HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-2022 City Council Work SessionSTATE OF ALABAMA
COUNTY OF BALDWIN
) (
) (
The City Council met in a Work Session
at 4 :30 p.m., Fairhope Municipal Complex Council Chamber,
161 North Section Street, Fairhope , Alabama 36532,
on Monday, 8 August 2022.
Present were Council President Jimmy Conyers , Councilmembers: Jack
Burrell (arrived at 4:34 p.m.), Corey Martin , Jay Robinson , and Kevin Boone (arrived
at 4:38 p.m.), City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks .
Mayor Sherry Sullivan was absent.
Council President Jimmy Conyers called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
The following topics were discussed :
• The firs t item on the agenda was the Discussion of the Coastal Resilience Index by
the Fairhop e Environmental Advisory Board. Nicole Love and Amy Paulson
addressed the City Council and introduced Jody Thompson with the Auburn
University Gulf Coast Research and Ex tension . Ms. Thompson addressed the City
Council and stated we need to redo the Coastal Resilience Index ("CRI"); and said
she would be the facil itator. (See attached Handout) She said this is an exercise to
identify your weakness; and mentioned potential funding for project.
Casey Gay Williams with the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce addressed the
City Council and sai d th e last CRI was based on the water of Katrina and the wind of
Ivan. She mentioned a grant to help with resiliency; and stated six out of 10
businesses will reopen after a catastrophic event. Ms . Williams said the CRI was very
important. Building Official Erik Cortinas addressed the City Council and
commented Community Rating System is a good idea; and has a CRS Coordinator in
the next budget year.
The consensus of the City Council was to move forward and put a re solution on the
next agenda to have a Coastal Resilience Index redone.
Councilmember Martin left dais at 4:52 p.m.
• The next item on the agenda was the Discussion of Advanced Metering Infrastructure
(AMI) Update by AMI Coordinator Jeremy Morgan. He first gave an update on the
solar panels out front; and mentioned there are four residential solar panel stations.
Councilmember Martin returned to dai s at 4:56 p.m.
Mr. Morgan said there are 4 EVs in the parking deck. Councilmember Burrell stated
the Police Department should ticket people who violate by using these parking
spaces. Councilmember Burrell sai d he thought we should have parking fees. Mr.
Morgan said AMEA said we shou ld use $2 .00 and $2.50 per hour . Councilmember
Burrell said that AMEA is withholding our funds that is funding our part of the
project.
Monday , 8 August 2022
Page -2-
Councilmember Martin asked Mr. Morgan to explain what AMI is for residents. Mr.
Morgan sa id thi s will be more efficient and customer related; and readings go to a
central location and is read immediately, daily , etc.
• The Discussion on the Moisture Control Survey & HV AC for the Civic Center was
presented by Public Works Director Richard Johnson . (A copy is on file in the City
Clerk's office) Mr. John explained the roof structure; and commented the covered
porch was installed for approximately 38 years .
Council President Conyers sai d we need to take this into account and look at it as a
whole. Councilmember Robinson stated we need to look at the whole picture.
Councilmember Martin sa id we could use funds for something else. Councilmember
Robinson said we cannot just bulldoze this building that houses so many people.
Councilmember Burrell commented we need to look at the K-1 Center first and then
look at this building. He did say this is not a terrible price. Council Pre si dent Conyers
and Councilmember Martin agreed we need a strategic plan for the K-1 Center, Civic
Center, and other infrastructure. Mr. Johnson said he could go back to GMA for a
repair plan .
• Vehicle Purchases for FY 2022-2023 was next on the agenda and City Treasurer Kirn
Creech explained the need for this approval. She said we have to pre-order to get in
line for the vehicles . M s. Creech stated that the F250 vehicles will be in the portal in
the near future. Councilmember Burrell que sti oned the price of the Ga s Department's
vehicles and the Recreation Department 's Fl50 ve hicle . The consensus of the City
Council was to move forward with the request and add a resolution to the agenda .
• Councilmember Burrell stated there would be an Airport Authority meeting
tomorrow .
• Councilmember Martin gave an update on the Fairhope Environmental Advisory
Board: Litter Getter at the Winn Dixie Detention Pond .
• Councilmember Boone said the Harbor Board did not meet for lack of a
quorum.
• Council President Conyers said he attended the Library Board Budget meeting .
