility service in the
event of primary power
failure.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 90
Status
soon as it is
implemented
regionally.
Recommended in
previous plan.
Still relevant.
Wildfires/Brushfires
Franklin County has approximately 356,465 acres of forested land, which accounts for 77
percent of total land area. Forest fires are therefore a potentially significant issue. The total land
area of Heath, according to the MacConnell Land use data, is 15,932 acres of which only 4
percent is developed land. Forest accounts for 13,268 acres (or 83%) of the total land area.
Given that nearly the entire town is forested, the Town of Heath is considered to have a moderate
risk for forest fires.
Management Plans and Regulatory Measures
The Heath CEM Plan does not include any specific information on wildfires.
Subdivision Review
The Town of Heath’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations do not require review of subdivision
plans by the Heath Fire Department. Section 4.6.2, Dead End Streets, requires that there be
adequate access to all lots on the dead end street for fire engines and other emergency vehicles.
Burn Permits
Burn permits for the Town of Heath are issued by the Fire Chief. Approximately 144 permits
were issued during burn season in 2006. Permits are for a one-day period and can be obtained
over the phone. Specific burn permit guidelines are established by the state, such as the burning
season and the time when a burn may begin on a given day. Currently, the burning season
extends from January 15th to May 1st and residents may only burn between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Public Education/Outreach
The Heath Fire Department conducts education programs annually for elementary school
students at the Heath Elementary School during fire prevention week. They are also working
with Franklin County Home Care to provide information to seniors on fire safety.
Restrictions on Development
There are currently no restrictions on development that are based on the need to mitigate the
hazards of wildfires/brushfires.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 91
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Table 4-4: Wildfires and Brushfires Mitigation Measures
Description
Area
Effectiveness
2012 Potential
Covered
Changes
Subdivision Rules and Regulations
Subdivision Rules and Regulations
Subdivision Review
do not require fire department’s
review of subdivision plans.
Entire town.
Not effective.
Burn Permits
Residents are permitted to obtain
burn permits over the phone.
Entire town.
Effective.
Public Education/
Outreach
The Heath Fire Department has an
annual public education/outreach
program.
Entire town.
Somewhat
effective.
Status
Consider requiring the
review of subdivision
plans by the Heath Fire
Department to ensure
that fire trucks have
adequate access and
there is adequate water
supply for firefighting
purposes.
None.
Recommended in
previous plan.
Still relevant.
Develop and distribute
an educational pamphlet
on fire safety and
prevention.
Recommended in
previous plan.
Still relevant.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 92
No changes
recommended.
Dam Failures
The only mitigation measures in place are the state regulations that control the construction and
inspection of dams. The Heath CEM Plan states that there are three categories of dam failure or
overspill and that action should be taken according to hazard rating:
Type 1: Slowly developing condition
 Activate Emergency Operations Center (EOC);
 Activate all communication networks. Establish communications with command post on
a 24-hour basis;
 Release public information;
 Notify MEMA area headquarters, the American Red Cross and downstream
communities;
 Review plans for evacuation and sheltering, including availability and capacity; food,
supplies and equipment; shelter owners and managers and other communities (if out of
town sheltering is required); and,
 Require ‘stand by’ status of designated response forces.
Type 2: Rapidly developing condition
 Establish 24-hour communication from the damsite to EOC;
 Assemble, brief and assign specific responsibilities to emergency response forces;
 Release public information;
 Obtain and prepare required vehicles/equipment for movement; and,
 Prepare to issue warning.
Type 3: Practically instantaneous failure
 Issue warning;
 Commence immediate evacuation;
 Commit required resources to support evacuation;
 Activate shelters or coordinate activation of shelters located outside the community;
 Notify MEMA area headquarters and the Red Cross; and,
 Initiate other measures as required to protect lives and property.
Management Plans and Regulatory Measures
The Heath CEM Plan contains the following generic mitigation measures for dam failure:
 Develop and conduct public education programs concerning dam hazards.
 Maintain up-to-date plans to deal with threat and actual occurrence of dam over-spill or
failure.
 Emergency Management and other local government agencies should familiarize
themselves with technical data and other information pertinent to the dams which
impact their jurisdiction. This should include determining the probable extent and
seriousness of the effect to downstream areas.
 Dams should be inspected periodically and monitored regularly.
 Repairs should be attended to promptly.
 As much as is possible burdens on faulty dams should be lessened through stream rechanneling.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 93
 Identify dam owners.
 Determine minimum notification time for down stream areas.
The Heath CEM Plan contains the following generic preparedness and response measures for
dam failure:
 Pre-place adequate warning/notification systems in areas potentially vulnerable to dam
failure effects.
 Develop procedures for monitoring dam site conditions at first sign of any irregularity
that could precipitate dam failure.
 Identify special needs populations, evacuations routes, and shelters for dam failure
response.
 Have sandbags, sand, and other items on hand to reinforce dam structure or flood proof
flood prone areas.
 Disseminate warning/notification of imminent or occurring dam failure.
 Coordinate evacuation and sheltering of affected populations.
 Dispatch search and rescue teams.
 Coordinate evacuation and sheltering of affected populations.
 Activate mutual aid if needed.
 Acquire additional needed supplies not already in place, such as earth moving
machinery.
 Establish incident command post as close to affected area as safely possible.
 Provide security for evacuated public and private property.
 Refer to Resource Manual (Core Functions) for information regarding transportation
providers.
Evacuation Options
The Heath Local Natural hazards Mitigation Planning Committee identifies one dam that with a
potential of impacting the town: the Papoose Lake Upper Dam.
The most likely evacuation routes for residents are Colrain Stage Rd. and Taylor Brook Rd. in
the southeastern region of Heath.
Emergency responders should review inundation areas and identify possible evacuation routes.
Permits Required for New Dam Construction
Massachusetts State Law (M.G.L. Chapter 253 Section 45) regulates the construction of new
dams. A permit must be obtained from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
before construction can begin. One of the permit requirements is that all local approvals or
permits must be obtained.
Dam Inspections
The DCR requires that dams rated as Medium/Significant Hazards are inspected every five years.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 94
Zoning
There is no mention made regarding the construction of new dams in the Town of Heath zoning
or subdivision regulations.
Restrictions on Development
There are no town restrictions on dam locations. The DCR issues permits for new dams and
does have the authority to deny a permit if it is determined that the design and/or location of the
dam is not acceptable.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 95
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Other Protections
Permits required for
new dam construction
Dam Inspections
Table 4-5: Dam Failure Mitigation Measures
Description
Area
Effectiveness
Covered
2012 Potential
Changes
Status
State law requires a permit for the
construction of any dam.
Entire town.
Effective.
Ensures dams are
adequately
designed.
None
No changes
recommended.
DCR has an inspection schedule
that is based on the hazard rating of
the dam (low, significant, high
hazard).
Entire town.
Low. The DCR
does not have
adequate
staff
and resources to
inspect
dams
according to the
required
schedule.
Adequate
staff
and
resources should be
given to DCR to ensure
the inspection schedules
are maintained.
This action
requires statewide support.
However, Heath
officials can
continue to try to
influence policy
on this item.
FERC requires Emergency Action
Plans for all high hazard dams it
oversees.
Entire town.
Effective.
Ensures EAPs in
place for high
hazard dams.
Inundation area maps for
dams should be
developed.
Emergency action plans
should be reviewed by
the Town for the
Recommended in
previous plan.
Still relevant.
Recommended in
previous plan.
Still relevant.
Papoose Lake Upper
Dam.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 96
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Evacuation Plans
Description
Comprehensive evacuation plans
could help ensure the safety of the
citizens in the event of dam failure.
Area
Covered
Inundation
areas in
town.
Effectiveness
None.
2012 Potential
Changes
The town and
Emergency Action Plan
coordinators should
continue to coordinate
efforts to ensure that
appropriate municipal
officials and
departments are properly
informed of potential
impacts to their town of
a dam failure in Heath.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 97
Status
Recommended in
previous plan.
Still relevant.
Earthquakes
Although there are five mapped seismological faults in Massachusetts, there is no discernable
pattern of previous earthquakes along these faults nor is there a reliable way to predict future
earthquakes along these faults or in any other areas of the state. Consequently, earthquakes are
arguably the most difficult natural hazard to plan for. Most buildings and structures in the state
were constructed without specific earthquake resistant design features.
Management Plans
The Heath CEM Plan lists the following generic mitigation measures for earthquakes:
 Community leaders in cooperation with Emergency Management Personnel should
obtain local geological information and identify and assess structures and land areas that
are especially vulnerable to earthquake impact and define methods to minimize the risk.
 Strict adherence should be paid to land use and earthquake resistant building codes for all
new construction.
 Periodic evaluation, repair, and/or improvement should be made to older public
structures.
 Emergency earthquake public information and instructions should be developed and
disseminated.
 Earthquake drills should be held in schools, businesses, special care facilities, and other
public gathering places.
The Heath CEM Plan lists the following generic preparedness and response measures for
earthquakes:
 Earthquake response plans should be maintained and ready for immediate use.
 All equipment, supplies and facilities that would be needed for management of an
earthquake occurrence should be maintained for readiness.
 Emergency Management personnel should receive periodic training in earthquake
response.
 If the designated EOC is in a building that would probably not withstand earthquake
impact, another building should be chosen for an earthquake EOC.
 Mass Care shelters for earthquake victims should be pre-designated in structures that
would be most likely to withstand earthquake impact. See the Resource Manual (Core
Functions) for Mass Care Shelters.
 It is assumed that all special needs facilities could be affected to some extent by
earthquake effects therefore preparedness measures should be in place to address the
needs of all facilities listed in the Resource Manual (Vulnerable Populations and Areas).
 Most likely the entire population of the community will be affected by a seismic event.
Estimate the maximum peak population affected, considering peak tourism, special event
populations, and work hours.
 EOC will be activated and response will immediately be engaged to address any and all
earthquake effects.
 Emergency warning/notification information and instructions will be broadcast to the
public. See Master Warning List in the Resource Manual (Core Functions) section of
this plan for some or all-warning methods that would be utilized for earthquake
emergencies.
