Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy DRAFT2021
Holmes County Board of County Commissioners Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy Committee Table of Contents LIST OF FIGURES ...... 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 5 INTRODUCTION ...... 6
I. PLANNING PROCESS ...... 6
A. PLANNING SCHEDULE ...... 6 B. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE-SECTOR PARTICIPATION ...... 8 C. Review of Existing Plans and Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 D. REPRESENTATION ON THE LOCAL MITIGATION STRATEGY COMMITTEE ...... 9
II. HOLMES COUNTY PROFILE ...... 11
A. COUNTY SPATIAL PROFILE ...... 11 B. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS ...... 13 C. CRITICAL FACILITIES ...... 14
III. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT ...... 20
A. GENERAL OVERVIEW ...... 20 B. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION ...... 21 C. VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS ...... 23
IV. HAZARD ASSESSMENT ...... 24
A. HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM ...... 24 1. Hazard Description ...... 24 2. Impacts ...... 25 3. Historical Events ...... 27 4. Probability ...... 29 5. VulnerabilityDRAFT Assessment ...... 30 6. Extent ...... 31 B. FLOODING ...... 31 1. Description ...... 31 2. Impacts ...... 33 3. Historical Events ...... 35 4. Probability ...... 37 5. Vulnerability ...... 37 6. Extent ...... 42 C. DROUGHT/HEAT WAVE ...... 43 1. Hazard Description ...... 43 2. Impact ...... 44 3. Historical Events ...... 44 4. Probability ...... 46 5. Vulnerability ...... 46 6. Extent ...... 47
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D. EROSION ...... 48 1. Hazard Description ...... 48 2. Impacts ...... 49 3. Historical Events ...... 49 4. Probability ...... 50 5. Vulnerability ...... 51 6. Extent ...... 52 E. SINKHOLES ...... 52 1. Hazard Description ...... 52 2. Impacts ...... 53 3. Historical Events ...... 53 4. Probability ...... 53 5. Vulnerability Assessment ...... 54 6. Extent ...... 55 F. TORNADOS ...... 55 1. Hazard Description ...... 55 2. Impacts ...... 56 3. Historical Events ...... 57 4. Probability ...... 58 5. Vulnerability ...... 58 6. Extent ...... 59 G. THUNDERSTORMS/LIGHTNING ...... 60 1. Hazard Description ...... 60 2. Impact ...... 61 3. Historical Events ...... 62 4. Probability ...... 64 5. VulnerabilityDRAFT Assessment ...... 64 6. Extent ...... 65 H. WILDFIRES ...... 65 1. Hazard Description ...... 65 2. Impact ...... 66 3. Historical Events ...... 66 4. Probability ...... 67 5. Vulnerability ...... 67 6. Extent ...... 70 I. WINTER STORMS ...... 70 1. Hazard Description ...... 70 2. Impacts ...... 70 3. Historical Events ...... 71 4. Probability ...... 71 5. Vulnerability ...... 72 6. Extent ...... 73 J. DAM FAILURE ...... 74 1. Hazard Description ...... 75 2. Impacts ...... 76
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3. Historical Events ...... 76 4. Probability ...... 76 5. Vulnerability ...... 76 6. Extent ...... 76
V. LOCAL MITIGATION STRATEGY ...... 77
A. MITIGATION STRATEGY UPDATE ...... 77 B. LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION GOALS ...... 77 C. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PARTICIPATION ...... 79 D. INTEGRATION OF LOCAL MITIGATION INITIATIVES ...... 81 E. MITIGATION PROJECT LIST ...... 85 F. PROJECT PRIORITIZATION...... 85 G. IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF INITIATIVES ...... 86
VI. PLAN MAINTENANCE PROCESS…...... 87 APPENDIX A: LMS MEETING NOTICES, AGENDAS ...... 89
APPENDIX B: LIST OF MITIGATION PROJECTS ...... 102
APPENDIX C: STAPLEE PROJECT RANKING MATRIX ...... 107
APPENDIX D: RESOLUTIONS OF ADOPTION ...... 108 List of Figures Figure 1: LMS Planning Process ...... 7 Figure 2: Holmes County LMS Committee Membership ...... 10 Figure 3: Map of Holmes County, Florida ...... 11 Figure 4: Future Land Use Map - Holmes County ...... 12 Figure 5: PropertyDRAFT Parcels by Type - Holmes County...... 13 Figure 6: Population Data - Holmes County ...... 14 Figure 7: Holmes County Household Profile ...... 14 Figure 8: Summary of Critical Facilities in Holmes County ...... 15 Figure 9: Value of Structures in Homes County ($thousands) ...... 20 Figure 10: Direct Economic Loss for Buildings by Return (in dollars) ……………………………………………………..20 Figure 11: Hazards Not Impacting Holmes County ...... 21 Figure 12: Hazard Priority Ranking Chart for Holmes County ...... 22 Figure 13: Vulnerability – Holmes County ...... 23 Figure 14: Vulnerability – Municipalities in Holmes County ...... 23 Figure 15: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale ...... 25 Figure 16: Hurricane Impacts - Holmes County and Municipalities ...... 25 Figure 17: Tropical Storms Passing Within 50 Miles ...... 27 Figure 18: Tropical Events Impacting Holmes County 1900-2019 ...... 28 Figure 19: 1 Year Hurricane Probability - 2020 ...... 29 Figure 20: 50 Year Probability -2020 (including all municipalities) ...... 29 Figure 21: Probabilistic Hurricane Wind Count of Structures within Return Period Areas and Values ...... 30 Figure 22: FDOR Just Value by Property Type – 2018 Holmes County ...... 31 Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 3 | Page
Figure 23: Holmes County Wetlands ...... 35 Figure 24: FEMA FIRM Map Zone Designations ...... 38 Figure 25: FEMA FIRM Zones - Holmes County ...... 39 Figure 26: FIRM Maps for Municipalities…………………………………………………………………………………………….….40 Figure 27: Structures Located in the Floodplain – Holmes County ...... 41 Figure 28: Value of Structures in the Floodplain – Holmes County ($Millions) ...... 41 Figure 29: Monthly Average Temperatures - Holmes County, FL ...... 43 Figure 30: Drought Impacts on Holmes County ...... 44 Figure 31: Summary of Drought Conditions in Holmes County 2010 – 2019 ...... 45 Figure 32: U.S. Drought Monitor 2004-2019 - Holmes County FL ...... 45 Figure 33: Palmer Drought Classification Scale ...... 47 Figure 34: Soil Erosion Events in Holmes County ...... 50 Figure 35: Record of Sinkholes - Holmes County ...... 53 Figure 36: Holmes County Sinkhole Vulnerability Area ...... 54 Figure 37: Impacts from Tornadoes - Holmes County ...... 56 Figure 38: Enhanced Fujita Scale for Tornadoes...... 57 Figure 39: Tornado Events -1970-2020 ...... 57 Figure 40: Structures Vulnerable to Tornado Winds - Holmes County ...... 59 Figure 41: Lightning Strikes Per Year ...... 61 Figure 42: Thunderstorm Impacts in Holmes County ...... 61 Figure 43: Thunderstorms Impacting Holmes County ...... 62 Figure 44: Structures at Risk from Thunderstorms - Holmes County ($M) ...... 64 Figure 45: Acres Burned in Holmes County 2015-2019 ...... 67 Figure 46: Holmes County Fire Intensity Scale ...... 68 Figure 47: Holmes DRAFTCounty Wildland Urban Interface ...... 69 Figure 48: Levels of Concern - Wildfire Holmes County ...... 69 Figure 49: Winter Storm Impacts in Holmes County ...... 71 Figure 50: Temperature Extremes for Holmes County ...... 73 Figure 51: National Dam Inventory List for Holmes County - 2018 ...... 75 Figure 52: NFIP/CRS Statistics for Holmes County ...... 80 Figure 53: Repetitive Loss Statistics for Holmes County ...... 80
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Executive Summary
Holmes County and the municipalities of the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Noma, Town of Ponce de Leon and the Town of Westville are threatened by a number of natural hazards that could cause costly disasters in neighborhoods, business districts, and rural areas. These hazards potentially endanger the health and safety of the population, and jeopardize economic and environmental vitality. Because of the importance of minimizing the vulnerabilities to these hazards, the public and private sector interests of Holmes County have joined together to create a Local Mitigation Strathy (LMS) Committee to undertake a comprehensive planning process that has culminated in the “ 2021 Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy.” This Plan replaces the 2016 version of the LMS and will expire in May 2021. This LMS specifically represents the unincorporated portions of Holmes County; the City of Bonifay; the Town of Esto; the Town of Noma; the Town of Ponce de Leon, and the Town of Westville. West Florida Cooperative Association was added as a jurisdiction on October 7, 2020. Each of the jurisdictional governing bodies sanctioned the process for updating the Holmes County LMS.
The LMS Committee oversaw the identification of all of the hazards threatening Holmes County and estimated the relative risks posed to the community by those hazards. Information has been gathered from a variety of sources (including property appraiser, planning offices, and federal programs). This information has been used by the LMS Committee to assess the vulnerabilities of the facilities and neighborhoods of the County to the impacts of future disasters involving those hazards. Using this information, the committee has worked to identify proposed projects and programs that will avoid or minimize these vulnerabilities to make the communities of HolmesDRAFT County much more resistant to the impacts of future disasters. Vulnerabilities and impacts to the community were then developed into “mitigation strategies.” Mitigation strategies are designed to identify ways to reduce vulnerability to known hazards. The mitigation strategies were assembled in a five-year plan that allows the County and municipalities to co-join these efforts with other local planning and budgeting processes.
Adoption of the plan is a multi-jurisdictional function. The County and each municipality have independently accepted and adopted the LMS Plan by resolution or ordinance. West Florida Cooperative Association accepted and adopted the LMS Plan by resolution and was added as a special district. Adoption is required in order to be eligible for disaster funds following a Presidential Disaster Declaration or to apply for any federally funded mitigation programs.
This document details the work of the Holmes County LMS Committee over the past several months to undertake the needed technical analyses, and to coordinate the mitigation initiatives that have been proposed by the participating jurisdictions and organizations. The plan also reflects the growth patterns and changes in development experienced in Holmes County, the five municipalities and West Florida Cooperative Association. These changes have been relatively small and have not had a significant impact on the updated Plan.
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Introduction
The Holmes County LMS Plan is intended by the LMS Committee to accomplish several objectives. These include the following:
• Provide a methodical, substantive approach to mitigation planning; • Enhance public awareness and understanding of mitigation opportunities; • Create a decision tool for management of mitigation initiatives; • Promote compliance with state and federal program requirements; • Enhance local policies for hazard mitigation capability; • Assure multi-jurisdictional coordination of mitigation-related programming; • Provide a flexible approach to the planning process.
Each section of the LMS Plan presents detailed information to support these planning functions. The remainder of this plan describes the planning organization developed by the Committee, as well as its approach to managing the planning process. It then summarizes the results of the hazard identification and vulnerability assessment process, and addresses the current policy basis for hazard management by the participating jurisdictions and organizations. The plan also documents the structural and non-structural mitigation initiatives proposed by the participating jurisdiction to address the identified vulnerabilities. The plan concludes by addressing the goals and objectives of the Committee for a five-year planning period, during which this plan will continue to be expanded and refined.
I. Planning Process DRAFT A. Planning Schedule
The LMS Committee initially established a planning schedule for the upcoming planning period that allowed participants to anticipate their involvement in the updating process. Specifically, the Holmes County 2021 LMS was updated by Holmes County LMS Committee, through the following process.
The LMS has been designed to be a process-oriented document with policies for review and revision allowing the County to meet new and ever-changing conditions. To do this, the original plan laid out steps for reviewing and revising the plan. Specifically, the plan was to be informally evaluated on an annual basis with a formal evaluation every five years. The plan update process was supervised by the Director of Holmes County Emergency Management.
In accordance with these requirements and the review schedule determined by the LMS Committee an informal review of the LMS was conducted annually and revisions were submitted by the LMS Committee chairperson to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
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This process involved the identification of existing or any additional hazards, updates to the risk assessment using more recent data, and evaluating existing mitigation goals, projects, and programs for overall effectiveness.
Figure 1: LMS Planning Process
DRAFT
Revisions and updates continued to be made until a final draft was created. The final draft was posted on the county website for public comment and was also available for comment at the adoption hearings for each jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction within the county has continued their participation in maintaining the LMS. Representatives from each of jurisdiction took part in various Committee meetings and provided valuable input for identifying and prioritizing mitigation actions. Since the adoption of the LMS in 2011, only one special district has been added within the county. Each jurisdiction was updated on the status of the LMS and debriefed on the progress that had been made so far in the update process. Each jurisdiction was also given an updated copy of the project priority list to bring to their individual public town meetings. Those participating jurisdictions include the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Noma, Town of Ponce de Leon, Town of Westville and West Florida Cooperative Association.
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B. Public and Private-Sector Participation
Throughout the planning process, public and private-sector involvement was encouraged. In order to protect participants from possible exposure to Covid-19, meetings were held virtually via webinars and conference calls for meetings taking place August-October 2020. Meetings were, and continue to be open to the public and are advertised through the emergency management website and local newspaper. During the plan update, the public was invited to attend all LMS meetings to review the county risk assessment and the current mitigation strategy (goals, objectives, and mitigation actions). The public was provided information on identified hazards and vulnerabilities and was given the opportunity to suggest future mitigation projects or add additional information to risk assessment.
After gathering input from the public and other participating organizations at the initial meeting held on August 6, 2020 and a follow-up meeting on September 3, 2020. At these meetings, participants were given a draft of the updated plan and the group worked through each section of the plan together. Participants were also encouraged to make comments. At the September 3, 2020 meeting, participants prioritized the project list and conditionally approved the draft of the updated plan. This meeting was also announced in the local newspaper, and through e-mails. Due to the impacts of Covid-19, each meeting was held virtually which allowed for additional community outreach.
In addition to public notices for each meeting, an effort was made to involve various stakeholders from within the county and the surrounding region. Neighboring counties, (Washington, Walton) local and regional agencies, businesses, academia, private organizations, and non-profits wereDRAFT invited to attend. An invitation was extended to these key agencies, organizations, and businesses to promote regional and cross-sectional collaboration.
Prior to final plan approval, the general public was provided an opportunity to comment on the draft LMS via the Holmes County Emergency Management webpage. Comments were, and continue to be welcomed by the Emergency Management Director. Ongoing public participation will be encouraged. Every LMS meeting will be publicized and notices placed in public places to inform the general public of all meetings. A note on the website encourages the public to send any comments they may have to the LMS Chair.
C. Review of Existing Plans and Information A preliminary review of existing plans, reports, and information was conducted during the initial phases of the update process. Specific to identifying and measuring existing mitigation related activities, the following local plans were reviewed for their overall effectiveness at regulating or restricting development in hazard-prone areas, protecting environmental features that naturally mitigate impacts of disasters, requiring actions to reduce future vulnerability, facilitating orderly recovery and redevelopment, and/or optimizing the use of local and regional resources for hazard mitigation.
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• Holmes County Comprehensive Plan (Includes the municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon and Westville) • Holmes County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan • Holmes County Continuity of Operations Plan • Holmes County Land Development Regulations
To better understand the county’s vulnerability to natural disasters, a comprehensive review of relevant information and reports was conducted. The following list of sources provided information on previous disaster occurrences, hazard analyses, housing data, agricultural information, economic information, demographic statistics, and other pertinent facts specific to Holmes County.
• University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research’s “EconData.net”, • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Climatic Data Center, • US Census Bureau’s 2019 Census Update, • Florida Department of Revenue’s “Property Valuations and Tax Data for 2019”, • State of Florida Hazard Mitigation Plan – 2013 & 2018
All of the above listed plans, reports, and data sources were incorporated into the updated LMS. These sources allowed county staff to measure existing mitigation-related activities already in place within the County, identify additional hazards, understand the community’s existing vulnerability, predict future impacts, and establish a strategy to mitigate those impacts.
D. Representation on the Local Mitigation Strategy Committee
The Holmes CountyDRAFT Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Committee was formed to help mitigate the effects of local hazards and disasters. The LMS Committee, through participation by members of each jurisdiction, establishes goals and priorities and identifies methods of reducing (mitigating) the effects of natural hazards throughout Holmes County, the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Ponce de Leon, Town of Noma, Town of Westville and West Florida Cooperative association coverage area. The LMS Committee focuses on mitigation issues, such as flood damage reduction, improving buildings to withstand hurricanes, examining methods that reduce the potential for wildfire to enter neighborhoods, and other means of reducing the impact of identified natural hazards in the community. Public input is an important necessity in the mitigation planning process and all interested citizens are invited to attend LMS meetings, provide input or comments, and participate in the ongoing Holmes County mitigation process.
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The following is the current membership of the Holmes County LMS Committee. They contributed to the development of this plan directly, through either drafting or commenting on the various stages of document development or by providing information, mitigation projects, suggestions, or other input.
Figure 2: Holmes County LMS Committee Membership
Name Agency Albert Jordan Holmes County Road Dept. Alfred Sellers Holmes County Fire Association Brenda Blitch Holmes County Health Dept. Brian Morgan Holmes County School District Clint Smith Holmes County Sheriff Dept Donnie Sellers Florida Forestry Service James Sims City of Bonifay
John Tate Holmes County Sheriff Dept
Karen Johnson Holmes County Health Dept David Corbin Holmes County Board of County Commissioners Brian Bell Holmes County Property Appraiser Joe Rone Holmes County Tourist Development Steve Connell Holmes County EMS Yvonee HagensDRAFT Town of Esto Cindy Wilson Holmes County Emergency Management Adrienne Owen Holmes County Emergency Management
Greg Sallas Holmes County School District
Jessica Harris Town of PDL Jack Marell Bonifay Public Works
Steve Herrington Town of Westville
Robert Skipper Town of Noma Terry Mullen West Florida Cooperative Association
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II. Holmes County Profile
A. County Spatial Profile
Holmes County is an inland county located in the center of the Florida Panhandle in the midst of the Choctawhatchee River Basin. The County extends 20 miles north to south and 32 miles east to west and shares its northern border with the State of Alabama. The County is bordered on the south by Washington and Walton counties and on the east by Jackson County. The Choctawhatchee River, the area’s largest river, flows southward through the center of the County. Major roads in the County include the east-west corridors of Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 90, and State Road (SR) 2. SR 91 and 79 run north-south into the State of Alabama. SR 79 cuts through the City of Bonifay as does U.S. 90. County Roads 177 and 179 also travel north-south and into Alabama. The town of Esto is located on SR 79. The towns of Westville and Ponce de Leon are in the southern parts of the County and both are bisected by U.S. 90, while I-10 runs just south of the towns. The north-south corridor through Ponce de Leon is SR 81, while CR 181 runs through Westville. The CSX railroad system runs through Bonifay, Westville, and Ponce de Leon in an east-west direction connecting Holmes County with Jacksonville in the east and Pensacola in the west.
DRAFT
Figure 3: Map of Holmes County, Florida
The total area of Holmes County is approximately 309,700 acres or 488.81 square miles in size. There are 6.21 square miles of fresh water and 482.6 square miles of land. The population density is 41 people per square mile. Almost 4% of the County’s land area consists of conservation lands (Choctawhatchee River Water Management Area, which is owned by the Northwest Florida Water Management District). The County’s five municipalities comprise
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approximately 4% of the entire County area. Ninety-six percent of the county is unincorporated. The majority of land in the County is timberland, under the ownership of the federal, state, and local jurisdictions, as well as the forest industry and individual private farmers, corporations and individuals.
In addition, agriculture land makes up a large portion of Holmes County. The major agriculture food crop is peanuts, with lesser acreage planted in cotton, soybeans, grain sorghum, and watermelons. There is also one dairy in the County, and five cattle feeding operations. The 4% of land in Holmes County not considered timberland or agriculture land consists of the municipalities and residential use, with minimal amounts of commercial and/or industrial land uses located outside the towns/cities.
The following are both the Existing and Future Land Use Maps (ELUM and FLUM) for Holmes County. These maps were last updated in 2010 and are still an accurate reflection of development in the County. As seen on both of the maps, the majority of the land is designated as residential.
Figure 4: Future Land Use Map - Holmes County
DRAFT
Source: Holmes County Building/Permitting/Zoning Department
The FLUM shows other uses such as residential, government/institutional and commercial dispersed throughout the county with the majority occurring at major cross roads. The FLUM
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shows a plan for the future growth with contiguous uses. While much of the land will still be designated agriculture, there will be areas of rural residential surrounding each of the municipalities as well as a large swath of conservation land along the banks of the Choctawhatchee River that runs through the center of the County. In addition to this, the County has designated nodes called “mixed use crossroads” along many of the roads and at some of the intersections.
The Holmes County Future Land Use Plan establishes a framework for future growth in the county. In terms of preventing future hazards, the COMP plan directs that environmentally sensitive areas that provide for natural functions, which are lands within the 100-year floodplain, conservation areas, and agricultural shall conform to lower densities than other classifications. Non-residential uses such as industrial activities and commercial uses within these areas are restricted. Land uses permitted within these areas are to provide mitigating measures to protect the natural functions of the county’s environmentally sensitive areas.