Council President Conyers briefly went through the Agenda Items and who
would explain if needed .
• Special Projects and Grant Manager Je ssica Walker addressed the City Council
regarding the ADECA Grant for the Triangle property and ADA compliance for the
trail. She said the design would be from the engineer. Councilmember Burrell said it
is well worth to pursue for ADA compliance. Ms . Walker said it is due September
10 , 2022. Council Pre sident Conyers commented it would be nice to ha ve to trails .
• Human Resource Director Cory Pierce addressed the City Council and explained
Agenda Items No . 16 ; and answered any questions if needed. Ms . Creech said the
perso n would compare to bill s each benefit; and explained the issu es. Mr. Pierce
stated we need to train prior to Open Enrollment.
Monday , 8 August 2022
Page -3-
• Ga s Superintendent Jeremy Little addressed the City Council and regarding the four
RFPs from engineering firms.
• Parks and Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council and explained
Agenda Item No .; and answered any questions if needed.
• Public Works Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council and explained
Agenda Items No. 6 , No . 10 , No . 11, and No. 13 ; and answered any questions if
needed.
• Water and Wastewater Superintendent Jason Langley addressed the City Council and
explained Agenda Items No . 8 and No. 9 ; and answered any questions if needed.
Engineer Andy Bobe with Dewberry Engineers, Inc. addressed the City Council and
briefly explained Agenda Item No . 9 and the need for the amendment to Bid No. 034-
21.
• IT Director Jeff Montgomery addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Item
No. 14 ; and answered any questions if needed .
• Code Enforcement Officer Kim Burmeister addressed the City Council and explained
Agenda Item No. 7 ; and answered any questions if needed .
Council President Conyers announced they were taking a 5 minute break and
then begin the City Counci l meeting.
There being no further business to come before the City Council , the meeting
was duly adjourned at 6:00 p .m .
czi;-J~
City Clerk
A Community Self-Assessment
Understanding How Prepared
Your Community is For a Disaster
"On the road to coastal resilience"
Suggested citation: Sempier, T.T., D.L. Swann, R. Emmer, S.H. Sempier, M. Schneider,
and J. Thompson. 2021 (revised).
Coastal Community Resilience Index: A Community Self-Assessment. MASGP-21-055.
Document designed by Diana Reid, The University of Southern Mississippi
and Melissa Schneider, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
Texas• Louisiana• Florida
Miss iss ippi -Alabama
Supplemental information and additional resources are available on the Web at masgc.org/ri
MASGP-21-055
This project was funded by the U.S . Department of Commerce through a cooperative agreement between the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Storms Program and the Miss issippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
under NOAA Grant NA07OAR4170510. Additional support was provided by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Coastal
Community Resilience Team under NOAA grant number NA0BNOS473398 . Funds to revise the original version were
provided through NOAA's Regional Coastal Resilience Grant under NOAA grant award NA16NOS4730008. The views
expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations .
Disclaimer: Notwithstanding any other prnvision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled
or collected using the Coastal Resilience Index for the purpose of evaluating the post-disaster adaptability
of a community, and planning safety enhancements of that community, shall not be subject to discovery or
admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for other purposes in any action for
damages arising from any occurrence at a lo cation mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules,
lists, or data . Information compiled using the Coastal Resilience Index is speculative, and is not presented to
the community as a definitive statement of fact or prediction, but rather an assessment that may encourage a
community to seek further consultation .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Coastal Resilience Index Team ............................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Results Overview .................................................................................................................................. 3
Build Your Scenarios ............................................................................................................................ 4
Critical Infrastructure and Facilities .................................................................................................... 5
Transportation Issues ........................................................................................................................... 6
Community Plans and Agreements ..................................................................................................... 7
Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................................................. 8
Business Plans ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Social Systems ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Determining Your Res ilie nce Index ................................................................................................... 11
Interpreting Resilience Index Results ................................................................................................ 13
Next Steps ........................................................................................................................................... 13
Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................... 13
Coastal Resilience Resources ............................................................................................................. 14
COASTAL RESILIENCE INDEXTEAM
Community Name: ____________________________ _
Date Completed: _____________________________ _
Name j Title
Date proposed for next Index Assessment: _____________________ _
Additional information and resources can be found at masgc.org/ri
2
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this self-assessment is to provide
community leaders with a simple and inexpensive
method of predicting if their community will reach
and maintain an acceptable level of functioning after
a disaster. Experienced local planners, engineers,
floodplain managers or administrators can complete
this self-assessment using existing sources of
information from their community. The goal is for
every community to become highly resilient. The
assessment may identify problems your community
should address before the next disaster and where
resources should be allocated.
