HAZARD VULNERABILITY ASSESMENT

APPLICATION
Submit with Development Application or other permit application form(s)

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE APPLICANT

On behalf of the Planning Authority, the Town and Country Planning Department requires that a
Hazard Vulnerability Assessment be conducted due to the hazards of concern related to your proposed
development as listed below:

- Or-

Personal/Voluntary Request for a hazard assessment, please complete the application and also
identify any additional information that you have regarding proposed development or specific concerns
as listed below.

Potential Landslide Risk General: Land uses

Storm surge risks due to
due to Steep Slope and/or proposed in designated
the proximity to coastline
proximity to ghut vulnerable areas
Drainage issues due to
Erosion and Sediment
proximity to ghut and/or to
Control
steep slope
Excessive Excavation or
inadequate information
Drainage Issues
supplied for slope stability
Other issues identified:
mitigation measures
Slope Stability issues due Drainage Issues as
to nature of topography and related to Septic Tank
adjacent lands uses Location
Potential Flood Prone Seismic Impacts due to
Area location of development

A copy of your planning application and plans must be submitted to the Department of Disaster
Management (DDM) before an assessment can begin.

The report will be completed within two (2 weeks) of submittal to the DDM. If further time is needed
due to insufficient information or other defined reasons, the applicant will be contacted. For further
information, please contact the Senior Technical Planning Manager or the Technical Planning Officer at
(284) 468-4200 or at 468-4204.

Signed by: ___________________________ (TCPD Officer or Personal Applicant)

Date:________________________________
 Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Application
Project Name: ________________ Date: ______________

Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Application

Project Name:
Project Location: _____________________________

Parcel: __________ Block No:____________

Application No.: Project Descriptions:

Date HVA Requested and Submitted to DDM: To be completed by DDM: HVA Completion Date

Owner's Name:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Owner's address, phone #, and email:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Authorized Agent:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address, Phone #, and email of authorized agent:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paid: ________ Please Collect Payment: ________ Receipt No.: _____________

Department of Disaster Management | Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Form 2

 Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Application
Project Name: ________________ Date: ______________

HVA within the Development Application Process

Assessment is complete.
This report is packaged
with storm water
management & erosion
Mapping and control guidelines.
Site visit is Analysis is done
Application is organized with using GIS.
vetted by the Applicant/
Data is
DDM and site Agent. This is extracted from
identified necessary to the maps in Agent submits HVA to
using the assess site addition to TCP
National GIS. conditions and historical
validate hazard data &
observations
hazard data made from site
visit.
Planning Authority
determines Conditions for
Approval or Denial.

Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Report Background Information

Introduction
This report contains high level assessments of hazards relating to some natural or man-made events
that may affect this property. The report is based on geological mapping and scientific models. The
report does not replace a site investigation or an engineering report. The purpose of the hazard
report is to provide a better understanding of the hazards that may affect a property.

What is the purpose of this report?

You may be looking for more background information on natural and man-made hazards that may
occur. This report will contains information on natural hazards in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and
explains the meaning of the expressions used in the Hazard Vulnerability Assessment.

What is a natural hazard?

A natural hazard is a process taking place in the natural environment that potentially impacts on
human life, property, or both. More specifically the term “natural hazard” refers to atmospheric (e.g
cyclones), hydrologic (e.g. flooding), and geologic (e.g. earthquake or volcanic eruption). The qualifier
"natural" eliminates such exclusively man-made phenomena as pollution, noise and chemical
contamination. “Natural hazard is a process taking place in the natural environment that potentially
impacts on human life, property, or both”

Department of Disaster Management | Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Form 3

 Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Application
Project Name: ________________ Date: ______________

What are common hazards in the British Virgin Islands?

Hazards having a human and financial impact on BVI are:
• Landslides
• Flooding
• Earthquakes
• Coastal hazards
• Climate and weather related hazards

When is a hazard of concern?

A hazard assessment is based around three major elements:
• The susceptibility of an area to specific hazard;
• The likely strength or intensity of an event when it occurs (ie what is the potential for
damage); and
• The likelihood or chance of such an event occurring.

The Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Report primarily assesses the “susceptibility” of an area to a
hazard. When sufficient information is available on the intensity and likelihood of such an event
occurring, an indication of the level of “risk” is provided.

A hazard is of concern when the area is susceptible to the hazard, the hazard can result in
considerable damage and the chance of the event occurring is high (“high risk”). Sometimes the risk
can not be fully assessed due to insufficient information. In that case the assessment is limited to
“susceptibility” instead of “risk”. It should also be noted that “risk” is a technical term. The “perceived”
risk by communities may differ from the risk as calculated by experts. Tolerance of risk also differs
from person to person. Hence the information provided in the Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
Report is as inclusive as possible enabling individuals to validate their own assessment.

Department of Disaster Management | Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Form 4