City of Medina, Washington Hazard Mitigation Strategy

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1 City of Medina, Washington Hazard Mitigation Strategy Jurisdiction Profile The City of Medina was incorporated in This 1.4 square mile residential community is located approximately two miles west of Interstate 405 along State Route 520 and north of Interstate 90, on the east side of and bordering Lake Washington. The 2,990 (2001) resident population consists of professionals, many of whom are high profile. The city has its own police department who also serves the Town of Hunts Point and contracts with the City of Bellevue for water, sewer and fire protection services. Puget Sound Energy is the provider of gas and electric services. The seven-member, elected Medina City Council is responsible for adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Hazard Identification The City of Medina is vulnerable to numerous technological, natural and human-initiated hazards. Our hazards are the same as those identified in the RHMP Basic Plan HIVA, with the addition of possible seiche hazard, with City of Medina being located on shores of Lake Washington. Primary natural threats to the City of Medina are: Earthquake and possible subsequent seiche, due to City s location on Lake Washington waterfront. Severe Storms Landslides on the steep slopes bordering Lake Washington along Medina s western boundary. Technological hazards would include: Hazardous material spills along State Route 520 or release of petroleum products from one of the two gas stations in the community. Power outages (downed power lines, circuit breaks, substation damage, rolling blackouts, brownouts and interruptions) Boating and plane accidents Sewer overflow into Lake Washington Susceptibility to terrorist attack Unique problems can occur in the area of Medina north of State Route 520, as a result of an event that damages or destroys the Evergreen Point Road overpass. Evergreen Point Road is the only road access to the area north of State Route 520. If the overpass is inoperable fire and emergency vehicles will be unable to reach the Point; evacuation of injured persons by road will not be possible; gas and water pressure will be low or non-existent (the principal gas and water mains are suspended under the overpass); telephone lines will be cut (they also hang beneath the overpass); sewer overflow can occur if power to the Lake Lane lift pump is interrupted and Puget Sound Energy trucks cannot reach the pump to supply emergency power; and the damage survey by City

2 Staff will be greatly hampered. Identical problems will also exist on Hunts Point if the 84 th Avenue overpass is destroyed. A unique hazard in the City of Medina is that of the possibility of a seiche, following an earthquake event, due to the waterfront location. Other hazards in the community are the same as those as identified in the RHMP Basic Plan HIVA. Hazard History The City of Medina has experienced severe winter storms as well as mudslides in the past. These high frequency storms have created the disruption of electrical service for extended periods of time. The last major event for the City was the significant wind storm in February 2006, which resulted in disruption of electrical service for a period of approximately twenty-four hours and fell trees and tree limbs across streets, throughout the city. The probability of these future events is the same as the county and would be experienced city-wide. The Nisqually earthquake of February 2001, a low to medium frequency event, was felt in Medina and caused minor damage to City Hall/Police Station including, disruption of power, cracked walls and a shift/settling of the building. The Public Works Shop asphalt pavement was also cracked as a result of the earthquake. The probability and extent of this hazard would be the same as the county and would be experienced city-wide. Landslides on western slopes along Lake Washington have occurred with medium frequency and would be experienced mainly in those areas of the city. The probability and extent of this hazard would be the same as those identified in the RHMP Basic Plan HIVA. Regional Goals The City of Medina s goals and objectives are consistent with the regional goals and objectives. Specifically, the City must encourage partnerships and increase public awareness to reduce the obstacles associated with the limited resources of a small organization. Current Mitigation Efforts The City of Medina s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, which includes a Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis, was adopted by the Medina City Council in November 2002, and reviewed by the Emergency Management Division of the State of Washington and found to be consistent with the Washington Administrative Code. The plan was found to meet the criteria of WAC and RCW The City of Medina is moving forward with its mitigation efforts. Funding is through Operating and Capital Budgets as well as available grants. The City of Medina has obtained a grant for a mobile communications vehicle, to be used as an Emergency

3 Operations Center, in the event of a disaster. An additional grant award was received for interoperable communications equipment and other funding opportunities are being pursued. The City of Medina has a highly-involved group of resident volunteers who serve as the Emergency Services Committee. The Emergency Services Committee includes seven subcommittees (Basic Needs; Communications; Fire, Search & Rescue; Medical; Safety & Security; Public Works; and Neighborhood Preparedness). Medina has a strong and involved group of HAM Radio Operators, who participate in local drills. The City frequently uses its website, newsletter and community events for increasing public awareness and educating the public about emergency services and preparedness. Through support from the City of Bellevue Fire Department, citizens are encouraged to organize emergency preparedness efforts at the individual and neighborhood levels. City staff frequently attend meetings and training to enhance our understanding of the regional plans within Zone 1 and all of King County. Mitigation Strategies and Prioritization The City of Medina will implement its strategy through Operating and Capital Budgets, private donations and grant funds as available. Large projects will be implemented over multiple budget cycles or as funding becomes available. Priorities are numbered 1 3 with number 1 being of the highest priority for benefit during disasters. Implementation will be based on prioritization and availability of funding. Implementation of these initiatives will require outside funding assistance to fully realize their benefits within a reasonable timeframe. Without additional funding, the City of Medina will continue to maintain its level of disaster mitigation preparedness and continue to explore other avenues of funding in order to improve this preparedness level. Medina will continue to be involved in regional planning and mutual aid agreements with neighboring agencies. Due to limited City resources, outside funding will be pursued whenever opportunities arise. Medina will integrate proposed mitigation projects and strategies into all current and future City plans and policies, providing partial or full funding as time and financial conditions allow.

