5.2 IDENTIFICATION OF NATURAL HAZARDS OF CONCERN

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1 5.2 IDENTIFICATION OF NATURAL HAZARDS OF CONCERN T prvide a strng fundatin fr mitigatin strategies cnsidered in Sectin 6.0, Burlingtn Cunty cnsidered a full range f natural hazards that culd impact the area, and then identified and ranked thse hazards that presented the greatest cncern. The natural hazard f cncern identificatin prcess incrprated input frm the Cunty and participating jurisdictins; review f the State f New Jersey Mitigatin Plan (NJ HMP) and previus hazard identificatin effrts; research and lcal, state, and federal infrmatin n the frequency, magnitude, and csts assciated with the varius hazards that have previusly, r culd feasibly, impact the regin; and qualitative r anecdtal s f Cncern are defined as thse hazards that are cnsidered mst likely t impact a cmmunity. These are identified using available data and lcal knwledge. infrmatin regarding natural hazards and the perceived vulnerability f the study area s assets t them. Table dcuments the prcess f identifying the natural hazards f cncern fr further prfiling and evaluatin. Fr the purpses f this planning effrt, the Planning Cmmittee chse t grup sme natural hazards tgether, based n the similarity f hazard events, their typical cncurrence r their impacts, cnsideratin f hw hazards have been gruped in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidance dcuments (FEMA 386-1, Understanding Yur Risks, Identifying s and Estimating Lsses; FEMA s Multi- Identificatin and Risk Assessment The Crnerstne f the Natinal Mitigatin Strategy ), and cnsideratin f hazard gruping in the NJ HMP. The Fld hazard includes riverine flding, flash flding, castal flding, and dam flding. Other types f flding such as ice jam d nt typically ccur within the Cunty; therefre, it will nt be further cnsidered fr inclusin within this HMP. Inclusin f the varius frms f flding under a general Fld hazard is cnsistent with that used in FEMA s Multi- Identificatin and Risk Assessment guidance. The Severe Strm hazard includes windstrms that ften entail a variety f ther influencing weather cnditins including thunderstrms, hail, lightning and trnads. Since trpical disturbances are identified as a type f severe strm event, this hazard als includes trpical cyclne events (hurricanes, trpical strms and trpical depressins). Trpical cyclnes were nt gruped as a separate hazard, because the Cunty felt that these types f events d nt directly impact the area n a frequent basis and that expsure and risk f such events are minimal in cmparisn t cmmunities alng the New Jersey castline. Hwever, this was fund t be an exceptin fr certain trpical events that created a reginal impact upn the State, such as Hurricane Irene (2011), Trpical Strm Lee (2011) and Hurricane Sandy (2012), as further discussed in Sectin Severe Strm f this HMP. The Severe Winter Strm hazard includes heavy snwfall, blizzards, freezing rain/sleet, ice strms, and extra-trpical cyclnes (nr easters and severe winter lw-pressure systems). Extra-trpical events generally ccur during winter weather mnths; therefre, fr the purpse f this HMP, all such events are t be gruped within this hazard. Althugh nt all extra-trpical events, such as Nr Easters, ccur during the winter, they will remain gruped within this hazard categry t avid duplicatin f events in hazard prfiles. Please nte that technlgical [e.g. hazardus material incidents] and man-made hazards (e.g. terrrism) are nt being addressed in this planning prcess. The DMA 2000 regulatins d nt require cnsideratin f such hazards and due t a limited schedule and funding, these were nt chsen fr inclusin in this plan by the Cunty and planning participants. DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Atlantic 4 Planning Area, New Jersey MONTH 2013

2 Table Identificatin f Natural s f Cncern fr Burlingtn Cunty t Avalanche N N Castal Ersin Drught The NJ HMP des nt identify avalanche as a hazard f cncern fr New Jersey. The tpgraphy and climate f Burlingtn Cunty des nt supprt the ccurrence f an avalanche event. New Jersey in general has a very lw ccurrence f avalanche events based n statistics prvided by Natinal Avalanche Center American Avalanche Assciatin (NAC-AAA) between 1950 and The NJ HMP identifies castal ersin as a hazard f cncern fr NJ. Cunties bunded by castal waters are mst affected by castal ersin. A prtin f Burlingtn Cunty is lcated within the CAFRA area (Twnship f Bass River). Castal ersin may ccur because it is tidally influenced. A majrity f the Cunty is lcated alng the Delaware River where it is densely ppulated and in sme areas, heavily industrialized. The Planning Cmmittee identified castal ersin as a significant cncern affecting several municipalities within the Cunty The NJ HMP identifies drught as a hazard f cncern fr New Jersey. The NJHMP indicated that Burlingtn Cunty experienced drught events during the fllwing time perids: March 1995 December 1998 January 1999 July-September 1999 Nvember-December 2001 January-July 2002 September - Octber 2002 September 2005 May-July 2006 Burlingtn Cunty is lcated in the Suthern Climate Divisins. Perids f severe and/r extreme drught in this divisin includes: January-February 1931 May 1965-August 1966 March-June 1985 Nvember-December 1998 Review f NAC-AAA database between 1998 and Planning Cmmittee FEMA NRCC Planning Cmmittee DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Update Burlingtn Cunty, New Jersey 5.2-2