 Search and rescue teams will be dispatched.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 98










Emergency medical teams will be dispatched.
Firefighters will address fires/explosions, and HAZMAT incidents.
Law enforcement personnel will coordinate evacuation and traffic control.
Reception centers and shelters will be opened and staffed.
Animal control measures will be taken.
Law enforcement personnel will protect critical facilities and conduct surveillance against
criminal activities.
Immediate life-threatening hazards will be addressed, such as broken gas lines or downed
utility wires.
Emergency food, water, and fuel will be acquired.
Activate mutual aid.
Measures will be taken relating to identification and disposition of remains of the
deceased by the Chief Medical Examiner.
Evacuation Options
The Heath CEM lists the Heath Senior Center/Community Hall, Heath Union Church and Heath
Elementary school as mass care shelter sites. The town also identifies the following buildings as
Reception Centers (which have no kitchen facilities, but can house people and have bathroom
facilities): Town office, Trinity Community Church, Mohawk Estates Recreation Hall and the
Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. The maximum peak population affected by an earthquake is estimated
at 805 people.
State Building Code
State and local building inspectors are guided by regulations put forth in the Massachusetts State
Building Code. The first edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code went into effect on
January 1, 1975 and included specific earthquake resistant design standards. These seismic
requirements for new construction have been revised and updated over the years and are part of
the current, 6th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code. Given that most structures in
Massachusetts were built before 1975, many buildings and structures do not have specific
earthquake resistant design features. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 39 percent of the
housing in Heath was built before 1970. In addition, built areas underlain by artificial fill, sandy
or clay soils are particularly vulnerable to damage during an earthquake.
Restrictions on Development
There are no seismic-related restrictions on development.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan • Page 99
Type of Existing or
Proposed Protection
Other Protections
State Building Code
Table 4-5: Earthquake Mitigation Measures
Description
Area
Effectiveness
Covered
The FCCIP Building Inspectors
serving Heath follow the 6th Edition
of the State Building Code.
Debris Management
Plan
A debris management plan could be
developed.
Shelters
Community Hall, the Town Hall,
the Exhibit Hall Fair, the Ree Hall
M.E., Trinity Community Church,
the Fire Station and the Town
Garage.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
2012 Potential
Changes
Status
Entire town,
but applies
to new
construction
only.
Entire town.
Effective for new
buildings only.
Evaluate older municipal
structures to determine if
they are earthquake
resistant.
Recommended in
previous plan.
Still relevant.
Effective.
Consider participation in
the Regional Debris
Management Plan.
Entire town.
Effective.
Ensure that identified
shelters are earthquake
resistant and that they
have sufficient back-up
utility service in the
event of primary power
failure.
A Regional
Debris
Management
Plan was drafted
in 2009 but has
not been
implemented.
The Town should
consider
participating as
soon as it is
implemented
regionally.
Recommended in
previous plan.
Still relevant.
100
Landslides
Regulating land use and development to avoid construction on steep slopes and ensuring that
construction does not reduce slope stability is one way to mitigate the hazard potential of
landslides. The following regulations contain strategies that help reduce the risk of landslides in
Heath.
Management Plans
The Heath CEM Plan does not contain any generic mitigation measures for landslides.
Restrictions on Development
Sections of Heath’s Zoning Bylaws and Subdivision Rules and Regulations that address drainage
and erosion are discussed in the Floods section of Mitigation Measures earlier in this section.
These same measures are relevant for landslides but are not repeated in this section.
Most of the mitigation measures for landslides were found to be the same as for Floods. Please
see Table 4-1: Existing Flood Hazard Mitigation Measures for a summary of the Land Use
Regulations that help to mitigate landslides and the appendix for detailed Land Use Regulations.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
101
Ice Jams
The most common hazard associated with ice jams is flooding upstream of the ice jam. Therefore
strategies to mitigate flooding are also appropriate for mitigating the impacts of ice jams.
Most of the mitigation measures for ice jams were found to be the same as for Floods. See Table
4.1: Existing Flood Hazard Mitigation Measures for complete information.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
102
Manmade Hazards
Timely, informative and accurate notification of a hazardous material emergency is critical for an
effective emergency response and for the safety and protection of Heath’s citizens. With the
transportation of hazardous materials via Route 8A, the possibility exists of a hazardous
materials accident or spill. Strategies to plan for the evacuation of residents and for the cleanup
of any chemical spill are key to hazard mitigation.
Management Plans
The following are generic preparedness and response measures for manmade hazards listed in
the Heath CEM Plan, specifically hazardous materials emergencies:
 The immediate notification of the community emergency coordinator and the State is
required when a release of an extremely hazardous substance or hazardous chemical in an
amount above the Reportable Quantity (RQ) occurs. Specific information is required by
the notification such as chemical name, method of release, health effects, medical
attention and protective actions.
 The Hazardous Materials Release Report Form must be used in the event of the release of
a hazardous substance
 Both local and State response personnel, including the DEP must be notified immediately
of a release. The local point of contact is the local fire department through the 911
dispatch Center.
Evacuation Options
Evacuation of an incident site could be required upon the recommendation of the on-scene
commander. The routes of evacuation and staging areas for the evacuees will be determined by
the Incident Commander. Once the incident site has been evacuated, law enforcement officials
will support expanded evacuation if required. The necessity for additional evacuation will be
determined by the Incident Commander.
Restrictions on Development
Heath’s Zoning Bylaw establishes two overlay districts, including a Water Supply Protection
District and a Floodplain District. The Water Supply Protection District, Chapter 4.3, is an
overlay district whose additional purpose is to:
A. Protect, preserve and maintain present and potential sources of water supply for the
public health and safety;
B. To protect, preserve and maintain the existing and potential groundwater recharge areas
within the town;
C. To reduce erosion of topsoil and the subsequent sedimentation of surface water bodies;
The list of prohibited uses in the Water Supply Protection District includes:
A. The rendering impervious of more than 5000 sq. ft. of any lot, except by Special Permit;
B. Industrial uses which discharge process wastewater including any commercial and
service uses discharging wastewater containing contaminants;
C. Use of chemicals for deicing unless deemed necessary for public safety by the Town
Highway Superintendent;
D. The disposal of hazardous or toxic wastes by household or other uses;
E. Improper storage of hazardous or toxic material;
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
103
F. "Clustered" structures, as in Conservation Development;
G. Automotive service stations and motor repair shops, junk and salvage yards, trucking and
bus terminals, car and truck washes, and airports.
The following restrictions exist within the Water Supply Protection District:
A. Petroleum products stored shall be placed in a diked, impermeable surface to prevent
spills or leaks from reaching groundwater.
The purposes of the Floodplain District, Chapter 4.4, are to protect the public health, safety, and
general welfare, to protect human life and property from the hazards of periodic flooding, to
preserve the natural flood control characteristics and the flood storage capacity of the floodplain.
Several uses are permitted in the Floodplain District, as long as they do not require structures,
fill, or storage or materials or equipment.
While the existence of these bylaws, in and of themselves, would not prevent hazardous
materials accidents, it could potentially minimize the possibility of such accidents occurring in
an area containing a drinking water source.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
104
Type of Existing
Protection
Chapter 4.3 Water
Supply Protection
District and Chapter
4.4 Floodplain District
Table 4-8: Existing Manmade Hazard Mitigation Measures
Description
Area Covered
Effectiveness 2012 Potential
Changes
The Town of
Heath has
adopted these
overlay districts
to protect
drinking water
supplies and
floodplain areas
Certain areas of town Effective for all new None
important to protecting construction and
the drinking water
new uses.
supply and floodplains.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
Status
No changes recommended.
105
Future Mitigation Strategies
Goal Statements and Action Items
As part of the natural hazards mitigation planning process undertaken by the Heath Natural
Hazards Planning Committee, existing gaps in protection and possible deficiencies were
identified and discussed. The Committee then developed general goal statements and
recommended action items that, when implemented, will help to reduce risks and future damages
from natural hazards. The goal statements, action items, town department(s) responsible for
implementation, and the proposed timeframe and priority for implementation for each category
of natural hazard are described below. There are also several general action items that were
developed.
2014 Action Plan
Prioritization of Hazards
The Committee prioritized Mitigation Action Items by examining the results of the All Hazards
Vulnerability Assessment completed by the Committee (see Table 3-17). The All Hazards
Vulnerability Assessment is an interactive table that the Committee completed with the FRCOG
staff to evaluate all the natural hazards that can impact the town based on probability of
occurrence, severity of impacts, area of occurrence and preparedness. The completed table gives
the town an overall understanding of the natural hazards, provides guidance on which hazards
the Town may want to focus mitigation efforts on, reaffirms that Heath’s planning and
preparedness is on track, and shows residents that town departments and agencies are organized
in case of a natural disaster. Those hazards receiving the highest Weighted Hazard Index
number were assigned the highest priority. Hazards were rated as follows:
Table 4-9: Weighted Hazard Index Priority Level
Weighted Hazard Index
> 4.0
2.5 – 4.0
< 2.5
Table 4-10: Hazard Priority Level Rating
Weighted Hazard
Natural Hazard
Index
Priority Level
High
Medium
Low
Priority Level
Severe Winter Storms
4.75
High
Thunderstorms
4.6
High
Hurricanes & Tropical Storms
4.45
High
4
High
Wildfires & Brushfires
3.7
Medium
Dam Failures
2.95
Medium
Landslides
2.8
Medium
Floods
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
106
Tornados
2.8
Medium
Microbursts
2.8
Medium
Earthquakes
2.4
Low
Ice Jams
2.1
Low
Identification of Most Important Hazards
To identify the hazards most important to the Town of Heath and to develop a range of
mitigation actions for the most important hazards, the Committee discussed the hazard
prioritization information (Table 4-10), assessed which hazards most often impact Heath and
Western Massachusetts and considered the results of the Risk Assessment (Section 3). The
Committee also discussed damages from recent hazard events, and determined that the hazards
most important to Heath are Severe Winter Storms, Thunderstorms, Hurricanes and Tropical
Storms, and Floods.