4 The focus of Medina s future mitigation efforts will be: Earthquake and Possible Subsequent Seiche, due to City s location on Lake Washington waterfront Education and training, to include evacuation procedures, in the event of a seiche. Bring Medina City Hall, Police Station and Public Works Shop compliant with current seismic standards, continuing training of staff and volunteers, CERT Program, beginning in August Acquisition of food, equipment and supplies that will enhance the City s ability to protect life and property, continue City services, and preserve natural systems and resources. Development of agreements with local schools, churches and community organizations for use of their facilities as shelters, medical triage and other emergency response needs. Construction of storage facilities for emergency equipment and supplies placed at strategic locations throughout the community Severe Storms Dangerous tree trimming program, training and education with PSE, back up generators. Landslides on the steep slopes bordering Lake Washington along Medina s western boundary Mitigation plans in new construction, enforcing building codes for all current construction, education of community through written communication in city newsletters as well as local programs addressing the issue. Technological Hazards and Mitigation Efforts would include: Hazardous Material Spills Along State Route 520 or release of petroleum products from one of the two gas stations in the community Education of staff and community in emergency preparedness roles and procedures CERT Program which will begin in Medina and Hunts Point in August Power Outages (downed power lines, circuit breaks, substation damage, rolling blackouts, brownouts and interruptions) generator back up. Boating and Plane Accidents Alliance with Mercer Island Marine Patrol, distribution of boating safety to community, training and education for response to emergencies. Sewer Overflow into Lake Washington Elert Program to notify residents of emergency, emergency radio communication, radios for which will be distributed to area leaders in the community in coming months, increased public awareness and education. Susceptibility to Terrorist Attack Continuing training and education. Further enhancement of interoperable communications in mobile command vehicle, a shared regional asset, City staff member on EMAC Search for grant funding for response and mitigation of regional terrorist threat. City has received grant funding for a mobile command vehicle, a regional asset, which is being used for mitigation and response to events. City has received grant funding for development of a Terrorism Annex to the City s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, adopted in April 2004.

5 Criteria used for the prioritization of mitigation efforts are: Benefit/cost Review Support Life and Safety Continuity of Government Services Public Education and Awareness Benefit Cost Review included replacement costs for critical facilities and equipment at 2006 estimated prices and estimation of a single life saved as $2.3 million (figure used following the World Trade Center Terrorist attack). A ratio more favorable than 1 to 1 was necessary for projects to be considered in the City s strategy. Plan Development and Implementation A consultant, Linda Nosen was hired by the City of Medina to complete its Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, which was adopted in November Many of the elements for the Hazard Mitigation Plan were derived from that document. Existing plans, including the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, studies reports and technical information available were reviewed and incorporated in the City s Hazard Mitigation Plan. The draft of the Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed by the City Manager as the Project Lead and the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. Review was completed by City Staff as well as the Medina Emergency Committee, a group of Medina residents who will play a vital role in the event of an emergency. The draft plan was publically noticed in the local newspaper and posted on the city s website for public review and comment, prior to a public hearing and opportunity for public comment. All interested parties were involved in the planning process. Further review was accomplished by the Medina City Council, prior to public hearing and opportunity for public comment, during which no comments were received. The plan was adopted in March 2006, by the Medina City Council. The City of Medina has coordinated this plan with Rich Tokarzewski, King County Office of Emergency Management. The City will implement its plan through the sources below, unless and until other sources become available. General Operating Budget State and Federal Grants

6 Public Participation The City s Emergency Committee, which consists of citizen volunteers reviewed and commented on the draft Plan, during the month of February 2006, prior to presentation of the Plan during a public portion of a City Council Meeting in March One comment was received from a Medina Emergency Committee member and no other comments were received at the public hearing in March In addition, the Hazard Mitigation Plan was and will continue to be posted on the City s website, including any and all updates, for public review and comment. All public comments received at any time will be followed up. Plan Adoption Final adoption of the Plan will be during a regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, upon acceptance by the County, State and FEMA. Plan Maintenance The City Manager will be responsible for annual review of Medina s Hazard Mitigation Plan each September, prior to presentation to the City Council for approval. Any changes that are necessary will be presented to the public during the City Council regular meeting in September, for public comment. The Plan will also be reviewed after disaster events. The City will send a report to King County, as holder of the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which will address any changes made to the City s Plan. The Regional Plan will be sent to the State on an annual basis in November of each year. The City Council will be notified of any administrative changes or updates but substantive and legal changes would require adoption of a resolution.