Chapter 1: Introduction s3

Posted on Web 8/16/07

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 About the Plan

This document is the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Ada and the Ada Public Schools. It is a strategic planning guide developed in fulfillment of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency AAAssistance Act. This act provides Ada City Hall Federal Assistance to state and local governments to Included in this Chapter: alleviate suffering and damage from disasters. It 1.1 About the Plan broadens existing relief programs to encourage disaster 1.1.1Purpose preparedness plans and programs, coordination and 1.1.2Scope responsiveness, insurance coverage, and hazard 1.1.3Authority mitigation measures. 1.1.4Funding 1.1.5Goals This plan is developed in accordance with guidance 1.1.6Definition of Terms from, and fulfills requirements for, the Hazard 1.1.7Points of Contact Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre- 1.2 Community Description Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM) and 1.2.1Geography 1.2.2Climate addresses 15 natural and man-made hazards. 1.2.3History 1.2.4Demographics 1.2.5Lifelines 1.2.6Economy 1.1.1 Purpose 1.2.7Development The purpose of this plan is to: 1.2.8Critical Facilities  Provide a description of the planning area (Chapter 1) and assess the ongoing mitigation activities in the City of Ada and the Ada City Schools (Chapter 2).  Describe the planning process used to develop the mitigation plan (Chapter 3).  Identify and assess the hazards that pose a threat to citizens, businesses and property (Chapter 4).  Evaluate mitigation measures that should be undertaken to protect citizens, businesses and property (Chapter 5).

R.D. Flanagan & Associates 1 Ada Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Posted on Web 8/16/07

 Identify and recommend an Action Plan for implementation of mitigation projects (Chapter 6).  Develop a strategy for the adoption, maintenance, upkeep, and revision of the City of Ada and Ada City Schools Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (Chapter 7).

In December 2005, the Multihazard Mitigation Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences completed a study to assess future savings from mitigation activities. Their findings reflected the fact that mitigation activities in general produced over $4 in savings for every $1 invested in mitigation actions, with the greatest savings in the areas of flood-related events (5:1) and wind-related events (3.9:1). In addition, the report concluded: “Mitigation is most effective when carried out on a comprehensive, community-wide, and long-term basis. Single …activities can help, but carrying out a slate of coordinated mitigation activities over time is the best way to ensure that communities will be physically, socially, and economically resilient to future hazard impacts.” The objective of this plan is to provide guidance for community mitigation activities for the next five years. It will ensure that Ada and other partners implement hazard mitigation activities that are most effective and appropriate for the natural and man-made hazards that threaten the community.

1.1.2 Scope The scope of the City of Ada and Ada City Schools Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is citywide. It addresses all natural and man-made hazards deemed a threat to the citizens of Ada. Both short-term and long-term hazard mitigation opportunities are addressed, beyond existing federal, state, and local funding programs.

1.1.3 Authority Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Act, 42 USC 5165, enacted under Section 104 the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, P.L. 106-390, provides new and revitalized approaches to mitigation planning. A major requirement of the law is the development of a local hazard mitigation plan. Section 322, in concert with other sections of the Act, provides a significant opportunity to reduce the Nation’s disaster losses through mitigation planning.

1.1.4 Funding Funding for the City of Ada and Ada City Schools Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was provided by a 75%, $30,000, Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) with a 25%, $10,000, local share.

City of Ada Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Funding

$10,000

Federal Share Local Share

$30,000

Total Funding: $40,000

1.1.5 Goals The Ada Technical Advisory Committee and the Ada Citizens’ Advisory Committee developed the goals for the City of Ada and Ada City Schools Multi-Jurisdictional Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan, with input from interested citizens. The local goals were developed taking into account the hazard mitigation strategies and goals of the federal and state governments. National Mitigation Strategy and Goal FEMA has developed ten fundamental principles for the nation’s mitigation strategy: 1. Risk reduction measures ensure long-term economic success for the community as a whole rather than short-term benefit for special interests. 2. Risk reduction measures for one natural hazard must be compatible with risk reduction measures for other natural hazards. 3. Risk reduction measures must be evaluated to achieve the best mix for a given location. 4. Risk reduction measures for natural hazards must be compatible with risk reduction measures for technological hazards and vice versa. 5. All mitigation is local. 6. Emphasizing proactive mitigation before emergency response can reduce disaster costs and the impacts of natural hazards. Both pre-disaster (preventive) and post- disaster (corrective) mitigation is needed. 7. Hazard identification and risk assessment are the cornerstones of mitigation. 8. Building new federal-state-local partnerships and public-private partnerships is the most effective means of implementing measures to reduce the impacts of natural hazards. 9. Those who knowingly choose to assume greater risk must accept responsibility for that choice. 10. Risk reduction measures for natural hazards must be compatible with the protection of natural and cultural resources. FEMA’s goal is to: 1. Substantially increase public awareness of natural hazard risk so that the public demands safer communities in which to live and work.

2. Significantly reduce the risk of loss of life, injuries, economic costs, and destruction of natural and cultural resources that result from natural hazards.

State of Oklahoma Mitigation Strategy and Goals The State of Oklahoma has developed an Enhanced Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan to guide all levels of government, business, and the public in reducing or eliminating the effects of natural disasters. The goals and objectives are: 1. To protect life. 2. Protect property. 3. Protect the environment. 4. Increase preparedness for disasters. The key measures to implement these goals include: Enhance communication between state and federal agencies and local governments to facilitate post-disaster recovery, and both pre- and post-disaster mitigation. Coordinate Federal, State, Local, and private resources to enhance the preparedness and mitigation process. Ensure consistency between Federal and State regulations. Provide protection from hazards for critical facilities. Support legislation that protects hazardous areas from being developed. Ada’s Goals To improve the safety and well-being of the citizens residing and working in the City of Ada; and to reduce the potential of deaths, injuries, property damage, environmental and other losses from natural and man-made hazards in a manner that creates a disaster- resistant community, enhances economic development opportunities, and advances community goals and quality of life, resulting in more livable, viable, and sustainable community. Ada City Schools’ Goals The primary goal of Ada Public Schools is to collaborate with the City of Ada and Pontotoc County in identifying potential natural hazards and developing mitigation action plans that will prevent or soften the impact of the identified hazards on school sites that comprise the Ada Public School District. Particularly, Ada Public Schools would like to develop safe rooms/buildings to protect school communities from weather related hazards. These safe structures during non- emergency times could be used to enhance instruction, and provide much needed space for fine arts programs, student activities, spectator events, and community meetings. Goals for mitigation of each of the hazards are presented in Chapter 5.

1.1.6 Definition of Terms Hazard Mitigation is defined as: Sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property from natural and technological hazards and their effects.

Note that this emphasis on “long-term” risk distinguishes mitigation from actions geared primarily to emergency preparedness and short-term recovery. A glossary of additional terms commonly used in hazard mitigation is included in Appendix A.

1.1.7 Point of Contact The primary point(s) of contact for information regarding this plan is: Primary Contact: Secondary Contact: Gene Linton Bennie Cope Ada Emergency Manager 911 City/County Communications Mgr, 231 S. Townsend St. 231 S. Townsend St. Ada OK 74820 Ada OK 74820 Phone: (580) 436-8055 Phone: (580) 436-8016 Fax: (580) 436-8056 Fax: (580) 421-7806 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Ada Public Schools Contact: Patrick Harrison Superintendent, Ada Public Schools 18147 CR 1547 Ada OK 74820 Phone: (580) 310-7200 Fax: (580) 310-7206 E-mail: [email protected]

1.2 Community Description

The City of Ada and Ada Public Schools are faced with a variety of hazards, both natural and man-made. In recent history hailstorms, wildfires, ice storms, and tornadoes have made the national headlines but, in fact, any part of the city can also be impacted by high winds, drought, fire, hazardous materials events, and other threats. In some cases, such as flooding the areas most at risk have been mapped and delineated. A map of the City limits and fenceline is presented as Figure 1-1 and a City of Ada base map of the City of Ada with its major features and highways is shown in Figure 1–2.