In addition, the Committee realized that some Action Items could mitigate several hazards and
thus created a category labeled “Multiple Hazards.” This category is considered important given
the Action Item’s association with more than one hazard.
Table 4-11: Hazards Most Important to Heath
Weighted Hazard Index
Hazard
Priority Level
High
Severe Winter Storms
High
Thunderstorms
High
Hurricanes & Tropical Storms
High
Floods
Medium
Wildfires & Brushfires
Medium
Dam Failures
Medium
Landslides
Medium
Tornados
Medium
Microbursts
Low
Earthquakes
Low
Ice Jams
Hazards Most Important
to Heath




Manmade Hazards
Not Applicable

Multiple Hazards
Not Applicable

Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
107
With respect to Manmade Hazards, the Committee evaluated the potential for fixed facility and
transportation hazardous materials accidents as low. However, no formal vulnerability
assessment was done for manmade hazards due to the lack of available data to use in an
appropriate assessment model. Although the potential for these types of manmade hazards to
occur is low, the unknown impact of such accidents on the town’s population, infrastructure, and
the natural and built environment, and the lack of available and well-analyzed data make this
hazard important to the town and the implementation of associated Action Items a high priority,
although it was not assigned a Weighted Hazard Index Priority Level Rating.
Goal Statements and Action Items
Action items from the 2005 plan were evaluated by the Committee and, if still relevant, were
carried forward to the 2014 plan, with some modifications where necessary. Following are
Action Items from the 2005 plan that are completed:
Action Item
Responsible Entity
Status
Examine current notification system including
feasibility of Reverse 911 or purchase of
weather alert radios. Develop a preliminary
project proposal and cost estimate.
Police Department, Fire
Department,
Emergency
Management Director
Ensure that shelters are identified for all
natural hazards and that they have sufficient
back-up utility service in the event of primary
power failure.
Emergency
Management Director,
Hazard Mitigation
Committee
Complete – The
Town implemented
Code Red
throughout Town.
Shelters identified
out of flood plain
and equipped with
generator.
Residents have
good accessibility
to the shelter via
various routes.
.
Prioritization of Action Items
The Committee worked to prioritize the mitigation Action Items for the hazards identified as the
most important to Heath. For most, if not all, of the Action Items, project costs are not
specifically known so only a generalized estimate could be used during the prioritization process.
Due to the lack of detailed cost information for the mitigation Action Items, a more detailed
prioritization process such as STAPLEE could not be used. However, Action Items may be
reprioritized by the town once a cost is developed and a Benefit Cost Analysis is conducted on
specific projects.
The Committee used a qualitative ranking system of High, Medium or Low to prioritize the
mitigation Action Items for the hazards most important to Heath.
High
71-100 points
Medium
Low
31-70 points
0-30 points
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
108
The ranking system consists of the following criteria, each assigned a points value. The
maximum number of points = 100:
1. What are the anticipated benefits (including avoided costs such as loss of life and the
costs incurred to repair damaged infrastructure, buildings and natural resources) from
the implementation of the action item to the town’s population (10 points),
infrastructure (10 points), and to the built (10 points) and natural environment (10
points)?
2. Can the town provide the necessary maintenance (future costs that must be included
in the town’s budget) when the mitigation measure is completed? Yes (10 points); No
(0 points).
3. Does the town have the technical and administrative capability (staff costs and inkind costs of volunteer boards and committee members) to carry out the mitigation
measures? Yes (10 points); No (0 points).
4. Based on the evaluation of the above criteria, do the costs (if known or can be
reasonably estimated) seem reasonable when considering the size of the problem and
likely benefits from mitigation? Yes (20 points); No (0 points).
5. Is there political support and public support to implement the mitigation measures?
Yes (20 points); No (0 points).
For larger construction projects, the town has limited funds to hire consultants and engineers to
assist them with implementation. For these projects, the Town will seek assistance through the
Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) or other funding sources such as those
listed in Table 5-1 of this document. Limited technical assistance is available from the FRCOG.
However, the availability of FRCOG staff can be constrained by the availability of grant funding.
The final 2014 Heath Multi-Hazards Mitigation Prioritized Action Plan is shown in Table 4-12.
Potential funding sources for mitigation action items are listed in Table 4-10. Other potential
funding sources are listed in Table 5-1 of this document. The town should request assistance
from MEMA and/or FRCOG to explore which of these funding sources might supplement or
replace town funding for the mitigation action items in Table 4-10. When Town funds are listed
as a source to fund hazard mitigation projects or activities, either in part (match) or in full,
typically these funds would be obtained from the town’s “general fund”.
The timeframe for implementation of the mitigation action items are listed as Year 0-1, which is
the first year following plan adoption, and subsequent years after plan adoption through the 5
year life of the plan (Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5). The Committee recognized that many
mitigation action items have a timeframe that is ongoing due to either funding constraints that
delay complete implementation and/or the action item should be implemented each of the five
years of the plan, if possible. Therefore, a category of Year 0-1, to be reviewed annually and
implemented in subsequent years (Years 2-5), as appropriate was added.
The 2005 Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan did not prioritize Action Items, so it is
not possible to evaluate any change in priorities since the last plan. The 2014 action plan is
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
109
prioritized so in future updates to the plan it will be possible to document any changes in
priorities. The 2004 planning process did include a vulnerability assessment that rated hazards
according to the risk to the Town from each hazard (the 2004 plan did not evaluate landslides or
ice jams). The methodology of the 2004 assessment differs greatly from the methodology used
in the 2014 All Hazards Vulnerability Assessment, making it difficult to compare the two.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
110
Table 4-12: 2014 Heath Local Multi-Hazards Mitigation Prioritized Action Plan
Hazards
Identified as
Most Important
to Heath
Action Item
MULTIPLE HAZARDS - Goal Statement:

Responsible Department / Board
Develop a formal system for departments to record costs and
property damages from natural hazard events. Encourage
businesses and residents to report property damages, and farmers
to report crop damages.

Develop an evacuation plan and notification system in the event
of a chemical spill in a fixed structure or on Route 8A.
Compile a list of the types, quantities and method of on-site
storage of agricultural chemicals used by the farms in Heath.
This information could assist first responders in being
adequately prepared to protect human health and prevent
contamination of the environment in the event of a major spill or
other accidental release of hazardous materials.
Work with the FRCOG and the Franklin County LEPC to
research appropriate vulnerability assessment models for fixed
facility and transportation hazardous materials accidents, collect
relevant data, and populate model to further prioritize manmade
hazard action items.
Priority for
Implementation / Status
Emergency Management
Director, Board of Selectmen,
Axia Net Media Corp.
Emergency Management Director
Hazard Mitigation Committee,
Emergency Management
Director, Public Works
Superintendent, Fire Chiefs,
Police
P
P
B, N, P, I
Massachusetts Office of
Business Development,
MEMA, Town
Years 2-3
High / New Action
Item.
Town
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Medium / Materials
are on Town website
and at Town Hall and
updated annually.
Town, Volunteer
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Medium / Town uses
the web EOC to
record property
damages and costs.
Emergency Management
Director, Fire Department
P
FEMA
Years 1-2
Low / New Action
Item. CEM Plan
identifies routes. Few
fixed facilities with
chemical storage.
Emergency Management
Director, Fire Department,
Agricultural Commission
B,N,P
Town, Volunteers
Year 1
Medium / New
Action Item
Emergency Management
Director, Franklin County REPC,
FRCOG
B, N, P, I
FEMA
Years 2-3
Low / New Action
Item.
To minimize the loss of life, damage to property, and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to severe winter storms.
To reduce the risk to property and infrastructure during severe
winter storm events, require the undergrounding of utility lines
in subdivision regulations for all new subdivisions.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
Estimated Completion Date
To minimize the loss of life, damage to property and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to manmade hazards.
SEVERE WINTER STORMS - Goal Statement:

Potential Funding Source
To provide adequate notification and information regarding evacuation procedures to residents in the event of a natural disaster.
To mitigate the potential for further harm to people and property,
install middle mile infrastructure for broadband to the
Emergency Operation Center in Heath.
Distribute annually information on which local radio stations
provide emergency information, what to include in a ‘home
survival kit,’ how to prepare homes and other structures to
withstand flooding and high winds, and the proper evacuation
procedures to follow during a natural disaster.
MANMADE HAZARDS - Goal Statement:
Benefits What Areas
Primarily? Built (B),
Natural (N),
Population (P),
Infrastructure (I)
Planning Board
111
N, B
Town
Years 2-3
Low / Very little
subdivision likelihood
in Town.
Hazards
Identified as
Most Important
to Heath
Action Item
Responsible Department / Board
To reduce the risk to property and infrastructure during severe
winter storm events, continue to perform regular tree
maintenance to reduce number of limbs near overhead power
lines.
Highway Department, Utility
companies
HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS - Goal Statement:
Benefits What Areas
Primarily? Built (B),
Natural (N),
Population (P),
Infrastructure (I)
N, B
Potential Funding Source
Town, Utility
Companies
Estimated Completion Date
Priority for
Implementation / Status
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Low / Pruning is kept
up to date by the
DPW and utility
companies.
To minimize the loss of life, damage to property, and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities
due to hurricanes and tropical storms.
Note: The Action Items listed under Floods address flooding that can result from all hazards, including hurricanes and tropical storms. Listed below are Action Items to address the potential damage from the high winds
associated with hurricanes and tropical storms.
Low / Little new
construction is
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
anticipated in Town.
Encourage the construction of new homes with a safe room,
annually and implemented
Building Inspector
basement or crawl space, to provide shelter during a tornado,
in subsequent years (Years
will implement as
hurricane or other storm event with high winds.
Building Inspector
P
Town, FCCIP
2-5), as appropriate
needed.
To reduce the risk of damage to property and loss of life due to
Medium / Action
high winds, require that mobile homes be adequately secured to
item carried over
reduce the damaging impact of high winds.
Planning Board
Years 2-3
from previous plan.
B, P
Town

THUNDERSTORMS - Goal Statement:

See Action Items above for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
(high-wind events)
FLOODS - Goal Statement:

To minimize the loss of life, damage to property, and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to thunderstorms.
To minimize the loss of life, damage to property, and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to flooding.
Monitor culverts and bridges that are susceptible to flooding and
replace or rehabilitate as needed.
Highway Department,
Conservation Commission
To reduce the risk of flooding and damage to infrastructure,
continue to cut brush immediately surrounding bridge abutments
and culverts to ensure an unobstructed flow of water.
Highway Department
Advocate for FEMA/MEMA to create 100-year floodplain maps
for the Town of Heath to help identify flood prone areas such as
Emergency Management Director
and Board of Selectmen
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
112
B, I
B, N, I
N
Town, Flood Mitigation
Assistance Program,
MassWorks, MDOT
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Town
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
High / New Action
Item. Bridges are
currently being
assessed by MDOT
for replacement in
2016-2018.
Medium / New
Action Item. DPW
performs this task
regularly throughout
the year.
Years 1-2
High / New action
item.
FEMA, Town
Hazards
Identified as
Most Important
to Heath
Action Item
Responsible Department / Board
Benefits What Areas
Primarily? Built (B),
Natural (N),
Population (P),
Infrastructure (I)
Potential Funding Source
Estimated Completion Date
those prone to localized flooding.
In the Town’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations, require
Impact Statements for construction beyond a certain number of
lots.
Planning Board
N, B
Town
Years 2-3
Update the Town’s zoning map showing the Floodplain and the
Drinking Water Supply Protection Districts.
Planning Board, Conservation
Commission
N, P
Town
Years 2-3
WILDFIRES/BRUSHFIRES - Goal Statement:
Priority for
Implementation / Status
Medium / New
action item.
Medium / Carried
over from previous
plan.
To minimize the loss of life, damage to property, and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to wildfires/brushfires.
Maintain Fire Department vehicle access to existing water
sources / dry hydrants to reduce the risk of damage to the natural
and built environment in the event of a wildfire or brushfire.
Require the review of subdivision plans by the Heath Fire
Department to ensure that fire trucks have adequate access and
there is adequate water supply for firefighting purposes.
Distribute educational materials on fire safety and prevention
and/or conduct other public outreach efforts on fire safety and
prevention.
Fire Department
B, N, P, I
Town
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Planning Board
B, P
Town
Years 2-3
Town
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Fire Department
DAM FAILURES - Goal Statement:
P
Low / New Action
Item. Town already
does this annually.
Medium / New
action item.
Medium / New
action item. The
Town does this every
October at school.
Also distributes
materials thru burn
permits and on their
website.
To minimize the loss of life, damage to property, and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to dam failures.
Medium / Mohawk
Mohawk Estates Board of
Estates claims maps
Develop inundation area maps for Papoose Lake (located within Directors, Franklin County
Mohawk Estates
are done but they
private owned Mohawk Estates) and distribute materials to
LEPC, Conservation
Owners Association,
have not provided
appropriate municipal officials.
Commission, EMD
B, P
Town
Years 1-2
them to the Town.
High / No Action
Plan has been
developed yet.
Though this is
technically the
responsibility of
Mohawk Estates, it is
in the Town’s best
interest to convince
Emergency action plans should be reviewed annually by the
EMD, First Responders, Select
them to develop an
Town for the Papoose Lake Upper Dam.
Board
P
Town
Years 1-2
EAP.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
113
Hazards
Identified as
Most Important
to Heath
Action Item
Responsible Department / Board
Benefits What Areas
Primarily? Built (B),
Natural (N),
Population (P),
Infrastructure (I)
Potential Funding Source
Estimated Completion Date
Continue to identify the locations of beaver dams in Heath and
neighboring towns that have the potential to flood private
property and town infrastructure if the dams were to fail. Work
with the Franklin County LEPC and neighboring towns to map
potential inundation areas associated with beaver dams in and
adjacent to Heath.
Install a beaver deceiver on the beaver dam west of Papoose
Lake. The risk of the beaver dam breaching and flooding
Papoose Lake and potentially breaching the dam on Papoose
Lake is present.
Franklin County LEPC, Planning
and Conservation Department
B, N, P,I
Town
Years 1-2
EMD, Conservation Commission
B, N, P, I
?
Support state policy that ensures adequate staff and resources are
given to DCR to maintain inspection schedules.
Select Board, Emergency
Management Director
Years 1-2
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
LANDSLIDES - Goal Statement:
Town
Priority for
Implementation / Status
High / New Action
Item
High / New Action
Item.
Medium / New
Action Item
To minimize the loss of life, potential catastrophic damage to property and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to
landslides.
Ensure compliance with existing land use regulations that
discourage development on unstable slopes and soils.
Review mapping of areas along the water bodies in Heath that
are prone to landslides and ensure that land use regulations limit
development in these areas.
Building Inspector, Conservation
Commission, Planning Board,
Zoning Board of Appeals
Planning Board, Conservation
Commission
B, N, P, I
Town, Volunteers
B, N, P, I
Town, FRCOG Local
Technical Assistance
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Low / New Action
Item.
Low / New Action
Item.
TORNADOS
See Action Items for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms, and
Floods
MICROBURSTS
See Action Items for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms, and
Floods
EARTHQUAKES - Goal Statement:
To minimize the loss of life, potential catastrophic damage to property and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to
earthquakes.
Ensure that the Heath Elementary School, the shelter that is
earthquake resistant, has sufficient back-up utility service in the
event of primary power failure.
Review municipal buildings and structures to determine if they
are particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage and determine
if any retrofitting measures could mitigate this vulnerability.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
Emergency Management Director
P
Town
Years 1-2
Building Inspector, Public Works
Superintendent
B, P, I
Town
Years 1-2
114
High / It is
earthquake resistant,
but there is no backup generator yet.
Low / Carried over
from previous plan. A
town official who is
Hazards
Identified as
Most Important
to Heath
Action Item
Responsible Department / Board
Distribute emergency earthquake public information and
instructions to the public. Earthquake drills should be held in
schools, businesses, special care facilities and other public
gathering places.
ICE JAMS - Goal Statement:
P
Potential Funding Source
Town
Estimated Completion Date
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Priority for
Implementation / Status
an architect will
conduct an initial
assessment.
Low / New Action
Item. The Town does
this each year during
the Great New
England Shake Out.
To minimize the loss of life, potential catastrophic damage to property and the disruption of governmental services and general business activities due to ice jams.
Conduct regular monitoring of brooks and streams during the
winter months, particularly in areas prone to ice jams.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
Emergency Management Director
Benefits What Areas
Primarily? Built (B),
Natural (N),
Population (P),
Infrastructure (I)
Department of Public Works
115
N, I
Town
Year 0-1, to be reviewed
annually and implemented
in subsequent years (Years
2-5), as appropriate
Low / New Action
Item. DPW routinely
monitors brooks and
streams for ice jams.
National Flood Insurance Program Compliance
The U.S. Congress established the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1968, with the
passage of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. “For decades, the national response to
flood disasters was generally limited to constructing flood-control works such as dams, levees,
seawalls, and the like, and providing disaster relief to flood victims. This approach did not
reduce losses, nor did it discourage unwise development. In some instances, it may have actually
encouraged additional development. To compound the problem, the public generally could not
buy flood coverage from insurance companies, and building techniques to reduce flood damage
were often overlooked.
“In the face of mounting flood losses and escalating costs of disaster relief to the general
taxpayers, the U.S. Congress created the NFIP. The intent was to reduce future flood damage
through community floodplain management ordinances, and provide protection for property
owners against potential losses through an insurance mechanism that requires a premium to be
paid for the protection.”45
The State of Massachusetts, through its local communities,46 complies with the NFIP in part by
enforcing the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA), which helps restrict development in flood-prone
areas, enforcing the State Building Code, which regulates building specifications and additional
related zoning bylaws, such as a floodplain overlay district. At the local level, Buckland’s
compliance with the NFIP is enforced through the building inspector and building code, the
Conservation Commission and wetland and floodplain regulations, and the zoning bylaws and
subdivision regulations related to flooding. While the local building code cannot be more
restrictive than the state building code, the local Conservation Commission can restrict
development above and beyond the requirements in the WPA. The ability of the Conservation
Commission to further regulate development in flood prone areas could be a crucial tool in flood
mitigation. In additional, the ability of the Select Board to adopt further bylaws such as a
floodplain overlay district could also mitigate flooding.
The Town of Heath participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. The goals of the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are to provide flood insurance to property owners, to
encourage flood loss reduction activities by communities, and to save taxpayers’ money. As of
November 2013, there was one policy in effect in Heath for a total of $350,000 worth of
insurance. The town is not a member of the Community Rating System, which entitles
policyholders to a discount on flood insurance premiums. The CRS ranking is based on the steps
the town has taken to control flood losses.
45
http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1404
Massachusetts is a Home Rule state, the local communities have significant authority to
implement state regulations and many towns adopt their own wetland and floodplain regulations
that are more stringent than state.
46
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
116
Table 4-12:
NFIP Community Rating System (CRS)47
The town is a member of the NFIP Community Rating System, which entitles policyholders to a
discount on flood insurance premiums. As of 11/30/2011, there were two policies in effect in
Heath for a total of $700,000 in coverage48. The Community Rating System is a part of NFIP and
provides incentives and tools to further these goals. The goals of the CRS are to recognize,
encourage, and reward, by the use of flood insurance premium adjustments, community and state
activities beyond the minimum required by the NFIP that:



Reduce flood damage to insurable property,
Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and
Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
The Community Rating System reduces flood insurance premiums to reflect what a community
does above and beyond the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) minimum standards for
floodplain regulation. The objective of the CRS is to reward communities for what they are
doing, as well as to provide an incentive for new flood protection activities. It provides lower
insurance premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program. The premium reduction is in
the form of a CRS Class, similar to the classifications used for fire insurance. For example, a
47
48
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CRS/
http://bsa.nfipstat.com/reports/1011.htm#MAT
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
117
Class 1 provides a 45% premium reduction while a Class 10 provides no reduction. The CRS
Class is based on the floodplain management activities a community implements. In many cases,
these are activities already implemented by the community, the state, or a regional agency. The
more activities implemented, the better the CRS class.
