Public Meeting Invitation (May 30): Identify Natural Hazard Risks and Recommend Mitigation Actions

CENTRAL FALLS, RI - Do you worry about flooding or extreme heat, or wonder if Pawtucket or Central Falls could experience a tornado or have an earthquake? What is the worst that could happen here? What can prevent those natural hazards and others from wreaking havoc?

Fortunately, the Cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls are developing an update to their Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan details all the natural hazard risks that may impact the Cities and includes a list of potential actions to mitigate those risks.

Both Cities encourage all residents and business owners to come to a public meeting to share your ideas and gather your feedback regarding which hazards present the greatest risks, which areas are most susceptible to damage, and what you would like to see done to mitigate these risks.

We cannot stop winter storms, heavy rains, high winds, or earthquakes but we do not have to suffer severe consequences. The Cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls hope you will join our next Public Meeting on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 12-1pm at the RIC Hub (934 Dexter Street, Central Falls) or join via Zoom (Zoom access details below). 

City leaders have formed a Local Planning Team (LPT). This Team is developing the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. A Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and adopted by the Cities, allows the Cities to apply for pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant funds. Development of this plan includes public participation.

Public participation is essential to the development of a Hazard Mitigation Plan that represents the interests of all residents and mitigates risk to all natural hazards and the impacts of climate change.

MEETING DETAILS:

When: Thursday, May 30, 2024 (12:00-1:00pm)
Location: RIC Hub (934 Dexter Street, Central Falls)
Zoom access: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88072573175?pwd=SzZUano5SUdYU3ZVSkxJL0FNY0k2UT09 (Meeting ID: 880 7257 3175   |   Passcode: 937364)

For questions regarding this meeting, please contact Jim Vandermillen, Director (Central Falls) at 401-616-2425 or jvandermillen@centralfallsri.us, or Camerin Bennett, Assistant Director (Pawtucket) at 401-728-0500 x44 or cbennett@pawtucketri.com.

May 30, 2024 AGENDA:

I. Project Introduction
II. What is Hazard Mitigation?
     i. Benefits of Hazard Mitigation
     ii. How the Plan was Developed
III. Risk Assessment Process
     i. Critical Facility Identification
     ii. Hazard Identification
     iii. Where are the hazards experienced?
     iv. What are your biggest concerns?
IV. Hazard Mitigation Strategy
     i. Types of Mitigation Actions
     ii. What are your recommendations for hazard mitigation?
     iii. Review of actions
V. Plan Review
     i. What to expect and how to review