Presentation from second public meeting for New Orleans S&WB Hazard Mitigation Plan.

1. USDA: NRCC Photo Gallery
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Public Meeting #2
March 10th, 2010

2. Agenda
 Introduction Paul G. Seldes, Lambert Engineers, LLC
 About the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
 What is Hazard Mitigation?
 Hazard Mitigation Plan Overview
 Hazard Assessments
 Vulnerability Assessments
 Mitigation Projects
 Updating and Monitoring the Plan
 Continued Public Involvement
 Plan Adoption and Next Steps
 Summary
 Public Comments
 Wrap-Up

4. Team Introductions
 Sewerage and Water Board
 Marcia St. Martin, Executive Director
 Robert Miller, Deputy Director
 Emergency Management Operations
 Jason Higginbotham
 Tom Miller
 Environmental Affairs Division
 Gordon Austin
 Harvey Stern
 Community and Intergovernmental Relations
 Robert Jackson
 Risk Management
 Ike Cameron
 Lambert Engineers
 Paul Seldes, FPEM, CHS-III - Hazard Mitigation Consultant & Project Manager
 Dennis Lambert, PE
 Rich Campanella, GIS Specialist
 Infinity Engineering Consultants
 Michael Leitzinger
 GOHSEP
 Shenetia Henderson-McGee

5. About The
Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
The Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) has been serving citizens and protecting
the environment since 1899. Originally formed to combat disease by providing
safe drinking water and eliminating the health hazards of open sewer ditches,
today the S&WB continues its mission using 21st century technology.
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans consists of the Mayor, the two
at-large council members of the City Council, one district councilman selected by
the Council, two members of the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, and seven
citizen members appointed by the Mayor, in accordance with the law, for
overlapping terms of 9 years.
The S&WB is divided into 3 main areas: Water,
Sewerage and Drainage; serving 101,833
residential customers, 4,503 multi-residential
customers, 12,350 commercial customers and 40
industrial customers for a customer base of
118,726

6. Water

7. Sewer

8. Drainage

9. Hazard Mitigation
80% of New Orleans Flooded

10. What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?
 Any sustained measures undertaken to reduce or
eliminate the risks posed by natural and/or
manmade hazards on a place and its population.
 Hazard Mitigation Plan:
A plan to reduce a jurisdiction’s risk and exposure
to disasters
 Local governments must
have a local hazard mitigation
plan to apply for certain
federal grant programs

11. What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?
Hazard mitigation
measures can include
structural projects…

12. What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?
… non-structural
projects …

13. What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?
…regulatory and policy practices…

14. What is ―Hazard Mitigation‖?
…training and educational programs…

15. What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan?
It all boils down to two basic questions:
1.What hazards present the greatest risk to the
jurisdiction and its citizens?
2.What are the most effective ways to reduce
those risks?

16. Regulatory Requirements
 44 CFR 201 – Code of Federal Regulations
 The Stafford Act - Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act of 1988 (amended by DMA 2000)
 44 CFR 201.6 details the requirements for local hazard
mitigation plans
 Local plans must be submitted to State (GOHSEP) and FEMA for
approval.
 44.CFR.201 requires the plan be updated every 5 years
 More information on HMGP available at
http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/hmgp/index.shtm
 The State of Louisiana Hazard Mitigation Plan:
http://gohsep.la.gov/mitigation/statehazmitplan_08/hazmitigatpln_08.htm

17. The goal is to mitigate the losses from identified
hazards.

18. Why does the Sewerage and Water Board
need a plan?
 The purpose of this project is to develop a Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) that complies with
the HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) and
44.CFR.201.6 and classifies the Sewerage andWater
Board of New Orleans as a single, local jurisdiction.
 As a single, local jurisdiction with a LHMP, the
S&WB can be a direct applicant to the State for
various FEMA grant funding programs and
reimbursements.

19. Planning Process Overview
 There is a lot of jargon that is
used to describe the planning
process. We’ll try to be jargon
free.
 This graphic shows the process
recommended by FEMA. We’ll go
thru this step-by-step.

20. Hazard Mitigation
Simplified 4 Phase Process
Organize
Resources
Implement the
Assess Hazards
Plan & Monitor
& Risks
Progress
Develop a
Mitigation Plan

21. How is the Plan Structured?
 Introduction and process
 Identification of hazards and threats from
natural or manmade sources
 Assessment of risks to populations,
property, economies
 Critical Facility Data
 Assessment of capability for hazard
mitigation
 Action plans to reduce risk
 Plan Implementation and Maintenance

22. Phase 1 – Organize Resources
 Assess Community Support
 Build the Planning Team
 Engage the Public*
 Organize resources and process

23. S&WB Differences
 The S&WB service networks (water, sewer, drainage)
are critical facilities
 Hazards impact the S&WB differently than they
impact the City of New Orleans
 We seek to identify and mitigate the ―systemic‖
impact that represents a risk to public health, safety
and service delivery.

