& Prague Public Schools. Winter Storms. City of Prague. City of Prague. December 9, Multi-Hazard. Hazard Mitigation Planning.

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1 & Public Schools Winter Storms December 9, 2008 Plan

2 Flanagan & Associates, LLC Consultants Tulsa, OK Plan can be reviewed at:

3 Overview of Process Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Organize to Prepare the Plan Involve the Public Coordinate with Other Agencies and Organizations Assess the Assess the Problem (i.e., Specific Vulnerabilities) Set Goals (i.e., Priorities Based Upon Assessments) Review Possible Activities (i.e., Measures) Draft the Action Plan Adopt the Plan Step 10: Monitor, Evaluate, and Update Chapter 7

4 Severe Winter Storms A severe winter storm is one that drops 4 or more inches of snow during a 12-hour period, or 6 or more inches during a 24- hour period. An ice storm occurs when freezing rain falls from clouds and freezes immediately upon contact.

5 Winter Storm History Four of the most expensive disasters in Oklahoma history were winter storms in the last 8 years. 27 documented snow & ice events in Lincoln County in the last 10 years $374.9 Million in reported damages during those 27 events. Source: National Climatic Data Center, NOAA

6 Historic Data & Averages Winter Weather Average Annual Snowfall Avg. # of Days w/ Snow on Ground 6.4 inches 4 days Greatest Seasonal Snowfall 34.5 inches ( ) 78) Greatest Daily Snowfall 12.0 inches (Mar. 26, 1913) Coldest Temperature -21 F F (Feb. 7, 1895) # of Days w/ Temp <20 F 22 days

7 Normal Annual Snowfall

8 Days per Year with Low Temp. 32º F.

9 Winter Storms can produce Extreme cold, causing wind chill levels dangerous to humans and animals Snow accumulation, causing blocked transportation routes and possible residual flooding Reduced visibility and slick surfaces, causing hazardous driving (the leading cause of winter storm deaths) and walking conditions

10 Winter Storms can produce (cont.) Housefires and CO poisoning due to inappropriate alternative heating sources Transmission lines and tree limbs coated with ice, causing power and communication disruptions Major damage to streets, bridges, and other infrastructure

11 December Ice Storm

12 December Ice Storm Source: Oklahoma Climatological Survey Major snow and ice storms struck statewide, especially powerful in the southeast quarter. Power was lost to at least 120,000 homes and businesses were without power for several days. At least 27 deaths were directly At least were directly attributed to this storm. Total property damage was approximately from this event. approximately 170 million statewide

13 December Ice Storm Source: FEMA 16,205 16,205 individuals registered for disaster housing assistance. $2,446,263 $2,446,263 in housing assistance has been approved. $193,600 in SBA loans have been approved. $242,256 $242,256 in Individual and Family Grant Program grants have been approved. 3,027 3,027 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Centers Requests for debris removal and emergency protective measures received. $3,213,753 $3,213,753 have been obligated for debris removal and emergency protective measures.

14 January 12, Ice Storm

15 January Ice Storm Source: OKDEM State Situation Updates 32 deaths were directly attributed to this storm were due to traffic accidents - 8 were due to complications from hypothermia - 3 due to falls on ice. - 2 due to smoke inhalation. 3,919 injuries were directly attributed to this storm. At height of outages over 120,000 households lacked power on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007.

16 December 9, Ice Storm

17 December 9, Ice Storm

18 December Ice Storm Source: OKDEM State Situation Updates 29 deaths were directly attributed to this storm died in traffic accidents - 9 died in house fires - 2 died of carbon monoxide poisoning - 2 died of hypothermia 43 emergency shelters opened in response to this storm. At the height of outages over 634,000 households lacked power on Dec. 11, 2007.

19 What are the major problems and issues related to Winter Storms in the area (including public school issues? Group discussion 5 minutes

20 Who are the populations vulnerable to Severe Winter Storms in the area? Group discussion 10 minutes

21 Vulnerable Populations All Citizens and Properties are at Risk from Winter Storms Elderly - 50% of Hypothermia deaths are over 60 Indigent - from hypothermia and make- shift heating/lighting sources Automobile/Transportation Accidents are the leading cause of deaths Travelers - stranded by closed highways and bus lines 75% of Hypothermia Deaths are Male: Exhaustion, Heart Attacks, Overexertion

22 Goals & Objectives GOAL: To reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage to property, equipment and infrastructure caused by Winter Storms 1. Public Information & Education. Improve public awareness of Winter Storm hazards and give people knowledge about measures they can use to protect themselves, their property and their community 2. Preventive Measures. Identify costs and the benefits of loss-prevention programs such as burying power lines to reduce utility outages or building snow-load roofs, with consideration for uncalculated benefits such as averting environmental and business losses

23 Goals & Objectives (cont.) GOAL: To reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage to property, equipment and infrastructure caused by Winter Storms 3. Structural Projects. Identify, fund, and implement measures, such as winterization retrofits to homes, critical facilities, transportation systems and infrastructure, to avert or reduce losses from Winter Storms. Provide additional protection, such as generators and emergency shelters, for agencies and facilities that serve vulnerable populations 4. Property Protection. Identify, fund, and implement projects to protect people and public and private property from losses in Winter Storms

24 Goals & Objectives (cont.) GOAL: To reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage to property, equipment and infrastructure caused by Winter Storms 5. Emergency Services. Identify and expand emergency services for people who are at high risk in Winter Storms, such as the homeless, elderly, disabled, and oxygen-dependent people 6. Natural Resource Protection. Evaluate options and take advantage of opportunities for sustainable Winter Storm policies and programs to reduce negative environmental impacts; examples include programs for debris management, streets snow removal, tree trimming and replacement, energy conservation, and winterization

25 Potential mitigation measures What are some measures we may adopt in 2009, for the community and for the schools? Group discussion 10 minutes

26 Potential Winter Storm Public Information & Education Develop a plan for educating residents on effective ways to monitor and avoid ice damaging, freezing pipes, and snow loads on roof systems Educate the public on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the use of appropriate heating systems during power outages Preventive Measures Develop and assess a contingency plan for responding to massive power outage due to severe storms and overload demands.

27 Potential Winter Storm (cont.) Property Protection Continue upgrading communities equipment and vehicles for combating ice storm damage/adverse impact to public infrastructure Structural Projects Review the possible critical structural "snow load" thresholds on flat-roofs on community or critical facilities Ensure that critical facilities have automatic transfer panels through which a generator can be connected safely

28 Potential Winter Storm (cont.) Emergency Services Work with local media outlets to assure that timely warnings, alerts, and winter storm educational messages are available to people who speak a language other than English, including American Sign Language Review and acquire resources for mobile generators to support critical medical & communication facilities Natural Resource Protection Assure that materials and techniques used in ice/snow response are environmentally responsible -- in composition, appropriate quantities, and waste runoff control

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30 Questions or Comments? Plan can be reviewed at: