Board Of Aldermen

Master Plan

Land Use

Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Risk classification begins with documenting the types of activities occurring within a building or on a

property. Activities occurring within a structure or on an undeveloped property can be used to begin the

process of risk classification. The Nashua Land Use Code establishes the following zoning districts within the

city.

Figure 26. Zoning District Purpose Statements

Rural Residence
(R-40)

A Suburban Residence
(R-30)

B Suburban Residence
(R-18)

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 25. Hurricanes*3

© CAROL 1954

Wildfires

The Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) is the contact zone between undeveloped forested areas and urban
areas. This transitional environment is most susceptible to fire. As people and wildlands come into contact,
conflict arises from the threat of wildfire or from emergency services inadequate to protect rural populations.

Master Plan

Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 24. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Damage Scale

Wind Estimate Typical Damage

Cat 1 74-95 mph

Cat 2 96-110 mph

Cat 3 (Major) 111-129 mph

Cat 4 (Major) 130-156 mph

157 mph or

Cat 5 (Major) Higher

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admiration (NOAA) reports three recorded tropical and extratropical
storms in Nashua dating back to the 1800s.

Figure 23. Tropical and Extratropical Storms*?

@ UNNAMED 1945
Sep 12,1945 to Sep 20, 1945

HURRICANE
UNNAMED 1874

Sep 25, 1874 to

Nashua

x
2
a
&
Q =
=
Ss

Mg,
US

Y%
Vp,

9?

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Severe Winter Weather

Winter storms include blizzards, snowstorms, ice, sleet, freezing rain, and extremely cold temperatures. A
Nor’easter is the biggest threat for winter weather, usually from November through April, causing significant
snowstorms and mixed frozen precipitation. Strong winds are produced that cause coastal flooding and
erosion.

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Infectious Diseases/Pandemic

Master Plan

3

EF-0 65-85
EF-1 86-110
EF-2 111-135
EF-3 136-165
EF-4 166-200
EF-5 > 200

Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 20. Tornado Intensity, Enhanced Fujita Scale

Wind Speed,

Typical Damage

Minor or no damage. Peels surface off some roofs; some damage to
gutters or siding; branches broken off trees; shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
Confirmed tornadoes with no reported damage {i.e., those that remain in
open fields) are always rated EF-0.

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Figure 19. Projected Extreme Heat Days: 90 Degrees Fahrenheit or Greater (2020-2084)*°

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

During these periods, public health impacts include concerns of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and a higher
vulnerability to wildfire. Individuals, especially the elderly, who live in residences without air-conditioning or
if there are electrical service blackouts, are more susceptible to heat-related emergencies. Local water supply
distribution from natural sources can be severely compromised, reducing water supply for firefighting
purposes.

Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH

Earthquakes

An earthquake is caused when the Earth’s crust, composed of a dozen or more rigid plates, bump against one
another. Most earthquakes are the result of strain release along zones of weakness (faults) in response to the
slow motion of those crustal plates.

Damage from an earthquake's impact can be as small as a slight shift or vibration or as serious as sustaining
structural and critical infrastructure damage and/or collapse on a severe scale, including damage to energy
pipelines in the area.