According to the “Florida Property Valuations & Tax Data Book: 2019” (Florida Department of Revenue) report, the parcels of existing land used within Holmes County (including municipalities) are as follows:
Figure 5: Property Parcels by Type - Holmes County Type Parcels Type Parcels
Vacant Residential 2,628 Vacant Commercial 50 Single Family Residential 3,390 Improved Commercial 276 Mobile Homes 1,282 Vacant Industrial 2 Condominiums 0 Industrial 31
Multi-Family Units (<10) 7 Agricultural 5,596 Multi-Family Units DRAFT(>10) 7 Institutional 227 Cooperatives 0 Government 392 Retirement Homes & Misc. Residential 1 Leasehold Interest 2
Miscellaneous 106 Non-Agricultural Acreage 55 Total Parcel Count 14,051
Source: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/resources/data.html
When analyzing hazards faced by a community it is important to discuss the growth and development trends of the community in order to determine whether or not the community is developing in such a way as to minimize the impacts to future developments and protect future populations.
B. Population Demographics
Holmes County is rural in nature. The total population has experienced a slight decrease of 1.6% from 2015 (19,927) to 2019 (19,617).
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Figure 6: Population Data - Holmes County
Per Pop Total Minority Over Jurisdiction Poverty Capita Density Most Common Occupations Pop 65 Income sq/mi Holmes County Educational- 20%; Retail- 14%; Construction- 19,617 2155 3,849 23.9% $18,574 41 13%; Public Administration- 10% (Uninc) City of Management occupations – 39%; construction 2,693 297 570 25.9% $18,893 744 – 8%; educational – 29%; sales – 11% Bonifay Construction- 15%; Retail- 20%; Educational- 13%; Public Administration- 15% Town of Esto 360 26 61 21.4% $19,935 164 Town of Retail- 30%; Educational- 24%; Construction-5%; 218 52 24 26.6% $18,342 200 Noma Manufacturing- 6% Town of Retail- 24%; Educational- 19%; Construction- 6%; Public Administration- 16% Ponce de 497 25 65 23.3% $18,137 100 Construction- 27%; Retail- 11%; Town of 300 2 40 44.1% $16,402 41 Transportation- 17%; Educational- 18% Westville Source: 2018 American Community Survey; US Census Quick Facts 2019; City-Data.com
Figure 7: Holmes County Household Profile
Housing Units - 2019 8,725 Housing Units - 2018 8,687 Households - 2017 8,671 Persons per household - 2018 2.51 Median household income - 2018 $38,608 Owner-occupied housingDRAFT unit rate, 2014-2018 76.5% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2014-2018 $93,200 Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2014-2018 $962 Median gross rent, 2014-2018 $682 Building permits, 2019 10 Language other than English spoken at home - 2019 3.4% Source: US Census Quick facts - 2019
C. Critical Facilities
Critical facilities / populations are those which would be more vulnerable to the effects of given hazards than the general inventory of facilities or the general populations. This could include portable or mobile buildings, which are unable to withstand the effects of a natural disaster such as hurricane or tornado winds, or a population, which is not able to protect itself without assistance, such as residents of a hospital or nursing home. Critical facilities also include those facilities that should stay open during an emergency or are needed to conduct hazard response. The following is a summary of the critical facilities in Holmes County. For more detailed
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information on any of the facilities, their addresses, or other sensitive information, contact Holmes County Emergency Management.
Figure 8: Summary of Critical Facilities in Holmes County
Holmes County Critical Facilities
Category Coordinates Community Staging Areas Holmes County High School -85.41725 / 30.472 Bonifay Ponce de Leon High School -85.95678 / 30.74056 Ponce de Leon Landing Areas Holmes County Agricultural Center -85.39751 / 30.41769 Bonifay Holmes County High School -85.41725 / 30.472 Bonifay Ponce de Leon High School -85.95678 / 30.74056 Ponce de Leon Disaster Recovery Centers
Holmes County Farmers Market (Fixed Site) -85.662926/ 30.787198 Bonifay Ponce de Leon City Gymnasium (Fixed Site) -85.933715/ 30.726076 Ponce de Leon Noma Town Hall (FixedDRAFT Site) -85.619839/ 30.98051 Noma Holmes County Farmers Market Complex (Mobile Site) -85.662926/ 30.787198 Bonifay Esto Town Hall (Mobile Site) -85.646086/ 30.984823 Esto
New Hope Community Center/EMS/Fire
Substation (Mobile Site) -85.877179/ 30.952678 New Hope Critical Facilities Bonifay Nursing Home -85.41049 / 30.46879 Bonifay Bonifay Police Department -85.40831 / 30.4709 Bonifay Bonifay Post Office -85.40995 / 30.47325 Bonifay Doctor’s Memorial Hospital -85.40604 / 30.47068 Bonifay Emergency Medical Services (EMS) -85.39845 / 30.47228 Bonifay Holmes County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) -85.40758 / 30.4758 Bonifay Holmes Correctional Institute-Dept of Corrections -85.67722/ 30.75889 Bonifay Holmes County Sheriff’s Office -85.40705 / 30.47653 Bonifay Tri-County Airport -2.774994813 NE of Bonifay Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 15 | Page
Town of Ponce de Leon Water Treatment Plant -85.95/ 30.75833 Ponce de Leon Town of Esto Water Works -85.6254/ 30.98398 Esto Town of Westville-Well-2 -85.85222/ 30.77417 Westville -85.63944/ 30.98667 Noma Town of Noma – White Avenue Well -85.67501/ 30.79015 Bonifay City of Bonifay-Waste Water Treatment Plant City of Bonifay - Well 1 -85.68056/ 30.78611 Bonifay City of Bonifay-Well 2 -85.68556/ 30.78611 Bonifay City of Bonifay - Well 3 -85.82028/ 30.76361 Bonifay National Guard Bonifay Armory -85.69588/ 30.82571 Bonifay
Sprint Communications - Bonifay Central Office -85.68002/ 30.79449 Bonifay Volunteer Fire Departments Bonifay -85.40831 / 30.4709 Bonifay Esto - 85.64608 / 30.98482 Esto Gritney -85.83558 / 30.82699 Gritney New Hope -85.87717 / 30.95267 New Hope Pinelog -85.57337 / 30.54111 Leonia Pittman -85.48631 / 30.56448 Pittman Ponce de Leon -85.93585 / 30.72756 Ponce de Leon Noma -85.6218575 / 30.9810176 Noma Westville -85.85145 / 30.77429 Westville
Holmes County Shelters Bethlehem Baptist ChurchDRAFT 1572 Hwy 177A, Bonifay, FL 32425 -85.732942/ 30.909372 Bethlehem
Bethlehem High School -85.73813 / 30.92507 Bethlehem 2767 Highway 160, Bonifay, FL 32425 Blessed Trinity Catholic Church 2331 Highway 177A, Bonifay, FL 32425 -85.41935 / 30.48182 Bonifay Office# 547-3725 Bonifay Elementary 307 W. North Street, Bonifay, FL32425 -85.6833165/ 30.804331 Bonifay Office # 547-3632 Bonifay K-8 140 Blue Devil Drive, Bonifay, Fl. 32425 -85.699012/ 30.784742 Bonifay Office # 547-3631
Carmel Assembly of God Church 1484 Carmel Church Rd, Bonifay, FL32425 -85.702511/ 30.922204 Bethlehem Office# 547-3266
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Council on Aging 210 W. Kansas, Bonifay, FL 32425 -85.40912 / 30.47744 Bonifay Office# 547-9393 Esto Town Hall 3312 2nd Ave South, Bonifay, FL 32425 -85.64608 / 30.98482 Esto Office# 263-6521 First Baptist Church 311 N Waukesha, Bonifay, FL32425 -85.40797/ 30.47705 Bonifay Office: 850-547-2420 Holmes County Agricultural Center 1173 E. Highway 90, Bonifay, FL 32425 -85.39751 / 30.47169 Bonifay Office: 850-547-1108 Holmes EMS 949 E Highway 90, Bonifay -85.39845 / 30.47228 Bonifay Office# 850-547-4671
Holmes County High School 825 W. Highway 90, Bonifay, Fl. 32425 -85.41725 / 30.472 Bonifay Office # 850-547-9000 John W. Clark Recreation Center at Esto -85.64387 / 30.98873 Esto 1019 Commerce St, Bonifay, FL 32425 Leonia Baptist Church -86.014948/ 30.908388 Leonia 1124 Gillman Rd, Westville, FL 32464 New Smyrna Church 1849 Adolph WhitakerDRAFT Rd, Bonifay, FL32425 -85.692155/ 30.869555 Bonifay Office# 850-547-9559 Noma Town Hall 3467 Skipper Ave, Graceville, FL 32440 -85.61983 / 30.9805 Noma Office# 850-263-3449 Pinelog Volunteer Fire Department 1652 N. Highway 81, Westville, FL 32464 -85.57337 / 30.54111 Leonia Office# 850-956-2556
Ponce de Leon Elementary School 1473 Ammons Rd, Ponce De Leon, FL32455 -85.95756 / 30.74056 Ponce de Leon Office: 850-836-4296
Ponce de Leon High School 1477 Ammons Rd, Ponce De Leon, FL32455 -85.95678 / 30.74056 Ponce de Leon Office: 850-836-4242
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Ponce de Leon Town Hall
1580 Highway 90, Ponce De Leon, Fl. 32455 -85.85145 / 30.77429 Ponce de Leon Office# 850-836-4361
New Hope Vol. Fire Dept./ Community Center
1243 N Hwy 179A (Risk Shelter) -85.877179/ 30.952678 New Hope
Westville, Fl 32464, Office # 850-956-1210
Poplar Springs High School (Risk Shelter) 3726
Atomic Dr., Graceville, FL 32440 -85.573503/ 30.954124 Poplar Springs
Office # 850-263-6260 Holmes Co Recreation Center 608 McKinnon Ave., Bonifay, FL 32425 Office# 850-547-4220 -85.687589/ 30.786427 Bonifay Town of Westville 2523 N. Pine St., Westville, FL 32464 -85.851526/ 30.774235 Westville Office # 850-548-5858 Westville Head Start 2499 Cypress St., Westville, FL 32425 -85.857878/ 30.775003 Westville Office# 850-548-5630
CRITICAL FACILITY COMMUNITY LOCATION Westville VFD Westville DRAFTHOLMES COUNTY SHELTERS Bethlehem Baptist Church – 1572Hwy 177A Bethlehem Bethlehem High School - 2767 Hwy 160 Bethlehem Blessed Trinity Catholic Church - 2331 Hwy 177A Bonifay Bonifay Elementary School - 307 W. North Street Bonifay Bonifay Middle School - 401 McLaughlin Ave Bonifay Carmel Assembly of God Church - 1484 Carmel Church Road Bethlehem Council on Aging - 210 W. Kansas St Bonifay Esto Town Hall - 3312 2nd Ave South Esto First Baptist Church - 311 N. Waukesha Street Bonifay Holmes County Agricultural Center - 1173 E. Hwy 90 Bonifay Holmes EMS - 3949 E Hwy 90 Bonifay Holmes County High School - 825 W. Hwy 90 Bonifay John W. Clark Recreation Center of Esto - 1019 Commerce St Esto Leonia Baptist Church - 1124 Gillman Rd Leonia /Westville New Smyrna Church - 1849 Adolph Whitaker Rd Bonifay Noma Town Hall - 3467 Skipper Ave Noma Pinelog VFD - 1652 N. Hwy 81 Leonia Ponce de Leon Elementary School - 1473 Ammons Rd Ponce de Leon Ponce de Leon High School - 1477 Ammons Rd Ponce de Leon Ponce de Leon Town Hall - 1580 Hwy 90 Ponce de Leon
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New Hope VFD/Community Center - 1243 N Hwy 179A (Risk Shelter) New Hope Poplar Springs High School (Risk Shelter) – 3726 Atomic Dr Poplar Springs / Graceville Holmes County Recreation Center – 608 McKinnon Ave Bonifay Town of Westville City Hall – 2523 N. Pine Street Westville Westville Head Start Center - 1499 Cypress St Westville
DRAFT
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III. Vulnerability Assessment
A. General Overview
Holmes County has approximately 8,687 housing units.1 The value of residential structure in the 100 year floodplain is $110,566,976 and $7,235,676 in the 500 year floodplain.2 Other hazards pose similar threats. Much of the county is covered by forests, making wildfire in the Wildfire Urban Interface where the many of Holmes County residents live a serious threat. Holmes County also receives a fair number of thunderstorms that produce hail and lightening on a consistent basis. It also floods on a consistent basis. Holmes County also has had three small sinkholes open up since 1970.3 In all, Holmes County is highly vulnerable to a host of natural and manmade hazards, as will be explained in this section.
The following general vulnerability data for Holmes County and its municipalities comes from the 2018 State of Florida Hazard Mitigation Plan. This provides a summary of the total value of structures in the County, which is used as a base for determining the vulnerability of certain hazards to the residents, and to the infrastructure in the County.
Figure 9: Value of Structures in Holmes County in the 100-year Floodplain (in dollars)
Residential Commercial Industrial Agriculture Government Education Total
110,566,976 25,423,067 3,557,967 671,551,561 1,738,706 208,061 809,488,374 Source: 2018 State of FloridaDRAFT Hazard Mitigation Plan
Figure 10: Direct Economic Loss for Buildings by Return Period (in dollars)
10-Year 20-Year 50-Year 100-Year 200-Year 500-Year 1000-Year 393,561 3,354,556 12,431,872 24,528,494 44,513,923 90,900,924 143,397,121 Source: 2018 State of Florida Hazard Mitigation Plan
1 2018 American Community Survey 2 2018 Florida State Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix E 32018 Florida State Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix H Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 20 | Page
B. Hazard Identification
In addition, primary attention is given to hazards considered reasonably possible to occur in Holmes County. These hazards include: Erosion (Riverine); Flooding, Heat Waves/Drought; Hurricanes/Tropical Storms; Sinkholes; Thunderstorms; Tornadoes; Wildfire; Winter Storms. The hazards listed below have been found to have minimal or non-existent impact to Holmes County. The hazards that are considered unlikely or impossible in the county will be briefly analyzed and commented on. These hazards include:
Figure 11: Hazards Not Impacting Holmes County
Hazard Reason for Not Including Coastal Storm Surge Holmes County is an inland County and has no coastal areas. Coastal Erosion Holmes County has no coastline, ergo no coastal erosion issues. Holmes County has never experienced any type of civil disturbance. If a Civil Disturbance civil disturbance were to occur, it is estimated it would not be a significant event, or cause significant damages. Holmes County is not in a seismic zone. The County has never experienced an earthquake. If one were to occur, it would be of such a small Earthquake magnitude, that it probably would not cause any damages. Therefore, earthquakes are of no concern to Holmes County. Landslide Holmes County has no areas that could create landslides Tsunami Holmes County is an inland County and has no coastal areas. Volcano Holmes County has no volcanoes
There will also be a riskDRAFT level describing the hazards that will be identified. Each jurisdiction- level hazard data was reviewed individually and a qualitative determination was made regarding the vulnerability of the jurisdiction to the specific hazard. The ranking methodology is incorporated into Figure 11.
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Figure 12: Hazard Priority Ranking Chart for Holmes County
Priority Probability Magnitude Hazard Ponce West- Ponce West- Ponce West- Uninc Bonifay Esto Noma. Uninc Bonifay Esto Noma Uninc Bonifay Esto Noma de Leon ville de Leon ville de Leon ville Erosion/Riverine L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L Flooding H H H H H H M M M M M M M H H H H H Drought/Heat Wave M M M M M M M M M M M M L L L L L L Hurricanes H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H / Tropical Sinkholes L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L Thundersto M M M M M M H H H H H H L L L L L L rms/ Tornadoes H H H H H H M M M M M M M M M M M M Wildfire H H H H H H H H H H H H M L L L L L Winter Storms L L L L L L L L L L L L M M M M M M Dam Failure L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Priority Ranking was defined as follows: Magnitude was defined as follows: High – Extremely important. High impact to the jurisdiction High – The entire jurisdiction is potentially affected by an event Medium – Moderately important. Moderate impact to the jurisdiction Medium – Most of the jurisdiction is potentially affected by an event Low – Low importance. Low impact to the jurisdiction Low – Only a specific area of the jurisdiction is potentially affected X – No impact. Of no importance to the municipality X – Event has never occurred, nor is it expected to occur
Probability was defined as follows: High – Occurrence at least once every two years DRAFT Medium – Occurrence at least once every five
years
Low – Occurrence less frequently than every five
years
X – Event has never happened and is not expected to occur
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C. Vulnerability Analysis The following figure will help to provide a broad overview of the general vulnerability caused by each of the hazards that could impact Holmes County.
Figure 13: Vulnerability – Holmes County
Figure 14: VulnerabilityDRAFT – Municipalities in Holmes County
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IV. Hazard Assessment
The hazards identification was derived through persistent research and data collection from a multitude of meteorological, geological, geographical, and hydrological research agencies both in Florida and nationwide. These sources include, but are not limited to, US Geological Survey, University of Florida, NOAA, National Climatic Data Center, Natural Resource Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture, FEMA, US Census, and more. In addition, State and local resources were utilized in the process. Again, these agencies include, but are not limited to the Florida Forest Service, Northwest Florida Water Management District, Department of Environmental Protection, and local emergency management offices.
The following section provides a complete assessment of each hazard that can impact Holmes County. This assessment includes the following sections per hazard: hazard description; impacts; historical events; probability; vulnerability and extent.
A. Hurricane/Tropical Storm
1. Hazard Description
Hurricanes and tropical storms are low-pressure systems in the tropical and sub-tropical zones with cyclonic surface wind circulation. A hurricane is a tropical storm or cyclone in the Atlantic Basin with winds that have reached an average 1-minute sustained speed of 74 miles per hour or more. Tropical storms have an average 1-minute sustained wind speed between 39 and 73 miles per hour. Hurricane winds blow in a counterclockwise spiral around a relative calmDRAFT center, known as the eye. The eye is generally 20 to 40 miles wide, and the storm may extend outward, up to 500 miles in diameter. As a hurricane nears land, it can bring with it heavy rains, high winds, tornadoes, and storm surge. The typical rainfall from a hurricane is between 6 to 12 inches. Hurricanes can last for more than two weeks over open waters and can run the entire length of the eastern seaboard. The official hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Intense hurricanes are those hurricanes classified as Category 3 or higher. Hurricanes will normally impact and cover the entire county at one time.
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The Saffir-Simpson (SS) Hurricane Scale is used to predict as well as classify hurricanes using central pressure, wind speed, and storm surge. This scale is shown below. Figure 15: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Saffir-Simpson Central Pressure Sustained Wind Storm Surge Relative Potential Category (mb) Speed (mph) (feet) Destruction 1 980 74-95 3.3-5.7 1 2 965-979 96-110 5.8-8.7 10 3 945-964 111-130 8.8-12.6 50 4 920-944 131-155 12.7-18.4 100 5 <920 >155 >18.4 250 Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, www.nhc.noaa.gov
2. Impacts
The impacts from hurricanes and tropical storms include high winds, tornadoes, heavy rain and inland flooding. Any or all of these can cause damage to buildings and infrastructure. They can also result in death or injuries as the result of flooding, collapsing buildings, electrocution from downed power lines, fires from natural gas line breaks, etc. The following are events impacting Holmes County and all of the municipalities, and the damages they caused. They are indicative of future impacts.
Figure 16: Hurricane Impacts - Holmes County and Municipalities
Year Event Impacts 1998 Hurricane Hurricane Earl land fell in Bay County, yet the impacts were felt in Holmes County. Earl Throughout Holmes County, high winds and inland flooding damaged many roads. There DRAFTwas significant debris caused by Hurricane Earls passage, causing countywide power outages for significant periods of time. Inland flooding caused roadways to be impacted by 1998 Hurricane Torrential rainfall amounts of 12 to 24 inches were common over Southeast Alabama and George the Florida Panhandle with 5 to 10 inches over Southwest Georgia and the Big Bend. These rains swelled area rivers, creeks, and streams well above flood stage. This impacted the municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon and Westville, and most of the unincorporated areas of Holmes County. Hurricane George caused serious agricultural losses in the County. Holmes County was included in the Presidential Disaster Declaration. 2004 Hurricane Hurricane Ivan made landfall near Holmes Shores Alabama, yet the impacts were felt in Ivan Holmes County. Over 6.5 inches of rainfall caused localized flooding of several homes to be destroyed, and many were impacted across the county. Ivan caused large scale power outages, as debris from high winds downed power lines. Several rivers went to flood stage. Ivan caused over $1.5M in localized damages in Holmes County. 2005 Hurricane Dennis made landfall in Holmes Breeze, Fl. Its impacts were felt in Holmes County. Holmes Dennis County experienced wind gusts of over 50mph, causing large amounts of tree debris to result. This blocked roads until it was pushed to the curb. Dennis also caused widespread power outages.
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2008 Tropical TS Fay made several landfalls in Florida, the closets being Carrabelle, Fl. Fay produced Storm Fay record amounts of rainfall in Holmes County. Holmes County experienced over 13 inches of rainfall. Numerous trees and power lines were down throughout the county. Numerous county roads were closed and several dirt roads were washed out. 2017 Hurricane Hurricane Irma brought numerous impacts to the Florida Big Bend, southwest Georgia and Irma southeast Alabama including widespread downed trees and power lines, roads blocked by trees, power outages, and trees on homes. In Holmes county, there were a few trees and power lines downed. There were 35 evacuees from outside the county that were housed in shelters. 2017 Tropical Trees and power lines were downed resulting in power outages. Storm Nate
2018 Tropical Subtropical Storm Alberto affected portions of the Florida panhandle and southeast Storm Alabama. In Holmes county, there were a couple of reports of trees down blocking Alberto roadways at Carter Mack and Old Mill. An oak tree also fell onto a mobile home.
2018 Hurricane Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, Michael after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle. After a 2-day long intensification period over the eastern Gulf, Michael made landfall as an unprecedented (for the region) high-end category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale in the Florida Panhandle with maximum sustained wind speed of 155 mph and a minimum pressure 919 mb. Based on wind, Michael is the fourth most powerful hurricane to hit the United States, behind the Labor Day Hurricane (1935), Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Andrew (1992), and the most powerful storm to impact the Florida Panhandle in recorded history. Based on central pressure, Michael is the DRAFTthird most powerful hurricane to hit the United States, behind only the Labor Day Hurricane (1935) and Hurricane Camille (1969). In addition to extensive structural damage, hurricane force winds caused widespread power outages across a large portion of the tri-state region. Nearly 100% of customers across a large portion of the Florida Panhandle lost power, with some of these outages lasting weeks.
2018 Tropical Tropical Storm Nestor impacted portions of the Florida panhandle and big bend on October Storm 19th. A few trees and power lines were blown down. Nestor
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
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In the municipalities, window, door and roof failure are the primary vulnerability points to structures. Tree damage and subsequent debris are another aspect of vulnerability. It is anticipated downed trees and branches will cause structural damage, uprooted utility lines (water, sewer, gas, telephone, CATV, etc.), and damage to overhead electrical and communications wiring. Debris on roadways will block access to and from emergency services. Additionally, evacuees from coastal or flood-prone locations may be impacted by debris on roadways. Wind driven debris may damage uncovered windows, making structures vulnerable to interior wind and rain damage.
Bonifay is also vulnerable to the human impacts of hurricane disasters relating to evacuation. SR 79, I-10, and US 90 are all used as evacuation routes. SR 79 is a primary north-south route to and from Panama City Beach and other nearby coastal areas. I-10 and US 90 serve as east-west corridors evacuating locations such as Tallahassee and Pensacola. Issues include traffic management and flow, services needed by a temporary increase in population, and emergency services (accidents, medical emergencies, etc.).
Figure 17: Tropical Storms Passing Within 50 Miles 3. Historical Events
Since 1851, there have been 84 tropical systems passing within 50 statute miles of Holmes County (Bonifay). Of these events, there were 5 extra tropical events; 33 tropical depressions;DRAFT 52 tropical storms; 17 Category (Cat) 1; 8 Cat 2s; 7 Cat 3s, and 1 Cat 5. These events normally produce copious amounts of rainfall, and wind, causing substantial damages to residential property, business, and agricultural interests.
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Figure 18 provides a list of the 29 tropical storms and hurricanes that have impacted Holmes County between 1900 – 2019.
Figure 18: Tropical Events Impacting Holmes County 1900-2019
Wind Speed Pressure Year Month Day Storm Name (mph) (mb) Category 1901 9 9 Not Named 35 Unknown TS 1903 9 9 Not Named 50 Unknown TS 1904 10 31 Not Named 35 Unknown TS 1906 6 9 Not Named 35 Unknown TS 1907 6 24 Not Named 35 Unknown TS 1907 9 27 Not Named 35 Unknown TS 1912 7 12 Not Named 35 Unknown TS 1914 9 15 Not Named 30 Unknown TS 1915 9 1 Not Named 50 Unknown TS 1917 9 20 Not Named 75 Unknown H1 1928 8 8 Not Named 40 Unknown TS 1929 9 19 Not Named 70 975 TS 1937 9 1 Not Named 35 Unknown TS 1953 5 25 Alice 40 Unknown TS 1953 9 23 Florence 75 985 H1 1956 9 21 Flossy 45 980 TS 1957 9 9 Debbie 35 Unknown TS 1972 6 14DRAFT Agnes 45 983 TS 1975 9 23 Eloise 100 958.0 H2 1994 6 30 Alberto 45 1000.0 TS 1994 8 15 Beryl 40 1012.0 TS 1998 9 8 Earl 75 987.0 H1 2000 9 15 Helene 35 1010 TS 2008 8 15 Fay 40 999 TS 2017 9 10 Irma 45 980 TS 2017 10 8 Nate 35 993 TS 2018 5 28 Alberto 30 993 TS 2018 10 10 Michael 35 985 TS 2019 10 19 Nestor 35 999 TS Source: NOAA Storm Events Database: (www.coast.noaa.gov/hurricanes/)
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4. Probability
Each year, Colorado State University (CSU) makes predictions on the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and intense hurricanes that will arise in the Atlantic Basin. Using these predictions, the Tropical Meteorology Research Project at CSU along with the Geographic Laboratory at Bridgewater State College produce probability statistics for individual counties. The data shown in Figure 19 represents the 2020 tropical storm landfall probabilities for different types of tropical cyclones in Holmes County as well as the state probabilities (climatology in parentheses) based on actual occurrences. Figure 20 shows the 50-year probabilities.
Figure 19: 1 Year Hurricane Probability - 2020
1 or More 1 or More 1 or More Intense Tropical Storm- Hurricane-Force Intense Hurricane- County Named Storms Hurricanes Making Hurricanes Making Force (>= 40 mph) (>= 75 mph) Wind Force (>= 115 mph) Name Making Landfall Landfall in the Landfall in the Wind Gusts in the Gusts in the Wind Gusts in the in the County County County County County County
Holmes 6.7% (3.7%) 3.4% (1.8%) 1.5% (.8%) 50.7% (31.9%) 17.3% (9.8%) 6.1% (3.3%) Source: http://hurricanepredictor.com/County.aspx
Figure 20: 50 Year Probability -2020 (including all municipalities) 1 or MoreDRAFT 1 or More 1 or More Intense Tropical Storm- Hurricane-Force Intense Hurricane- County Named Storms Hurricanes Hurricanes Making Force (>= 40 mph) (>= 75 mph) Wind Force (>= 115 mph) Name Making Landfall Making Landfall Landfall Wind Gusts Gusts Wind Gusts
Holmes 85.4% 60.8% 34.3% >99.9% 99.5% 82.3% Source: http://hurricanepredictor.com/County.aspx
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5. Vulnerability Assessment
Holmes County is extremely vulnerable to hurricanes for the following reasons and is the cause for its highest concern over all other hazards. Hurricanes produce three major hazards in Holmes County including high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This is why this hazard is profiled in this LMS, and is the cause of greatest concern for its residents.
• 100% of the incorporated and unincorporated residents are vulnerable to hurricane wind impacts often resulting in structural damages. • The Choctawhatchee River has a significant floodplain in Holmes County. In addition, over 20% of the County is in the 100-year flood plain and highly vulnerable to flooding. Hurricane induced flooding will result in displacing County residents for a period of time; can result in potable water issues, mold infestations, damages to structures. • A flooding event from any category of hurricane requires the evacuation of the vulnerable population. High water flooding will inundate much of the transportation system, hampering ingress and egress for first responders. • Much of the County is forested, meaning hurricane winds will cause extensive amounts debris, damaging homes, businesses, and blocking transportation routes. Private property debris removal costs can be extensive. • Hurricane related losses to property are always high.
The potential impact to structures in Holmes County and the municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon and Westville would be significant as evidenced from the following data from the 2018 State of Florida Hazard Mitigation Plan. DRAFT Figure 21: Probabilistic Hurricane Wind Count of Structures within Return Period Areas County 10-Year 20-Year 50-Year 100-Year 200-Year 500-Year 1000-Year Holmes 4 43 459 1,060 2,087 3,305 4,510
Probabilistic Hurricane Wind Value of Structure Damaged within Return Period Areas (in dollars) County 10-Year 20-Year 50-Year 100-Year 200-Year 500-Year 1000-Year Holmes 394,000 3,229,000 11,581,000 21,971,000 39,465,000 78,181,000 121,495,000 Source: 2018 Florida Enhanced Mitigation Plan, Appendix E
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When reviewing the Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) Just Value by Property Type for Holmes County, and applying a potential loss coefficient to these values generates large loss numbers. A large-scale hurricane can impact 20% - 40% of the property values. Based on the numbers in Figure 22 below, this could equate to significant losses for Holmes County.
The following are excerpts for the DOR database for Holmes County and all municipalities on 2018 adjusted property values by category.
Figure 22: FDOR Just Value by Property Type – 2018 Holmes County
Vacant Single Family Vacant Vacant Acreage Multi-Family Residential Residential Industrial $22,644,885 $272,219,329 $4,902,947 $2,959,719 $4,182,556
Total Real Property Industrial Agricultural Institutional Government Value $55,485,898 $588,249,483 $45,815,652 $74,082,397 $1,070,542,866
Source: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/resources/data.html
6. Extent Based on historical events and the probability of occurrences, Holmes County, and the City of Bonifay, and Towns of Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville could expect to receive a Category 1 event, with winds of 75 mph and substantial amounts of rainfall (between 5-10 inches over lifetimeDRAFT of the event). This would occur, on average, once every 5 years.
B. Flooding
1. Description
Flooding refers to the general or temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas with surface water from any source. Floodplains are defined as an
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land areas susceptible to water inundation from any source. Flooding is a natural aspect of the earth’s hydrologic cycle but it is because of their frequency; floods are the most destructive category of natural hazards in the United States.
The Southeast’s humid subtropical climate lends itself to very rainy periods including rains from tropical systems, air mass thunderstorms, and frontal systems. Flooding is a common occurrence each year in Holmes County and is the primary emergency concern. Flooding has a number of different factors that increase the amount to which it is affected from the amount of time it rains to the location of homes and buildings.
More than any other natural or human-caused catastrophe, flooding has plagued Holmes County’s citizens, emergency operations, and mitigation efforts throughout the history of the community. Flooding in Holmes County may be caused by either heavy rainfall or rising river waters. The severity of floods is determined by many factors: rainfall amounts, river flow, topography, and flood-control measures. Another cause of flooding in the County is urban runoff. The City of Bonifay experiences the majority of this problem. Development in now filled wetlands in combination with storm water runoff from homes, streets and commercial districts has caused devastation to homes and a few businesses in Bonifay.
Flooding is the primary emergency concern along the Choctawhatchee River, Wright’s Creek, Holmes Creek, Sandy Creek, Pea River (where a small meander of the Choctawhatchee River tributary enters northwest Holmes County) and associated tributaries, sloughs, river oxbow lakes, and isolated swamps (locally called “bays”).
The Choctawhatchee River is contained within a 5,300 square mile basin. Two thirds of this basin is locatedDRAFT within Florida (the remainder in Alabama). All of Holmes County is within its basin. About fifteen to twenty percent of the County is located in the Choctawhatchee’s broad, alluvial floodplain or other floodplains. This includes much of the center of the County and the municipalities of Westville, Ponce de Leon, and parts of Bonifay.
Additionally, a large number of swamps exist in what might be classified as a mature or old age karsts system where drainage divides is broad and poorly defined. This system leads to large and frequent flood zones where inundation can occur. FIRM’s indicate broad, meandering floodplains extending away from the Choctawhatchee. These floodplains are located near Izagora, Gritney, Choctawhatchee Campsites, and Pittman’s, Crossroads communities. These areas are referred to as “Sikes Creek” on U.S. Geologic Survey topo- quads. They can be found mostly east of CR 179 between U.S. Highway 90 and SR 2.
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2. Impacts
The following impacts occurred in Holmes County for several recent floods. These impacts are virtually consistent across all flooding that occurs in Holmes County and its municipalities.
Date/Event Impacts Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Holmes, Holmes, Jackson, Walton, and Jackson counties were declared federal disaster areas. Nearly 6 inches of rain from March 8-9 caused significant damages in Holmes County. In Holmes County, March 10, 1998 flooding along the Choctawhatchee River forced evacuations in Westville, New Hope, and Cerro Gordo. Numerous county and secondary roads were closed. Up to 100 homes were flooded and had to be evacuated. Most dirt roads sustained substantial damages, especially those near rivers and floodways. Five to eight inches of rain during a 48-hour period across the county as well as torrential rains upstream in Alabama caused flooding along the Choctawhatchee River and nearby low-lying areas. Flooding at Cerrogordo April 1, 2005 forced the evacuation of a few families. Many creeks and streams were running above their banks. Roads along the river were impassable due to high water. Many county roads were closed. Reported by the Holmes County EMA. A very anomalous pattern set up across the U.S. in early July featuring a persistent upper level trough over and just west of the Mississippi Valley and a downstream ridge off the Mid Atlantic Coast. This brought deep layer moist tropical air into the Southeast for several consecutive days resulting in torrential rains, flash flooding and river flooding. While several episodes of severe weather also occurred during this period, the heavy rain and July 4, 2013 DRAFTaccompanying flooding were the primary impacts. Between 10 and 20 inches of rain fell in a three-day period between July 2-4, and serious flooding occurred across portions of the Florida Panhandle with Walton, Holmes, and Washington counties declared federal disaster areas. Damage estimates $8.5 million for Holmes count. Most of the damage was due to roads and bridges, but some structures were also affected. An upper level trough moved slowly across the southeast states. A couple of rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall spread across the area in association with it. The ground was already saturated given heavy rain earlier in the month. As a result, significant flash flooding and areal flooding resulted. State Highway 81 April 18, 2014 was closed just south of the Alabama state line. Also, Cane Mill Road, Woodham Road, Shefield Road, Spring Valley Road, Robbins Bridge Road, Jones Loop Road, Jim Bush Road, Horseshoe Loop Road and several others were flooded and sustained damages. Damages approached $1M.
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Major flooding occurred across Holmes county at the end of the month due to a combination of very heavy rainfall and already saturated conditions. Many roads in the county sustained damage with damage estimated at $945,255. April 30, 2014
Unseasonably deep moisture moved into the area and combined with a weak area of low pressure to produce excessive rainfall across portions of the area. At Apalachicola, 3.77 inches of rain was measured in just one hour. Storm total November 9, 2015 rainfall over a 2-day period ranged from 9 to 11 inches across portions of Franklin county extended westward to Bay county. In Holmes county, preliminary road damage from flooding was estimated at around $500,000. A significant flooding and severe weather event unfolded over the tri-state area during early December as showers and thunderstorms spread northward across the area for multiple days. The most noteworthy impact over the weekend was December 1, 2018 heavy precipitation. Widespread rainfall totals reached 5-7 inches throughout the area with some localized heavier amounts near 10 inches. This resulted in flash flooding and river flooding across numerous counties. In addition, five tornadoes touched down, including one in southeast Alabama, two in southwest Georgia, one in the Florida panhandle, and one in the Florida big bend. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
Impacts from flooding In Holmes County has resulted in the loss of life and damages to personal property, crops, businesses, utilities, and transportation infrastructure. Additional losses and economic hardshipsDRAFT have occurred when supplies or supply routes are damaged or destroyed. Holmes County has hundreds of miles of dirt roads, all of which are vulnerable to over wash and serious erosion caused by flooding. In every flooding event in Holmes County, drinking water supplied by private wells has been temporarily compromised resulting in a boil water notice from the Holmes County Health Department. Additionally, several critical facilities have been impacted, to include chemical and waste storage facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, and solid waste disposal sites. These events resulted in a hazard to public health. Flood waters in Holmes County also result in a serious issue of mold. Given the warm climate Holmes County experiences often, mold can become a life-threatening issue, and an expense issue. Residents have had furniture, drywall, insulation, air conditioning ducts removed because of mold spores that become a serious health issue. Flood inundated roadways have resulted in extensive paved, and dirt road repairs. In addition, the critical facilities are susceptible to flooding.
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Besides the actual events that have impacted Holmes County, there is a large amount of area that is considered wetlands, and highly susceptible to flood impacts, as can be seen in Figure 23 below.
Figure 23: Holmes County Wetlands
Source: http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/wetlandextension/counties/washington.htm
Source: http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/wetlandextension/counties/Holmes.htm
3. Historical Events
Serious flooding has occurred in 1928, 1929, 1960, 1975, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2004 2008, 2009, 2013,DRAFT 2014, 2015 and 2018. The 1994 Tropical Storm Alberto event caused great devastation to homes, public buildings, and residences near the Choctawhatchee and other rivers in Holmes County, especially in the Gritney, Choctawhatchee Campsites subdivision, Izagora, Westville and Cerro Gordo areas. Interstate 10 was closed for a period of time because of damage to the bridges over the Choctawhatchee River. Hundreds of residents were displaced from homes, only to return to total devastation. Even homes built to the 100- year base flood elevation standards received water. Events such as those listed above can readily recur. Although Tropical Storm Alberto did little wind damage, it was a very “wet” storm, causing prolonged rainfall and extensive flooding. Such events can happen at any time, especially during hurricane season.
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In 2004, Hurricane Frances produced several inches of rainfall in a short amount of time, causing many roads to wash out, and damaged to some paved roads. The Choctawhatchee River flooded some low-lying areas, impacting much of Westville and Ponce de Leon.
In 2009, Tropical depression Fay caused major flooding along the Choctawhatchee River, which closed roads along the Holmes/Washington County line. Several homes were flooded. The river crested at 20.5 feet.
In 2013 significant flooding occurred across Holmes County due to prolonged periods of moderate to heavy rainfall. Four-day rainfall totals of 8-12 inches were estimated across the County between February 22-26. The emergency manager estimated over $1.0 million in damages across the county, mainly due to road repair.
In 2014, a strong long wave trough was centered over the mid-Mississippi Valley extending south to the Holmes coast with several short waves rotating around it. During the April 29- 30 time period, strong super cells developed along the Holmes coast and trained across the area, producing extremely heavy rainfall rates and amounts on top of what had already been a very wet month with additional rainfall amounts of 6 to 10 inches common across the area. This led to serious flooding across portions of the Florida panhandle with several million dollars in damage reported, mainly to roads. However, several structures were also impacted by flood waters, especially in Walton, Washington and Holmes County, and a FEMA disaster declaration was obtained across the area. Major flooding occurred across Holmes County at the end of the month due to a combination of very heavy rainfall and already saturated conditions. Many roads in the county sustained damage resulting in several million dollars in damages. DRAFT In 2015, Unseasonably deep moisture moved into the area and combined with a weak area of low pressure to produce excessive rainfall across portions of the area. At Apalachicola, 3.77 inches of rain was measured in just one hour. Storm total rainfall over a 2-day period ranged from 9 to 11 inches across portions of Franklin county extended westward to Bay county. In Holmes county, preliminary road damage from flooding was estimated at around $500,000.
In 2018, A significant flooding and severe weather event unfolded over the tri-state area during early December as showers and thunderstorms spread northward across the area for multiple days. The most noteworthy impact over the weekend was heavy precipitation. Widespread rainfall totals reached 5-7 inches throughout the area with some localized heavier amounts near 10 inches. This resulted in flash flooding and river flooding across numerous counties. In addition, five tornadoes touched down, including one in southeast Alabama, two in southwest Georgia, one in the Florida panhandle, and one in the Florida big bend. Many local roads were flooded near Bonifay, including the intersection of Highway 90 and Highway 79. That intersection was impassable with cars stalling. Some Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 36 | Page
flooding of homes was also reported in the area.
4. Probability
The probability of flooding occurring in Holmes County in the future is extremely high due the history of the event occurring. The State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Strategy ranked Holmes County at a “High Hazard” risk for flooding. The county experiences some degree of flooding at least once per year and this is projected to continue. On average, more serious 100-year flood events occur once every 10 years. Based on its close proximity to the Choctawhatchee River, the Town of Westville will experience flooding more frequently, as will the Town of Noma which has Mills Branch running through the middle of the town toward Wiggins Creek, and Ponce de Leon, which is traversed by the Sandy Creed and all its tributaries, and floods frequently.
5. Vulnerability
Much of the land areas in Holmes County are subject to flooding, given the right circumstances. The following Flood Insurance Risk Maps display the extreme vulnerability to flooding Holmes County has. These maps were recently updated, and are maintained by the Northwest Florida Water Management District at: http://portal.nwfwmdfloodmaps.com/map.aspx?cty=holmes.
Each of the municipalities are located near a body of water that is normally in the 100-year flood zone. As development pressure increases, it can be expected that more people will chose to reside in these hazardous areas. Each municipality has enacted set back requirements and enacted base flood elevation standardsDRAFT that will mitigate this encroachment of people and structures into the flood zones.
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To better understand the zone designation on each map, the following explanation of the flood zone designations are given. These are relatively new definitions of the flood zones. They correspond to the following Figure.