3 t July-September 2002 August-September 2010 Burlingtn Cunty has been included in ne FEMA Disaster Declaratin fr a drught event: FEMA-EM-3083 Water Shrtage Octber 1980 Earthquake Expansive Sils N N Extreme Temperature N N The NJ HMP identifies earthquake as a hazard f cncern fr NJ. Althugh they are knwn t ccur n a regular basis, recrds indicate that n majr earthquakes have struck the state since the establishment f histrical recrd-keeping (1500 s). Between 1783 and 2012, there have been 179 earthquakes with epicenters in New Jersey. Of thse 179 earthquakes, eight had epicenters in Burlingtn Cunty. Accrding t the USGS seismic hazard maps, the PGA with a 10% prbability f exceedance ver 50 years fr Burlingtn Cunty is between 2%g and 4%g. FEMA s Hw-T Guide recmmends that earthquakes be cnsidered fr further evaluatin in the planning prcess in areas where the PGA is ver 2%g. The NJ HMP des nt identify expansive sils as a hazard f cncern fr NJ. USGS indicated that in Burlingtn Cunty, 50% r less f the sils cnsist f clay that has slight t mderate ptential f swelling, with sme areas underlain by sils with little t n clays with swelling ptential. The NJ HMP identifies extreme heat as a hazard f cncern fr NJ citing 61 extreme heat events between 1950 and The NJ HMP als identifies extreme cld as a hazard f cncern fr NJ. NOAA-NCDC indicated that between 2008 and 2013, Burlingtn Cunty did nt experience any excessive heat r extreme cld events. Accrding t SHELDUS, there were fur heat events that ccurred between 2009 and 2012 that resulted in ne fatality and 13 injuries. Extreme temperature events have ccurred in Burlingtn Cunty and will cntinue t ccur. Hwever, damages assciated with extreme temperature events are primarily health impacts, an increased need fr heating and cling centers, impacts n FEMA NJGWS USGS NJDEP Planning Cmmittee Review f USGS 1989 Swelling Clays Map f the Cnterminus United States. Planning Cmmittee SHELDUS NOAA NCDC Planning Cmmittee DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Update Burlingtn Cunty, New Jersey 5.2-3

4 t livestck and agriculture, and increased demand fr electricity. Extreme temperatures are generally a reginal hazard event, affecting a large swath f cunties and/r states simultaneusly. Many surces have indicated that all cunties f NJ have experienced extreme temperature events (heat waves r cld temperatures). Mst recent events: February 1996 Extreme Cld thrughut NJ. Blackwell Mills experienced temperatures near -8 F July 1997 Excessive Heat effecting 16 cunties (25 injuries) July 1999 All NJ cunties affected by a Heat Wave, with 17 fatalities and 160 injuries. The heat in SC resulted in 10 Injuries and 1 death. Smerville experienced temperatures near 103 F. January 2000 Extremely cld temperatures and wind chills August 2001 Heat wave July 2002 Heat wave January 2003 Extreme Cld, resulting in 1 fatality and 7 injuries in the state. January 2004 Extremely cld temperatures and wind chills July-August 2006 Heat wave; entire tri-state area under excessive heat warning. NJ experienced 41 injuries. January 2009 Extreme cld, reprted temperature f -2 degrees F in Basking Ridge June 2011 Extreme heat, resulting in 1 injury in SC. July 2011 Extreme heat resulting in 3 injuries in SC. 104 degree temperatures were recrded in Smerville. The NOAA-NCDC strm event database indicated that SC has been a part f 78 temperature extremes. All these events included ther cunties r the entire state. Fld (Riverine, Flash, Castal and Dam Flding) stated that flding is NJ s mst cmmn majr natural hazard. The NJ HMP cited that between 1996 and 2010, 1,169 fld events were reprted in New Jersey, with ver $1.82 billin in damages. Burlingtn Cunty has been issued five FEMA Disaster Declaratins fr flding assciated with varius strm events (severe strms, snwstrm, severe winter strm). These events include the fllwing: FEMA-DR-1530 Severe Strms and Flding July 2004 NJ HMP FEMA NOAA NCDC Burlingtn Cunty GIS Planning Cmmittee DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Update Burlingtn Cunty, New Jersey 5.2-4