Results of the assessment are presented as a Resilience
Index that estimates the adaptability of your
community to a disaster. This self-assessment was
created to identify areas in which your community
may become more resilient. Your community's unique
Resilience Index is an internal evaluation tool and
should not be used to compare your community with
others.
The Resilience Index and methodology does not
replace a detailed study just as a self-examination for
skin cancer is not a substitute for a check-up and tests
by a dermatologist. But, the Resilience Index resulting
from this Community Self-Assessment may encourage
your community to seek further consultation.
DISASTER RESILIENCE is the capacity of
a community exposed to hazards to adapt, by
resisting or changing, in order to reach and
maintain an acceptable level of functioning
and structure.
RESILIENCE is determined by the degree to
which the community is capable of organizing
itself to increase its capacity for learning from
past disasters.
Definitions are from the Subcommittee on Disaster
Reduction. 2005. Grand Challenges for Disaster Resilience.
National Science Technology Council, Committee on
Environment and Natural Resources. Washington, D.C.:
National Science and Technology Council.
NOTE : This Community SelfAssessment is date -specific and
should be periodically applied as the community grows and/or
the landscape changes, such as when shoreline erosion accelerates .
Your community officials should conduct new assessments on a
regular basis (annual, biannual, etc.) because of this growth and/
or change.
RESULTS OVERVIEW
After completing this self-assessment, you should
complete the summary that will help you calculate
your Resilience Index (see pages 11 and 12).
The Resilience Index used in this self-assessment
will be defined as LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH.
The rating will give you an idea of how long it may take
your community to provide basic services and reoccupy
homes and businesses after a disaster.
For more details about interpreting Resilience Index
results , go to page 13 .
Coastal Resilience I ndex: A Community Self-Assessment 3
BUILDYOUR SCENARIOS
Use the definitions of Bad and Future Storm below to complete the table. Decide as a group what the best
benchmarks wo u ld be based upon your past experience, historical records, and prior knowledge . You will then
refer to these benchmark storms to complete t h e rest of the Index .
Bad Storm (benchmark): Select a benchmark storm you will use to answer questions on the Index. Look back
at historical events to help you determine as a group which storm wo uld be the best to use . Remember, this is a
self-assess ment, so try and select a benchmark you feel will give yo u the most information about where the
community vulnerabilities may be.
Future Storm (greater intensity): Select a storm which would be 50 percent worse than the "bad storm" you
selected . For example, what if the storm surge was hig h er? The rainfall greater? This is to assist you in preparing
for a future event that h as not been witnessed in the h istorica l record s.
V • bl I Bad Storm (bench mark) I Future Storm (greater in t e ns ity)
aria es Scenario I Scenario 2
I
Wind sp eed a t landfall (mph)
Rain (total/24h ou rs)
Storm Surge (height in fee t )
Directi o n
ement Speed ofMov
D urati on
I I
I
' Tidal lnfluen ce (high or low)
.I.
Lan dfall L oc a tio n I
l l
I
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES
The fo ll owing are key indicators that will give a preliminary assessme nt of your commu nity's disaster resilience .
A mor e detail ed assessment process is ava il able in the FEMA 386-2 publication (fe m a.gov).
I • Place a check mark in the column where your co m munity's crit ical infrastructure and facilities are located.
You may need to use flood maps to determine where the boundaries wou ld be. If the faci lity is located in
multiple areas, put a check in all that are applica ble . Then put a check mark in the last column if the infra-
struct ure or facility is functional after a disaster (assuming Scenario 1). Use t h e total check marks in the
last co lu mn for Section A and Section B to complete page 11, "Determ ining Your R esilience Index."