Figure 24: FEMA FIRM Map Zone Designations
A Area with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30 yr mortgage. Because detailed analyses are not performed for such areas; no depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones. AE Area with a 1% chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30 yr mortgage. In most instances, base flood elevations derived from analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones. AH Areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding, usually in the form of a pond, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30 yr mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones. AO River or stream flood hazard areas and areas with a 1% or greater chance of shallow flooding each year, usually in the form of sheet flow, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Average flood depths derived from detailed analyses are shown within these zones. VE Coastal areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding and an additional hazard associated with storm waves. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30 yr mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones. X Area that is determinedDRAFT to be outside the 100- and 500-year floodplains
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Figure 25: FEMA FIRM Zones - Holmes County
Source: Northwest FloridaDRAFT Water Management District
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Figure 26: FIRM Maps for Municipalities
Bonifay
Esto
Noma
Ponce de Leon
Westville DRAFT
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The figures below demonstrated how vulnerable Holmes County is to flooding events. Over 7.5% of the values of all residential structures in the County/Municipalities are vulnerable to losses from a 100-year flooding event or hurricane storm surge.
Figure 27: Structures Located in the Floodplain – Holmes County
Floodplain Residential Commercial Medical Industrial Agric Education Government 100 355 43 12 2 399 3 37 500 26 1 0 0 6 0 3 Source: State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan, Appendix C, pg. c.11 Figure 28: Value of Structures in the Floodplain – Holmes County ($Millions)
Floodplain Residential Commercial Medical Industrial Agric Education Government 100 $57,835.12 $22,189.94 $15,647.22 $666 $70,216.66 $11,305.39 $36,301.09 500 $3,963.52 $536.73 $0.00 $0.00 $1,404.11 $0.00 $3,405.85 Source: State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan, Appendix C, c.18
For the City of Bonifay, flooding is caused by excessive rainfall events occurring within the City or in environs closely surrounding the City. No major river flows through the community. Additionally, urban runoff can increase the likelihood of flooding in locations not otherwise prone to flooding. Areas susceptible to flooding in Bonifay include Montana Street and surrounding neighborhoods west of SR 79; Banfill Street and surrounding neighborhoods, including U.S. 90 west of SR 79 and Bay Street, including the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Town of Westville is located on the west bank of the Choctawhatchee River. About sixty percentDRAFT of the Town’s corporate limits are located in the Choctawhatchee’s broad, alluvial floodplain. This includes virtually all of the eastern portions of the Town. The Northwest Florida Water Management District owns approximately three of the five square miles of floodplain in Westville. These lands are managed for conservation purposes and cannot be developed. The remaining floodplain lands are owned privately in large holdings. The purpose of these holdings is for timbering or hunting purposes. Pressure to develop these lands is extremely low.
Land uses west of the Choctawhatchee floodplain include single-family residential and small business commercial. Some ranching and poultry farming is conducted in the Town. Since there is so little development, runoff from developed areas (parking lots, rooftops, cleared land/fill, etc.) is limited. Storm water could contribute to storm water management problems in some areas of Westville, particularly on roadways in the main portion of Town on CR 181 (Pine Street). Holmes County’s road department is responsible for roadway and drainage maintenance. Any new development must have storm water retention basins installed per Florida regulations before construction is permitted.
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In Ponce de Leon, Extensive floodplains exist throughout Ponce de Leon. The potential for a flooding disaster in the community is very high. Two larger creeks, however, converge in the Town (Sandy Creek and Blue Creek). Smaller creeks (such as Mill Creek in the western portions of the Town) flow into Sandy Creek. A substantial portion of the Town and its infrastructure is located within these floodplains. Other portions of the Town are built upon ridges between these creeks.
Numerous structures are located in the floodplains in Ponce de Leon. This includes all development along U.S. Highway 90 between (but not including) the industrial park eastbound to the CSX railway embankment, much of SR 81 between I-10, through the original portion of downtown, crossing U.S. 90, and north for beyond Blue Creek Estates subdivision. Virtually all of CR 181A is within the floodplain. Houses, businesses, and important infrastructure (including Town Hall, the fire department, wastewater lift stations, a water well, post office, banks, the Interstate and the primary commercial districts on U.S. 90 and the north side of I-10 on SR 81) are within the floodplain. Virtually all of the infrastructure and business districts named above are within the 100-year floodplain.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection owns and operates Ponce de Leon State Recreation Area. This park protects several springs and natural plant life along Sandy Creek south of U.S. 90. Much, but not all, of the floodplain in this area is publicly owned and not subject to future development. The majority of the floodplains in Ponce de Leon, however, are under private ownership. Very small portions of the floodplains outside of the State Recreation Area are publicly owned (including Town Hall’s site).
The Towns of Esto and Noma are not in the 100-year floodplain, and do not flood. DRAFT 6. Extent
Holmes County is predominately flat, highly susceptible to sheet flooding. Historically, hurricane induced up to 20 inches of rainfall, causing riverine and sheet flooding throughout the County. Flooding from non-hurricane weather events, such as a stalled cold front, can also produce up to 10 inches of rainfall, resulting in several feet of standing water in low- lying areas, inundating both roadways and flooding homes and businesses. In addition, flooding caused by another state (i.e. Alabama) can cause the Choctawhatchee River and Holmes Creek to flood. Therefore, given the above, Holmes County can expect a flooding event that can produce up to 20 inches of rainfall in a short period of time, which will cause the two major rivers to flood, and cause inland sheet flooding.
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C. Drought/Heat Wave
The data presented below is inclusive of all incorporated jurisdictions within Holmes County, including the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Ponce de Leon, Town of Westville, and the Town of Noma.
1. Hazard Description
Drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions that results in water-related problems. Precipitation falls in uneven patterns across the country. When no rain or only a small amount of rain falls, soils can dry out and plants can die. When rainfall is less than normal for several weeks, months, or years, the flow of streams and rivers declines. Water levels in lakes and reservoirs fall, and the depth to water in wells decreases. If dry weather persists and water supply problems develop, the dry period can become a drought. The first evidence of drought usually is seen in records of rainfall. Within a short period of time, the amount of moisture in soils can begin to decrease. The effects of a drought on flow in streams and rivers or on water levels in lakes and reservoirs may not be noticed for several weeks or months. Water levels in wells may not reflect a shortage of rainfall for a year or more after the drought begins. A period of below-normal rainfall does not necessarily result in drought conditions. Some areas of the United States are more likely to have droughts than other areas. In humid, or wet, regions, a drought of a few weeks is quickly reflected in a decrease in soil moisture and in declining flow in streams. In arid, or dry, regions, people rely on ground water and water in reservoirs to supply their needs. They are protected from short-term droughts, but may have severe problems during long dry periods because they may have no other water source if wells or reservoirs go dry. DRAFT Figure 29: Monthly Average Temperatures - Holmes County, FL
Source: http://www.usa.com/holmes-county-fl-weather.htm#HistoricalTemperature
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Heat Wave, or Extreme Heat occurs when temperatures hover 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for a region and last for several weeks. Humid or muggy conditions, which add to the discomfort of high temperatures, occur when a "dome" of high atmospheric pressure traps hazy, damp air near the ground. Excessively dry and hot conditions can provoke dust storms and low visibility. Droughts occur when a long period passes without substantial rainfall. A heat wave combined with a drought is a very dangerous situation.
Seasonal droughts most often occur in April and October. Despite the assumption that the southern portion of Florida receives the highest temperatures due its southern location, the highest recorded heat waves have occurred in the Florida Panhandle.
2. Impact
The following Figure demonstrates the impacts drought/heat wave has historically had on Holmes County.
Figure 30: Drought Impacts on Holmes County
Date Drought Event Impacts 9/2010 Severe drought conditions (D2) developed across Jackson and Holmes counties on September thru 14th. This drought continues into October. Potential for wildfires and low water levels are 12/2011 occurring. Conditions worsened to a D3 level in November resulting in wildfires and some wells going dry. Conditions last through 2011, reaching the D4 level. Agriculture crops were impacted by the lack of rainfall. No estimates of loss are available. 1/2012- D2-D3 conditions continue across the area (Holmes County included). This is impacting 6/2012 agriculturalDRAFT interests. Wildfires persist across the County. Tropical Storm Debbie in early June ended the severe drought and heat wave experienced in Holmes County. 11/2016 D2 drought conditions developed in portions of Jackson, Washington, Bay, Holmes, and thru Walton counties on November 15th. These conditions worsened to D3 status on November 12/2016 29th with the drought continuing thru mid-December. 1/9/2018 D2 drought conditions developed and expanded across portions of the Florida panhandle and thru big bend during the week of 1/9/18 and continued into February. 1/31/2018 9/24/2019 D2 drought conditions developed across portions of Walton and Holmes counties during the last week of September and continued thru mid-October.
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database – Drought, Holmes County Florida 1950 - 2019
3. Historical Events
Between 2010 – 2019, there was an extended drought that lasted over 21 months, only ending with the arrival of Tropical Storm Debbie.
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Figure 31: Summary of Drought Conditions in Holmes County 2010 – 2019 Holmes County Florida - Drought Number of Months with Event: 27 Number of Days with Event and Death: 0 Number of Days with Event and Death or Injury: 0 Number of Days with Event and Property Damage: 0 Number of Days with Event and Crop Damage: 0 Number of Event Types reported: 1 Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
Because the county is a coastal county, it is not particularly prone to severe droughts. However, droughts have occurred as recently as 2011 and again in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
The following chart is a summary by month of the drought conditions in Holmes County, beginning in 2010 – 2019. Figure 32: U.S. Drought Monitor 2010-2019 - Holmes County FL
Month
Year J F M A M J J A S O N D
2010 2011 2012 2013 DRAFT2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Source: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/MapsAndData/DataTables.aspx
D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 Normal Abnormal Moderate Severe Extreme Exceptional
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4. Probability
According to NOAA, a drought will occur in Holmes County once every 10 years. This is based on the historical events of droughts occurring in Holmes County and its municipalities.
5. Vulnerability
Holmes County is very vulnerable to drought, especially when considering the following:
• Much of Holmes County is covered in pine forests, which are harvested. A severe drought can weaken the pine trees, making them more vulnerable to the pine beetle, which will devastate a pine forest quickly.
• Droughts and heat waves will spawn forest fires, which have a dramatic impact on the economy of the County.
• The entire population of Holmes County and the municipalities of Bonifay, Caryville, Esto, Ponce de Leon and Westville are vulnerable to the impacts of drought, albeit very small.
• Much of the population of Holmes County is dependent on well water as their sourceDRAFT of potable water. A drought can lower the water tables, even allowing some wells to go dry. This will cause residents to find alternate sources of water for living.
• There is no historical data on an estimated damage caused by a drought or heat wave in Holmes County. If one were to occur, it is estimated the impact would be minimal. It would normally be associated with extending water wells to compensate for low water tables. This would not be a cost associated with the jurisdictions.
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6. Extent
The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) has been the most commonly used drought index in the United States and was developed to measure intensity, duration, and spatial extent of drought. PDSI values are derived from measurements of precipitation, air temperature, and local soil moisture, along with prior values of these measures. Values range from -6.0 (extreme drought) to +6.0 (extreme wet conditions), and have been standardized to facilitate comparisons from r.ion to r.ion.
Figure 33: Palmer Drought Classification Scale
Palmer Drought Holmes County can expect to experience a Classifications Scale severe drought and heat wave once every 10 years on average. The average duration 4.0 or more extremely wet of the drought is approximately five to eight 3.0 to 3.99 very wet months, with a Palmer Drought Severity 2.0 to 2.99 moderately wet Index of -2.0 to - 2.99.
1.0 to 1.99 slightly wet Impacts from heat waves can put lives at 0.5 to 0.99 incipient wet spell risk with the possibility of heat strokes and 0.49 to -0.49 near normal heat exhaustion. The municipalities in -0.5 to -0.99 incipient dry spell Holmes County may be more susceptible to -1.0 to -1.99 mild drought the effects of a heat wave due to the urban -2.0 DRAFTto -2.99 moderate drought heat island effort from urban development. -3.0 to -3.99 severe drought Holmes County can expect to experience a heat index of 110 degrees in the -4.0 or less extreme drought unincorporated areas and slightly higher in the incorporated areas. This could last 3 to 5 days.
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D. Erosion
1. Hazard Description
Soil erosion is the removal of material from the surface soil. The most common forces causing soil erosion are wind and water. Rain can dislodge soil particles and the resulting water flow can carry the soil down slopes. Erosion risks are high when rainstorms are frequent, intense, or of long duration. Additionally, winds can also dislodge soil particles and transport them elsewhere. Periods of drought increase the risk of erosion by wind.
Such erosion, left unchecked, can damage drainage ditches, fill storm water retention ponds with sediment, and cause erosion into property, including roadways and buildings. Most erosion of this nature occurs in some agricultural areas of the county (the northern one-half of the county), and along unpaved roadways in hilly areas. On agricultural lands, erosion can transport soil additives, such as fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural lands and affect the quality of waterways. In addition, erosion can be costly to farming operations and reduce crop production due to loss of nutrient-rich topsoil.
In the northern tier of the County, the landscape is rolling hills. The County elevations ranging from one foot above MSL in the low-lying areas in and near the towns of Ponce de Leon (elev 62 ft) and Westville (elev 69 ft) to over 230 feet above MSL in and around the Town of Esto. The Holmes Creek and Choctawhatchee River valleys comprises the entire a large portion of the County. Since numerous sloping areas exist within Holmes County, soil erosion due on sloping soil, combined with direct water erosion near rivers and stream and rainfall amounts of approximately 50-60 inches a rain per year combines to increase Holmes County’s risk DRAFTof soil erosion by water.
The Holmes Coastal Plain consists of sands, clays and silts that form the soils in Holmes County. Limestone outcrops, although present in some locations (particularly along Holmes and Wright Creeks) are not common. The soft sediments that do prevail can be vulnerable to erosion when topography, vegetation, and ability to absorb water combine to form energy to weather away soils.
The most likely areas of riverine erosion potential include lower Wright’s Creek, and the Choctawhatchee River basin. Erosion can also be found where topography and slope increase away from rivers. Steeper topography, combined with road and home site development, can cause sheet erosion, gullies where sediment can empty into creeks, bays, etc.
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2. Impacts
The most consequential impacts from soil erosion occur during flooding events, when the 530.54 miles of dirt roads which crisscross the entire County can be significantly impacted. Eroded soil ends up in water conveyance ditches, which must be removed in order to restore water flow. In past events, Holmes County has had to remove thousands of cubic yards of sediments from swales and ditches, and reshape the dirt roads because of soil erosion at significant expense to the County.
In addition, historically, there have been critical facilities that have been threatened by eroding banks or unmitigated landscapes. One fire station had to be demolished because of erosion threatening the integrity of the foundation.
3. Historical Events
There has been one report of riverine erosion impacting a structure. The Ponce de Leon Fire Department was falling into Sandy Creek due to hazardous riverine erosion conditions. However, the property was acquired through HMGP funds that were made available after Tropical Storm Allison.
Also, various levels of soil erosion occurred during the following events, based on the excessive amounts of rainfall. Several of these events produced up to 20 inches of rainfall in short periods of time. Riverine and localized flooding occurred during these events. All these events DRAFTcaused significant dirt road washouts and bank erosion. The roads had to be reshaped, ditch sediments removed, all at a significant cost to Holmes County and the municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville.
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Figure 34: Soil Erosion Events in Holmes County
Date Event Pressure 11/16/1985 Hurricane Kate 967 6/30/1994 Hurricane Alberto 1008.0 8/15/1994 Hurricane Beryl 1012.0 9/8/1998 Hurricane Earl 987.0 9/15/2000 Hurricane Helene 1010 8/2/2001 Hurricane Barry 1011 9/9/2004 Hurricane Frances 998 8/15/2008 Tropical Storm Fay 1009 8/16/2009 Tropical Storm Claudette 1008 2/22-26/2013 Extreme Weather unk 4/29-30/2014 Extreme Weather Unk 10/7/2017 Hurricane Nate 981 10/10/2018 Hurricane Michael 919
4. Probability
There are 530.54DRAFT miles of dirt roads in Holmes County; each is subject to erosion to some degree. Overall, the community has a high probability of encountering soil erosion, with a high probability of recurrence. Many of the soil types in Holmes County are ranked as “Highly Erodible (HE)” or “Potentially Highly Erodible (PHE)” soil types by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Given that most of the problems caused by erosion are from dirt road erosion, and the flooding probability for a 100 yr flood event in Holmes County and its municipalities is once every 10 years, then the probability of soil erosion on a scale that impacts the county is equal to once every 10 years.
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5. Vulnerability
River bank erosion, rills, gullies, and alluvial fans are the most commonly observed riverine erosion in the County. Most of these features are associated with disturbances in natural vegetation, poor management of agricultural lands, silvicultural operations, building construction, or road construction and maintenance projects. Such erosion, left unchecked, can damage drainage ditches, fill storm water retention ponds with sediment, and cause erosion into property, including structures. Erosion along riverbanks is a much less common issue in the County. The majorities of the floodplain of the Choctawhatchee River, the major river in the County, as well as substantial portions of Wright’s Creek are owned by the Northwest Florida Water Management District and are not subject to development. There are private parcels; however, that front the Choctawhatchee River, Wright’s Creek, and other water bodies. These properties are generally on small bluffs over the river (five to ten feet above normal water level).
Also consider, in Holmes County:
• The average erosion rate per acre in Holmes County is 4.4 tons/acre/year. This impacts the agricultural interests in the County. • There is 530.54 miles of erodible dirt roads in Holmes County that require extensive erosion repairs after flood events. • Holmes County experiences a flooding event once every 3.5 years on average, and a 100 yr event once every 10 years, exposing the County to serious roadway erosion concerns. • Without a Presidential Disaster Declaration, the County is left with the full costs of road repairs toDRAFT erosion problems, which can have a substantial impact on the county budget. • Eroded dirt roads hamper first responders, therefore jeopardizing the safety of Holmes County citizens to all hazards.
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6.Extent
According to a report developed by the IFAS Extension Service in Holmes County, the following formula was used to determine the amount of average erosion and sediment loss to expect from an average acre of land in Holmes County per year. The calculations use the following formula: A = R*K*LS*C*P, in which… A = average soil loss R = average rainfall amounts K = soil erodibility factor LS = Length and slope of the land C = Land cover management factor P = Ratio of soil loss with a conservation support practice (contour cropping, contour strip cropping, terracing) When applied to Holmes County, the average erosion loss per acre of farmland was calculated to be 4.4 tons/acre/year3. This is the extent of erosion to expect in Holmes County.
E. Sinkholes
The data presented below is inclusive of all incorporated jurisdictions within Holmes County, including the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Noma, Town of Ponce de Leon, and Town of Westville.
1. Hazard Description
Sinkholes canDRAFT be depressions in the land surface or may be hidden from view below the surface. They can be shallow or deep, small or large, but all are a result of the same general geologic processes. Much of Florida's landscape is comprised of what's known as "karsts." Karsts terrain is a land surface produced by water dissolving the limestone bedrock and is characterized by sinkholes, cavern systems and springs. Sinkholes occur as a natural process of erosion of the limestone by water. Increased numbers of sinkholes can generally be attributed to changing or loading of the earth's surface with development such as retention ponds, buildings, changes in drainage patterns, heavy traffic vibrations or declining groundwater levels. Their development may be sudden and may result in property damage or loss of life. Florida has more sinkholes than any other state in the nation. Florida's average sinkhole size is 3 to 4 feet across and 4 to 5 feet deep.
3 UF/IFAS Nutrient Management Series: Computational Tools for Field Implementation of the Florida Phosphorus Index – Holmes County Florida 2013 pg., 5-10
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Limestone underlies virtually all of Holmes County. In some cases, limestone is near the surface (such as in the Ponce de Leon area). There is evidence of sinkhole activity (obvious when viewed from aerial photographs or when looking at topographic maps), but not within the Town itself. The area’s karsts topography is mature. This has allowed a defined, but broad, water flow to develop over time. In many locations of the County, sinkholes are filled with natural sediment characterized by swamp-associated soils. Most area sinkholes are heavily forested with swamps. These sinkholes are locally called “Bays”. The presence of mature soil and vegetation indicates the majority of land is stable, with little or no active collapse events occurring. Two large natural lakes occur in sinkholes (Lake Cassidy and Blue Pond, both partially in Walton County).
2. Impacts
The impacts of sinkholes in Holmes County include “swallowing” buildings and property as well as compromise below ground infrastructure, causing minor to significant damage, depending on the sinkhole’s size and depth. Specific to Holmes County, sinkholes not caused any structural damages to buildings or roadways. They have occurred in open areas. The County has expended funds to fill in sinkholes that have occurred on public lands that only posed a community threat or hazard. If the sinkhole has not caused a public hazard, then they are left alone.
3. Historical Events
The Florida Sinkhole Database (maintained by the Department of Environmental Protection Geology Bureau) indicates little active sinkhole development. DRAFT Figure 35: Record of Sinkholes - Holmes County Date Location Township Length Width Depth Slope 9/5/1982 DIAMOND 'B' RANCH WESTVILLE 8.000 6.000 7.500 90.000 5/15/2003 1405 N. HWY 79 BONIFAY 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 12/17/2008 2282 OLD MILL RD BONIFAY 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
4. Probability
The probability of a sinkhole occurring in Holmes County and the five municipalities is relatively low, given that there have only been 3 sinkholes to open up since 1970, and the probability of damages is low, based on the lack of significant damages reported to date for any event. This equates to a new sinkhole opening up every 20 years, but this is highly contingent on rainfall amounts causing flooding, which can lead to increased sinkhole activity.
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5. Vulnerability Assessment
There are three distinct sinkhole districts in the county, according to the Florida Geological Survey (a part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection).
Maps, aerial photography, or simply a flight over or drive through the county will quickly reveal the karsts nature of the area. There are dozens of bay swamps, and a large sinkhole lake at Lake Cassidy in extreme western Holmes County (along the Walton County line). There are also underwater caves where diving is popular in the Ponce de Leon area.
Also consider the fact that:
• The City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Noma, Town of Ponce de Leon, the Town of Westville and 98% of the unincorporated areas of Holmes County all fall in the blue zone where sinkholes develop abruptly and of varying sizes. • There are numerous underground utility distribution systems in the municipalities that could be impacted by an opening sinkhole • The County has hundreds of miles of paved and dirt roadways vulnerable to sinkholes. • An unexpected sinkhole can threaten buildings and residential structures of Holmes County, making them unsafe to inhabit.
Figure 36: Holmes County Sinkhole Vulnerability Area
Extreme northeast Holmes County is located in an area DRAFTof “bare or thinly covered limestone. Sinkholes are few, generally shallow and broad, and develop gradually. Solution sinkholes dominate.
Extreme southwest Holmes County is located in an area of “cover (or overburden on top of limestone) more than 200 feet thick. This cover consists of cohesive sediments interlaid with discontinuous carbonate beds. Sinkholes are very few, but several large-diameter, deep sinkholes occur. Cover-collapse sinkholes dominate.
The remainder of the county is in a geological district where sinkholes occur where cover is 30 to 200 feet thick. These areas consist of mainly cohesive clayey sediments of low permeability. Sinkholes are most numerous, of varying size, and develop abruptly. Cover- collapse sinkholes dominate.4
4 Source: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/publications/sinkholetype3.pdf
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6. Extent
The magnitude of a sinkhole is measured in terms of depth, length, and width (all measured in feet). While the magnitude and severity of the possible impact from a sinkhole on the study area could potentially be extremely severe, historical record suggests the likely hood of such severity is low. The only recorded sinkhole since 1982 measured 8’ wide by 6’ length and 7’ deep. Yet the potential for future sinkholes remains present. Holmes County could experience common sinkholes of up to 10’ x 10’ x 6 feet deep based on its geologic location.
The extent of damage from sinkhole formation varies depending on its proximity to structures or roadways. In general, sinkhole formation may affect land only or it may affect structures or roadways above, either through collapse or risk of collapse. If the sinkhole is large enough and takes in a large amount of property it could cause a great amount of economic loss for the citizens or the community. It may also serve to decrease property values of nearby structures.
F. Tornados
1. Hazard Description
The data presented below is inclusive of all incorporated jurisdictions within Holmes County, including the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Noma, Town of Ponce de Leon, and the Town of Westville. A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud. It is spawned by a thunderstorm (or sometimes as a result of a hurricane) and produced when cool air overrides a layer of warm air, forcing the warm air to rise rapidly.DRAFT The damage from a tornado is a result of the high wind velocity and wind- blown debris. Tornado season is generally March through August, although tornadoes can occur at any time of year. They tend to strike between noon and midnight.
When a tornado threatens, individuals need to have a safe place to go and time to get there. Warning times may be short or sometimes not possible. Lives are saved when individuals receive and understand the warning, know what to do, and know the safest place to go. Tornadoes occur over land, and waterspouts occur over water.
Because of the unpredictable patterns of tornadoes, and because the entire state, including Holmes County, has a relatively high recurrence frequency, all municipalities and unincorporated areas in the County are vulnerable to tornado damage.
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2. Impacts
The impacts from tornadoes include damage to buildings and infrastructure due to high winds and flying debris. Deaths and injuries can result from collapsing buildings, flying debris, and downed power lines.
Figure 37 displays the historical impacts caused by selected tornadoes in Holmes County.
Figure 37: Impacts from Tornadoes - Holmes County
Year Type Impacts An F2 tornado touched down once just south of Bonifay, lifted, then touched down again before dissipating just east of the city. According to the Holmes County EMA, 39 homes and eight businesses were damaged, and four mobile homes were destroyed. Most of the damage 2000 F2 occurred in the vicinity of Son-In-Law Road, just north of Interstate 10. Trees were uprooted and roofs were ripped off homes and businesses in the affected area. Numerous power lines were toppled, knocking out power to several thousand customers. A local state of emergency was declared in Holmes County. A tornado touched down near Boswell Road and destroyed a barn and downed several trees. After crossing County Road 177A, it damaged a home on Gator Lane and snapped many trees. 2005 F1 Another three homes were partially destroyed on Long Round Bay Road before the tornado dissipated. Damages estimated at $350K An F0 tornado touched in extreme northeast Holmes county along Kirkland Road as a spinoff of 2012 F0 Tropical Storm Isaac. Trees were blown down and uprooted, and the front porch of a resident’s home was torn from a mobile home. $10K estimated damages. ADRAFT tornado touched down in Holmes county and tracked through the south-central part of the 2018 F1 county north of Caryville and northwest of Bonifay. Two barns were destroyed and one brick carport that was attached to a house was destroyed. The roof of this house was mostly gone. There was one minor injury. The tornado was rated EF1 with peak winds estimated at 110 mph. Damage cost was estimated at $250K A tornado touched down in Walton County and entered Holmes County south of HWY 90. Radar was used to extend the track a few more miles into Holmes county. The tornado lifted before 2020 F1 reaching Ponce De Leon or Highway 81. Damage cost was estimated at $100K.
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 56 | Page Tornado intensity is measured by the Enhanced Fujita Scale for Tornadoes, provided below.
Figure 38: Enhanced Fujita Scale for Tornadoes
All FUJITA SCALE DERIVED EF SCALE OPERATIONAL EF SCALE F Fastest 1/4- 3 Second EF 3 Second EF 3 Second Number mile (mph) Gust (mph) Number Gust (mph) Number Gust (mph) 0 40-72 45-78 0 65-85 0 65-85 1 73-112 79-117 1 86-109 1 86-110 2 113-157 118-161 2 110-137 2 111-135 3 158-207 162-209 3 138-167 3 136-165 4 208-260 210-261 4 168-199 4 166-200 5 261-318 262-317 5 200-234 5 Over 200
3. Historical Events
Figure 39 shows the previous tornadoes that have touched down in Holmes County as of 2020 by the NOAA Storm Events Database (1970-2020).
Figure 39: Tornado Events - 1970 - 2020 PROPERTY CROP LOCATION DATE TIME MAG DEATH INJURY DAMAGE ($) DAMAGE ($) HOLMES CO. DRAFT6/25/1972 15:10 F2 1 2 2.50K 0.00K HOLMES CO. 1/10/1975 19:30 F0 0 0 25.00K 0.00K HOLMES CO. 2/17/1975 9:30 F1 0 0 25.00K 0.00K HOLMES CO. 11/8/1989 6:00 F0 0 0 25.00K 0.00K PONCE DE LEON 10/4/1995 11:45 F1 0 0 10.00K 5.00K ESTO 12/7/1995 2:27 F1 0 0 75.00K 0.00K BONIFAY 12/16/2000 14:24 F2 0 0 750.00K 0.00K TENDIL CROSSING 9/25/2002 18:35 F0 0 0 100.00K 0.00K PONCE DE LEON 11/5/2002 17:38 F0 0 0 15.00K 0.00K WESTVILLE 4/29/2004 21:36 F0 0 0 100.00K 0.00K BONIFAY 9/15/2004 19:55 F1 0 0 250.00K 0.00K BONIFAY 4/26/2005 17:05 F1 0 0 350.00K 0.00K COBB CROSSROADS 8/29/2012 16:24 EF0 0 0 10.00K 0.00K Gritney 2/11/2018 02:53 EF1 0 1 250.00K 0.00K Ponce de Leon 4/23/2020 14:17 EF1 0 0 100.00K 0.00K Totals: 1 2 2,097,500 5.00K Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 57 | P a ge 4. Probability
According to the historical record maintained by the National Climatic Data Center, Holmes County has a very low probability of ever receiving an F3 – F5 tornado event. None have ever occurred in the County. The county does have a relatively moderate risk of receiving an F0 – F2 event (one every 3.2 years). This is the same for the municipalities of Caryville, Chipley, Ebro, Vernon, and Wausau. This is the same for the municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville.
5. Vulnerability
Tornadoes have occurred in Holmes County; therefore, the County is vulnerable to their impacts and must be planned for. Tornadoes are dangerous in that they produce very high, concentrated winds that will destroy most things in its pathway. Although historically Holmes County has not had a tornado any larger than a F2, they have resulted in 1 death and 2 injuries, and $2,097,500 in property damages. Therefore, the LMS Committee considers tornadoes a threat that must be taken seriously. 100% of all residents and structures are vulnerable to tornadoes.
For Holmes County and the five municipalities, the following factors add to the overall vulnerability to tornadoes: • According to the Holmes County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, approximately 27% of the county lives in mobile homes. This equates to over 1,265 mobile homesDRAFT and 3,036 residents. Mobile homes are historically more vulnerable to tornadic winds than brick and mortar homes. • According to the NOAA, Florida ranks first in the number of tornadoes per square mile in the nation. Although the majority of these events are EF-0’s, they can still cause wind related damages to all structures and personal injuries. • Over 85% of Holmes County is heavily wooded or pastureland. Many of the resident population lives in the wildfire urban interface, meaning they live close wooded areas. Tornadoes cause wind related damages to trees, ergo most all residents in Holmes County are vulnerable to wind driven debris damage caused by tornadoes. • Holmes County has a large land area located in 100-year flood zone. This means virtually no one has basements or sellers for protection when a tornado warning is given. This makes the population extremely vulnerable based on lack of a safe shelter spaces to evacuate to.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 58 | P a ge The following Figure shows the number of homes vulnerable to a Category 2 hurricane, which would be the similar vulnerability for an F-2 tornado.
Figure 40: Structures Vulnerable to Tornado Winds - Holmes County
County Return Residential Commercial Medical Industrial Agriculture Education Gov’t Period Number of Structures Affected by Category 2 Hurricane Winds 50 1,575 44 64 3 1,326 4 52 100 4,042 233 135 25 2,203 21 99 Holmes Value of Structures – Category 2 Hurricane Winds ($million) 50 238.94 112.91 152.13 5.71 408.62 56.43 98.63 100 683.90 14.49 0 1.05 0 25.91 1.89 Source: 2018 Florida Hazard Mitigation Plan
6. Extent
The damage potential for a tornado increases as a function of population density. As the number of structures and people increase, the potential damage/injury rate increases. Manufactured housing (such as the trailer homes located throughout Holmes County), poorly constructed or substandard housing, or apartment complexes are especially susceptible to damage from a tornado. Manufactured housing and substandard housing are exceptionally susceptible because of their lack of resistance to high winds and apartment complexes and low rent projects because of their size and densities. The largest tornadoDRAFT that could be expected in Holmes County based on previous occurrences would be an F2, although larger ones are possible. The average tornado expected for the county would be a
F1 tornado of no more than 1,000 feet in duration. A tornado would cause significantly more damage if it went through the municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon or Westville because of the tighter density of people.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 59 | P a ge G. Thunderstorms/Lightning
1. Hazard Description
The data presented below is inclusive of all incorporated jurisdictions within Holmes County, including the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Noma, Town of Ponce de Leon, and the Town of Westville. A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically-assigned cloud type associated with the thunderstorm is the cumulonimbus. Thunderstorms are usually accompanied by strong winds, heavy rain and sometimes snow, sleet, hail, or no precipitation at all. Those which cause hail to fall are known as hailstorms. The National Severe Storms Laboratory of the NWS classifies a thunderstorm as severe when it contains one or more of the following phenomena:
• Hail 3/4" or greater • Winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph) • A tornado
Holmes County has 70 to 90 thunderstorm days each year. Consistent with averages from around the State of Florida, this is some of the highest frequencies in the nation. The vast majority of these days are from May to September. However, thunderstorms may occur during any month of the year.
Aside from being able to produce tornadoes, thunderstorms can cause damage with high winds. TheseDRAFT winds are usually caused by cold upper level air descending from the top of a thunderstorm to the ground. If the speed of decent is rapid, these cold “microbursts” can fan out as they come in contact with the ground at a high rate of speed. This is sometimes referred to as “straight line winds.” These winds can cause significant property damage, injuries, and deaths similar to a F0 to F2 tornado or Category 1 or 2 hurricane.
Florida leads the nation in lightning strikes per year (closely correlating with the number of thunderstorm days per year). Holmes County is estimated to have 12 to 20 flashes per square kilometer per year throughout the county. This ranks as typical for Florida and the Southeast, but well above average for the nation as a whole.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 60 | P a ge Figure 41: Lightning Strikes Per Year
Most thunderstorms in the County occur due to air mass heating during hot summer days. Additionally, passage of cold fronts in the autumn, winter and spring can trigger lines of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms and lightening events occur throughout the study area. There is no variability among jurisdictions that are impacted. Source: US National Lightning Detection Network
2. Impact Impacts from thunderstorms events include damage to buildings, infrastructure, and agricultural crops from lightning, hailstones, and high winds. Deaths and injuries can result from lightning strikes and hailstones, as well as from flying debris. The following is a sample of the types of impacts thunderstorms have had in Holmes County:
Figure 42: Thunderstorm Impacts in Holmes County
Date Thunderstorm Impacts A wide swath of thunderstorms occurred on Labor Day across much of the Panhandle (including Holmes County). This resulted in downed trees, power poles and a host of trees. The West Florida 9/5/11 Electric COOPDRAFT experienced widespread damage throughout its service area due to the downed trees. Thunderstorm winds exceeded 70 mph in some super cells. A very anomalous pattern set up across the U.S. in early July featuring a persistent upper level trough over and just west of the Mississippi Valley and a downstream ridge off the Mid Atlantic Coast. This brought deep layer moist tropical air into the Southeast for several consecutive days resulting in thunderstorms with torrential rains, flash flooding and river flooding. While several episodes of severe 7/4/13 weather also occurred during this period, the heavy rain and accompanying flooding were the primary impacts. Holmes County has between 10 and 20 inches of rain that fell in a three-day period between July 2-4, and serious flooding occurred across portions of the Florida Panhandle with Walton, Holmes, and Washington counties declared federal disaster areas. Damage estimates include $8.5 million for Holmes county. Most of the damage involved roads, bridges, and some structures. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms occurred during July 21-23 with some storms 7/23/13 becoming severe and knocking down trees and utility poles. Numerous trees were blown down; including some that damaged residential dwellings. Estimated damages were $10K A line of severe thunderstorms developed in an environment favorable for severe wet microburst’s 7/21/15 with high wet microburst severity index values. A power line was blown down on Oak Grove Road. A strong upper level trough and surface cold front moved through the region during the early 1/22/16 morning hours of January 22nd. A squall line developed ahead of the front and produced some wind damage and a couple of brief tornadoes. Roof damage occurred to two buildings in Bonifay. Damage was estimated at $50K
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 61 | P a ge Straight line winds caused numerous trees to be snapped and uprooted in Ponce de Leon. Minor 7/22/18 structural damage was sustained as roofing was peeled off of a couple of metal barns. Winds were estimated around 80 mph. Damage cost was estimated at $100K
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
3. Historical Events
The following Figure list all the thunderstorms that had some level of impact between June 2010 and June 2019. Figure 43: Thunderstorms Impacting Holmes County
Location Date Dth Inj PrD ($)
Totals: 0 0 324K PONCE DE LEON 6/19/2010 0 0 0.50K NOMA 4/4/2011 0 0 0.00K PITTMAN 8/8/2011 0 0 1.00K PONCE DE LEON 9/5/2011 0 0 3.00K WESTVILLE 9/5/2011 0 0 50.00K BONIFAY 2/18/2012 0 0 5.00K NOMA 3/3/2012 0 0 1.00K PONCE DE LEON 6/9/2012 0 0 0.50K PONCE DE LEON 7/17/2012 0 0 2.00K HICKORY HILL 7/30/2012 0 0 1.00K NEW HOPE 8/2/2012 0 0 4.00K BONIFAY 1/30/2013 0 0 2.00K BONIFAY DRAFT6/29/2013 0 0 1.00K BONIFAY 7/4/2013 0 0 1.00K WESTVILLE 7/4/2013 0 0 6.00K BONIFAY 7/23/2013 0 0 10.00K BONIFAY 9/24/2013 0 0 2.00K PONCE DE LEON 2/21/2014 0 0 1.00K NOMA 6/6/2014 0 0 2.00K BONIFAY 8/9/2014 0 0 1.00K CERROGORDO 8/18/2014 0 0 0.50K COBB CROSSROADS 10/14/2014 0 0 1.00K HICKORY HILL 11/23/2014 0 0 1.00K BONIFAY 5/15/2015 0 0 2.00K MILLER CROSSROADS 5/16/2015 0 0 0.50K BARKER STORE 5/20/2015 0 0 1.00K BONIFAY 6/4/2015 0 0 0.00K PONCE DE LEON 7/21/2015 0 0 3.00K Bonifay 1/22/2016 0 0 50K Ponce de Leon 2/15/2016 0 0 0K Bonifay 2/15/2016 0 0 0K Pittman 2/23/2016 0 0 0K Bonifay 2/23/2016 0 0 3K Westville 3/3/2016 0 0 0K Hickory Hill 6/16/2016 0 0 1K
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 62 | P a ge Holland 6/16/2016 0 0 2K Sweet Gum 6/17/2016 0 0 0K Miller Crossroads 6/17/2016 0 0 5K Ponce de Leon 7/13/2016 0 0 0K Ponce de Leon 8/1/2016 0 0 0K Prosperity 1/02/2017 0 0 3K Ponce de Leon 1/22/2017 0 0 0K Prosperity 2/7/2017 0 0 5K Royals 4/3/2017 0 0 25K New Hope 4/5/2017 0 0 0K Tendil Crossing 6/3/2018 0 0 0K Esto 6/3/2018 0 0 10K Bonifay 6/28/2018 0 0 5K Westville 7/15/2018 0 0 2K Ponce de Leon 7/22/2018 0 0 0K Ponce de Leon 7/22/2018 0 0 0K Ponce de Leon 7/22/2018 0 0 100K Leonia 8/10/2018 0 0 1K Bonifay 12/02/2018 0 0 1K Ponce de Leon 1/23/2019 0 0 0K Bethlehem 1/23/2019 0 0 0K Pittman 3/3/2019 0 0 0K Esto 3/3/2019 0 0 2K Bonifay 3/3/2019 0 0 0K Ponce de Leon 4/19/2019 0 0 0K Bonifay 4/19/2019 0 0 0K Westville 5/04/2019 0 0 2K Bonifay 5/12/2019 0 0 0K Holland 5/12/2019 0 0 0K Ponce de LeonDRAFT 6/24/2019 0 0 3K Ponce de Leon 6/25/2019 0 0 0K Totals: 0 0 $324K
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 63 | P a ge 4. Probability
According to the 2018 State of Florida Hazard Mitigation Plan, Holmes County will probably receive between 3.5 – 9.5 thunderstorms a year that cause some type of damages. Some of these thunderstorms will produce lightening, and/ or hail. Historically, there have been 69 thunderstorm events from June 2010 to June 2019, which averages approximately two events per year of any significant consequence. Yet, the potential is there for many more to occur, causing limited amounts of damage.
5. Vulnerability Assessment
Holmes County and its municipalities include thunderstorms as a potential hazard because of their frequency, and potential to cause damage to property, and threaten lives. Although historically, thunderstorms have not caused any significant damages to structures, nor caused any deaths in Holmes County, the threat still remains based on each storm’s potential. Figure 44 identifies the vulnerability of structures to thunderstorms and hail within the thunderstorms. In addition, Holmes County considers thunderstorms a serious threat based on the following facts: • Thunderstorms frequently occur in Holmes County. On average, the County will experience six severe thunderstorms a year that cause moderate damages. During the summer months, the County can experience daily thunderstorms that include high winds and lightning. • Holmes County has a large outdoor recreational population. This means Holmes County can have many recreational activities ongoing exposing people to wind, rain, lightningDRAFT and hail. • Many of all residents in Holmes County live in close proximity to forested lands. Thunderstorm winds will damage to improved property, structures, and people. The following data roughly estimates the potential threat of damage from thunderstorms and hail. The threat is defined in terms of the chances that a thunderstorm or lightning will cause economic damage or a loss over $500. Holmes County is at a medium to high risk for thunderstorm and/or hail damage.
