When 11 inches of rain fell in Cranston between Sept. 4 and 5, flooding was a major concern for the city and residents. Planning Director Jason Pezzullo noted that the city did okay in the storm and, while there was some damage, the sewage and drainage systems worked well. To stay prepared for natural disasters, the city follows a hazard mitigation plan; a new draft of the plan was posted on the city’s website Monday and proposes projects such to reduce flooding on certain roads, increase public education on hazard mitigation and relocate three aging fire stations.

Pezzullo said Cranston residents can review and offer comments on the hazard mitigation plan until Oct. 14. The suggestions will then be weaved into the draft before presenting the plan to the City Council at the Oct. 24 meeting. If approved by the council, a resolution will be made to accept the plan and send it to the federal government.

Cranston’s hazard mitigation plan was last updated in 2015 and identifies mitigation goals to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property in Cranston from impacts of future natural hazards and disasters.

The 14 members of Cranston’s Hazard Mitigation Committee (HMC) recently completed document updates; members are selected from various departments within the city.  Pezzullo said the city works with Police, Fire, the Department of Public Works and the Traffic Safety Division to look at the city’s strengths and weaknesses.

According to the draft, Cranston is vulnerable to diverse events including flooding, hurricanes, Nor’easters, high winds and winter storms.

In the hazard mitigation plan draft, HMC re-ranked the city’s hazards and created a public survey to capture local residents’ perceptions on natural hazards. Over 100 individuals responded to the survey and most were concerned about street flooding from heavy rain, hurricanes, winter storms and high winds.

The draft also lists proposed mitigation actions of medium and high priority. The first high priority looks at addressing ongoing flooding at Wedge Street; this would be a long term project (over five years) with an estimated cost of $1 million. The draft lists three potential solutions to solve the issue: remove sediment and conduct streambed restoration in Meshanticut Brook tributaries; design and install a higher capacity storm water collection and conveyance system; and install upstream sedimentation control measures.

The draft also proposes rebuilding the Mayflower, Howard and Plainfield pump stations and elevating pump station generators. According to the plan, the Mayflower pump station is at risk of inland flooding from the Pawtuxet River and sea level rise and the Howard pump station is in the floodplain; localized flood impacts are likely for the Plainfield pump stations. This project would see a three to five year time frame with an estimated cost of $4 million for the three station rebuilds and elevating generators.

The plan also suggests developing public education and outreach programs on disaster mitigation and preparedness as a high priority. This project would be short term (three to five years) with an estimated cost of $35,000. The last high priority item is coordinating with National Grid on more frequent tree trimming around power lines.

Medium priority items include relocating three aging fire stations into larger facilities to accommodate equipment and staff. This project would be long term (more than five years) with an estimated cost of $9 million for fire headquarters and $5 million per station. Potential funding sources include Cranston Capital Improvements, Operating Budget, Federal Infrastructure Bill (ARPA) and Federal funding for improved air quality. The draft noted that assessments need to be conducted and locations should be found.

The plan also proposes converting city and state land between Interstate 295 and Warren Avenue to wetlands/floodplains to increase floodplain capacity. This short term project has an estimated cost of $3 million, and the city is currently working on a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for $300,000 to complete engineering and plans. FEMA, Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIDEM), HMGP and BRIC funding are listed as potential funding sources.

Other medium priorities include the following: completing hydraulic mapping of the storm water drainage system; enhancing storm water education by publishing seasonal reminders on keeping catch basins clean; implementing a Small Business Hazard Mitigation Training and Disaster Outreach Program; continuing buyouts along Meshanticut Brook, Pocasset and Pawtuxet Rivers; and elevating utilities for Rhodes on the Pawtuxet since its basement has flooded multiple times.

The final plan will be submitted to RIEMA and FEMA. The updated plan will also be incorporated into the next Comprehensive Plan and used as a reference for City officials when they are considering climate resiliency projects; the plan also increases the city’s eligibility for federal hazard mitigation grants.

A draft of the hazard mitigation plan can be found on the city’s website under the Planning Department’s page. Scroll down the middle column and individuals will see “Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan 2022.” Feedback can be sent to Jason Pezzullo at jpezzullo@cranstonri.gov.