Wastewater
treatment system
Power grid
Water purification system
Transportation/
evacuation routes
Total check marks
for Section A:
~Section ·B: Crltica.-~ ·-'~-~, -,: .. : ~-!,', : '_;: ~-~-' T~
.... ~-1.'.v&..a.:i.\r-~ .J.a;:',S,;.. -~ .....;. d:,,~"•-:L·,.-~...,,. .lt_.~~:/~~.::..__ ... ,,, ... "
City Hall or other local
government bu il ding(s)
Police station or other law
enforcement building(s)
Fire station(s)
Communications main
office or substations
Emergency operati on
center
Evacuation shelter(s)
Hospital(s) T
Critical record storage
out of flood zone (hardcopy
or digital backup)
Total check marks l for Section B:
* Critical facilities may be defined a certain way in an ordinance . However, each community may identify other structures they consider
critical. If you need assistance locating critical infrastructure and facilities , you can refer to the mapping tool that accompanies the Index.
Coastal Resilience Index: A Community Self-Assessment 5
TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
Assuming Scenario 1, if any of t h e fo ll owi n g affect your t r an spo rtation /evacuation route(s), will your com-
munity regain a pre-stor m level of se r vice within o n e wee k? C h ec k Yes or N o.
Example: Will flood -prone areas (tunnels , roads in low-lying areas) be operational within one week?
Will primary bridge(s) be out for less than one week?
Will roads blocked by storm debris (trees, wrack) be cleared in less than one week?
Will washouts (roads) be passable in less than one week?
Will flood-prone areas (tunnel s, roads in low-lying areas) be operational within one week?
Is public transportation available to assist evacuation of residents unable to evacuate on their own?
Is there more than one evacuation route?
Is there a plan for post-storm traffic management?
Do you have re-entry plans for healthcare and critical service providen?
Has future flood risk been explored in transportation planning efforts?
Total number of Yes answers and No answers:
*Some communities use waterways as transportation infrastructure and/or evacuation ro utes (canals , docks , streams , marinas, and ferries).
ADD I T I ONAL N OTES
6
Did you know? Up to 395 CRS points can be earned for improved flood warning and response, including
points for multi-level flood inundation mapping of Special Flood Hazard Areas, structures and evaluation routes.
COMMUNITY PLANS AND AGREEMENTS
3. Does your community have the following plans, personnel or agreements in place ? Check Yes or No.
Participate in the FEMA Community Rating System? (Rating of 8 or lower)
Use an early flood warning system?
Have a certified floodplain manager?
Have planning commissioner(s) with formal training in planning?
Have a planning staff with credentials from the American Institute of Certified Plannen (AICP)?
Have a FEMA-approved and state EMS-approved mitigation plan?
If you have an approved mitigation plan, has it been revised in the past two yean?
Have Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) or Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) with
neighboring communities to help each other during times of disaster?
Have a comprehensive plan or strategic plan that addresses natural disasters?
Take future conditions into consideration during your planning (mapping future flood risk, sea level rise,
future hydrological changes)?
Participate in exercises or drills related to hazard impacts?
Have a floodplain manager or planner who participates in the following organizations:
Association of State Floodplain Managers or State Floodplain Management Association?
American Planning Association (APA) or state APA chapter?
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) or state or local section of ASCE1
American Public Works Association?
Have first-hand experience with disaster recovery within the last IO years?
Have a communication system to use before, during and after a disaster?
Have robust public communication and early warning system including alerts and messaging to
residents?
Have plans in place for how to shelter and preserve the health and welfare of animals?
Have an emergency plan in place for vulnerable populations (elderly, children, homeless or displaced
persons, etc .)?
Have a community plan that includes health and behavioral health impacts?
Total number of Yes answers and No answers:
.L
Did you know? Under the CRS, up to 622 points can be earned for floodplain management planning, repeti-
tive loss area analysis, and adopting a plan to protect natural floodplain functions. Measures to adopt higher
regulatory standards can earn up to 2,462 points, including regulations that protect natural areas or improve
water quality during development (up to 1,330 points), or that mitigate coastal erosion risk (up to 370 po ints).
Coastal Resilience Index: A Community Self-Assessment 7
MITIGATION MEASURES
Has your community implemented the following o n going mitigation measures or projects?
• Check Yes or No.
Mitigation measures in place I Yes I No
Example: Relocation of buildings and infrastructure
Elevation of residential, nonresidential buildings, or infrastructure
to National Flood Insurance Program standards for your communi~
Relocation of buildings and infrastructure from flood-prone areas
Flood-proofing of nonresidential structures
Education programs about mitigation options for your community
Acquisition of repetitive loss structures, infrastructure, or property
Incentives-based mitigation measures
Adoption of the most recent International Building Codes
Hiring certified building inspecton
Staffing an adequate number of people to enforce building codes
Have completed or planned natural or nature-based mitigation projects for critically eroding areas
(shoreline restoration projects, dune revegetation, etc.)
