Hazard Mitigation Planning Process: Holden Beach, NC

1. Hazard Mitigation Planning Process: Holden Beach, NC By Eddie Crowell

2. Map available at http://www.ncbrunswick.com/

3. Map available at http://www.env.duke.edu/psds/Hazard_Maps/psds_holden.GIF

4. Hazard Mitigation • Define by FEMA as any sustained action taken to reduce long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards. • Premise- Current dollars invested in mitigation will reduce future dollar for emergency recovery, repair, reconstruction.

5. Stafford Act • 44 CFR 206.405 • (a) General. In order to fulfill the requirement to evaluate natural hazards within the designated area and to take appropriate action to mitigate such hazards, the State shall prepare and implement a hazard mitigation plan or plan update. At a minimum the plan shall contain the following: • ·An evaluation of the natural hazards in the designated area; • ·A description and analysis of the state and local hazard mitigation policies, programs and capabilities to mitigate the hazards in the area; • ·Hazard mitigation goals and objectives and proposed strategies, programs and actions to reduce or avoid long-term vulnerability to hazards; • A method of implementing, monitoring, evaluating and updating the mitigation plan. Such evaluation is to occur at least a 5-year basis to ensure that implementation occurs as planned, and to ensure that the plan remains current.

6. Mitigation Planning • 1. Hazard Identification • 2. Vulnerability Assessment • 3. Community Capacity • 4. Community Goals • 5. Mitigation Strategy

7. Hazard Identification Town of Holden Beach and Analysis Worksheet Type of Hazard and Associated Elements Likelihood of Occurance Intensity Rating (mild, moderate, severe) Impact Index Ranking Natural Hazards Tropical Cyclones Highly Likely Severe Critical 5 Nor'easters Highly Likely Severe Limited 4 Severe Thunderstorms/Windstorms Highly Likely Moderate Negligible 3 Tornadoes Possible Mild Negligible 2 Waterspouts Possible Mild Negligible 2 Winter Storms Possible Mild Negligible 2 Flooding Highly Likely Severe Critical 5 Erosion Highly Likely Severe Limited 4 Tsunamis Highly Unlikely Mild Negligible 1 Landslides Highly Unlikely Mild Negligible 1 Sinkholes Highly Unlikely Mild Negligible 1 Droughts Possible Mild Negligible 2 Extreme Heat Possible Mild Negligible 2 Volcanoes Highly Unlikely Mild Negligible 1 Earthquakes Possible Mild Negligible 2 Groundwater Contimination Possible Mild Negligible 2 Wildfires Highl y Likel y Moderate Negligible 3 Technological Hazards Dam/Levee Failure Highly Unlikely Mild Negligible 1 Hazardous Materials Events Possible Mild Negligible 2 Nuclear Events Highly Unlikely Severe Catastrophic 2

8. Community Capacity • Police Powers- Police power from the state to protect public health, safety and welfare. • CAMA Land Use Plan • Zoning • Building Codes & Subdivision Ordinance • Acquisition • Taxation • Floodway Regulation

9. Community Goals • The following is a list of the goals identified by Holden Beach: Improve Public Awareness, Minimize the Impacts of All Hazards, Minimize the Impacts of Natural Hazard Events on Built Structures, Improve the Town’s Technical Capability, Minimize the Impacts of Flooding, Minimize the Impacts of Erosion, Minimize the Impacts of Drought, Minimize the Impacts of Tornadoes on Life and Property, Minimize the Impacts of Severe Thunderstorms, Protect Groundwater Resources, Minimize the Risk of Fire, Minimize Potential for Damage or Injury Due to Hazardous Materials, and Minimize the Impacts of Nuclear Accidents.

10. Mitigation Strategy There are 5 strategy types and each strategy was classified as one of the five types. ·Preventative – activities that are intended to keep vulnerability from increasing. • ·Property Protection – measures that protect existing structures by modifying buildings to with stand hazardous events, removing structures from hazardous locations, or adopting policy that specifically addresses hazard issues in relation to current property. • ·Natural Resource Protection – activities that reduce the impacts of hazards by preserving or restoring natural areas and their mitigative functions. • ·Structural Projects – projects that are intended to lessen the impact of a hazard by modifying the environment or natural progression of the hazard event. • ·Public Information – activities that are used to advise citizens, business owners, potential property buyers, and visitors about hazards, hazardous areas, and mitigation techniques they can use to protect themselves and their property.

11. Benefits of Hazard Mitigation • Saves lives and property. • Reduces vulnerability to future hazards. • Facilitates post-disaster funding. • Speed recovery. • Demonstrates commitment to community health and safety.