“the process begins…” Disaster Planning Workshop Bristol, VT Prepared by: Tim Boutin Senior Planner Addison Regional Planning Commission WINTER STORM

Disaster Planning Workshop Weather Update :  It’s a cold March day in Addison County but early morning forecasts are calling for a warm front to move in from the Ohio Valley following a short snow shower. This should give everyone a break from the freezing temperatures we’ve had for the past week.

At 09:00 AM conditions in Bristol are as follows:  Skies are overcast.  There is a light breeze from the southwest  Temperature is 15 F, without wind chill.  A few flakes are just starting to fall.

12:00 the plot thickens n During the past 2 hours, precipitation has been falling in a mixture of wet snow and sleet in Bristol. n At 12:05 the weather radio in your office beeps and a winter storm warning is broadcast: The front has stalled over Vermont and there is a strong potential for pockets of freezing rain in the Champlain Valley.

12:30 Road Conditions in Bristol Starksboro and Monkton n Reports have been received that paved roads are ice covered and an icy slush mixture is beginning to build up. n Dirt roads are extremely slippery and most inclines are no longer able to be made.

Conditions in Lincoln n Most students chose to go out at lunch and the 6” of heavy snow is rapidly degenerating into snow forts and snowmen. n The snow is beginning to build up on the town roads and plows are starting to fall behind.

Conditions in New Haven n A freezing drizzle has been falling for the past half hour. The trees in the Beeman front yard are beginning to take on a fairy tale appearance as ice is beginning to build up on branches n You notice town trucks are beginning to spread salt and the driving doesn’t look good.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Close School? Who makes the decision? (local or Supt) How is transportation activated? How are parents notified? What do you do with students whose parents can’t be reached?

Oh Oh…. Problems! n Bet-cha calls the central office and reports that – “ A large tree has fallen across Route 116 north of the intersection with Route 17 in Starksboro. VTrans has been called but the road is effectively closed for now.” 15 mintues later: n A second call from Bet-Cha – “Somebody has to do something about these roads. We have two busses off the road and we are suspending operations until roads improve.”

Conditions Update: The band of freezing rain has slowly worked its way upward in elevation from the valley to the mountains. You are hearing sirens almost constantly as first responders have their hands full.

2 hours later  Ice has continued to form. Vermont is in a state of disaster.  The primary transmission line between Rutland and New Haven has collapsed and power is out throughout the region.  Your school is also without power and the ice continues to build up.  Communiucations from town highway departments, Bet-cha and State Police indicate that you should expect to keep your students over-night.

ISSUES TO CONSIDER… Some parents want to come to pick up their kids.Some parents want to come to pick up their kids. Your school has been designated as an evacuation shelter for the townYour school has been designated as an evacuation shelter for the town Do you have a generator?Do you have a generator? Who can you call for assistance?Who can you call for assistance?

ISSUES CONTINUED… Water, Food, Cots, Blankets?Water, Food, Cots, Blankets? Staff feels the need to go home and make sure their family is safe.Staff feels the need to go home and make sure their family is safe. How do you accept evacuees and still insure student security?How do you accept evacuees and still insure student security?

END OF EXERCISE

Debriefing n Who was involved? n Who was in charge? n Issues n What went well? n What would you do differently? n Where do you go from here? n General comments?