Have organizations (including the local government itself) that assist in implementing nature-based
features?
Require the protection and maintenance of sensitive coastal habitats, ecosystems, and natural
features (dunes, barrier islands, salt marshes, mangroves)
Have undeveloped public lands, such as parks, forests or preserves in the coastal high hazard areas
(Y-zone on FIRM map)
Critical infrastructure assets are supplemented with or protected by hardened structures (sea walls ,
floodproofing) or natural or nature-based features! (living shorelines)
Have adequate drainage capacity? (green or grey infrastructure)
Have long-range plan to ensure adequate drinking water supply (by addressing drought condi tions, salt
water intrusion)?
Total number of Yes answers and No answers:
✓
*Note that the Association of State Floodplain Managers recommends communities consider higher elevations than the minimum National
Flood Insurance Program standard .
8
Did you know? A total of 2,870 CRS points can be earned for preserving open space areas in their
natural or restored state, or for preserving natural benefits and functions, including throught natural
shoreline protection, low-density zoning, and more.
BUSINESS PLANS
5. What assets do the large retail stores (The Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc.), grocery stores and fuel distribu-
tors in your community have to reopen after a disaster? If more than 50 percent of the bus inesses in your
community have t h e following equipment or pla n s, mark Yes . If fewer than 5 0 percent have the equipment
or plans, check No.
Business equipment/plans* Yes No
(50% or more) (Less than 50%)
Example: Generators ✓ -
Generators -Backup options for basic needs (water, s ewer, food , an d c ommu nicati o ns)
Plans to bring in staff to help reopen the business (con
Plans fo r prestocking and rest ocking critical recovery
Plans for ice distribution -
sidering impacts to staff)
supplies
Establish e d relationshi p with businesses, chambers, an d/or main streets
to be able to dis-Pharmacies and medical supply businesses have a plan
tribute prescriptions, medical services, and needed eq uipment following a
disaster
Daycar es have a plan in place for reopening
Assisted living facilities have a plan in place (shelter, pla n, access to medical
services)
Total number of Yes and No answers:
. I
I
l
* Businesses may include functioning marinas or ports as important distribution points after a disaster . If so , consider the assets thes e busi-
nesses have to reopen after a disaster.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Did you know? Businesses are highlighted in the CRS as a priority audience.Activities to conduct out-
reach to business on flood risk or to promote flood insurance can earn CRS points (up to 200 and 110
points, respectively).
Coastal Resilience Index: A Community Self-Assessment 9
SOCIAL SYSTEMS
6. Are ther e social system s that d efin e yo ur co mmunity or serve as the core of yo ur co mmunity?
Chec k Yes o r N o .
Strong faith-based networks (counted on during a disaster)
Cultu ral identity (unified Hispanic , Asian or other ethnic communities)
Neighborhood associations support members in times of need
Business cooperative or working relations (industries that employ many
residents, Chamber of Commerce, other bus iness-related networks, etc .)
Strong civic organizations (Kiwanis Club , Rotary Club, etc.)
Schools (informal networks such as communication apps and email lists that
t eachers and adm inistrators use to reach parents and students)
Informal support networks among education institutions,
universities, community colleges and technic al institutes
Community plans for dealing with demographic transitions or
transient communities
Plans for social support networks and assistance for elderly and
house-bound individuals
Coordination within and between social service organizations and
departments of health and environmental quality
Organizations that provide workforce training and support for
residents for natural disaster recovery (grief counseling, advisory
network for economic support)
Procedure for checking in and accommodating volunteers from
outside the community
Provision to provide/agreement with childcare facilities to provide
care immediately post-storm
Adopted a policy to allocate a certain funding level to recovery/
reserve fund (rai ny day fund , etc.)
10
Total number of Yes answers and No answers:
Did you know? Several agencies , organizations, and programs provide information on floodplain functions.
Communities can earn up to 350 points for implementing outreach projects that include descriptions of
the natural functions of the community's floodplains .
DETERMININGYOUR RESILIENCE INDEX
To determine your Resilience Index for each section, use the following tables, which are based o n t h e totals you
entered for eac h section of the Index.