24. Phase 2 – Assess Risks
 Risk assessment answers the fundamental question
that fuels the natural hazard mitigation planning
process: "What would happen if a natural hazard
event occurred in this area?"
 Risk assessment is the process of measuring the
potential loss of life, personal injury, economic injury,
and property damage resulting from natural hazards
by assessing the vulnerability of people, buildings,
and infrastructure to natural hazards.

25. Identified Hazards
Natural Hazards Manmade Hazards
Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone - Terrorism/Civil Unrest
Flood
Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone - Levee Failure
Wind
Flood (other) Hazardous Materials
Earthquake Cyber Attack
Tornado
Pandemic Disaster Aftermath
Severe Thunderstorms
Lightning
Severe Heat/Severe Cold
Storm Surge
Hailstorm
Drought
Subsidence (Erosion, Expansive
Soils)
Wildfire
Winter Storm
Avalanche
Tsunami
Volcano

26. Included Hazards
Hazard Why Identified Probability Impact History
Flood High risk of High High Katrina 2005, Ivan 2005, TS Isidore
occurrence 2002, Lilli 2002
TS Allison 2001, April 1999
flooding
Hailstorm NOLA has recorded Low Low 2002 hailstorm with minimal
the 8th most costly damage to a crane (DPS 6)
hailstorm hazard for
the US
Hazardous Materials Potential for Low High July 23, 2008 – oil spill in river
occurrence and Oct 28, 2008 – oil spill in river
impact to S&WB
assets
Presents systemic
impact to S&WB

27. Hazard Why Identified Proba Impact History
bility
Hurricane/Tropical Region is at High High Katrina 2005, Ivan 2005, TS
Cyclone (Storm) – significant risk for Isidore 2002, Lilli 2002
Flood this hazard event TS Allison 2001
Coastal Storm per historical record
Hurricane/Tropical Region is at High High Katrina 2005, Ivan 2005, TS
Cyclone (Storm) – significant risk for Isidore 2002, Lilli 2002
Wind this hazard event TS Allison 2001
Coastal Storm per historical record

28. Hazard Why Identified Probability Impact History
Levee Failure Catastrophic Low High Katrina 2005
potential impact
Lightning / Severe High probability of High Medium Various
Storm occurrence
/ Thunderstorm
Severe Heat / Severe Exacerbates general Low Low Various
Cold / Winter Storm maintenance and
repair
Saltwater Intrusion Presents systemic Medium Medium Occurrence in mid-1980’s. no
impact to S&WB data currently available.
Storm Surge Catastrophic High High Katrina 2005
potential impact
Subsidence (Erosion) Long term damage Medium Low No data in historical record
Exacerbates damage
by other hazards
Tornado Significant damage Medium Low Two tornados in 2006. No
results damage to S&WB assets in
historical record.
Feb 2007

29. Risk Assessments
Probability
Impact Low Medium High
Flood
Hazardous Materials Hurricane Flood - Hurricane
High
Levee Failure Wind
Storm Surge
Lightning
Medium Salt Water Intrusion Severe Storm
Thunderstorm
Severe Heat/Cold Subsidence
Low Hailstorm
Winter Storm Tornado

30. Risk Assessment
 Each hazard is defined in terms of:
 Description – What is this hazard?
 Past Occurrences – When has this hazard occurred?
 Location – What areas are subject to the hazard?
 Severity – How bad can the hazard get?
 S&WB Impact – What can this hazard do to S&WB assets?
 Probability – How likely is this hazard?

31. Vulnerability Assessment
As part of the assessment we also:
1.Assess relative importance or ―criticality‖ of
facilities
2.Assess risk to facilities from different hazards,
based upon estimated losses
The S&WB network is widespread and complex
and serves as part of the perimeter defense for the City
of New Orleans.

32. Vulnerability Summary
Hazard Vulnerability
Flood Due to the potential for significant flooding (see Figure 26), S&WB
assets located throughout the services area are at risk. The damage or
loss of a single critical asset (pump station, treatment plant, intake),
places greater burden on other system components thereby increasing
the risk to the entire system. Flooding poses a systemic risk with
potential losses dependent on the extent of flooding. Major flooding as
seen after Hurricane Katrina poses potential losses in the hundreds of
millions of dollars. Key factors for losses remain the depth and duration
of flood water.
Hailstorm Hailstorms can occur anywhere in the region and structures and vehicles
are vulnerable to damage. Damage from this hazard tends to be non-
systemic and be repair and maintenance oriented.

