EDA Packet 12.19.17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Disaster Preparedness Natural disasters are sudden and unpredictable. Extreme weather events such as ice storms, extreme heat, tornados and floods can have devastating effects on a community. To prepare, the City should evaluate probable outcomes of these events and continually update its emergency operations plan. The City should also ensure critical infrastructure is backed -up where possible and will continue to function in times of need. Guiding principles of the City's approach to disaster preparedness include: • Ensuring swift, immediate response to disasters • Provide fast and effective recovery efforts • Promote measures to minimize or prevent effects of disasters 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Protecting Critical Diversifying the Energy Supply Infrastructure Electricity In addition to the physical damage caused by natural disasters, energy supply is an important concern due to its critical role in urban infrastructures. In the event of a natural disaster or cyber -attack, lack of electricity could jeopardize systems that provide necessary services like water, sewer, food and potentially vital heating or cooling. Hugo is served by two electric providers, Xcel and Connexus, which provide valuable redundancy in the City's energy supply. In the event that standard systems are down, it is important the City is well-trained to respond and has back-up power sources in place. To accomplish this, the City should: • Regularly train City staff, first responders and maintenance crews in disaster preparedness. • Diversify energy supply and backup infrastructure with solar, natural gas and gasoline generators. • Evaluate the feasibility of backing -up critical infrastructure such as wells, pumps and sewer lift stations with alternate power sources such as the City's existing natural gas network. • Designate safe areas where the City's portable generators and emergency supplies will be located to provide continued support to the public. Solar Solar energy is an independent form of energy that demands less of natural resources. This form of power can be stored and used in times of need by Hugo residents, businesses and institutions, making it a reliable alternate power source. Solar energy also adds to a community's resiliency by lessening its dependence on fossil fuels and other finite energy sources. The dual benefits of solar energy makes it an important resiliency element, thus the City should promote and reduce barriers to its development through policy and goals: RESILIENCE 152