Section I A : Critical Infrastructure
Total n u m ber of in frastruc tu re functioning afte r a disas t er:
N b f
I
Percentage of infrastructure I R .1. um er o d f .1• • f . . es1 1ence h k k an ac1 1t1es unct1omng I d
c ec mar s after a disaster n ex
25% Low
2 50% Medium
3 75% Medium
4 100% High
Your critical facilities Resilience Index is: ------
Find o u t what your Resilien ce Index mean s on page 13.
Section I B: Critical Facilities
Total number of critical facilities functioning after a disaster:
N b f I Percentage of infrastructure I R .1• um er o d f .1• • f . . es1 1ence h k k an ac1 1t1es unct1omng I d
c ec mar s after a disaster n ex
I 13% Low
2 25% Low
3 38% Low
4 50% Medium
s 63% Medium
6 75% Medium
I
7 88% High
8 100% High
You r crit ic al facilities Resilience Index is: ------
Find out what your Resilience Index means on page 13.
Coastal Res il ience I ndex: A Community Self-Assessment 11
Sections 2-6:Transportation, Community Plans,
Mitigation Measures, Business Plans and Social Systems
Use the box labeled "Total n umber of Yes answers" fro m Sectio ns 2-6 to complete the foll owin g ch art.
I
Number I Translate number I R .1• I . es11ence Sections 2-6 of Yes of Y~~ answers to Index Comments
answers Res1hence Index
(Example) Section 2: 4 or fewer (LOW) LOW A road construction project will create an
Transportation issues 5 to 6 (MEDIUM) additional evacuation route within a year.
7 or more (HIGH) Also, we are in talks with the local publ ic tra
nsportation provider about a program to
assist evacuation.
Section 2: 4 or fewer (LOW)
Transportation Issues 5 to 6 (MEDIUM)
7 or more (HIGH)
Section 3: IO or fewer (LOW)
C ommunity Pla ns 11 to 15 (MEDIUM)
an d Ag reem e nts 16 or more (HIGH)
Section 4: 7 or fewer (LOW)
Mitigation Measu r es 8 to 12 (MEDIUM)
13 or more (HIGH)
Section 5: 4 or fewer (LOW)
Busi ne ss Plans 5 to 6 (MEDIUM )
7 or more (HIGH)
Section 6: 6 or fewer (LOW)
Social Systems 7 to IO (MEDIUM)
11 or more (HIGH) I
ADDITIONAL NOTES
12
INTERPRETING CRI RESILIENCE INDEX RESULTS
RESILIENCE INDEX: A Resilience Index is an indicator of your community's ability to reach and maintain an
acceptable level of functioning and structure after a disaster.
After completing the Summary section of this self-assessment, your Resilience Index was identified as LOW,
MEDIUM or HIGH in different categories .
LOW Resilience Index. A low Resilience Index indicates that your community should pay specific attention
to this category and should make efforts to address the areas of low rating. If the critical infrastructure category
received this rating, then reoccupation of your community may take more than 18 months before basic services are
restored .
MEDIUM Resilience Index. A medium Resilience Index indicates that more work could be done to improve
your Resilience in this category. If the critical infrastructure category received this rating, reoccupation of your
community may take less than 2 months before basic services are restored .
HIGH Resilience Index. A high Resilience Index indicates that your community is well prepared for a storm
event. If the critical infrastructure category received this rating, then the community probably will not suffer or
will have minimal damage (can be functional in less than two weeks) to basic services .
NEXT STEPS
Regardless if your city has a HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW Resilience Index, you should learn about and investigate
the weaknesses you have identified during this process. Refer to the references page for additional information on
resources, training, and support.
For more information, contact Dr. Tracie Sempier, Coastal Resilience Lead, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant
Consortium, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564, or (228) 818-8829.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Appreciation is extended to the following communities for donating their time, sharing their expertise, and
assisting us in strengthening the Index through their participation as pilot communities. In alphabetical order:
Bayou La Batre, AL
Biloxi, MS
Cameron Parish, LA
Cedar Key, FL
Dauphin Island, AL
Ft. Myers Beach, FL
Gulf Shores, AL
Marco Island, FL
Ocean Springs , MS
Orange Beach, AL
Pascagoula, MS
Pass Christian, MS
Port Arthur, TX
Sarasota, FL
St. Tam many Parish, LA
Steinhatchee, FL
A special thank you to members of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Resilience Team and Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant
Extension Specialists for their assistance in making suggested changes, pilot testing the draft versions, and
promoting the use of the Index in local communities .