100% of the population and all of the structures in Holmes County, and the municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon and Westville are all vulnerable to thunderstorms and lightning. The following Figure display this. Figure 44: Structures at Risk from Thunderstorms - Holmes County ($M) Annual County Resid ential Commercial Medical. Industrial Ag r. Educ ational Gov. Inst. Events Holmes 3.5-9.5 3,8 2 30 124 25 2,029 21 96 Value of Structures ($M) $656.11 $112.58 $138.32 $5.71 $375 .18 5 6.43 Source: 2013 State of Florida Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan, Appx C, 7.35
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 64 | P a ge 6. Extent
Thunderstorms can produce damaging hail and high winds. The extent of high winds is similar to that of a F0 tornado or a tropical storm. Holmes County can expect thunderstorms of this magnitude throughout the County in the future. The most severe winds caused by a thunderstorm event in Holmes County is recorded at speeds of 60 knots, however an event with wind speeds averaging 50 knots is more likely to occur.
Lightning is expected to be a part of these events. Lightning has not historically caused any significant damages in Holmes County, but the potential exists. Most people injured or killed by thunderstorms or lightning are outdoors. Electronic equipment and data loss prevention is best accomplished with surge protection devices, proper grounding, unplugging, or other electrical safety systems. Animal and crop losses due to thunderstorms and lightning are more difficult to mitigate. Cattle and horses are sometimes killed while seeking shelter under trees (the very place lightning may strike in fields). Mitigation for livestock and crops is generally handled through financial reimbursement with farm or commodity insurance.
H. Wildfires
The data presented below is inclusive of all incorporated jurisdictions within Holmes County, including the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Ponce de Leon, Town of Westville, and the Town of Noma. Holmes County is interspersed with thousands of acres of woodlands.DRAFT Many woodland areas are associated with bay swamps. Bay swamps can catch fire during drought conditions. Many vacant lands are covered in pine forests (both as wild woodlands and silvicultural operations). Pasturelands are present in some locations. Although pasturelands could ignite in dry conditions, the primary risk of wildfire is associated with wooded lands and structures near these locations. Ignition sources could include lightning, burning of brush or trash, escaping controlled burns, campfires/barbeques, automobiles (catalytic converters), or other means. Regardless of the cause, some homes and businesses could be threatened.
1. Hazard Description A wildfire is any fire that burnt out of control and typically occurs in grasslands, forest, brush land, etc. Natural fires can be caused primarily from lightning, although more likely, are human-induced. This includes purposely-caused fire (arson) or accidental causes (escaping trash fires, cigarettes, sparks from passing railcars, motor vehicle fires on roadsides that spread to woodlands, or house fires that expand to wild lands). During droughts, wildfire is a significant concern to a number of residential areas and even whole communities. Soils and plant communities contribute greatly to the potential for a
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 65 | P a ge fire (particularly in locations of sandhills in the western portion of the County), but fires may occur at practically any location. According to the Committee members, city and volunteer fire departments respond to more wildfires than structure fires in any given year.
Holmes County is extremely vulnerable to wildfire. According to the Florida Division of Forestry, approximately 85% to 90% of the land in the County is open forestland and most locations outside of the floodplains and swamplands consist of natural vegetation historically related to the Longleaf Pine or upland southeastern forests (a fire dependent ecology).
2. Impact
Given the amount of forested lands in Holmes County, there have been significant fire events that have impacted the County. These impacts have included the burning of pasture lands used for cattle grazing, as well as the destruction of buildings and infrastructure as well as smoke and fire damages to buildings. In Holmes County, wildfires have resulted in the loss of several homes, especially those located in the wildland urban interface areas. They have also caused utility pole destruction, disrupting electrical and telephone service until the poles could be replaced. The smoke from wildfires has resulted in several residents to seek medical attention, especially those who are on respirators, or have diminished lung capacities from asthma, COPD, or other respiratory ailments. The smoke has also, at times, caused the closing of major roadways because of extremely poor visibility. Fire and smoke inhalation can cause deaths and injuries. Entire ecosystems can be altered in the short and medium term. Agricultural crops and livestock can be destroyed or damaged. Populations may need to be evacuated for periods of time when a fire is not fully contained.DRAFT
3. Historical Events
According to the Florida Department of Forestry’s “Significant Fires in Florida” list, although numerous small grass fires have occurred, no significant wildfires have taken place in Holmes County or the surrounding municipalities between the years 1990 to 2020. A summary of past occurrences follows:
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 66 | P a ge Figure 45: Acres Burned in Holmes County 2015-2019
Acres Burned Reasons 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Totals Total Number of Events 16 28 13 22 22 101 Campfire (Acres Burned) 0 0 0 0 0 1.7 Children 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 Debris Burn- Authorized Broadcast 25 78 2 6 2 16.1 Debris Burn – Authorized Piles 3 1 1.1 1 1 13 Debris Burn – Non-Authorized 21.6 0 .5 58.8 41.7 178.6 Equipment Caused 4 7.9 70 20 5.1 131.3 Incendiary 4.1 0 3.1 13 1 96.5 Lightning 0 0 1 0 0 159.5 Misc. Breakouts 2 0 0 17.1 0 4 Misc. Electric Fence 0 0 8 0 0 2.5 Misc. Power lines 0 1.2 2 17.1 5.1 16 Smoking 0 0 0 0 1 25 Railroad 0 10.4 0 0 0 75 Unknown 10 16.6 0 2.1 4 41.8 Total Acres Burned 74.7 115.1 88.7 118.1 61.9 458.5 Source: Florida Forest Service Reporting System https://fireinfo.fdacs.gov/fmis.publicReports/FiresByCause.aspx
4. Probability
In Holmes County, wildfires can be expected to occur in the forested areas of the County on a consistent basis. The Figure below displays the annual probability of a fire occurrence.
Holmes County, through the Florida Forest Service, does adhere to a schedule of prescribed burning in anDRAFT attempt to reduce fuel loads in these locations. Based on historical evidence, Holmes County can expect to receive an average of up to 20 fire events a year. The average acres burned per event is 4.5 acres, yet the majority of these would be less than an acre.
5. Vulnerability
Figure 44 and 45 identifies the location of these areas, and provides the vulnerability of their occurrence based on available fuel sources. The Fire Intensity Scale identifies how much fuel is available for burning on an average year, and displays the intensity of the fire event based on this available fuel. The Wildland Urban Interface Map displays the vulnerability of the county to the impacts of wildfire on the residents of Holmes County. Taken together, these two maps clearly identify how vulnerable Holmes County is to wildfire. Also, consider the following:
• As noted earlier, over 85% of Holmes County is wooded areas, making it highly vulnerable to wildfire.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 67 | P a ge • The majority of residents in Holmes County live in, or near wooded areas. Given the number of historical wildfire events to occur in the County, everyone is vulnerable to the threat of a fast-approaching wildfire. • Holmes County, nor its municipalities, have a robust firefighting capacity equal to the threat. If a wildfire occurs, Holmes County must rely on the resources of the Florida Forest Service, or assistance from neighboring counties. These resources are not guaranteed available every time they may be needed. • All of Holmes County’s critical facilities are vulnerable to wildfire. • Only the City of Bonifay has a firefighting capacity. The remaining municipalities are all serviced by Volunteer Fire Departments, which are dependent on the availability of the volunteer firefighters to be available to fight fire.
Within the City of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville are many vacant parcels of land. These lands can ignite during dry conditions. (Bay swamps can ignite during extended drought conditions.) Ignition might be caused by lightning, burning of brush or trash, escaping controlled burns, campfires/barbeques, automobiles (catalytic converters), or other means. Regardless of the cause, homes and some businesses could be threatened. Of particular concern are residential districts or structures adjacent to wooded areas. High fuel buildup on the ground, and the possibility of canopy fire, threaten structures. Structures with trees in close proximity, fuel buildup on roofs and gutters, and fire-prone shrubbery near walls are particularly vulnerable. Figure 46: HolmesDRAFT County Fire Intensity Scale
Source: http://www.southernwildfirerisk.com/map/index/public
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 68 | P a ge Figure 47: Holmes County Wildland Urban Interface
Source: http://www.southernwildfirerisk.com/map/index/public
In addition, the State of Florida Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan provides the following data concerning the Florida Forest Service Levels of Concern for wildfires.
Figure 48: Levels of Concern - Wildfire Holmes County Risk Level Population # of Structures Value of Structures ($) DRAFT0 7,081 3,289 431.12 1 2,278 974 322.21 2 1,752 766 142.68 3 3,283 1,403 193.87 Subtotal 14,394 6,432 1,089.88 4 73 37 7.19 5 37 16 3.81 6 41 18 2.79 Subtotal 151 71 13.79 7 38 15 2.14 8 4 2 .28
High Low Medium 9 0 0 .13 Subtotal 42 17 2.55 Total 14,587 6,520 1,106.22
Source: 2018 State of Florida Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 69 | P a ge 6. Extent
Holmes County can expect to have an average of 30 localized wildfire events every year, with the average size being approximately 5.1 acres. Given the extent of the forested lands in Washington County and the wildland urban interface, residential homes can expect to be threatened.
I. Winter Storms
The data presented below is inclusive of all incorporated jurisdictions within Holmes County, including the City of Bonifay, Town of Esto, Town of Ponce de Leon, Town of Westville, and the Town of Noma.
1. Hazard Description
A winter storm can range from moderate snow over a few hours to blizzard conditions with high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall with blinding wind-driven snow and extremely cold temperatures that lasts several days. Some winter storms may be large enough to affect several states while others may affect only a single community. All winter storms are accompanied by cold temperatures and blowing precipitation, which can severely reduce visibility. The expected extent of any winter freeze/storm in Holmes County is historically limited to cold snaps with sub-freezing weather, lasting for one to two days.
Winter weatherDRAFT in Holmes County can include snow, ice, sleet (freezing rain), hard freeze temperatures, and frost. The most common winter event is frost, followed by hard freeze. Freezes occur most every winter, with the average winter minimum low occurring near January 20 with a temperature of 20° F. (-6.6° C.). Generally, the second night following the passage of a strong cold front is the coldest night when skies are clear and humidity is lowest. Most low temperatures involving freezes occur at night and in the hours near dawn. In most instances, temperatures even on the coldest winter days rise above freezing during daylight hours. Such freezes might be considered by those who are not familiar with Holmes County’s climate (and instead compare it to what they have seen of frozen oranges and tomatoes in South Florida) as a disaster for the county. However, freezes in this part of Florida are routinely expected each year, and the typical Florida summer crops are not grown in the winter in the County.
The entire study area could potentially be impacted by a winter storm event. Winter storms and freeze events occur in each municipality.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 70 | P a ge 2. Impacts
The expected extent of any winter freeze/storm in Washington County is historically limited to cold snaps with sub-freezing weather, lasting for one to two days. The impacts on Washington County would be compromised safety on roadways (freezing water), ill effects on the elderly population with limited mobility and means for heating their dwellings, and increased demand on the electrical grid which may result in brown or blackouts.
Figure 49: Winter Storm Impacts in Holmes County
Date Historical Events and Winter Storm Impacts 3/12/93 A massive cold front moved across the entire Southeastern United states causing record amounts of snow and ice conditions. It was called the 93 Super Storm, and the Great Blizzard of 1993. In Florida, it was called the No Name Storm. In Washington County, cold wind and sub-freezing temperatures made for hazardous conditions on roadways. Parts of I-10 froze, and shelters had to be opened for stranded motorists. Wind speeds reached up to 75 mph resulting in widespread power outages. The road conditions were dangerous based on sleet and icing conditions. 1/28/14 A severe winter storm in the entire Florida Panhandle area produced a mix of wintery mix of precipitation to the entire area. Several roads were closed, including a large stretch of Interstate 10 passing through Holmes County. Most bridges in Holmes County experienced ice. The County experienced freezing rain and a sleet mix, impacting roadways and bridges. Estimated damages exceeded $200K. Temperatures in Holmes County were at or near the freezing point most of the day, which is a very rare event. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database – Winter Storm 3. HistoricalDRAFT Events Figure 47 above describes the historical events impacting Holmes County. Winter Storms are not common in Holmes County. Yet, because of their rarity, when they do occur, much of the community is highly impacted. Icing on roadways and bridges are rare events for Holmes County, and when they occur, they can cause considerable concern for first responders. In extreme events, shelters are opened for stranded motorists, as occurred in 1993 when travelers on I-10 were trapped by icing conditions and impassible roadways.
4. Probability
There is a distinct probability that winter weather will again impact the central panhandle region of Florida in the future. Every winter, this possibility has to be considered and appropriate preparations made for traffic conditions and potential power outages. However, the chance of a seriously damaging winter season is not high when compared with the rest of the country. With this in mind, the probability of a significant winter storm is considered low by the LMS Committee.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 71 | P a ge 5. Vulnerability
Holmes County has limited vulnerability to moderate freezes every one to two years and severe freezes possibly once every 15 to 20 years. The climate in the Florida Panhandle is mild compared to the remainder of the nation to the north and winter storms of this nature are very rare. During the winter, Florida has approximately double the number of hours of sunlight that the states to the north have, resulting in milder temperatures, so winter storms and freezes are not a serious threat. However, should a prolonged freeze occur any time between January and March, there is potential risk to human life due to exposure to the weather and, more importantly, automobile accidents due to freezing road conditions.
The overall vulnerability in Holmes County due to winter storms and freezing conditions can be characterized into the following general categories:
Human health issues: In severe conditions, many Floridians will be unprepared for extreme cold. Being a state near the tropics, warm and hot temperatures are the norm. Therefore, most residents focus on cooling and air-conditioning investments rather than heating. Some residents will not have sufficient heat and could be exposed to the extreme cold and suffer the consequences. Other residents will cause themselves injury, or worse, using dangerous electric and propane heaters or even open fires. Holmes County may open a small shelter, or put one on standby to assist citizens without proper heating capabilities.
Elderly population: The impacts on the residents of Holmes County are estimates based on the numberDRAFT of elderlies, which are by far the most vulnerable population to winter storms and freezing conditions. There are 3,923 residents in Holmes County (including municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon and Westville) over the age of 65 who could be susceptible to the long-term effects of a winter storm or sustained freezing temperatures.
Property: Property impacts from a winter storm are normally minimal. They would include agricultural and livestock issues due to exposure. Much of Holmes County’s economy is based on agriculture and livestock, so extreme cold conditions will severely impact this sector. Prolonged periods of cold will result in losses to crops and animals that will endanger the businesses of many small and medium sized farms.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 72 | P a ge Figure 50: Temperature Extremes for Holmes County
The likelihood of winter weather affecting the five municipalities is exactly the same as it is for the rest of the unincorporated county. Based on the overall vulnerability for the county, the municipalities do differ in the lack of agriculture and commercial livestock. The municipalities will be most vulnerable to transportation and traffic issues due to the greater number of roads and the higher and denser population. Also, the larger number of people will increase the probability of injuries, illnesses or deaths related to the cold.
6. Extent The extent of damage resulting from a winter storm depends on conditions such as temperature, duration of sustained cold temperatures, and amount of precipitation. Winter storms occur nearly every year, however, they are usually mildDRAFT with minimal damage (damaged pipes and vegetation). Impacts to existing and future Source: http://ab.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/32425 structures are minimal and
primarily associated with frozen pipes and falling trees. However, the extent of damage can increase as precipitation increases or temperature decreases.
Figure 48 shows the extent of weather extremes for Holmes County. Using the Bonifay reporting station, the data identifies the extent of temperature extremes for all of Holmes County. Based on these historical records, Holmes County could expect temperatures reaching near 50, staying below freezing for more than one day. The coldest recorded temperature in Holmes County has been 20. The reliance on heaters during the winter months greatly lessens the vulnerability to winter weather, but increases the risk of structural fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, a severe winter storm would mean freezing and with no means of salting roadways or removing ice, emergency response would be severely
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 73 | P a ge hindered. Electrical service in many areas would likely be interrupted or absent due to power line glazing and falling tree limbs. Also, the ability of municipalities to provide natural gas could be hampered by the large-scale demand throughout the Southeast for the product. Additionally, the need for shelter would be great in order to keep people warm and safe.
J. Dam Failure
1. Hazard Description
A dam or levee is a barrier that is constructed to contain the flow of water or keep out the sea. When these structures fail for any number of reasons, they become a dam failure. Dams provide water as well as hydroelectric power and create lakes for recreational purposes. More importantly, dams save lives by preventing or reducing floods. In the event of a dam failure, the energy of the water stored behind even a small dam is capable of causing loss of life and property damage downstream from the dam.
Each dam, listed in the National Inventory of Dams is assigned a Hazard Potential Rating. The ratings are described below:
a. Low Hazard Potential Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis- operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.
b. Significant Hazard Potential DamsDRAFT assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be located in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
c. High Hazard Potential Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 74 | P a ge The following Figure provides information on all of the current impoundment areas/dams listed on the National Dam Inventory database. They are all ranked as having low hazard potential. Most are small retention ponds.
Figure 51: National Dam Inventory List for Holmes County - 2018
DRAFT
Source: www.http://nid.usace.army.mil/cm_apex/f?p=838:12:3774020609791
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 75 | P a ge 2. Impacts
There have only been two incidents when a retention/impoundment dam was breached causing any damages. The impacts of these events were minor, but similar events could result in more significant impacts. In Holmes County, there are 22 earthen impoundment dams creating various sizes of water bodies. The breach of these facilities can result from a flood or heavy rainfall event. The impacts include:
• Loss of the use of the impounded water body, which in most cases is either for agricultural irrigation purposes or for recreational purposes. • Previous events have resulted in the flooding of homes. • Spillway repairs and repairs to the earthen structures for county or municipal owned facilities are often an unbudgeted item resulting in an unexpected impact on the budget that has to be met in order for repairs to be made. • Potential loss of life if the event occurs at a time when the residents are caught off guard.
3. Historical Events
There have only been two events where one of the earthen dams breached, causing the flooding of a small number of residents. This occurred in 1970 and 1991, and involved the Little Lake/Big Lake earthen dam near the City of Bonifay. This resulted in the flooding of those residents who lived below these structures.
4. ProbabilityDRAFT
The probability of one of the earthen dams failing in Holmes County is low. The dam failure would most probability be correlated to a flooding event, which does occur in Holmes County on a more frequent basis, yet based on historical events, the probability remains low.
5. Vulnerability
Holmes County vulnerability to one of the earthen dam breaching is low. When analyzing the plume areas for each of the 22 structures, none pose a significant threat to the residential areas. The breach of one of these structures causes more concern for the loss of the structure for its intended purpose, which in most cases is for irrigation.
6. Extent Based on the number of prior events, and the average size of the earthen dam and impounded water body, Holmes County could expect a breach of one of these structures,
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 76 | P a ge causing the temporary inundation of 100 acres of land. It would result in the loss of that structure for its intended purpose until the repairs could be made (1-2 months).
V. Local Mitigation Strategy
This section of Holmes County Local Mitigation (LMS) Plan contains the compilation of the proposed mitigation initiatives that are the result of the earlier planning efforts by the Holmes County LMS Committee.
A. Mitigation Strategy Update
Holmes County faces a number of different hazards in a wide variety of locations throughout its borders. The LMS Committee assessed these hazards and the mitigation strategies of the previous LMS and updated the project’s level of completion as well as implemented new ideas to help make the community less vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters. Over the process of several meetings, the LMS Committee comprised and listed a number of mitigation projects that will be discussed later in this section. These projects were then ordered in terms of the context of cost, responsible entity, implementation time, funding, and areas affected. This order will be known as the “priority list” and is located in this section as well, and shall demonstrate the county’s stance on which objective should completed first.
B. Local Hazard Mitigation Goals The following goalsDRAFT are the broad range vision of what is to be accomplished during the five- year planning period from 2021 through 2027 by the LMS Steering Committee:
Goal 1 – Continually provide mechanisms for local government jurisdictions and the public to accomplish mitigation activities in Holmes County.
Accomplish by: • Maintain bylaws that define membership and public participation methods. • Holding regularly scheduled LMS Steering Committee and Working Committee meetings. Steering Committee meetings will be held quarterly at minimum. • Forming Working Groups for sub-regions, municipalities, or for specific hazards named in the plan to reduce or eliminate vulnerability. • Maintaining a staffing presence to the LMS Steering Committee through contract or through staff hire or appointment. • Providing communications to county and municipal contacts and through media outlets to advertise opportunities to attend and participate in mitigation functions, consistent with the Florida Sunshine Law.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 77 | P a ge • Holding meetings throughout the County and in various municipalities to encourage local participation.
Goal 2 – Maintain communication between the LMS Steering Committee and key County and Municipal departments to coordinate intra- and inter-departmental mitigation activities among various jurisdictions, and with the public.
Accomplish by: • Ensuring all interests of various departments are represented by the appointed staff to the Steering Committee • Ensuring all interests are aware of Working Groups and a need to represent their own interests concerning various geographical areas or to address various hazards. • Maintaining up-to-date e-mail and postal addresses and phone numbers to ensure communication. • Establishing a website on the County’s web server that discusses the LMS program.
Goal 3 – Update the LMS plan, as necessary, to identify changes to hazards, vulnerability, goals, initiatives/priorities accomplishments/withdrawal/ additions/pending, update of funding sources, current disaster declarations, and adoption of revisions.
