5.2 IDENTIFICATION OF NATURAL HAZARDS OF CONCERN

Transcription

1 5.2 IDENTIFICATION OF NATURAL HAZARDS OF CONCERN To provide a strong foundation for mitigation strategies considered in Sections 6 and 9, County considered a full range of natural s that could impact area, and n identified and ranked those s that presented greatest concern. The natural of concern identification process incorporated input from County and participating jurisdictions; review of 2014 New York State Mitigation Plan Update (NYS HMP); review of 2009 County Mitigation Plan and previous identification efforts; research and local, state, and federal information on frequency, magnitude, and costs associated with various s that have s of Concern is defined as those s that are considered most likely to impact a community. These are identified using available data and local knowledge. previously, or could feasibly, impact region; and qualitative or anecdotal information regarding natural s and perceived vulnerability of study area s assets to m. Table documents process of identifying natural s of concern for furr profiling and evaluation. The Flood includes riverine, flash, ice jam, saturated land failure, and dam break flooding. Or types of flooding such as coastal or urban drainage do not generally occur within County; refore, y were not furr considered for inclusion within HMP. Inclusion of various forms of flooding under a general Flood is consistent with that used in FEMA s Multi- Identification and Risk Assessment guidance. The Severe Storm includes windstorms that often entail a variety of or influencing wear conditions including thunderstorms, hail, lightning and tornadoes. Since tropical disturbances are identified as a type of severe storm event, also includes tropical cyclone events (hurricanes, tropical storms and tropical depressions). Tropical cyclones were not grouped as a separate, because County felt that se types of events do not directly impact County on a frequent basis and that exposure and risk of such events are minimal in comparison to communities along New York coastline. The Severe Winter Storm includes heavy snowfall, blizzards, freezing rain/sleet, ice storms and extra-tropical cyclones (nor easters and severe winter low-pressure systems). Extra-tropical events generally occur during winter wear months; refore, for purpose of HMP, all such events are to be grouped within. Although not all extra-tropical events, such as nor easters, occur during winter, y will remain grouped within category to avoid duplication of events in profiles. This grouping is consistent with that used in NYS HMP, as well as Severe Winter Storm used in FEMA s Multi- Identification and Risk Assessment guidance. These groupings do not change definition of included specific events/s, as defined within FEMA guidance and or risk assessment documents, and does not affect analysis conducted through use of HAZUS-MH, eir directly or as a risk assessment support tool. Please note that technological (for example, ous material incidents) and human-caused s (for example, terrorism) are not being addressed in planning process. The DMA 2000 regulations do not require consideration of such s, and Steering Committee has elected to focus full attention on natural s, particularly flooding, that clearly pose greatest risk to Furr, risks of human-caused and technological s are generally mitigated and/or managed through or regulatory programs and plans. DMA 2000 Mitigation Plan Update County, New York 5.2-1

2 Table Identification of Natural s of Concern for County, New York Is a Avalanche No No Coastal Erosion / Coastal Storm No No Drought ` The NYSHMP does identify avalanche as a of concern for New York State, with occurrences in back country of Adirondack Mountains. There have been no occurrences in The topography and climate of County does not support occurrence of an avalanche event. New York State in general has a very low occurrence of avalanche events based on statistics provided by American Avalanche Association (AAA) between 1950 and The Planning Committee did not identify avalanche has a of concern for The NYS HMP does not identify coastal erosion/coastal storms as a of concern within vicinity of County is not bound by coastal waters; refore, not impacted by coastal storms that result in coastal erosion. Stream bank erosion may occur throughout county as a result of flooding from coastal storms. The Planning Committee did not identify coastal erosion or coastal storms as a affecting The NYS HMP identifies drought as a of concern for New York State. Many statewide drought events, resulting in issued NYS DEC drought warnings/watches, have occurred, which impacted all counties, including County: o October 1994 o June September 1995 o June November 2012 o Drought conditions were also recorded in 1908, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1941, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1964, 1965, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007 The Planning Committee identified drought as a affecting county, both posing a moderately high risk; however, impacts of se events are relatively minor upon Review of NAC-AAA database between 1998 and Planning Committee Input Planning Committee Input USGS NOAA Drought Reporter U.S. Drought Monitor DMA 2000 Mitigation Plan Update County, New York 5.2-2