Coast a l R esi l ie n ce I ndex: A Community Self-Assessment 13
COASTAL RESILIENCE RESOURCES
Useful Definition
Critical facility (also called critical action) means facilities for which the effects of even a slight chance of flooding
would be too great. The minimum floodplain of concern for critical facilities is the 0.2 percent chance flood
level. Critical facilities include, but are not limited to facilities critical to the health and safety of the public
such as: emergency operations centers, designated public shelters, schools, nursing homes , hospitals, police, fire
and emergency response installations, vital data storage centers, power generation and water and other utilities
(including related infrastructure such as principal points of utility systems) and installations which produce, use
or store hazardous materials or hazardous waste (as defined under the Clean Water Act and other Federal statutes
and regulations). Such facilities and access to such facilities will be constructed outside the one percent chance
Special Flood Hazard Area or elevated/protected to or above the 0.2 percent chance flood level.
Additional Resources
Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper: https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/flood•expo sure.html
Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Tools: https:// coast.noaa.gov/ d igitalcoast/topics/vulnerability-assessmen ts.
html
Community Rating System: www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm
StormSmart Coasts Network: http://stormsmart.org
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Storms Program: http://masgc.org/coastal-storms-program
Gulf of Mexico Alliance Resilience Team: https://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/our-priorities/priority•issue-team s/
community-resilience-team/
Training
Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant College Programs: h ttp://gulfseagrant .org
Florida Sea Grant: www.fl sea gr ant.o rg
Louisiana Sea Grant: www .laseagr an t.o rg
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant: www.masg c.org
Texas Sea Grant: http://texasse agran t.org/
NOAA Office for Coastal Management Training: https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/training/home.html
National Estuarine Research Reserves Coastal Training Program: https://coast.noaa.gov/nerrs/trai n ing/
Federal Emergency Management Agency: train ing.fema.gov/
AL Emergency Management Agency Training: https://p ortal.ema .alabama.go v/tra ining/
FL Division of Emergency Management Training: https://www.fl oridadi sas t er.or g/d e m/preparedness/train-
ing-a nd-e xerci se/
IA Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness Training: https://goh sep.l a .gov/RESOU RC ES/TRAIN-
IN G -EVENTS-SC H EDU LE
MS Emergency Management Agency Training: https://www.m sema .o r g/reso urces/tr a ining/
TX Division of Emergency Management Training: https://tdem .t ex as.gov/tra ining/
Networking
Climate and Resilience Community of Practice: http://masgc.org/climate·resilience•community•of-practice
Contacts
Tracie Sempier
Coastal Resilience Lead
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
(228) 818-8829
tracie .sempier@usm.edu
14
Jody Thompson
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Auburn University Marine Extension & Research Center
(251) 471-2124 ext. 19
jody.thompson@auburn .edu
~
N.A .. , ..
In Memoriam
DR. ROD EMMER
1944 -2008
The original concept for the Resilience Index was born from the work Dr.
Emmer conducted in local communities through Louisiana Sea Grant. With
his passing, the Gulf region lost a great resource of knowledge and experience in
the fields of floodplain management, hazard mitigation, geography, and culture.
Although he was not able to see this final version of the Index, it is sincerely
hoped he would approve of the transformation this tool has made and its
potential to assist many communities across the Gulf and the nation.
(Photo courtesy of Louisiana Sea Grant)
Coastal Resilience Index: A Community Self-Assessment 15
NEXT STEPS
16
Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper
https:// coast.noaa.gov/ digitalcoast/tools/flood,exposure.html
• assists communities in completing sections of the Index
• includes hazard layers for storm surge, sea level rise, and high tide flooding
• share online maps that visualize people, places, and natural resources exposed to coastal flood hazards
Sector Indices
http://masgc.org/ coastal,storms,program/ resilience,index
• Understand how prepared your business is for a disaster
• Now available for Tourism, Fisheries, and Ports
A Bus iness Self-Assessment
Underst1ndin1 How Pre~red
Your BuSJness 1s fOf" a Disaster
A Busine ss Self-Assessment
"0fl1S lllSUlfNCt INO!k
A Port Management Self-Assessment
Undersw,~ How Preporod Your
Pon Orpnaatton 11 for a Disaster