Accomplish by: • Having the Steering Committee direct staff to update plan sections, tables, maps, etc., based upon current activities, trends, or issues. • Providing LMS staff feedback that provides localized information that is current. • Continually reviewing the plan and comparing it to other planning requirements (emergencyDRAFT management plans, comprehensive land use plans, community rating system plans) that contain mitigation provisions or may otherwise help to assert or hinder mitigation initiatives. • Notifying staff to the committee regarding issues that arise that may need their consideration or to solicit opinion.
Goal 4 – Assist property owners, residents, businesses, non-profits and others in understanding and knowing of their eligibility for grants, loans and services that may help to mitigate hazards that directly affect their interests.
Accomplish by: • Working with existing programs within the County and Municipalities (building inspections, local Community Rating System/National Flood Insurance Program, emergency management, chambers of commerce, etc.) to connect mitigation to these efforts. • Being perceptive of and proactively engage new opportunities to promote mitigation interests.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 78 | P a ge • Developing a website that conveys updated information about mitigation activities on a continual basis. • Staying abreast of available funding and service opportunities through participation in meetings, conferences, seminars, and research. • Maintaining initiatives/priorities and contact persons lists to facilitate rapid notification of assistance availability.
Goal 5 – Reduce the vulnerability of County and city owned facilities and infrastructure to natural and manmade hazards.
Accomplish by: • Targeting mitigation efforts and activities towards areas where hazards exist. • Working with agencies, professionals, and the public to develop the best solutions for identified hazards. • Examining and implementing appropriate technologies to identify, model, or otherwise simulate risks and zones of risk and incorporating these into the LMS plan.
C. National Flood Insurance Participation
Holmes County is vulnerable to flooding in a number of different areas. To help lessen the economic loss associated with flooding, Holmes County and its municipalities participate in the Nation Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Communities that participate in the NFIP have the ability to buy flood insurance which is designed to provide an alternative to disaster assistance to reduce the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods. ParticipationDRAFT in the NFIP requires an agreement between communities and the federal government that stipulates if a community adopts and enforces a floodplain management ordinance to reduce future flood risk to new construction in floodplains, then the federal government will make flood insurance available within the community. Holmes County has reviewed the benefits, identified, analyzed, and prioritized actions related to this program and each jurisdiction determined that continued participation and compliance is the best solution and will continue into the future. However, no community in Holmes County has previously or is currently participating in the Community Rating Survey (CRS).
Unincorporated Holmes County, the City of Bonifay, and the Towns of Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville are all active and compliant participants in the NFIP. Holmes County is responsible for continuing to comply with the criterion that determines eligibility in the NFIP Program, including participating in all federal mitigation efforts as required by NFIP. Likewise, municipalities are responsible for their continued eligibility in the program. As 2018, there were two repetitive loss properties in Holmes County, according to FEMA records.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 79 | P a ge Figure 52 provides a general overview of the type of repetitive loss properties located in Holmes County. Each year, the owners of these residences receive correspondence outlining their situation, and proposed mitigation measures that can be taken.
Figure 52: NFIP/CRS Statistics for Holmes County NFIP/CRS STATISTICS: 1/1/78 - 7/31/15 Name NFIP NFIP CRS Total Closed Open CWOP* Total Policies Participant Participant Losses8 Losses Losses Losses Payments 5 6 7 in Force (Y/N) (Y/N) Bonifay City of 18 Y N 11 8 0 3 $74,933.21 Esto, Town of 0 Y N 0 0 0 0 0 Noma, Town of 0 Y N 0 0 0 0 0 Ponce de Leon, Town of 9 Y N 0 0 0 0 0 Westville, Town of 5 Y N 10 9 0 1 $103,434.83 Holmes County 86 Y N 141 127 0 14 $1,987,181.90 Totals 118 162 144 0 18 $2,165,549.94 *Closed Without Payment Losses Source: 2018 FL State Hazard Mitigation Plan
Figure 53: Repetitive Loss Statistics for Holmes County
Facility Type # of Properties Location Residential 2 City of Bonifay Residential 1 Town of Ponce de Leon Residential 1 Town of Westville Residential 5 Unincorporated Holmes County Total 9 DRAFTSource: Holmes County Planning/Zoning/Permitting Department Specifically, Holmes County/municipalities will continue to adhere to the following NFIP regulations: 1. All have adopted and actively enforce the local floodplain ordinances. 2. Continue to maintain good standing in the NFIP to ensure guaranteed bank loans and mortgages can continue to be secured in this down turned economy. 3. All jurisdictions continue to enforce their free board requirements. 4. All jurisdictions actively follow their repetitive loss properties and seek opportunities to mitigate RL properties. 5. Require agricultural and silviculture interests to require permits for uses in the 100- year floodplain. 6. Prohibit industrial uses, high intensity agricultural uses within the 100-year floodplain.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 80 | P a ge The new FIRMs have been completed, and can be downloaded electronically from the Northwest Florida Water Management District’s website. They host the new FIRMs under a cooperative agreement between the State of Florida and FEMA. New technology during map mod has made the maps more accurate.
D. Integration of Local Mitigation Initiatives
The following identifies the process by which Holmes County incorporated the requirements of the mitigation plan into other planning mechanisms such as comprehensive or capital improvement plans, when appropriate. To accomplish this, a review and analysis of relevant existing local planning documents was conducted including the Holmes County Comprehensive Plan, (includes municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, Westville) Land Development Regulations, Floodplain Management Plan, and Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Afterwards, the following list includes areas in which the county has successfully integrated mitigation polices into local planning documents, as well as, a list of recommendations as to how the county can more successfully integrate hazard mitigation policies and initiatives into various existing planning mechanisms.
• The Comprehensive Plan has policies for preserving and enhancing the natural environment (i.e., 100-year floodplain) through the enforcement of land development regulations for floodplain management and storm water management to maintain the natural functions:DRAFT using buffers around wetlands, surface waters, and natural drainage features; requiring setbacks along floodplain areas; and enforcing FEMA construction standards to reduce flood hazards.
• The Comprehensive Plan prohibits alterations to existing drainage features that would have an adverse impact for upstream or downstream areas. This is part of the No Adverse Impact initiative that is supported by the Association of State Floodplain Managers.
• The Comprehensive Plan requires that all new road development comply with the storm water management adopted level of service.
• The Comprehensive Plan requires that storm water management systems required by new developments be the responsibility of the developer.
The Comprehensive Plan should continue to provide for developments to integrate their storm water management systems into landscaping, open space, or recreational area, or
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 81 | P a ge require the maintenance of the building lot’s native vegetation to absorb storm water run-off.
• The Comprehensive Plan strives to maintain low densities in flood prone areas per FLUM designated land use categories.
• The Holmes County CEMP references the LMS in Section 3: Mitigation Functions Annex.
• The CEMP notes that all mitigation goals, projects, and prioritization are documented in the LMS.
• The CEMP also notes jurisdiction participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Also, for each hazard that Holmes County and its municipalities are vulnerable to, a comprehensive range of mitigation actions have been identified. The following are the primary methods of mitigation that are reducing the impacts to Holmes County and its municipalities
• Agricultural Flood Damage Prevention – Supports efforts of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS/County Cooperative Extension Service) and the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) as it relates to reduction and mitigation of flood hazards to crops and silvicultural operations.
• Availability of Public Sheltering – Ensures adequate and safe public shelters are available in all locations in the County to prevent or reduce post-disaster homelessness, including DRAFTadequate electrical supplies for cooking and to maintain sanitary conditions as well as auxiliary power sources for temporary sheltering needs.
• Bridge and Highway Construction – Ensures roads are designed and engineered for the amount of wind, flooding and debris that can be expected.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 82 | P a ge • Building Construction and Flooding – Holmes County ensures all buildings are constructed to Florida Building Code standards and are built above the established base flood elevations, or BFE’s, whether for zones impacted by moving water (velocity or “V” zones or floodways on Flood Insurance Rate Maps or FIRMS) or by rising water (such as “A” and “B” zones on FIRMS).
• Building Construction and Wind – Ensures that all new buildings and permitted rehabilitations/additions are secure in terms of wind resistance and shuttering per mandates of the Florida Building Code.
• Communications - Ensures mitigation activities are wind and electrical-failure resistant to allow for 24/7 communications during the first 72 hours following a disaster. Communications can include radio, television, telephone, internet, and all other means of communications systems.
• Communications and Warning Systems – Ensure the public can be informed of pending conditions that would produce a severe thunderstorm, or otherwise warn the public that such an event was pending. This could include a countywide early warning system. Support mitigation activities that improve emergency management sponsored systems that coordinate such efforts with the County.
• Critical Public Buildings Away from Floodplains and Flood-Prone Areas – Ensures that all public buildings that serve first response and critical emergency/public needs, including record/data collection and communication centers/infrastructure, are located outside ofDRAFT flood zones or flood-prone areas. • Flood Mapping – Ensures that maps accurately reflect the amount of surge, wave and flood action that can occur during a major hurricane.
• Flood Category Mapping – Ensures that various types of flooding documented by a variety of sources such as riverine flooding, and low area/basin flooding are documented and that the public are aware of the existence of such mapping services and products for planning purposes.
• Public Agency Purchase of Undeveloped High-Risk Flood/Surge Areas – Promotes the continued purchase of lands that are at high risk of flooding, with proper considerations of private property rights and constitutional requirements for just compensation, as appropriate, and as funds are made available.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 83 | P a ge • Public Awareness – Promotes public awareness of hurricane hazards and ways that private structure owners and landowners can mitigate losses.
• Public Building Preparedness – Support mitigation activities that reduce or eliminate vulnerability to freezing (such as those that protect water pipes) or provide secondary heating or electrical systems for first responder or other vital emergency management functions, especially in critical facilities and other essential buildings.
• Structural Soundness of Existing Local Government Centers – Promotes and supports funding that allows for buildings to remain functional before, during and after a hurricane event in order to support the function of Holmes County Emergency Management’s mandates under Section 252 Florida Statutes.
• Vegetative Control – Supports efforts that protect natural plant systems, human plantings, special tilling methods and technologies, and other forms of vegetative erosion control.
Once the 2021 LMS Update is approved, it will be used extensively and referenced in the Holmes County CEMP, the Holmes County COMP and Land Development Regulations (which covers the City of Bonifay, Towns of Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville), the Floodplain Management Plan, and will be referred to when any new Code or Ordinance is proposed by the County or municipalities. Members of the LMS Committee will suggest mitigation opportunities when any action is proposed by the City or Town Commission/Councils, or the Board of County Commissioners. The data presented in this plan is especially beneficial to the future growth patterns of Holmes County and the municipalities of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce De Leon, and Westville.DRAFT Wise growth patterns reflective of the vulnerability posed by the hazards listed in this plan will be recognized in the County and City planning efforts.
Since 2010, the LMS risk assessment was used as a basis to update the Holmes County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (2019). The information contained in the LMS was also used where appropriate in the update of the COMP after the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) was issued.
Prior to revisions to the COMP Plan, Floodplain Management Plan, or any new Code or Ordinance, the 2021 LMS will be referenced to ensure the proposed action is compliant with City and County mitigation strategies, to the extent applicable. This will be managed by the Holmes County Emergency Management, and Holmes County Building Departments.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 84 | P a ge E. Mitigation Project List
From this comprehensive list of mitigation strategies, the LMS working group developed a list of specific projects for each hazard and jurisdiction in the county. These are found in Appendix B. These mitigation projects and programs are designed to reduce vulnerability of new and existing buildings and infrastructure to the impacts of natural hazard events. Also included is a list of completed or deleted projects that are no longer viable. These appear at the end of the active mitigation project list.
F. Project Prioritization
The Holmes County LMS Committee used the STAPLEE methodology to rank the mitigation projects. [Note Appendix C] There are seven categories in the STAPLEE criteria, and 23 criterions. Each of the 23 criterions is given a weighted score between 0-10, with 0 meaning not beneficial or unproductive, to 10 meaning very beneficial or excellent. It provides for the basis for a benefit/cost analysis as well.
A very basic description of the STAPLEE methodology is provided below. The scoring sheet of the County mitigation projects is found in Appendix C.
Social – Is the mitigation strategy socially acceptable?
Technical – Is the proposed action technically feasible, cost effective, and does it provide the appropriate levelDRAFT of protection? Administrative – Does the community have the capability to implement the action and is the lead agency capable of carrying out oversight of the project?
Political – Is the mitigation action politically acceptable?
Legal – Does the community have the authority to implement the proposed action?
Economic – Do the economic base, projected growth, and opportunity costs justify the mitigation project?
• Benefit cost-analysis is a mathematical method for comparing costs to the benefits to the community of a mitigation action • If the benefits are greater than the costs, the project is cost-effective • Comparing the ratios of benefits to costs for several mitigation projects helps to identify those that offer the greatest value for the community’s money spent.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 85 | P a ge • Benefit-cost analysis gives decision-makers an understandable way to explain and defend their decisions • For many grant programs, FEMA and the State will use benefit-cost analysis to determine whether a project is eligible • The community can save time and energy by limiting planning activities to projects that will be more likely to receive funding. Environmental – Does the proposed action meet statutory considerations and public desire for sustainable and environmentally healthy communities? Implementation and Administration of Initiatives
G. Implementation and Administration of Initiatives
During routine updates of the Holmes County LMS Plan, each mitigation strategy included in the plan is evaluated to determine if it is still valid or should be removed from the plan, or whether its implementation should be a priority or deferred until a later time.
Once incorporated into the Holmes County LMS Plan, the agency or organization proposing the initiative becomes responsible for its implementation. This may mean developing a budget for the effort, or making application to state and federal agencies for financial support for implementation. This is the approach utilized by the Holmes County LMS Committee because only the jurisdiction or organization itself has the authorities or responsibilities to implement its proposed mitigation initiatives.
The current status of implementation of mitigation initiatives incorporated into the plan is discussed in the nextDRAFT section. It is important to emphasize that the procedure used by the Holmes County LMS Committee is based on the following important concepts:
• A multi-organizational, multi-jurisdictional planning group establishes specific goals and objectives to address the community’s vulnerabilities to all types of hazards. • It utilizes a logical, stepwise process of hazard identification, risk evaluation and vulnerability assessment, as well as review of past disaster events, that is consistently applied by all participants. • Mitigation initiatives are proposed for incorporation into the plan only by those jurisdictions or organizations with the authorities and responsibilities for their implementation. • The process encourages participants to propose specific mitigation initiatives that are feasible to implement and clearly directed at reducing specific vulnerabilities to future disasters.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 86 | P a ge Proposed mitigation initiatives are characterized in a substantive manner, suitable for this level of planning, to assure their cost effectiveness and technical merit, as well as coordinated among jurisdictions to assure that conflicts or duplications are avoided.
VI. Plan Maintenance Process
The Holmes County Office of Emergency Management and the LMS Working Group are designated to monitor and evaluate the LMS. The LMS Working Group is responsible for the development and implementation of the Local Mitigation Strategy. The Working Group will: • Designate a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, • Develop and revise the LMS as necessary, • Coordinate mitigation activities within the county, and • Set an order of priority for local mitigation projects.
The plan will be constantly monitored and evaluated annually or after any significant disaster causing property loss, evacuation for a number of citizens, etc. or a Level I emergency. A Level I emergency is defined as any extraordinary occurrence of such magnitude that all county and city departments and resources must be utilized or where a combination of county and city departments and outside agencies have been mobilized to handle the situation. The plan is also monitored at each LMS Working Group meeting by getting the updated status of each active project. DRAFT The annual review process of the LMS will include the following steps:
1. At the one-year anniversary of the approved LMS, a meeting will be called of the LMS Working Group. The LMS Working Group will be asked to review the LMS online and come prepared to discuss any required changes needing to be made. The notice of this meeting will be publicized to invite the general public as well to solicit their participation.
2. At that meeting, the LMS Chair will review each section of the LMS to determine if anyone has any suggested changes they want incorporated into the plan. The Working Group will also assess the effectiveness of the LMS in achieving the stated goals and objectives.
3. If comments or recommendations for change are received, the LMS Working group will consider them, and make the necessary changes to the LMS, and repost it on the web. An evaluation report of the proceedings will be made on an annual basis.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 87 | P a ge This informal update will address the requirements that no later than the last working weekday of January of each year the Chairperson of the Board of County Commissioners shall submit to the Florida Division of Emergency Management a list of the members of the Working Group and its designated Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The update will also address changes to the hazard assessment, the proposed project priority list, the critical facilities list, and the repetitive loss list, and revisions to any maps. A formal update will be conducted every five years for these five-year updates, the Holmes County Emergency Management will also serve as the lead agency assisted by the LMS Working Group.
Approximately one year prior to the plan’s expiration date, Emergency Management staff will begin the formal update process by notifying the county and municipal governments that the current LMS will be updated. This review will entail evaluation of successful and pending mitigation activities, review of current LMS Working Group membership, analysis of the existing risk assessment, and determining if monitoring and updating procedures have been adequate for maintaining the plan. Six months prior to the plan’s expiration date, the Holmes County Office of Emergency Management will submit the revised LMS to the Florida Division of Emergency Management for preliminary review. DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 88 | P a ge Appendix A: LMS Meeting Notices, Agendas
NOTE: The Holmes County LMS Committee has met many times between 2016 and 2020. The schedule of meetings is provided below. Agendas, minutes, and sign in sheets for these meetings are maintained by Holmes County Emergency Management. This section provides the Agendas for all meetings. Only the agenda and meeting minutes involving the 2020 update of this plan are included on the following pages.
Meeting Schedule December 22, 2016 August 31, 2017 September 14, 2018 March 11, 2019 September 13, 2019 November 6, 2019
The Agendas and minutes for the below are included in the remainder of the Appendix.
August 6, 2020 September 3, 2020DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 89 | P a ge December 22, 2016 LMS Meeting
Holmes County Emergency Management Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Meeting December 22, 2016 @ 9:00AM
AGENDA
• WelcomeDRAFT – Wendy Mayo • Assign Chairman/Co-Chair
• Review/Update Committee Member List
• Review/Update Project List
• Open Discussion
• Adjourn
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 90 | P a ge August 31, 2017 LMS Meeting
Holmes County Emergency Management Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Meeting September 14, 2018
AGENDA
• WelcomeDRAFT – Wendy Mayo • Review/Update Project List
• Review/Update Committee Member List
• Open Discussion
• Adjourn
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 91 | P a ge September 14, 2018 LMS Meeting
Holmes County Emergency Management Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Meeting September 14, 2018
AGENDA
• Welcome – Wendy Mayo
• Assign Chairman/Co-Chair • Review/UpdateDRAFT Committee Member List • Review/Update Project List
• Open Discussion
• Adjourn
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 92 | P a ge March 11, 2019 LMS Meeting
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 93 | P a ge September 13, 2019 LMS Meeting
Holmes County Emergency Management 1001 East Highway 90 Bonifay, Florida 32425 Office: 850-547-1112 Fax: 850-547-7002 [email protected]
Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Meeting
September 13, 2019 DRAFTAGENDA • Welcome – Wanda Stafford
• Assign Chairman/Co-Chair
• Review/Update Committee Member List
• Review/Update Project List
• Open Discussion
• Adjourn
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 94 | P a ge November 6, 2019 LMS Meeting
Holmes County Wanda S. Stafford Office of Emergency Management Director 1001 East Highway 90 Cindy Wilson Bonifay, Florida 32425 Program Assistant 850-547-1112
Agenda
Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Meeting 9:00 A.M. - November 6, 2019
• Welcome
DRAFT• Approve minutes for 9/13/19 Meeting
• Priority List approved by BOCC
• Updates to LMS Project List
• Project Applications
• Open Discussion
• Set next Meeting
• Adjourn
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 95 | P a ge August 6, 2020 LMS Meeting
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 96 | P a ge Meeting Minutes – August 6, 2020 LMS Meeting
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 97 | P a ge DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 98 | P a ge September 3, 2020 LMS Meeting
Holmes County Emergency Management Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Meeting September 3, 2020 @ 10:00AM
AGENDA
• Welcome
• LMS Plan 5-year Update Re-cap • PrioritizeDRAFT Project List • Open Discussion
• Adjourn
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 99 | P a ge September 3, 2020 LMS Meeting Minutes
The Holmes County LMS meeting was held virtually via Gotomeeting.com on August 6, 2020 at 10:00am. In attendance included:
Name Agency Lt. Clint Smith Holmes County Sheriff Office Cliff Kimble Holmes County Fire Association Greg Sallas Holmes County School District Jessica Harris Town of PDL James Sims City of Bonifay Adrienne Owen Holmes County Emergency Management Brenda Blitch Holmes County Health Dept Donnie Sellers Florida Forestry Service
Adrienne Owen, Holmes County Emergency Management Director welcomed everyone to the LMS Meeting. Ms. Owen explained the purpose of the meeting was to follow up, and finish the work initiated at the last LMS Meeting held on August 6, 2020.
The updated project list was reviewed and a prioritization of projects took place using the STAPLEE method.