3 Is a Earthquake Expansive Soils No No Extreme Temperature Flood (Riverine, Flash, Ice Jam and Dam Flooding) The NYS HMP identifies earthquake as a of concern for New York State. Areas within State with a higher seismic risk include; The North and Norast third (1/3) of State (The North Country/Adirondack Region including a portion of Greater Albany-Saratoga region), Souast corner (including greater New York City area and western Long Island), and Northwest corner (including City of Buffalo and vicinity) of State, in that order from higher to lower. According to USGS online seismic maps, peak ground acceleration with a 10% probability of exceedance over 50 years for County is between 3 and 5 % g. FEMA guidance recommends earthquakes are evaluated furr if an area has a 3% g peak acceleration or more. The Planning Committee identified earthquake as posing a low risk to The NYS HMP identifies expansive soils as a of concern for New York State. USGS indicated that County has generally less than 50% of clay having slight to moderate swelling potential that could result in expansive or swelling soils. Due to fact that has no known historical occurrences, County decided not to analyze expansive soils for purpose of Plan. The Planning Committee identified expansive soils as posing a low risk, or no risk, to The NYSHMP identifies extreme temperature as a of concern for New York State. The NOAA-NCDC storm event database indicated that between 2008 and 2014, County had 12 extreme temperature events reported. The coldest temperatures recorded in County include: o -33 F in January 1994 o -30 F in February 1943 The warmest temperatures recorded in County include: o 101 F in July 1955 o 100 in September 1953 The Planning Committee identified extreme temperature as a of concern for The NYSHMP identified flooding as a of concern for New York State. The NOAA-NCDC storm event databased indicated that between 1950 and 2014, County had 96 flooding events that resulted in two deaths and over $9.2 million in property damage. NYCEM USGS Earthquake s Program, Review of USGS Seismic Maps Review of USGS 1989 Swelling Clays Map of Conterminous United States. NOAA-NCDC Storm Events Database Wear.com NOAA-NCDC Storm Events Database FEMA DMA 2000 Mitigation Plan Update County, New York 5.2-3

4 Is a According to FEMA, between 1954 and 2014, County was included in 13 declarations associated with flooding events. o FEMA-DR Flooding o FEMA-DR Severe storms and flooding o FEMA-DR Severe storms and flooding o EMA-DR Severe storms and flooding o FEMA-DR Severe storms, tornadoes and flooding o FEMA-DR Severe storms and flooding o FEMA-DR Severe storms and flooding o FEMA-DR Severe storms and flooding o FEMA-DR Severe storms and flooding o FEMA-DR Flooding (Hurricane Irene) o FEMA-DR Flooding (remnants of Tropical Storm Lee) o FEMA-EM Flooding (Hurricane Sandy) o FEMA-DR Severe storms and flooding Ice Jams are mentioned separately in Table but are grouped with Flood in plan (see below). The Planning Committee identified flooding as a of concern for Hailstorm Please see Severe Storm Hurricane (and or Tropical Cyclones) Ice Jams (categorized as a Flood in HMP) Please see Severe Storm The NYS HMP identifies ice jam flooding as a of concern for New York State (grouped as a type of flood). New York State ranks 2 nd in Nation for total number of ice jam events, with over 1,500 incidents documented between 1857 and According to USACE CRREL Ice Jam Database, between 1928 and 2014, County has experienced 52 ice jam incidents, mainly on Mohawk River and Schoharie Creek. The Planning Committee identified ice jams as a on concern for County; however, ice jams will be grouped toger with flooding. Ice Storm Please see Severe Winter Storm Infestation No The NYS HMP does not identify infestation as a of concern for New York State. Based on all sources reviewed, no known occurrences are reported for USACE CRREL DMA 2000 Mitigation Plan Update County, New York 5.2-4

5 Land Subsidence Is a The Planning Committee did not identify infestation as a of concern for No Landslide No Nor easters (and or extra tropical storms) Severe Storm (Windstorms, Thunderstorms, Hail, Lightning, Tornados and Hurricanes) The NYS HMP indicates that New York State is vulnerable to land subsidence; however, is extremely localized and poses a very low risk to population and property. The NYS HMP does not identify County as a community that has experienced land subsidence in past. According to USGS, County is not made up of unconsolidated aquifer systems, creating unlikelihood of permanent subsidence and related ground failures. The Planning Committee did not identify land subsidence as a of concern for The NYS HMP does identify landslide as a of concern for New York State; however, County is located in a low landslide incidence area. USGS indicates through National Atlas Map Maker program that a majority of County is identified as having a low landslide incidence and susceptibility. The NYS HMP indicates that County has had 13 landslide occurrences. The Planning Committee identified landslide as posing a low risk to County; refore, not identifying landslide as a of concern for Please see Severe Winter Storm The NYSHMP identifies severe storm as a of concern for New York State. However, hail, high winds, and hurricanes are all included in separate profiles. For purpose of plan update, y will be grouped toger in one profile. NOAA-NCDC Storm Events Database indicated that County has experienced over 200 severe storm events (funnel cloud, heavy rain, hail, high wind, hurricane, lightning, strong wind, thunderstorm wind, tropical depression, tropical storm, and tornado) between 1950 and 2014, causing over $27.6 million in property damage and one injury. According to FEMA, between 1954 and 2014, County was included in 14 severe storm events: o FEMA-DR-1095 (January 1996) Severe Storms and Flooding o FEMA-DR-1148 (November 1996) Severe Storms and Flooding o FEMA-DR-1335 (May-September 2000) Severe Storms and Flooding o FEMA-DR-1486 (July-August 2003) Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding USGS Fact Sheet (Dec. 2000) National Atlas.gov (USGS) FEMA NOAA-NCDC Storm events Database DMA 2000 Mitigation Plan Update County, New York 5.2-5

6 Severe Winter Storm (Heavy Snow, Blizzards, Freezing Rain/Sleet, Ice Storms, Nor Easters) Is a o FEMA-DR-1534 (May-June 2004) Severe Storms and Flooding o FEMA-DR-1589 (April 2005) Severe Storm o FEMA-DR-1650 (June-July 2006) Severe Storms/Flooding o FEMA-DR-1670 (November 2006) Severe Storms and Flooding o FEMA-DR-1692 (April 2007) Severe Storms and Inland/Coastal Flooding o FEMA-DR-4020 (August 2011) Hurricane/High Winds o FEMA-DR-4031 (September 2011) Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee o FEMA-EM-3351 (October 2012) Hurricane Sandy o FEMA-DR-4129 (June-July 2013) Severe Storms and Flooding The Planning Committee identified severe storms as a of concern for The NYSHMP identifies severe winter storm as a of concern for New York State. Annual average snowfall in ranges from less than 60 to 220 inches. According to FEMA, between 1954 and 2014, County was included in three declarations associated with severe winter storm events. o FEMA EM-3107 (March 1993) Statewide Blizzard o FEMA EM-3173 (December 2002 / January 2003) Snowstorm o FEMA DR-1692 (April 2007) Nor Easter/Severe Storm NOAA-NCDC has indicated that County has experienced over 100 winter storm events between 1950 and 2014, causing over $300,000 in property damage. The Planning Committee identified severe winter storm as a of concern for Tornado Please see Severe Storm Tsunami No No Volcano No No Wildfire No The NYSHMP does identify tsunami as a of concern for State of New York. All low-lying coastal areas in State have potential to be struck by a tsunami. There is no recent history of tsunamis impacting State. County is not bounded by coastal waters; refore, Planning Committee did not identify tsunami as a of concern for Volcanoes are not identified as a of concern in NYS HMP, because re are no known volcanoes located in state. The Planning Committee identified volcano as natural posing lowest risk to County and did not identify it as a of concern for The NYS HMP does identify wildfires as s of concern for New York State. Low reported incidences of wildfires within FEMA NOAA-NCDC Storm Events Database USGS DMA 2000 Mitigation Plan Update County, New York 5.2-6

7 Is a The NWPD indicates that no records of wildfire incidences have been recorded for USGS indicates that no wildfires greater than 250 acres were experienced in County between 1980 and GeoMAC indicates that no wildfires were experienced in County between 2001 and The Planning Committee concluded that wildfire is not a of concern for County; refore, it will not be included in Section 5.4 Windstorm Please see Severe Storm CRREL Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory DR Presidential Disaster Declaration Number EM Presidential Emergency Declaration FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency HMP Mitigation Plan NCDC National Climatic Data Center NID National Inventory of Dams NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPDP National Performance of Dams Program NRMC Norast Regional Climate Center NWS National Wear Service NYCEM New York City Area Consortium For Earthquake Loss Mitigation NYS New York State NYSDEC New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NYS DHSES New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services USACE U.S. Army Corp of Engineers USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency USGS U.S. Geologic Survey GeoMAC DMA 2000 Mitigation Plan Update County, New York 5.2-7

8 According to input from County, and review of all available resources, a total of six natural s of concern were identified as s affecting entire planning area, to be addressed at county level in plan update: Drought Earthquake Extreme Temperature Flooding (riverine, flash, ice jam and dam flooding) Severe Storm (windstorms, thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes and hurricanes) Severe Winter Storm (heavy snow, blizzards, ice storms, Nor Easters) Or natural s of concern have occurred within County, but typically have a low potential to result in impacts within The County deemed se s as minor in comparison to those bulleted above; refore, se s will not be furr addressed within version of Plan update. However, if deemed necessary by County, se s may be considered in future versions of Plan update. DMA 2000 Mitigation Plan Update County, New York 5.2-8