1.2.1 Geography Latitude: 34.76 N FIPS Code: 40-123-200 Longitude: 96.67 W The City of Ada is located in Pontotoc County in the south-central part of Oklahoma, approximately 77 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, and about 120 miles south of Tulsa. Total land area within Ada’s city limits is 18.22 mi2. Ada is within the Northern Cross Timbers region of Oklahoma. The region is naturally covered by a mosaic of oak savanna, scrubby oak forest, eastern redcedar and tall grass prairie. The oak forests are native on course-textured soils derived from sandstone. The tall grass prairie naturally occurs on finer-textured soils derived from limestone or shale. Livestock farming is the main land use (48%), followed by cropland (39%) and woodland (10%). Soils are highly erodible when disturbed. Pontotoc County has three major stream systems and an underground spring. Important to the city is the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, which lies beneath Pontotoc and Johnston Counties. The Arbuckle-Simpson Group is a limestone, dolomite and sandstone formation whose thicknesses vary between 5,000 to 9,000 feet. Well depths are between 100 and 2,500 feet, with yields between 100 and 500 gpm. Large oilfields were developed in the early 20th century and brine, drilling mud and petroleum waste products have increased salinity in many streams. Streams are typically shallow. Elevations in the Ada area range from about 1,050 feet to 1,290 feet. A map of land cover within the City of Ada is shown in Figure 1-3.

Figure 1–1: City of Ada City Limits and Fenceline

Figure 1–2: City of Ada Base Map

Figure 1–3: Ada Land Cover Map

Ada has 11 creeks within its city limits and fenceline. These streams are part of three major drainage basins that flow away from the city to the north, south and east: the Canadian Sandy Creek, Clear Boggy Creek and Muddy Boggy Creek. These streams are described below. Canadian Sandy Creek flows north along the east boundary of Ada into the Canadian River. Ada is currently studying the feasibility of building Scissortail Dam on the Canadian Sandy, about 1 mile west of the city. Flowing into the Canadian Sandy from Ada are Little Sandy Creek and the west-flowing Tributaries 1, 2 and 3. Clear Boggy Creek. All of the streams on the south side of Ada flow into Clear Boggy Creek, which drains an area of 10 square miles. The creek flows southeast into the Muddy Boggy, near Jasper, and eventually into the Red River. Tributaries of Clear Boggy Creek are Lake Creek, Clear Creek, and Tributaries 1 and 2. Muddy Boggy Creek flows east from the eastern fenceline of Ada and then south into the Red River near Hugo.

1.2.2 Climate The City of Ada lies in the humid subtropical climate zone of the southeastern United States. This climate zone is noted for hot summers, mild winters, and the lack of a distinct dry season. Ada also experiences the effects of continentality, which is characterized by a wide annual temperature range and rapid temperature changes. Winter temperatures occasionally fall below zero due to strong cold fronts, but these temperature extremes only last a short time. Temperatures of 100°F or higher are often experienced from July to early September. January’s average temperature is 39° F and July’s average is 82° F. Precipitation in the Ada area is generally evenly distributed throughout the year. Average rainfall is 41 inches per year and average snowfall is 5 inches per year. Most of this precipitation comes in the form of convective thunderstorms that produce heavy amounts of rain in short durations. Heavy winds, flash floods, and hail are all associated with these seasonal storms. April, May, and June account for 55% of all severe weather during a typical year, with 77% of the severe weather occurring between the months of March and July. June is the most active month of the year for hail, wind, floods, and tornadoes. Prevailing surface winds for the area are southerly during most of the year.

1.2.3 History Ada is located in the historical boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation. Major settlements during Indian Territory days were at Tishomingo, Atoka and Wewoka. The area around Ada was generally unsettled prairie and woodland when surveyed in the early 1870s. Ada is not shown on an 1884 map of Indian Territory, but has appeared by 1895. In 1900 there were 150,000 whites living within the Nation and only 6,000 Chickasaws. The Nation was formally dissolved by treaty in 1906 and not reconstituted until 1963. Ada is today the seat of the Chickasaw Nation tribal government.

White settlement in the area began with Jeff Reed, a native Texan, who settled near what was to become Ada in April 1889 and opened a general store. A post office was established in 1891, and named after Reed’s eldest daughter, Ada. Ada was initially an gricultural community. A primary early crop was cotton, but soil depletion eventually forced a shift to other crops and to ranching. By 1903 Ada had several general stores, a blacksmith and cotton gin, a drug store and opera house. For over 50 years, Ada was served by three railways. The St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad (Frisco) built through to Ada in 1900. This line, which extended from Vinita to Tulsa, Okmulgee, Holdenville and Madill, is now part of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) system and the only railroad still serving Ada. The Oklahoma City Ada and Atoka Railroad was built into Ada in 1903. This line, which linked Oklahoma City to the Missouri Kansas and Texas Railroad at Atoka, later became part of the Muskogee Lines, which operated the City of Ada’s Main Street -- 1940 track until 1964. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad operated a branch line from Purcell to Ada and Tupelo. Ada’s water source at Byrd’s Mill Spring, which flows from the eastern portion of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, was developed in the early 1900s. East Central Normal School was founded in 1909, to provide preparatory education, including two years of college leading to teacher certification. In 1919, East Central became a teacher's college and began conferring bachelor degrees. In 1939 it became a state college, and in 1954 graduate courses were added to the curriculum. In 1974 the school was renamed East Central Oklahoma State University, and in 1985 simply East Central University, or ECU. Current enrollment is about 4,600 students. Oil was discovered near Ada in 1921, turning the city from an agricultural and railroad entrepot into a bustling boom town. Robert S. Kerr, son of prominent Ada citizen William Samuel Kerr, founded Anderson-Kerr Drilling Co. in 1929, which became Kerr- McGee in 1946. Robert S. Kerr went on to become a highly successful governor of Oklahoma and an influential U.S. senator. The cement industry, which has several limestone mines in Ada and the surrounding area, began in the early 1900s and continues to be a significant contributor to the local economy.

Ada has seven structures on the National Register of Historic Places:  Ada Public Library, 400 S. Rennie  Bebee Field Round House  East Central State Normal School, East Central University Campus  Mijo Camp Industrial District, North side of Pontotoc County  Pontotoc County Courthouse, 12th & Broadway  Sugg Clinic, 100 E. 13th St.  Wintersmith Park Historic District, Sugg Clinic, an excellent example of Art E18th & Scenic Dr. Deco architecture 1.2.4 Demographics Demographics is the use of population characteristics (age and income distribution and trends, mobility, educational attainment, home ownership and employment status, for instance) for purposes of social studies. As was clearly demonstrated in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the vulnerability of a segment of the community to disasters will often vary according to demographic factors such as income level, age, race, language, education, disability and home ownership. For example, individuals and families in low income areas often have less extensive safety nets (transportation, savings, credit, food supplies, extended family networks) than those in high income districts. Similarly, aging populations are more vulnerable to extreme heat and cold and often have fewer financial resources for purchasing supplies. Knowing the size and geographical location of potential at risk populations (such as small children, the elderly and the impoverished) are important to assessing the community’s vulnerability. The City of Ada had a reported 2000 population of 15,691, comprising 44.6% of the population of Pontotoc County. This includes 6,697 households with an average household size of 2.20 persons. Ada’s population figures defy precise definition, due to the fluctuating student population of East Central State University and the methods of the Census counts. As a rule, ECU students are not counted in the Ada Census. Inevitably, some of ECU’s 4,600 students (i.e., those living and working off campus at the time of the Census) might well have been counted as Ada residents. For the purposes of this report, however, it is assumed that the 2000 Census did not include ECU students. Consequently, Ada’s actual daytime population during most of 2000 was probably around 20,000.