5 t FEMA-DR-1694 Severe Strms and Flding April 2007 FEMA-DR-1873 Snwstrm February 2010 FEMA-DR Severe Winter Strm and Snwstrm March 2010 FEMA-DR-1897 Severe Strms and Flding April 2010 Apprximately 19% f Burlingtn Cunty s ttal area is lcated in an A-Zne (97,640 acres); 1.4% in a V-Zne (7,356 acres); 21% in a 500-year fld area (108,514 acres); and 16% in a D-Zne (84,091 acres). Accrding t NOAA NCDC strm database, between 1996 and 2013, Burlingtn Cunty experienced 54 fld events. Hailstrm Please see Severe Strm Hurricane (and ther Trpical Cyclnes) Please see Severe Strm and Fld Ice Jams N Please see Fld Ice Strm Please see Severe Winter Strm Infestatin N N Land Subsidence N Landslide The NJ HMP des nt identify infestatin as a hazard f cncern fr the State f New Jersey. Althugh sme infestatins f ticks, msquites, and/r ther types f pest may be present, n surces indicate that this is a majr hazard f cncern fr the Cunty. indicates NJ is vulnerable t land subsidence; the sil cllapse sinkhle is the mst cncerned type f sinkhle fr NJ. des nt identify Burlingtn Cunty as an area that has experienced significant land subsidence in the past. In general, areas with narrw bands f carbnate rck are prne t sinkhles and subsidence. The NJ HMP identifies landslide as a hazard f cncern fr NJ. USGS indicates within the Natinal Atlas Map Maker prgram that the Cunty has a mderate susceptibility/lw incidence t landslides alng the nrthwestern mst edge, and lw incidence (r less than 1.5% f the area is susceptible) thrughut the remainder f the Cunty. NJGWS prvides fur recrded landslides within Burlingtn Cunty: May 4, 1893 Debris flw due t heavy rain in Brdentwn Planning Cmmittee Planning Cmmittee NJGWS NatinalAtlas.gv (USGS) Planning Cmmittee DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Update Burlingtn Cunty, New Jersey 5.2-5

6 t Twnship Unknwn Date Debris flw due t heavy rain in Brdentwn Twnship Unknwn Date Debris flw due t quarrying in Burlingtn Twnship Unknwn Date Debris flw due t heavy rain in Suthamptn Twnship Nr Easters Please see Severe Winter Strm and Fld Severe Strm (Windstrms, Thunderstrms, Hail, Lightning, Trnads and Hurricanes,) identifies thunderstrms, lightning, trnades, hurricanes and extreme winds as hazards f cncern fr NJ. Burlingtn Cunty has been issued eight FEMA Disaster Declaratins fr severe strm-related events (flding and hurricane). These events include the fllwing: FEMA-EM-3148 Hurricane Flyd September 1999 FEMA-DR-1530 Severe Strms and Flding July 2004 FEMA-DR-1694 Severe Strms and Inland/Castal Flding April 2007 FEMA-DR-1897 Severe Strms and Flding March- April 2010 FEMA-DR-4021 Hurricane Irene August-September 2011 FEMA-DR-4086 Hurricane Sandy Octber 2012 Between 1950 and 2012, Burlingtn Cunty experienced 18 trnades. FEMA SPC ONJSC Planning Cmmittee Severe Winter Strm (Heavy Snw, Blizzards, Freezing Rain/Sleet, Nr Easters, Ice Strms) indicates winter strms are significant hazards that impact NJ. ONJSC indicated that nrmal seasnal snwfall fr Burlingtn Cunty ranges frm 14.4 inches t 21.8 inches. Burlingtn Cunty has been issued five FEMA Disaster Declaratins fr winter strm-related events (severe blizzard, snw, snwstrm, and severe winter strm). These events include the fllwing: FEMA-EM-3106 Severe Blizzard March 1993 FEMA-EM-3181 Snw February 2003 FEMA-DR-1873 Snwstrm December 2009 FEMA-DR-1889 Severe Winter Strm and Snwstrm February 2010 FEMA-DR-1954 Severe Winter Strm and Snwstrm ONJSC NWS FEMA NOAA NCDC Planning Cmmittee DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Update Burlingtn Cunty, New Jersey 5.2-6

7 t December 2010 The NOAA-NCDC Strm Events Database indicated that between 1996 and 2013, Burlingtn Cunty experienced 27 winter strm events (heavy snw, winter weather, and winter strm). Trnad Please see Severe Strm Tsunami N Vlcan N N Wildfire The NJ HMP des nt identify tsunami as a hazard f cncern fr NJ; hwever, tsunamis are discussed and it is indicated that that there is n recrd f the generatin f a catastrphic Atlantic Basin tsunami that has impacted the mid-atlantic castline. Over the past 200 years, the Atlantic and Gulf Casts have experienced very few tsunamis. The prbability f a large tsunami impacting the castal areas f New Jersey is believed t be small, hwever earthquake activity alng the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is recgnized as having the ptential t pse sme level f tsunami risk t the Atlantic seabard. NOAA/WDS Tsunami Event Database did nt indicate any tsunami r tsunami-like events that impacted Burlingtn Cunty. Burlingtn Cunty is bunded by castal waters in the sutheastern prtin f the Cunty. Althugh the Cunty is mstly shielded by barrier islands, the impacts frm a tsunami culd flw in thrugh ne f the inlets and up the Mullica River. Hwever, the prbability f a large tsunami impacting the cast f New Jersey and Burlingtn Cunty is very small. The NJ HMP des nt identify vlcan as a hazard f cncern fr the State f New Jersey r its cunties and jurisdictins. Wildfires are nt an uncmmn ccurrence in NJ, especially in the Pine Barrens. Fires which burn mre than 1,000 acres ccur, n average, nce every 10 years in the Pine Barrens. In May 2007, a wildfire alng the brder f Ocean and Burlingtn Cunties burned mre than 12,000 acres (~19 square miles). Between 1929 and 2006, there were 2,233 wildfire incidents in Burlingtn Cunty. They burned ver 42,000 acres and destryed 831 acres. In Burlingtn Cunty, ver 195 square miles are lcated within the extreme wildfire fuel hazard area; ver 11 square miles in the very high area; ver 106 square miles in the high area; ver 86 NOAA / WDS Planning Cmmittee Planning Cmmittee NJFFS NOAA NCDC DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Update Burlingtn Cunty, New Jersey 5.2-7

8 t square miles in the mderate area; and ver 165 square miles in the lw. Accrding t the NOAA-NCDC, a ttal f eight wildfires have ccurred in Burlingtn Cunty between 1996 and Windstrm Please see Severe Strm CAFRA DR EM FEMA HMP NCDC NJ NJDEP NJFFS NJGWS NOAA NRCC ONJSC SHELDUS SPC TSTM USGS Castal Area Facility Review Act Presidential Disaster Declaratin Number Presidential Disaster Emergency Number Federal Emergency Management Agency Mitigatin Plan Natinal Oceanic and Atmspheric Administratin Natinal Climatic Data Center New Jersey New Jersey Department f Envirnmental Prtectin New Jersey Frest Fire Service New Jersey Gelgical and Water Survey Natinal Oceanic and Atmspheric Administratin Nrtheast Reginal Climate Center Office f New Jersey State Climatlgist Spatial Events and Lsses Database fr the U.S. Strm Predictin Center Thunderstrm U.S. Gelgic Survey DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Update Burlingtn Cunty, New Jersey 5.2-8

9 Accrding t input frm the Planning Cmmittee, and review f all available resurces, a ttal f eight natural hazards f cncern were identified as significant hazards affecting the entire cunty, t be addressed at the reginal level in this Plan: Castal Ersin Drught Earthquake Flding (Riverine, Flash, Castal, Dam) Landslides Severe Strm (Hail, Wind, Lightning, Thunderstrm, Trnad, and Hurricane) Severe Winter Strm (Heavy Snw, Blizzard, Freezing Rain/Sleet, Nr Easters, and Ice Strms) Wildfire Other natural hazards f cncern have ccurred within Burlingtn Cunty, but have a lw ptential t ccur and/r result in significant impacts within the Cunty. Therefre, these hazards will nt be further addressed within this versin f the Plan. Hwever, if deemed necessary by the Planning Cmmittee, these hazards may be cnsidered in future versins f the Plan. DMA 2000 Mitigatin Plan Update Burlingtn Cunty, New Jersey 5.2-8

5.2 IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDS OF CONCERN

5.2 IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDS OF CONCERN 2015 HMP Update Changes The 2010 HMP hazard identification was presented in Section 6. For the 2015 HMP update, the hazard identification is presented in subsection