Ms. Owen then explained that the LMS would be ready with all of the new data provided at this meeting by November 9, 2020. Ms. Owen explained she would complete the updated LMS plan and crosswalk in order for the County to submit it to FDEM for initial review. Ms. Owen thanked everyoneDRAFT for their participation in this update process. Meeting adjourned at 12:00pm.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 100 | P a ge 2021 LMS PROJECT LIST
Impact New Possible Rank Mitigation Project Hazard Area Benefitted Description Lead Agency Est. Cost or Existing Timeline Funding Infrastructure Poor to no law enforcement radio Radio Receiver Upgrades for Countywide communications in the local schools, leaves Local all Holmes Co. Schools students or shelter users open to possible general Holmes County 1 H, T threat and dangers. New transmitters will $130,000 revenue, Existing By 2023 School Board be placed within all schools allowing state handheld law enforcement radio funds equipment to operate at all times. 2020 Status: Currently applied for under CARES Act.
Generators for all county During Hurricane Michael radio first responder and road Countywide communication was limited due to power County 2 department radio towers H, F, T failure. Generators need to be upgraded Holmes County EM $10,000 New By 2026 HMGP with transfer switches. 79 tower/WTVY tower
2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Install new culverts along By installing these 600 feet of 24in culvert HMGP, Iowa Street to South pipes, it will alleviate much of the localized City of Bonifay Public 3 H, F, T City of Bonifay $1,000,000 EMPA, Existing by 2023 Ethridge Street to Virginia flooding that occurs in this area because of Works PDM Avenue poor drainage. 2020 Status: Melvin Engineers and they have receivedDRAFT a grant to study the drainage issue and to prepare a grant application for this work to be completed before the Library, City Hall and Youth Building of FBC actually have damage from the drainage caving in at different spots.
Countywide 5,000 sq ft safe rooms New safe rooms for PDL, Information pending from Cliff H, T $1.2 HMGP, 4 Bonifay and Esto $250/sq ft plus Holmes County BCC million per EMPA, PDM New By 2026 $100,000 for drainage and parking bldg
2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date.
5 A. Agricultural H, T Countywide Awaiting more information Holmes county BCC $750,000 CDBG New By 2026 Center existing B. Agricultural Center
2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 10 1| P a ge Impact New Possible Rank Mitigation Project Hazard Area Benefitted Description Lead Agency Est. Cost or Existing Timeline Funding Infrastructure John Clark Hwy Drainage and culverts HMGP, 6 Drainage/culverts F E Esto Holmes County BCC $600,000 EMPA, PDM New By 2023
2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Roadway needs paving in order to ensure HMGP, safe evacuations of residents in S Holmes EMPA, PDM Paving E Main St in PDL to 7 F & E PDL County/rd currently washes away Holmes County BCC $200,000 New By 2026 Hwy 181 to Hwy 90
2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Construct a drainage ditch with culvert 1,000' East on Jernigan Ave to connect to HMGP, 8 Hwy 79 South Drainage Issue H, F, T City of Bonifay the natural drainage ditch for the area. City of Bonifay $300,000 EMPA, PDM Existing by 2023 This will help eliminate water retention on Hwy 79 South near Dollar General Store 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. HMGP, 9 Camp Branch drainage H, T, T&L Holmes County Holmes County BCC $100,000 EMPA, Existing by 2023 Camp Branch clean up Phase II PDM
2020 Status: City is completing its portion of the project. Construct a new building being built which HMGP, would incorporate an EMS station for EMPA, Construct Holmes County Bonifay as well as a special needs shelter PDM, local DRAFTHolmes County EMS, 10 EMS facility and EOC All Countywide under one roof in the event of an $750,000 General Existing by 2026 Fire Services overflow evacuation. Once the I-10 connector is Revenue, completed, Bonifay is potentially a city that State would need to house PSN funds 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Improve the countywide fire radio system. Improvements for the Locate all repeaters on one tower at the HMGP, Holmes County Fire $100,000 by 2023 11 Countywide fire radio Fire Countywide WTVY tower location. Make the necessary EMPA, Existing and EMS network improvements to the tower to PDM accommodate these changes. Needs study. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 102 | P a ge Impact New Possible Rank Mitigation Project Hazard Area Benefitted Description Lead Agency Est. Cost or Existing Timeline Funding Infrastructure Esto, Gritney, The Fire Departments need wind retrofit HMGP, 12 Holmes County, Fire Dept, 122,130.46 H, T, T&L Pittman, Pinelog, doors and lift Countywide EMPA, Existing by 2026 Wind Retrofit PDL and Westville PDM 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. The Courthouse is on the list of critical facilities, and houses several key agencies HMGP, needed prior to and post disaster. The Holmes County BOCC EMPA, Existing by 2023 Courthouse Generator All Holmes County 162,743.75 13 installation of a generation would allow – Public Works PDM them to be available during a power outage. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date.
Shelter Upgrade: School Bd County School To mitigate new school wing to be built to HMGP, 14 H, FL, $25,000 Existing By 2026 New Wing at Ponce De Leon System code for 4496 Risk Shelter approved. Hwy Holmes County BCC PDM T&L, (PDL) High School 81 PDL 2020 Status: Project still viable with clarification provided by the School Board. New wing has not been undertaken. LMS Committee believes the mitigation funds should not go toward construction of the new wing, but upgrading it to meet ARC 4496 shelter standards. Resurface the following streets for mitigation purposes for water drainage. Joy 15 Town of Esto Paving H, F, T&L Town of Esto Meadow Cir, First Ave N and S, Second, to Town of Esto $800,000 HMGP Existing by 2023 mitigate future damages. Town of Esto 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. This road leads to the Holmes County Health Department. Unless improved, the HMGP, 16 Resurface Scenic Hill Circle Health Department, even though it will Holmes County $125,000 EMPA, Existing by 2026 H, F, T Holmes County/City and improve drainage have a generator and can operate in a Public Works PDM disaster, cannot be accessed without DRAFTroadway improvements. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Replace 340" of existing wall with a reinforced concrete wall that will be HMGP, Holmes County Health Unincorporated stronger and can handle any loadings that Holmes County 17 H,F, T&E $50,000 EMPA, Existing by 2026 Department South East Holmes County might occur from the hydrostatic pressures Health Dept. that can build up behind the wall with PDM groundwater. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. A new bridge is needed to replace the HMGP, Vaughn River Bridge Unincorporated Holmes County Road 18 F, H, T current one to prevent blow outs. Replace $40,000 EMPA, Existing by 2023 Replacement Holmes County Dept bridge with 2 48’ x 30’ plastic culverts. PDM 2020 Status: Remains a viable project
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 103 | P a ge Impact New Possible Rank Mitigation Project Hazard Area Benefitted Description Lead Agency Est. Cost or Existing Timeline Funding Infrastructure Repair and Hardening of Due to the broadband tower being HMGP, Broad Communication for H,F, T&E Esto and destroyed by Hurricane Michael, a new $1,000,000 EMPA, PDM New By 2026 19 Town of Esto the residents of Esto and surrounding area hardened and back up broadband system is Northern Holmes County required 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. The area located near Keasling Lane is Keasling Land HMGP, Unincorporated prone to constant flooding. Water backs Holmes County Road 20 Improvements – install low F, H, T $25,000 EMPA, Existing by 2023 Holmes County up and needs egress. A low water crossing Department water crossing PDM would mitigate flooding in this area. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Constructing the headwall will prevent the Holmes County Road HMGP, 21 Construct a headwall along Unincorporated $20,000 Existing and H, F, T constant erosion that is occurring in this Dept EMPA, by 2023 John Paul Road Holmes County New location. PDM 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Improve drainage ditch conveyance HMGP, capacity. Current ditch impedes water 22 Drainage ditch at 177A (to City of Bonifay $50,000 EMPA, Existing by 2023 trailer park), Hamlin and H, F, T&L City of Bonifay flow and causes upstream flooding and PDM Montana damage to roadways. Ditch improvements will prevent future damage. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. HMGP, Identify high wildfire risk Conducting mechanical and/or prescribed Holmes County 23 EMPA, Existing by 2026 areas and do mechanical or H, T, T&L Countywide burns in high risk areas will eliminate the BOCC/Florida Forest $25,000 PDM prescribed burns threat of a major wildfire occurring. Service 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date.
Acquisition of properties which experience HMGP, Acquisition of Flood Prone DRAFTUnincorporated Existing 24 H, F, T&L repeated flooding with lower Holmes County BCC $1,200,000 EMPA, by 2023 Properties Holmes County damages/year costs for the County. FMA, PDM 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Raise and reconstruct approximately 7.54 miles of damaged road that has Highway 10A at Highway 90 deteriorated due to large amounts of HMGP, Unincorporated 25 Reconstruction evacuation H, F, T&L rainfall, flooding and traffic. Raising the Holmes County BCC $2,172,000 EMPA, Existing by 2023 Holmes County route Project roadbed will prevent future damage and PDM leave the evacuation route open during hazard events. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 104 | P a ge Impact New Possible Rank Mitigation Project Hazard Area Benefitted Description Lead Agency Est. Cost or Existing Timeline Funding Infrastructure This project proposal is to replace the Evacuation route bridge entirely due to the damage the HMGP, Unincorporated 26 improvements: 10A Bridge H, F, T&L structure has received due to extreme Holmes County BCC $389,000 EMPA, Existing by 2026 Holmes County Replacement amount of rain and constant high-level run- PDM off. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Drainage Projects --- Wrights Creek 1-3, Esker Martin Rd, McIntosh Rd, Gavin Rd, HMGP, Holmes County Drainage Unincorporated Old Liberty School Rd, Griffin Circle, Smith 27 H,F, T&E Holmes County $100,000 EMPA, PDM Existing by 2026 Projects Holmes County Chapel Rd. County
2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. WFEC Bonifay office is in need of an emergency generator. 28 WFEC Bonifay Generator All Countywide Countywide $129,589 HMGP New by 2026
2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No work completed to date. Top of inlets are set too high. Lowering inlets and replacing a portion of the piping Adjust dam spillways near HWY HMGP, 29 H, F, T City of Bonifay system would eliminate the flooding City of Bonifay $300,000 Existing by 2023 79 EMPA, PDM problem. 2020 Status: Remains a viable project. No workDRAFT completed to date.
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 105 | P a ge STAPLEE Criteria S T A P L E E TOTAL (Social) (Technical) Administrative (Political) (Legal) (Economic) (Environmental) SCORE
of
Considerations (0-10 Ranking)
Federal
Authority
/ / to
Envir.
Solution
Impacts
with with
Segment
Goals Action
Land/Water Endangered HazMat/
Legal
Allocated Local Local Funding
Action
of on
Sites
Support
on on on
Champion Authority Term
of - Prioritized Secondary Staffing Funding Consistent Laws Consistent Community Acceptance Effects Population Technical Feasibility Long Maintenance Operations Political Support Potential Challenge Benefit Contributes Economic Outside Required Effect Effect Species Effect Waste Community Local Public State Cost Projects # Existing
2021 Project 2021 Prioritized Projects (Ongoing, New, Not Begun) Rank Radio Receiver Upgrades for 1 all Holmes Co. Schools 10 10 10 10 10 10 7 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 8 7 10 10 221 2 Generators for all county first 10 10 10 10 10 8 6 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 9 8 8 10 10 217 responder and road department radio towers Install new culverts along Iowa 3 Street to South Ethridge Street 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 8 8 10 10 6 10 10 216 to Virginia Avenue New safe rooms for 4 10 10 10 10 10 8 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 7 10 8 8 10 10 215 PDL, Bonifay and Esto 5 A. Agricultural Center 10 10 10 10 10 8 6 7 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 9 7 10 10 5 10 10 211 existing B. Agricultural Center John Clark Hwy 6 10 10 10 10 10 8 5 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 7 8 10 6 10 10 208 Drainage/culverts Paving E Main St in PDL to 7 Hwy 181 to Hwy 90 10 10 10 10 10 8 5 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 8 8 9 8 5 9 10 205 Hwy 79 South Drainage 8 10 10 10 10 10 8 5 7 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 8 8 7 8 8 5 10 10 203 Issue Camp Branch 9 10 10 10 10 10 8 5 7 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 8 8 7 8 8 5 10 10 203 drainage DRAFT Construct Holmes County EMS 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 5 7 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 8 8 7 7 8 5 10 10 203 facility and EOC overflow Improvements for the 11 10 10 10 10 8 8 5 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 8 5 6 8 6 9 10 202 Countywide fire radio Holmes County, Fire Dept, Wind 12 10 8 10 10 10 7 5 9 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 9 7 7 10 10 5 9 10 201 Retrofit Courthouse Generator 13 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 8 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 7 8 5 9 10 5 10 10 200
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 106 | P a ge STAPLEE Criteria S T A P L E E TOTAL (Social) (Technical) Administrative (Political) (Legal) (Economic) (Environmental) SCORE
of
Considerations (0-10 Ranking)
Federal
/ / to Envir.
Solution
Impacts
with with
Segment
Goals Action
Land/Water Endangered HazMat/
Legal
Allocated Local Authority Funding
Action
of on
Sites
Support
on on on
Champion Authority Term
of - Prioritized Secondary Staffing Funding Consistent Laws Community Acceptance Effects Population Technical Feasibility Maintenance Operations Political Support Local Public State Potential Challenge Benefit Cost Contributes Economic Outside Required Effect Effect Species Effect Projects # Long Existing Waste Consistent Community Shelter Upgrade: School 14 Bd New Wing at Ponce De 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 8 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 7 8 5 9 10 5 9 10 199 Leon (PDL) High School Town of Esto Paving 15 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 8 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 7 8 5 8 10 5 9 10 198 Resurface Scenic Hill 16 10 10 10 10 10 7 5 8 9 7 9 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 9 10 5 8 10 197 Circle and improve Holmes County Health 17 10 10 10 10 10 7 5 8 9 8 7 10 10 10 10 8 6 6 7 10 5 10 10 196 Department South East Vaughn River 18 10 10 10 10 10 7 5 8 9 8 7 10 10 10 8 8 6 5 7 10 5 10 10 193 Bridge Repair and Hardening of 19 Broad Communication for the 9 10 10 10 10 9 5 7 8 8 7 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 8 7 5 10 10 192 residents of Esto and Keasling Land 20 8 10 10 10 10 7 5 7 10 8 7 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 8 8 5 9 10 192 Improvements – install Construct a headwall along 21 John Paul Road 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 6 10 8 8 10 10 10 9 8 7 5 8 8 5 9 10 191 Drainage ditch at 177A (to 22 trailer park), Hamlin and 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 6 9 8 8 10 10 10 9 7 7 5 8 8 5 10 10 190 Montana Identify high wildfire risk 23 areas and do mechanical or 10 10 10 10 8 7 5 5 9 8 8 10 10 10 8 8 8 5 8 8 5 10 10 190 prescribed burns Acquisition of Flood Prone Prop. DRAFT 24 8 10 7 8 8 6 5 7 9 8 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 5 8 8 5 9 10 189 Highway 10A at Highway 90 25 9 10 10 10 9 7 5 7 10 8 7 10 10 10 8 6 7 5 9 8 5 10 10 189 Reconstruction evacuation Evacuation route 26 improvements: 10A Bridge 9 10 10 10 9 7 5 7 10 8 7 10 10 10 8 6 7 5 9 8 5 9 10 188 Replacement 27 Holmes County Drainage Projects 9 10 10 8 9 7 5 7 10 8 7 10 10 10 8 6 6 5 9 8 5 9 10 185 WFEC Bonifay Generator 28 9 10 10 9 9 7 5 6 10 8 7 10 10 10 8 6 6 5 9 8 5 9 10 185 Adjust dam spillways near HWY 29 79 9 9 10 9 9 7 5 6 10 8 7 10 10 10 8 6 6 5 9 8 5 9 10 185
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 107 | P a ge Appendix D: Resolutions of Adoption
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021 108 | P a ge
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy – 2021109 | Page
Holmes County Resolution
DRAFT
·--- ·------·------·--· ------
Resolution # 16-04
WHEREAS,The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners created a L ocal Mitigat1on Strategy Committee comprised of County and Municipal representatives, private citizens, local and regional agencies involved in hazard mitigation activities, and agencies havingauthority to regulate development including businesses and other private and non profit interests; and
WHEREAS, the Board charged the LMS Committee with the responsibility to assess the hazards facingthe County and to Identify Initiatives designed to reduce the impact of those hazards; and
WHEREAS,the LMS Committee has completed the hazard assessment and has Identified numerous initiatives designed to reduce the impact of future disasters; and
WHEREAS,the LMS Committee has incorporated their findings and recommendations into the Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy; and
WHEREAS,the Board is committed to reducingthe impact of hazards .for all County residents; and
WHEREAS, the Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy supports hazard mitigation actions throughoutDRAFT the entire County; NOW,THEREFORE,BEIT RESOLVED the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners adopts the 2016 Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy Plan to reflect te current need and citizen desire to Identify and implement hazard mitigation initiative_ h.t wili ;,duce the County's susceptibilify to numerous hazards.
I ! I
Bonifay Resolution
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy 2016 Page 108
RESOULTION NO: / - / 5
A RESOULTION ADOPTING THE HOLMES COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan has been prepared and updated in accordance with FEMA requirements at 44 C.F.R. 201.6; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Bonifay, participated in the preparation of the updated multi jurisdictional plan,Holmes County Mitigation Plan;
WHEREAS, the City of Bonifay is a local unit of government that has afforded the citizens an opportunity to comment and provide input in the Plan and the actions in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bonifay has reviewed the Plan and affirms that the Plan will be updated no less than every five years;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council that City of Bonifay adopts the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as this jurisdiction's Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, and resolves to execute the actions in the Plan.
ADOPTED this day of f ay 1Y/ , 2016 at the meeting of City Council.
DRAFT
City of Bonifay Holmes County
'Y- Lawrence Cloud, Mayor
Attest:
DRAFT
Esto Resolution
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy 2016 Page 109
RESOULTION NO: / (f, _g
A RESOULTION ADOPTING THE HOLMES COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan has been prepared and updated in accordance with FEMA requirements at 44 C.F.R. 201.6; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Esto, participated in the preparation of the updated multi jurisdictional plan, Holmes County Mitigation Plan;
WHEREAS, the City of Esto is a local unit of government that has afforded the citizens an opportunity to comment and provide input in the Plan and the actions in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Esto has reviewed the Plan and affirms that the Plan will be updated no less than every five years;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council that City of Esto adopts the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as this jurisdiction's Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, and resolves to execute the actions in the Plan.
ADOPTED this J:irlday of/tff:, , 2016 at the meeting of City Council. DRAFT
City of Esto Holmes County
...... ; : - ,,. . .,, -::. ·- •.
·. ·-.
Attest:
Noma Resolution
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy 2016 Page 110
RESOLUTION NO: I --!<(
A RESOULTION ADOPTING THE HOLMES COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan has been prepared and updated in accordance with FEMA requirements at 44 C.F.R. 201.6; and,
WHEREAS, the Town of Noma, participated in the preparation of the updated multi jurisdictional plan, Holmes County Mitigation Plan;
WHEREAS, the Town of Noma is a local unit of government that has afforded the citizens an opportunity to comment and provide input in the Plan and the actions in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Noma has reviewed the Plan and affirms that the Plan will be updated no less than every five years;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council that Town of Noma adopts the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as this jurisdiction's Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, and resolves to execute the actions in the Plan.
ADOPTED this ..l:/ day of /tor, / , 2016 at the meeting of Town Council. DRAFTI
Attest:
Ponce de Leon Resolution
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy 2016 Page 111
RESOULTION 2016-01
A RESOULTION ADOPTING THE HOLMES COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan has been prepared and updated in accordance with FEMA requirements at 44 C.F.R. 201.6; and,
WHEREAS, the Town of Ponce de Leon, participated in the preparation of the updated multi-jurisdictional plan,Holmes County Mitigation Plan;
WHEREAS, the Town of Ponce de Leon is a local unit of government that has afforded the citizens an opportunity to comment and provide input in the Plan and the actions in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ponce de Leon has reviewed the Plan and affirms that the Plan will be updated no less than every five years;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council that Town of Ponce de Leon adopts the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as this jurisdiction's Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, and resolves to execute the actions in the Plan.
ADOPTED this 3rd day of March, 2016 at the meeting of Town Council.
DRAFT
Town of Ponce de Leon Holmes County, Florida
Attest:
P. B. Peterson, Town Clerk
-- --
DRAFT
Westville Resolution
DRAFT
Holmes County Local Mitigation Strategy 2016 Page 112
RESOLUTION NO: 16-01
A RESOULTION ADOPTING THE HOLMES COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan has been prepared and updated in accordance with FEMA requirements at 44 C.F.R. 201.6; and,
WHEREAS, the Town of Westville, participated in the preparation of the updated multi jurisdictional plan, Holmes County Mitigation Plan;
WHEREAS, the Town of Westville is a local unit of government that has afforded the citizens an opportunity to comment and provide input in the Plan and the actions in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Westville has reviewed the Plan and affirms that the Plan will be updated no less than every five years;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council that Town of Westville adopts the Holmes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as this jurisdiction's Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, and resolves to execute the actions in the Plan.
ADOPTED this 5th day of 2016 at the meeting of Town Council.
DRAFT
Town of Westville Holmes County ;-zr:
Attest: