The Town of Chester faces a “critical” impact from hurricanes, with more than 25% percent of property in the affected area damaged. To approximate the potential impact to property and people that could be affected by this hazard, the total assessed value of all residential, commercial, and industrial property in town, $114,123,843 (Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2014) is used. Wind damage of 5 percent with 10 percent of structures damaged would result in an estimated $570,619 of damage. Estimated flood damage to 10 percent of the structures with 20 percent damage to each structure would result in $2,282,476 of damage. The cost of repairing or replacing the roads, bridges, utilities, and contents of structures is not included in this estimate. Hurricane Damage Classifications Storm Category Damage Level Description of Damages Wind Speed (MPH) 1 MINIMAL No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage. An example of a Category 1 hurricane is Hurricane Dolly (2008). 74-95 Very dangerous winds will produce some damage 2 MODERATE Some roofing material, door, and window damage. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, etc. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. An example of a Category 2 hurricane is Hurricane Francis in 2004. 96-110 Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage 3 EXTENSIVE Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings, with a minor amount of curtain wall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures, with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland. An example of a Category 3 hurricane is Hurricane Ivan (2004). 111-129 Devastating damage will occur 4 EXTREME More extensive curtain wall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland. An example of a Category 4 hurricane is Hurricane Charley (2004). 130-156 Catastrophic damage will occur
New and Continuing Mitigation Strategies to be Implemented Strategy Description Status Hazards Addressed Responsibility /Oversight Priority Estimated Cost Funding Source Time Prioritize for paving, trap rock, and culvert replacement. Include East River Road, Johnson Hill, Abbott Hill, Maynard Street, Cooper Drive, Prospect Street, Round Hill Road for paving prioritization due to washouts. Assess the culvert on Old State Road and apply stream continuity standards in upgrade plans. Not started. Flooding Hurricanes Severe Snow and Ice Storms DPW High High Chapter 90 Town Funds HMP grants 6 mo. Work with Mass Wildlife and MassDOT to resume tree trimming Rte 20 to prevent power outages. Tree trimming in 2015 stopped due to bat habitat concerns. Hurricanes / Severe Wind Tornadoes Severe Snow and Ice Storms Chester Municipal Electric Light Dept. (CMELD) High High MassDOT 6 mo. Develop a plan and seek implementation funding for tree trimming along the town’s main arteries, including Skyline and Middlefield Roads, as well as other areas of concentrated population. Not started. Hurricanes / Severe Wind Tornadoes Severe Snow and Ice Storms DPW CMELD High Medium MassDOT Town funds HMP grants 1-2 years
Work with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to re-establish flow in Westfield River under Main Street bridge that is being blocked by storm debris. Not started. Debris from Hurricane Hugo, Tropical Storm Irene, and winter storms of 2015 adding to significant build-up of debris. Flooding Hurricanes Conservation Commission Westfield Wild & Scenic Committee Medium High USACE MassDEP Ecological Restoration Westfield River protection funds 6 mo. Set up partnership with CSX and other towns to prevent brush fires along tracks. Consider strategies such as placing rocks or removing leaves and brush along tracks. Not started Brush / wild fires Fire Dept. Board of Selectmen High Low CSX Town funds 6 mo. to 1 year Coordinate with dam owners on waterways in and upstream of Chester to develop a plan or memorandum of understanding for coordinated dam releases in high rain events. Not started. Uncoordinated dam releases during T.S. Irene led to severe flooding in Chester. Flooding Hurricanes Dam Failure Board of Selectmen High Low Staff time 1-2 years Identify, prioritize, and replace undersized culverts throughout town. Inventory to be integrated into PVPC PASER study, in process in 2016. Flooding DPW Medium Low time 6 mo. – 1 year
Extend the Town’s three-phase power line from the post office on Rte 20 to the interconnection point in order to provide better service and more capacity. Not started Severe Winds Tornadoes Hurricanes Chester Municipal Electric Light High High CMELD HMPD 1 year Implement the Five-Year Action Plan strategies in the Chester Open Space and Recreation Plan in regards to the protection of forests and floodplains. Implemented as opportunities arise Flooding Wild fire / fire Town administrator Conservation Commission Low High LAND grants DWSP grants 1-5 Investigate system for leaks. Not started Drought DPW / Water Department Medium Medium Local funds HMGP MassDEP Water Conservation Grants (if 1-2 years Develop water conservation plan, including plan for targeted public outreach. Not started Drought DPW / Water Department Board of Selectmen Low Medium SWMI grants Town funds 1 year