33. Hazardous Materials Hazardous spills in close proximity to water intakes remain possible
given the traffic on the Mississippi River. The closure of water intakes
would pose a significant risk to the potable water supply for the S&WB
service area. There is no alternate source of potable water for the
service area. Any loss of water intakes for an extended period would
represent a financial impact beyond measure.
Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone Historically, the New Orleans region is extremely vulnerable to this
(Storm) – Flood hazard. The combined impacts (wind, rain, flood, levee, storm surge)
Coastal Storm place the entire S&WB network in the risk area. See the “Flood” hazard
description above.
Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone Historically, the New Orleans region is extremely vulnerable to this
(Storm) – Wind hazard. The combined impacts (wind, rain, flood, levee, storm surge)
Coastal Storm place the entire S&WB network in the risk area. The standing HV power
lines are at risk from wind damage. Based on Katrina (2005), $2,000,000
was spent to repair/replace these poles. S&WB buildings are subject to
“typical” structural building damage from storm winds (roof, windows,
wall, etc).
Levee Failure Though unlikely by itself, the resultant flooding from a levee failure
would knock out sections of the S&WB network. The vulnerability of
S&WB assets are consistent with the flood hazard (above).

34. Lightning / Severe Storm Flooding from severe storms and thunderstorms can pose a significant
/ Thunderstorm risk. Heavy rainfall events are not uncommon in the region and assets
vulnerable to flooding are at risk from this hazard. Lightning strikes in
the region are also fairly common. HV equipment and system are
vulnerable to over voltage and voltage spikes. Aside from flood
potential, most vulnerability remains similar to the flood hazard (above)
Severe Heat / Severe Cold / The infrastructure (pipes, valves, etc) are subject to damage from
Winter Storm extended freeze events. Some equipment is subject to overheating
during extended heat event. This hazard tends to be non-systemic and
repair/maintenance oriented.
Saltwater Intrusion Depending on the proximity of a salt water ridge to water intakes and
the concentration levels of sodium chloride, the entire potable water
system is vulnerable. Loss of the potable water system is a financial
impact beyond value.
Storm Surge Given the high risk of tropical storms, storm surge poses the same issues
as flood and levee failure for S&WB assets.

35. Subsidence (Erosion) This hazard poses a risk to all underground infrastructure (pipes, mains,
valves). As this is a slow process, the issue is non-systemic.
Tornado The region has a moderate risk for tornados given the national averages
(see Figure 36). Structures and assets can be struck but a) the damage
tends to be non-systemic, and b) the region tends to experience minor
F0-F2 events.

36. Phase 3 – Develop a Mitigation Plan
 The data gathered in the previous phases and the information
revealed in the hazard profiles and loss estimation will be used to
develop mitigation goals and objectives.
 Mitigation goals are guidelines that explain what you want to
achieve.
 Mitigation objectives are statements that detail how those goals
will be achieved.

37. Develop a Mitigation Plan
 Range of actions considered
 Stormproofing Pumping Stations
 Policy and Organizational Changes
 Enhance/Expand Power Generation
 Protect critical network components
 Analysis of mitigation actions
 Prioritization Methodology

38. Mitigation Actions
74 identified mitigation projects
•4 projects completed
•63 projects related to Sewer Pumping Stations
•3 projects related to policy or procedure issues
•5 projects with undefined timelines
•35 projects scheduled for completion in 2010
Total of Estimated Amounts for projects is $98,184,480

39. Phase 4 – Implement the Plan
and Monitor Progress

40. Implement the Plan
Adopt the mitigation
plan
Implement the plan
Revise the plan
recommendations
Evaluate your planning
results

41. Monitor and Update the Plan
 The plan is typically a ―living‖ document
 44.CFR.201.6 requires that plans are updated every 5
years
 The plan should also be evaluated and revised
following actual disasters
 When updating the plan we also evaluate the process
 44.CFR.201.6 requires ongoing public involvement
in the update process

42. Plan Adoption
 Draft Plan concept reviewed and approved by S&WB
Infrastructure Committee on 3/3/2010
 Draft Plan to be reviewed by Sewerage and Water
Board Directors 3/17/2010
 Informal submission to FEMA and State
 Plan comments from FEMA will be reviewed and
addressed (if any)
 Plan will receive formal adoption from the Board
 State and FEMA formally approve Plan
 End Date forplan will be available onth, 2010
The approved all the above is April 11 the Sewerage
and Water Board website: http://www.swbno.org

43. Summary
Organize
Resources
Implement the
Assess Hazards
Plan & Monitor
& Risks
Progress
Develop a
Mitigation Plan

44. Public Comment
 Please complete a speaker comment card
 Speak for up to 3 minutes per speaker
 There will be a 10 minute break before comments

45. Contact
For more information or questions contact:
Mr. Jason Higginbotham
Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
Emergency Management Operations
625 St. Joseph St.—Room 117, NO 70165
(504) 585-2020
 Hazard Mitigation Plan Consultants
 Lambert Engineers, LLC
 Paul G. Seldes – Hazard Mitigation Consultant
pseldes@lambertengineers.net
504-529-7687