Benefits of participating in the Community Rating System:
 Money stays in the community instead of being spent on insurance premiums.
 Every time residents pay their insurance premiums, they are reminded that the
community is working to protect them from flood losses, even during dry years.
 The activities credited by the CRS provide direct benefits to the community, including:
o Enhanced public safety,
o Reduction in damage to property and public infrastructure,
o Avoidance of economic disruption and losses,
o Reduction of human suffering, and
o Protection of the environment.
 Local flood programs will be better organized and more formal.
 The community can evaluate the effectiveness of its flood program against a nationally
recognized benchmark.
 Technical assistance in designing and implementing some activities is available at no
charge.
 The community will have an added incentive to maintain its flood programs over the
years.
 The public information activities will build a knowledgeable constituency interested in
supporting and improving flood protection measures.
Costs to the local government to participate in the Community Rating System:
 The community must designate a CRS Coordinator who prepares the application papers
and works with FEMA and the Insurance Services Office (ISO) during the verification
visit.
 Each year the community must recertify that it is continuing to implement its activities. It
must provide copies of relevant materials (e.g., permit records).
 The community must maintaining elevation certificates, permit records, and old Flood
Insurance Rate Maps forever.
 The community must maintain other records of its activities for five years, or until the
next ISO verification visit, whichever comes sooner.
Community Rating System Process
One of the actions that Heath could take to improve their CRS rating (and subsequently lower
their premiums) is to develop a CRS plan. The CRS 10-step planning process provides additional
points for activities that communities can take during their planning process that go above the
minimum described below, thus possibly lowering insurance rates. At a minimum, an approved
multi-hazard mitigation plan that addresses floods could qualify for CRS credit. Although
communities are not required to participate in CRS in order to receive approval of a Local
Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, FEMA encourages jurisdictions to integrate the CRS planning
steps into their multi-hazard mitigation plans.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
118
Credit is provided for preparing, adopting, implementing, evaluating, and updating a
comprehensive floodplain management plan or repetitive loss area analyses. The Community
Rating System does not specify what must be in a plan, but it only credits plans that have been
prepared and kept updated according to CRS standard planning process. Credit is also provided
for implementing a habitat conservation plan.
Community Rating System Credit Points49
A total of up to 359 points are provided for three elements. Up to 294 points are provided for
adopting and implementing a floodplain management plan (FMP) that was developed using the
following standard planning process. There must be some credit for each of the 10 planning
steps:
Step
Maximum Points
10
 Organize to prepare the plan
85
 Involve the public
25
 Coordinate with other agencies
20
 Assess the hazard
35
 Assess the problem
2
 Set goals
30
 Review possible activities
70
 Draft an action plan
2
 Adopt the plan
15
 Implement, evaluate, and revise
Up to 50 additional points are provided for conducting repetitive loss area analyses (RLAA) and
up to additional 15 points are provided for adopting and implementing a Habitat Conservation
Plan (HCP).
More information is available at http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm. A copy of the
“Local Official’s Guide to Saving Lives, Preventing Property Damage, and Reducing the Cost of
Flood Insurance” is including in the Appendix of this plan or can be downloaded at
http://www.fema.gov/library.
49
FEMA Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance, July 1, 2008.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
119
5 – PLAN ADOPTION & IMPLEMENTATION
Plan Adoption
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) provided support to the Heath Local
Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee as they underwent the planning process. Town
officials were resources to the FRCOG and provided background and policy information and
municipal documents, which were crucial to facilitating completion of the plan.
When the preliminary draft of the Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was completed, copies
were distributed to the Heath Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee for comment
and input. The Committee is comprised of representatives of many of the Town boards and
departments who bear the responsibility for implementing the action items and recommendations
of the completed plan.
Copies of the Final Draft Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Town of Heath were
distributed to the Town boards for their review and comment. A copy of the plan was also
posted on the town website for public review. Once reviewed and approved by MEMA, the plan
was sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for their approval. On _____,
the Select Board voted to adopt the plan.
Plan Maintenance Process
The implementation of the Heath Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will begin following its
approval by MEMA and FEMA and formal adoption by the Heath Select Board. Specific Town
departments and boards will be responsible for ensuring the development of policies, bylaw
revisions, and programs as described in the Action Plan. The Emergency Management Director
and an ongoing Heath Multi-Hazard Mitigation Committee will oversee the implementation of
the plan.
Monitoring, Evaluating and Updating the Plan
The measure of success of the Heath Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will be the number of
identified mitigation strategies implemented. In order for the town to become more disaster
resilient and better equipped to respond to natural disasters, there must be a coordinated effort
between elected officials, appointed bodies, town employees, regional and state agencies
involved in disaster mitigation, and the general public.
Implementation Schedule
Annual Meetings
The Heath Multi-Hazard Planning Committee will meet on an annual basis or as needed (i.e.,
following a natural disaster) to monitor the progress of implementation, evaluate the success or
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
120
failure of implemented recommendations, and brainstorm for strategies to remove obstacles to
implementation. Following these discussions, it is anticipated that the committee may decide to
reassign the roles and responsibilities for implementing mitigation strategies to different Town
departments and/or revise the goals and objectives contained in the plan. Annual meetings of the
committee will be organized and facilitated by the Emergency Management Director.
Bi-Annual Progress Report
The Emergency Management Director will prepare and distribute a biannual progress report in
years two and four of the plan. The progress report will be distributed to all of the local
implementation group members and other interested local stakeholders. The progress report will
poll the members on any changes or revisions to the plan that may be needed, progress and
accomplishments for implementation, and any new hazards or problem areas that have been
identified. This information will be used to prepare a report or addendum, as needed, to the local
hazard mitigation plan. The Emergency Management Director and the Heath Multi-Hazard
Planning Committee will have primary responsibility for tracking progress and updating the
plan.
Five-Year Update Preparation
During the third year after initial plan adoption, the Emergency Management Director will
convene the Committee to begin preparations for an update of the plan, which will be required
by the end of year five in order to maintain approved plan status with FEMA. The team will use
the information from the annual meetings and the biannual progress reports to identify the needs
and priorities for the plan update.
Updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan – Preparation and Adoption
FEMA‘s approval of this plan is valid for five years, by which time an updated plan must be
approved by FEMA in order to maintain the town‘s approved plan status and its eligibility for FEMA
mitigation grants. Because of the time required to secure a planning grant, prepare an updated plan,
and complete the approval and adoption of an updated plan, the Committee should begin the process
by the end of Year 3. This will help the town avoid a lapse in its approved plan status and grant
eligibility when the current plan expires.
The Committee may decide to undertake the update themselves, request assistance from the Franklin
Regional Council of Governments, or hire another consultant. However the Committee decides to
proceed, the group will need to review the current FEMA hazard mitigation plan guidelines for any
changes. The updated Heath Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will be forwarded to MEMA and to
FEMA for approval.
As is the case with many Franklin County towns, Heath’s government relies on few public
servants filling many roles, upon citizen volunteers and upon limited budgets. As such,
implementation of the recommendations of this plan could be a challenge to the Committee. As
the Committee meets regularly to assess progress, it should strive to identify shortfalls in staffing
and funding and other issues which may hinder Plan implementation. The Committee should
seek technical assistance from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments to help alleviate
some of the staffing shortfalls. The Committee could also seek assistance and funding from such
sources as are listed in Table 5-1.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
121
Table 5-1: Potential Funding Sources for Hazard Mitigation Plan Implementation
Program
Type of Assistance
Availability
National Flood
Insurance Program
Pre-disaster insurance
Any time (pre &
post disaster)
DCR Flood
Hazard
Management
Program
Property Owner,
FEMA
Community
Assistance Program
State funds to provide
assistance to communities in
complying with NFIP
requirements
Annually
DCR
FEMA/NFIP
Community Rating
System (Part of the
NFIP)
Flood insurance discounts
Any time (pre &
post disaster)
DCR Flood
Hazard
Management
Program
Property Owner
Flood Mitigation
Assistance Program
Cost share grants for predisaster planning & projects
Annual predisaster grant
program
MEMA
75% FEMA/
25% non-federal
Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program
Post-disaster cost-share
Grants
Post disaster
program
MEMA
75% FEMA/
25% non-federal
Pre-Disaster
Mitigation Program
National, competitive grant
program for projects &
planning
Annual, predisaster
mitigation
program
MEMA
75% FEMA/
25% non-federal
Severe Repetitive
Loss
For SRL structures insured
under the NFIP.
Annual
MEMA
Authorized up to
$40 million for
each fiscal year
2005 through
2009
Small Business
Administration
Mitigation Loans
Pre- and post- disaster loans
to qualified applicants
Ongoing
MEMA
Small Business
Administration
Public Assistance
Post-disaster aid to state and
local governments
Post Disaster
MEMA
FEMA/ plus a
non-federal
share
Dam Safety
Program
Provides funding to state to
promote dam safety through
emergency action plans and
exercises
Annual
DCR
FEMA
Homeland Security
Grants
Multiple grant sources
provide funding for homeland
security activities, including
THIRA development,
planning, and training at the
state and local levels
Annual
MEMA
DOJ, DHS,
FEMA
National Fire Plan
Provides pre-disaster funds
for wildfire mitigation and
planning for all-hazards.
Annual
DCR
U.S. Land
Management
Agencies
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
Managing Agency Funding Source
122
Program
Type of Assistance
Availability
Clean Water Act
Section 319 Grants
Provides grants for wide
variety of activities related to
non-point source pollution
runoff mitigation
Annual
Economic
Development
Administration
Grants and
Investment
Provides grants for
community construction
projects, including mitigation
activities
Annual
Provides funding and
technical assistance for
emergency measures, e.g.,
floodplain easements in
impaired watersheds
Annual
DCR
USDA NRCS
Provides educational,
technical, and financial
assistance to help landowners
implement sustainable forest
management objectives.
Annual
DCR
U.S. Forest
Service
Provides various grant
programs related to safehousing initiatives
Annual
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
U.S. Dept. of
Housing and
Urban
Development
Reclamation and
Development
Grants Program
Provides funding for waterrelated projects, studies, etc.
Annual
MassDEP and
others
EPA
National Wildlife
Wetland Refuge
System
Provides funding for
acquisition of lands into
federal wildlife refuge system
Annual
U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service
North American
Wetland
Conservation Fund
Provides funding for wetland
conservation projects
Annual
U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service
Rural Development
Grants
Provides grants and loans for
infrastructure and public
safety development and
enhancement in rural areas
Annual
Department of
Housing and
Community
Development
USDA, Rural
Development
Rural Fire
Assistance Grants
Funds fire mitigation
activities in rural communities
Annual
DCR
Chapter 90 Program
Funds maintaining, repairing,
improving and constructing
town and county ways and
bridges which qualify under
the State Aid Highway
Guidelines
Annual
Mass DOT
National
Interagency Fire
Center
State
Transportation
Bond
Emergency
Watershed
Protection
Forest Land
Enhancement
Program
Housing and Urban
Development
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
Managing Agency Funding Source
MassDEP
EPA
Massachusetts U.S. Department
Office of Business of Commerce,
Development
Economic
Development
Administration
123
Program
2013 MassWorks
Infrastructure
Program
Accelerated Bridge
Program
Type of Assistance
Funds targeted investments in
infrastructure such as
roadways, streetscapes, water,
and sewer
Funds bridge rehabilitation,
replacement, preservation,
maintenance, painting and
cleaning projects
Dam, Levee and
Funds grants and loans for the
Coastal
repair and removal of dams,
Infrastructure
levees, seawalls, and other
Repair and Removal forms of inland and coastal
Program
flood control.
Conservation
Funds assist not-for-profit
Partnership
corporations in acquiring land
and interests in lands suitable
for conservation or recreation.
PARC - Parkland
Provides grant assistance to
Acquisitions and
cities and towns to acquire
Renovations for
parkland, develop new parks,
Communities
or renovate existing outdoor
public recreation facilities
(formerly the Urban Self-Help
Program).
Availability
Annual
Managing Agency
Executive Office
of Housing and
Economic
Development
(EOHED),
Rolling basis
MassDOT and
(bridges are preDCR
selected)
Annual
Annual
Annual
Funding Source
State
AppropriationSection 11 of
Chapter 238 of
the Acts of 2012
State
Appropriation Chapter 233 of
the Acts of 2008
Executive Office State Revolving
of Energy and
Loan
Environmental
Affairs (EEA)
Executive Office Executive Office
of Energy and
of Energy and
Environmental
Environmental
Affairs (EEA)
Affairs (EEA)
Executive Office
State
of Energy and
Appropriations
Environmental
Affairs (EEA)
Other Sources:
www.grants.gov a source for federal government grants
www.grants.com a source for private funding opportunities
www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/funding_opportunities U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/grantsonline
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/grants/watersheds-water-quality.html for 604b and
s.319 grants
Incorporating the Plan into Existing Planning Mechanisms
Upon approval of the Heath Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan by FEMA, the Committee will
provide all interested parties and implementing departments with a copy of the plan, with
emphasis on the Action Plan. The Committee should also consider discussing with each
department on how the plan can be integrated into that department’s ongoing work.
The Committee acknowledges the importance of the Action Plan as a stand-alone document
which will be distributed to all those cited as a Responsible Department or Board including:
 Emergency Management Director
 Police Department
 Town Administrator
 Select Board
 Board of Health
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
124










Planning Board
Fire Department
Building Inspector
Agricultural Commission
Council on Aging
Historical Commission
Board of Assessors
Conservation Commission
Highway Department
Schools
To more fully incorporate this plan into other planning efforts in Town, this plan should be
consulted in the event other community plans are developed in the next few years, such as an
Open Space and Recreation Plan
The Planning Board could also review the town’s current Subdivision Rules and Regulations and
Zoning Bylaws and consider the recommended revisions listed in this plan. Model bylaws and
other technical assistance are available from the FRCOG to help the Planning Board update the
town’s current bylaws, as appropriate.
When the Final Draft Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Town of Heath is distributed to
the Town boards for their review, a letter asking each board to endorse any action item that lists
that board as a responsible party would help to encourage completion of action items.
Each of the Town boards and departments responsible for implementing actions listed in the
Action Plan could include discussions of the action items they are responsible for in one meeting
annually and assess their progress and report back to the Committee.
The Planning Board could review the town’s current Subdivision Rules and Regulations and
Zoning Bylaws and consider the recommended revisions listed in this plan. Model bylaws and
other technical assistance are available from the FRCOG to help the Planning Board update the
town’s current bylaws, as appropriate.
Continued Public Involvement
The Town of Heath is dedicated to continued public involvement in the hazard mitigation
planning and review process. During all phases of plan maintenance, the public will have the
opportunity to provide feedback. The 2012 Plan will be maintained and available for review on
the Town website through 2016. Individuals will have an opportunity to submit comments for
the Plan update at any time. All meetings of the Committee are open to the public. This will
provide the public an opportunity to express their concerns, opinions, or ideas about any
updates/changes that are proposed to the Plan.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
125
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
126
6– APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Meeting Agendas and Minutes
AGENDA
Heath Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Meeting
Heath Town Offices
1 East Main St Heath, MA 01346
March 11, 2014
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
1. Introductions
2. Review the Results of the Hazard Risk Assessment
3. Review the hazards most important to Heath
4. Review the Action Plan
5. Review any remaining data or information gaps
6. Next Steps
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
127
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128
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
129
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Flyer enclosed with preceding letters and sent to the Greenfield Recorder:
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Appendix 2: Cultural Resources
Appendix 2: MACRIS Cultural and Historic Resources
Property Name
Benson, Sylvander G. House
Burrington, William English Barn
Calver, Edward House
Churchill House
Cowles, Augustus House
Dell
Dower, The House
Elmer, O. Oric - Rugg, David House
Fornier, Rodolph House
Gleason, Ezra - Tilden, Benjamin House
Gould, Isaac House
Gould, Samuel House
Heath Branch Schoolhouse
Heath Center Auto Garage
Heath Center Cemetery - Harrington, Milton Stone
Heath Center Cemetery - Herring Family Stone
Heath Center Cemetery - Spooner Stone
Heath Center Cemetery - Taft, Sullivan Boulder
Heath Center Cemtery
Heath Center Historic District
Heath Center Schoolhouse
Heath Common Marker
Heath Cooperative Creamery
Heath District #4 Schoolhouse
Heath Episcopal Methodist Church
Heath Fairgrounds, Old
Heath Fairgrounds, Old Historic Marker
Heath Fire House Barn
Heath Old Town House
Heath Town Common
Street
Town
Bray Rd
30 Bray Rd
Brunelle Rd
Dell Rd
Dell Rd
Jacksonville Stage R
South Rd
South Rd
26 South Rd
8 West Main St
341 Jacksonville Stage R
7 Saunder Rd
8 East Main St
7 West Main St
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
28 West Main St
12 Avery Brook Rd
3 Ledges Rd
23 Avery Brook Rd
13 East Main St
27 East Main St
Stetson Rd
4 East Main St
Colrain Stage Rd
Colrain Stage Rd
Colrain Stage Rd
Colrain Stage Rd
Colrain Stage Rd
11 East Main St
East Main St
16 Ledges Rd
32 Hosmer Rd East
1 West Main St
48 South Rd
48 South Rd
1 Bray Rd
6 East Main St
East Main St
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
Year
1970
1773
1980
1980
1920
1818
1935
1980
1797
1920
1800
1930
1790
1790
1779
1925
1799
1814
1801
1923
1798
1867
1950
1895
1883
1872
1916
1950
1875
1834
1787
139
Heath Union Congregational Church
Heath United Church Parsonage
Heath War Memorial Stone
Heathbrook Studio
Hill, Dr. George House
Hunt, Samuel House
Knapp, Dea. Susan Trevor House
Leavitt, Rev. Jonathan House
Marsh, Sally House
Maxwell, Benjamin House
Miller, Caleb House
Miller, Rev. Moses House
Nash, Dr. Rivera - Hayden, Dr. Elijah House
North Heath
North School, The
Rugg, James - Welch, Felicia Emerson House
Rugg, Reuben House
Sawyer Hall - Heath Town Office Building
South Cemetery
South Heath
Spooner, Daniel House and Store
Spooner, Phillip House
Stone Cottage
Strong, Dr. Simeon - Emerson, Dr. Joseph House
Strong, Rev. Joseph Jr. House
Thayer, David L. House
Tucker, Ebenezer House
White, Benjamin House
White, Dea. James House
White, Jonathan House
White, Ruth House
Whittemore Spring
5 East Main St
51 Bray Rd
East Main St
20 West Main St
14 West Main St
59 South Rd
8 Taylor Brook Rd
93 Bassett Rd
16 West Main St
15 South Rd
11 Ledges Rd
48 South Rd
27 West Main St
118 Brunelle Rd
29 East Main St
24 West Main St
1 East Main St
South Rd
3 East Main St
7 Underwood Hill Rd
17 West Main St
4 East Main St
1 Bray Rd
5 Ledges Rd
44 Sadoga Rd
Burrington Rd
21 Bassett Rd
South Rd
15 Ledges Rd
48 South Rd
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Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
Heath
1833
1975
1946
1986
1821
1771
1912
1767
1829
1780
1829
1804
1798
1825
1858
1794
1897
1793
1812
1933
1840
1791
1829
1798
1771
1785
1829
1804
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Appendix 3: Zoning Detail
Town of Heath Zoning Bylaws – Last Amended 2/26/13
3.2
In addition, two overlay districts are hereby created:
Water Supply Protection
Floodplain
4.3
Water Supply Protection District.
4.3.1
Purpose: The purpose of this Water Supply Protection District is:
A.
To protect, preserve and maintain present and potential sources of water supply for the public
health and safety;
B.
To protect, preserve and maintain the existing and potential groundwater recharge areas
within the town;
C.
To reduce erosion of topsoil and the subsequent sedimentation of surface water
bodies;
4.3.2
Scope and Authority: The Water Supply Protection District shall be considered as
overlaying other zoning districts. Any uses permitted in the portions of the district so
overlaid shall be permitted subject to all the provisions of this district.
4.3.3
Water Supply Protection District Delineation: The Water Supply Protection District is
defined as all lands within the Town of Heath lying within the primary and secondary
recharge areas of groundwater aquifers which could provide public water supply. These
areas are designated as the "Heath Water Supply Protection District," as depicted on the
map entitled "Potential Groundwater Map," prepared for the Heath Planning Board, and
on file in the Town Clerk's office. The Water Supply Protection District is hereby
incorporated as part of the Zoning Map of Heath, Massachusetts dated April 29, 1989, on
file in the Town Clerk's office.
Where the bounds as delineated are in doubt or in dispute, the burden of proof shall be
upon the owner(s) of the land in question to show where the bounds should properly be
located. However, the Planning Board retains its authority to determine property location
with regard to said Water Supply Protection District.
In the case of a development proposed within the Water Supply Protection District, the
Town may engage a professional geologist, soil scientist, or engineer trained in
hydrogeology to determine more accurately the location and extent of a protection area,
and charge the owner(s) for the cost of the investigation.
4.3.4
Water Supply Protection Use Regulations.
A. Whenever the requirements of this article differ from those prescribed in other laws,
ordinances and codes, the stricter requirements designated to protect water supplies
will take precedence.
B. The following uses shall be permitted within the Water Supply Protection District as
a matter of right where allowed by law or regulation in the underlying zone.
1.
Conservation of soil, water, plants and wildlife;
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2.
Outdoor recreation, nature study, boating, fishing and hunting where
otherwise legally permitted;
3.
Foot and bicycle paths;
4.
Proper operation and maintenance of existing water bodies and dams,
flash boards and other water control, supply and conservation devices;
5.
Maintenance and repair of any existing structure provided there is no
increase in impermeable areas;
6.
Agricultural uses provided that fertilizers, herbicides and other leachable
chemical materials are not stored outdoors;
7.
Necessary public utilities and facilities designed so as to prevent
contamination of surface water and groundwater;
8.
Leach fields must be 50% larger than Title V specifications or local
regulations adopted by the Board of Health pursuant to Title V.
NOTE: Where the application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or other
potential contaminants is being made, the Town may install test wells for
the purpose of monitoring groundwater quality. Such installation and
sampling will be conducted by a qualified agent of the Board of Health.
4.3.5
The following uses are prohibited within the Water Supply Protection District:
A. The disposal of leachable wastes, except residential subsurface waste disposal
systems and except normal agricultural operations but not excepting outdoor storage
or disposal of fertilizers, herbicides and other leachable chemical materials;
B. The rendering impervious of more than 5000 sq. ft. of any lot, except by Special
Permit;
C. Industrial uses which discharge process wastewater including any commercial and
service uses discharging wastewater containing contaminants;
D. Use of chemicals for deicing unless deemed necessary for public safety by the Town
Highway Superintendent;
E. The disposal of hazardous or toxic wastes by household or other uses;
F.
Improper storage of hazardous or toxic material;
G. "Clustered" structures, as in Conservation Development;
H. Automotive service stations and motor repair shops, junk and salvage yards, trucking
and bus terminals, car and truck washes, and airports.
4.3.6
The following restrictions exist within the Water Supply Protection District:
A. Petroleum products stored shall be placed in a diked, impermeable surface to prevent
spills or leaks from reaching groundwater.
B. All runoff from impervious surfaces shall be recharged on the site by being diverted
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to storm water infiltration basins covered with natural vegetation. Storm water
infiltration basins must be designed to handle a 100-year storm. Dry wells shall be
used only where other methods are infeasible, and shall be preceded by oil, grease
and sediment traps to facilitate removal of contamination. Any and all recharge areas
shall be permanently maintained in full working order by the owner.
4.3.7
In the Water Supply Protection District, the following uses may be permitted by Special
Permit in accordance with the criteria in Section 6:
A. Commercial and industrial uses permitted in the underlying district, except for those
uses expressly prohibited in Section 4.3.5.
B. Disposal of solid wastes, other than brush and stumps.
4.3.8
In addition to meeting the Special Permit Requirements of Section 6 of the Heath Zoning
Bylaw, each application for a Special Permit in the Water Supply Protection District shall
be accompanied by five copies of a site plan. The site plan, to be prepared by an
Engineer registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall include, at the
minimum, the following:
A. Provisions to prevent contamination of groundwater by petroleum products,
hazardous materials or wastes;
B. Drainage recharge features and provisions to prevent loss of recharge;
C. Provisions to prevent soil compaction;
D. Provisions to prevent seepage from sewer pipes;
E. A complete list of chemicals, pesticides, fuels and other hazardous materials to be
used or stored on the premises in quantities greater than those associated with normal
household use. Those businesses using or storing hazardous materials shall file a
definitive operating plan;
F. A plot plan showing:
1. Location of wetlands, streams, water bodies and flood plain;
2. Existing drainage patterns;
3. Existing woodland;
4. Areas having slopes exceeding 15 degrees;
5. Areas to be disturbed by construction;
6. Areas where earth and other material subject to erosion will be temporarily
stockpiled;
7. Areas to be used for disposal or storage of construction debris, stones, stumps, etc. if
within the district;
8. Areas to be rendered impermeable;
9. Temporary and permanent erosion control measures planned, such as sediment
basins, storm water basins, diversions, riprap, stabilization seeding, etc;
10. Temporary work roads to be used during projects;
11. Locations and sizes of septic system;
12. Suitable method to contain spillage in fuel filling area;
13. Existing wellheads and zones of influence.
G. A storm drainage plan showing:
1.
Locations of drains and culverts, and names of streams, rivers, ponds or
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2.
3.
4.
reservoirs in the town into which they flow;
Discharge peaks and expected velocities at drain or culvert outlets;
Conditions above and below outlets and expected flow velocities;
Supporting computations for the above.
H.
A grading plan showing existing topography and planned grade along existing
and/or proposed road or highway profiles.
I.
A siltation and sedimentation control plan including:
1. Sediment and erosion control structures such as diversions, waterways, slope
stabilization structures, sediment basins, etc., in sufficient detail to implement
their installation together with referenced standards for soil erosion and
sediment as appropriate, and design calculations as required for each structure;
2. Seeding and/or sodding requirements for all exposed areas including seedbed
preparation, seed mixtures, lime, fertilizer, and mulching requirements with
referenced standards;
3. Schedule or sequence of operation with starting dates for clearing and/or grading,
timing for storm drain and culvert installation, duration of exposure of soils and
critical area stabilizations, both temporary and permanent. Indicate dates when
critical area stabilization, paving, seeding, mulching or sodding is to be
completed;
4. General notes for sediment control that spell out the procedures for implementing
the plan.
4.3.9
Upon receipt of an application, the Planning Board shall transmit one copy of the Site
Plan to the Conservation Commission, Board of Health and Building Inspector. Final
action shall not be taken until written reports have been received from the above Boards
or until 35 days have elapsed. The reports of the Conservation Commission, Board of
Health and Building Inspector shall make specific references to the site plan and their
recommendations shall weigh heavily in the granting of a Special Permit by the Planning
Board. The Planning Board may, after notice and public hearing as required, grant such a
Special Permit if the proposed construction and use meet the following criteria.
A. Is in harmony with the purpose and intent of this ordinance and will promote the
purposes of the Water Supply Protection District;
B. Is appropriate to the natural topography, soils and other characteristics of the site to
be developed;
C. Will not, during construction or thereafter, have an adverse environmental impact on
any surface water, aquifer or recharge area;
D. Will not adversely affect an existing or potential water supply;
E. Is consistent with the existing and probable future development of surrounding areas;
F. Specific guidelines to be used include, but are not limited to:
1. Limit grading to only those areas actively undergoing current construction;
2. The smallest practical area of land should be exposed at one time
during development;
3. Limit the length of time graded areas are exposed;
4. Provide temporary or permanent stabilization of disturbed areas at the earliest
opportunity. Limit exposure to less than 60 days;
5. Retain and protect as much of the natural vegetation as possible;
6. Permanent improvements such as roads, utilities, storm sewers, vegetated
waterways, and other features of the development
should
be
scheduled for installation to the greatest extent possible before
removing the vegetative cover from an area scheduled for building construction;
7 Protect all fill slopes and cut slopes exceeding five feet in height and storm runoff through the use of diversion berms, drop chutes or other acceptable means;
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
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8. Rough-graded rights-of-way awaiting installation of utilities and/or pavement
should be protected by the installation of interceptor berms across the right-ofway as to reduce the length of slope between berms to not more than 240 feet;
9. On sites where the above procedures are impractical or not acceptable where the
topography permits, install sediment basins, desilting basins, or silt traps to
remove sediment from runoff waters.
4.4
Floodplain District.
4.4.1
The purposes of the Floodplain District are to protect the public health, safety, and
general welfare, to protect human life and property from the hazards of periodic flooding,
to preserve the natural flood control characteristics and the flood storage capacity of the
floodplain.
4.4.2
Relation to Other Regulations. The Floodplain District is established as an overlay
district to all other districts. All development in the district including structural and nonstructural activities whether permitted by right or by Special Permit must be in
compliance with the following:
A. 780 CMR 744.0, of the Massachusetts State Building Code which addresses
floodplain areas.
B. 310 CMR 10.00, Wetlands Protection, Department of Environmental Quality
Engineering. (DEQE)
C. 302 CMR 6.00, Inland Wetlands Restriction. (DEQE)
D. Title V, minimum requirements for the subsurface disposal of sanitary sewage.
(DEQE)
4.4.3
E. MGL,Ch. 131 e 40.
Definitions.
"AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD" is the land in the floodplain within a
community subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. The
area may be designated as Zone A, AO, AH, A1-30, AE, A99, VO or V1-30, VE or V.
"BASE FLOOD" means the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year.
"DEVELOPMENT" means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to building or other structures, mining, dredging, filling,
grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations.
"DISTRICT" means floodplain district.
"FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)" administers the
National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA provides a nationwide flood hazard area
mapping study program for communities as well as regulatory standards for development
in the flood hazard areas.
"FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP (FHBM)" means an official map of a
community issued by FEMA where the boundaries of the flood, mudslide (i.e., mudflow)
related erosion areas having special hazards have been designated as Zones A, M, and/or
E.
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"FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY" means an examination, evaluation and determination
of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations, or an
examination, evaluation and determination of mudslide (i.e., mudflow) and/or floodrelated erosion hazards.
"FLOODWAY" - see "Regulatory Floodway".
"FUNCTIONALLY INDEPENDENT USE" means a use which cannot perform its
intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. The term
includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and
unloading of cargo or passengers, and shipbuilding and ship repair facilities, but does not
include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities.
"LOWEST FLOOR" means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including
basement or cellar). An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking
of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area is not
considered a building's lowest floor, PROVIDED, that such enclosure is not built so as to
render the structure in violation of the applicable non-elevation design requirements.
"MANUFACTURED HOME" means a structure, transportable in one or more sections,
which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with a permanent
foundation when connected to the required utilities. For floodplain management
purposes the term "manufactured home" also includes park trailers, travel trailers, and
other similar vehicles placed on a site for greater than 180 consecutive days. For
insurance purposes the term "manufactured home" does not include park trailers, travel
trailers, and other similar vehicles.
"MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION" means a parcel (or contiguous
parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
"NEW CONSTRUCTION" means, for the purpose of determining insurance rates,
structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date
of an initial Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or after December 31, 1974, whichever is
later. For floodplain management purposes, "new construction" means structures for
which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain
management regulation adopted by a community.
"100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN" see "Base Flood".
"REGULATORY FLOODWAY" means the channel of a river or other watercourse and
the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without
cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation.
"SPECIAL HAZARD AREA" means an area having special flood, mudslide (i.e.,
mudflow) and/or flood-related erosion hazards, and shown on an FHBM or FIRM as
Zone A, AO, A1-30, AE, A99, AH, E.
“STRUCTURE" means, for floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed
building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well
as a manufactured home. "STRUCTURE" for insurance coverage purposes, means a
walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally
above ground and affixed to a permanent site, as well as a manufactured home on
foundation. For the latter purpose, the term includes a building while in the course of
construction, alteration or repair, but does not include building materials or supplies
intended for use in such construction, alteration or repair, unless such materials or
supplies are within an enclosed building on the premises.
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"SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT" means any repair, reconstruction or improvement
of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the
structure either, (a) before the improvement or repair is started, or (b) if the structure has
been damaged, and is being restored, before the damage occurred. For the purposes of
this definition "substantial improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration
of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or
not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure.
4.4.4
Floodplain District Boundaries. The Floodplain District is herein established as an
overlay district. The District includes all special flood hazard areas designated on the
"Heath Floodplain Map" dated 1989.
4.4.5
Floodway Data. In Zones A the best available Federal, State, local or other floodway
data shall be used to prohibit encroachments in floodways which would result in any
increase in the base flood discharge. In Zones A1-30 and AE along watercourses that
have not had a regulatory floodway designated, no new construction, substantial
improvement, or other development shall be permitted; unless it is demonstrated that the
cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing
and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base
flood. In the regulatory floodways designated on the Heath FIRM or Flood Boundary
Map (D only), prohibit encroachments in the regulatory floodway which would result in
any increase in the base flood discharge.
4.4.6
Permitted Uses. The following uses of low flood damage potential and causing no
obstructions to flood flows shall be allowed provided they are permitted in the underlying
district and they do not require structures, fill, or storage or materials or equipment:
A.
Agricultural uses such as farming, grazing, truck farming, horticulture, etc.
B.
Forestry and nursery uses.
C.
Outdoor recreational uses, including fishing, boating, play areas, etc.
D.
Conservation of water, plants, wildlife.
E.
Wildlife management areas, foot, bicycle and/or horse paths.
F.
Temporary non-residential structures used in connection with fishing, growing, harvesting,
storage, or sale of crops raised on the premises.
G.
4.9
Buildings lawfully existing prior to the adoption of provisions.
Driveway Regulations.
4.9.1
Standards.
A. Culverts and Drainage. Existing drainage ditches parallel to public or private
roads from which building lots are to be accessed shall not be obstructed by
new driveway construction. Culverts of appropriate size and a durable
material (such as asphalt coated galvanized steel) shall be installed at no
expense to the municipality. Culvert diameter shall be determined by the
Highway Superintendent; in no case shall the diameter be less than twelve
inches (12").
Where appropriate in the judgment of the Highway
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
147
Superintendent, driveways shall be provided with parallel drainage swales and
with culverts allowing storm water to cross the driveway without creating
erosion or washouts.
D. Gradients. Maximum gradient of any new driveway shall be 10% within 25 feet of the edge of the
public way (when the driveway is sloping down to the way) and 20% between that point and the
structure it is accessing.
SECTION 6 - SPECIAL PERMIT AND SITE PLAN REVIEW
6.1
Special Permits.
6.1.5
Upon written request from the applicant prior to the filing of an application, the Planning
Board may waive the submission of such materials, plans, studies, and analyses or parts
thereof, as may not be needed for, or germane to, consideration of the application, if the
potential impact of the development is minimal, in the opinion of the Planning Board.
6.1.6
Except as waived under Section 6.1.5, above, the Special Permit application must be
accompanied by an impact statement which details the probable effects of the subdivision
or development on the following aspects of concern to the Town:
A.
B.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
attendance at public schools;
increases in vehicular traffic;
C.
changes in the number of legal residences;
provision of housing for Town residents and for persons of low and moderate
income;
increases in municipal services;
load on public utilities or future demand for them;
public safety;
changes in tax revenue;
changes in surface drainage;
increased consumption of groundwater;
increased refuse disposal;
pollution of water and air;
land erosion or loss of tree cover;
disturbance of other aspects of the natural ecology;
blocking of views;
harmony with the character of surrounding development;
preservation of historic and other cultural resources.
6.8 INDUSTRIAL-SCALE WIND TURBINE INSTALLATIONS
6.8.1 PURPOSE AND INTENT
The purpose of this section is to limit the scale of wind turbines installations allowed in Heath in order to
protect the public health, safety and welfare of the Town, while preserving its rural character, environment,
historic and scenic resources, pursuant to section 1.1 of the Heath zoning by-laws.
6.8.2 DEFINITIONS
WIND TURBINE - A device which converts the kinetic energy of the wind into rotational energy which drives
an electrical generator.
WIND TURBINE INSTALLATION - All the equipment, machinery and structures utilized in the conversion
of wind to electricity. This includes but is not limited to, transmission, storage, collection and supply
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
148
equipment, substations, transformers, towers, wind turbines, foundations, storm-water control measures,
service roads and other appurtenant structures, facilities and equipment.
MAXIMUM HEIGHT - The distance between the natural grade of the land measured vertically up to the tip of
the wind turbine blade at its highest point.
INDUSTRIAL-SCALE WIND TURBINE INSTALLATION - A wind turbine
Installation consisting of one or more wind turbines, any one of which has a maximum height greater than 100
feet, or any wind turbine installation which functions or is intended to function primarily to convey the
electricity which it generates to the electric grid, or any Wind Turbine Installation not primarily for use by the
residential or non-residential structures (if any) on the lot of the installation, as evidenced by documents
confirming the historical or projected electric usage of those structures.
6.8.3 APPLICABILITY
Section 6.8 applies exclusively to Industrial-Scale Wind Turbine installations. Small-Scale Wind Installations
as defined in 6.4 are exempt from this section, but shall comply with all other provisions of Heath’s zoning bylaws.
6.8.4 DISALLOWANCE
All Industrial-Scale Wind Turbine installations are hereby not allowed in the Town of Heath.
6.5
MOBILE HOMES, ALSO KNOWN AS MANUFACTURED HOUSING
6.5.1
Purpose and Intent:
The purpose of this section is to regulate the residential use of Mobile Homes/ Manufactured Housing as
permanent dwellings with regard to their sustainability, public health, safety, density and site placement
concerns.
6.5.5
Location and Performance Requirements
A. Mobile Homes must be fixed to the ground on a concrete slab or footing.
8.3
Conservation Development.
8.3.1
Purpose/Definition. The purpose of a Conservation Development is to encourage the preservation of
common land for conservation, agriculture, open space, forestry and recreational use; to preserve historical
or archaeological resources; to protect existing or potential public or private water supplies; to protect the
value of real property; to promote more sensitive siting of buildings and better overall site planning; to
promote better utilization of land in harmony with its natural features and with the general intent of the
zoning bylaw through a greater flexibility in design; and to allow more efficient provision of municipal
services. Conservation development shall mean a single and/or two-family residential development in
which the houses are arranged together into one or more groups within the development, and separated
from adjacent properties and other groups by undeveloped land. This type of development may occur as
either a subdivision or as lots being created on an existing public way.
2.
An analysis of the site, including wetlands, water bodies, slopes, the
capability of soils to support the proposed development, areas within the 100-year
floodplain, and such other natural features as the Planning Board may request. As
well, an existing topographic map and a proposed topographic map at two-foot
intervals may be requested.
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
149
3.
A summary of the environmental concerns relating to the proposed plan.
G.
At least thirty-five percent (35%) of the total parcel of land shall be set
aside as permanently protected common land. The minimum required common
land shall [,] not include[ing] wetlands, water bodies, 100-year floodplains, slopes
greater than twenty-five (25%), roadways, and land prohibited from development
by legally enforceable restrictions, easements or covenants, and other constraints
dictated by the Heath Zoning Bylaws, Title 5[V], the [Inland] Wetlands
Protection Act, including the Rivers Protection Act and any other relevant laws
(“Land with Environmental Constraints”). To the extent possible the preserved
common land shall form a contiguous tract to enable continued farming or
forestry operations. Land with Environmental Constraints may be included in the
protected common land subject to a Conservation Restriction in perpetuity if it
increases the amount of protected common land beyond the 35% minimum
amount (e.g. agricultural or forested land equals 35% of the total parcel plus Land
with Environmental Constraints equals 10% of the total parcel resulting in
Protected Open Space of 45% of the total parcel).
Town of Heath Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
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