A map depicting the percentage of the population aged 65 and above by Census block is shown in Figure 1-4. In addition, percentage of the population living in poverty by Census block group is shown in Figure 1-5. Ada’s demographic data is detailed in Table 1-1. Table 1–1: City of Ada Population Data Source: 2000 Census

Subject Number % State % Total Population 15,691 100 100 Under 5 years old 1,019 6.5 6.8 Between 5-19 years old 3,202 20.4 22.2 65 years and older 2,666 17.0 16.2 ECU Students 4,600 29.3 White 12,356 78.7 76.2 African-American 765 4.9 7.6 Native American 3,162 20.2 7.9 Hispanic 453 2.9 5.2 Poverty Status in 1999 * (Families) 569 14.8 11.2 Poverty Status in 1999 * (Individuals) 3,137 21.4 14.7 * The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who is in poverty. For more information on the thresholds and what qualifies as eligible vs. non-eligible income, go to www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/povdef.html.

Since the 1940 Census, the population of Ada has experienced periods of growth and decline, but has remained relatively steady, as detailed in Table 1-2, below. It was estimated that the City’s population had risen to 15,840 by 2004, reversing the slight downward trend experienced between 1980 and 2000.

Table 1–2: Population Change, 1940-2000

Subject 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Population 15,143 15,995 14,347 14,859 15,902 15,820 15,691 Change from - 852 -1,648 512 1,043 -82 -129 Previous Census % Change - 5.63% -10.30% 3.57% 7.02% -0.52% -0.82%

Figure 1–4: City of Ada Population Aged 65 and Above

Figure 1–5: City of Ada Low Income Areas

Ada Public Schools Demographics The Ada Public Schools District is comprised of seven schools with 2,582 students. According to the 2000 US Census, there were 3,345 inhabitants in the district under the age of 18, of which 61% were white, 3.5% were black, 5% were Hispanic, and over 22% were American Indian. Currently, Ada City Schools employs some 320 staff members. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2003-2004 school year the schools had 177 full-time classroom teachers, including Ada Junior High School 69 elementary teachers and 72 secondary teachers. The Ada School District had 142 full- time workers classified as “other staff,” which included instructional aides, librarians, administrators, and support services personnel.

1.2.5 Lifelines Lifelines are defined as systems that are necessary for human life and urban function, especially during emergencies. Transportation and utility systems, as well as emergency service facilities are considered the lifelines of a community. Transportation systems include interstate, US, and state highways, roadways, railways, waterways, ports, harbors, and airports. Utility systems consist of electric power, gas and liquid fuels, telecommunications, water, and wastewater. Emergency service facilities include Emergency Alert System (EAS) communication facilities, hospitals, and the police and fire departments. Emergency service facilities are dealt with in detail in Section 2.6. Utility Systems Electrical Service Ada’s electrical service is provided by Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) and by People’s Electric Cooperative (PEC). PEC is a rural electric distribution cooperative providing electric service to approximately 13,000 members in 11 south central Oklahoma counties. It has been in existence since 1938 and is headquartered in Ada. Ada’s interconnection and service is reliable enough that it has not been subject to voltage sags, rolling blackouts or brownouts. Water Service The City of Ada’s water is supplied by the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer and Byrd’s Mill Spring, and is supplemented with local well water. Byrd’s Mill Spring, located about 12 miles south of Ada has recorded flows in excess of 20 million gallons per day (MGD). Normal flows, however, are more in the range of 9-11 MGD. Of this amount, a minimum of 3 MGD is left in the Byrd’s Mill Creek for environmental purposes. Ada’s three wells into the aquifer produce an additional 9 MGD. Ada has a water processing plant with a capacity of 11 MGD. The plant is in fair to good condition, and is currently in the process of being upgraded. Water use averages about

5.5 MGD, which includes city consumption and distribution to seven Pontotoc rural water districts. Peak usage is about 9.3 MGD. Water from Byrd’s Mill Spring flows to the Ada storage reservoirs via gravity. From there, it is chlorinated and pumped to the water towers using five electric pumps. A back-up generator at the water plant assures continued availability of water in the event of a power failure. Pressure from the pumps and gravity flow from the water towers distributes the water through the City's distribution system. Ada has 7 million gallons of in-ground storage at the municipal water plant. There are 2 million gallons of overhead storage in three water towers, the newest of which was completed in Ada’s Water Supply System 2001 using funds provided through an infrastructure sales tax approved in 1998. Table 1–3: Ada Water System

Subject Figure Normal Usage 5.5 MGD Peak Usage 9.3 MGD Elevated Storage Capacity 1 MG Ground Storage Capacity 7 MG System Capacity 11 MGD

In many respects, Ada is in an enviable position for a major city in terms of its water. Located on the northern edge of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, it has long enjoyed an abundant source of high-quality water from the aquifer and Byrd’s Mill Spring. However, during prolonged drought and extreme summer temperatures, as during 2005 and 2006, Ada’s water use spikes to over 9 MGD, stressing the City’s supply and distribution systems. The Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer is the primary water source for Ada, Sulphur, Tishomingo and Durant. Municipal water use accounted for over 60% of the aquifer’s 1.6 billion gallons of production in 2000, with irrigation accounting for 25%. Due to the abundance and high quality of the aquifer, water merchants and other Oklahoma cities have been working to gain access to the resource, in alliance with some local landowners. One such initiative is seeking authority to pump 80,000 acre-feet a year (about 71 MGD) from the aquifer for transport to cities in central Oklahoma. As its sole-source water supply, Ada is naturally concerned that the resource not be overused.

R.D. Flanagan & Associates 17 Ada Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Byrd’s Mill Spring Posted on Web 8/16/07

Local residents, citizens’ groups and the National Park Service fear that large-scale withdrawals from the aquifer will result in diminished stream flows and groundwater. The State of Oklahoma is currently studying the aquifer’s recharge rate to determine how much water can be taken from the aquifer without endangering municipal water supplies and flows in the area’s rivers, streams and springs. In the last ten years, Ada has twice had to institute emergency water rationing due to drought and high temperatures—in 1999 and 2006. In July 2006, Ada restricted lawn watering and car washing, and issued fines to offenders. Ada’s water woes were made worse by the failure of one of the City’s three water wells, cutting raw water supplies by about 3 million GPD. Ada’s water problems are complicated by its aging infrastructure. As much as 3 MGD is lost to an average of two raw water-main breaks and 10 feeder line breaks per day, and to unmonitored (but authorized) use by local residents who have been granted water privileges by the City in exchange for utility easements. Ada is currently studying the feasibility of creating a lake by damming the Canadian Sandy and Spring Brook Creeks just below their junction, about three miles west of the city. The resulting Scissortail Lake, which would cost an estimated $150 million, would provide Ada with a visible water supply and increased recreation-related tax revenue. The lake would store 88,200 acre-feet of water and supply Ada with 32,000 additional acre- feet of drinking water per year, or 28.5 MGD. Wastewater Treatment The wastewater treatment plant has a 3.2 MGPD capacity with dry weather flow running between 1.75-2.25 MGPD. The city has approximately 100 miles each of water and sanitary sewer main lines and 13 lift stations. The discharge point for the wastewater plant is into an unnamed tributary of the Little Sandy Creek. Natural Gas Service Natural gas service in Ada is provided by CenterPoint Energy (CNP), a Houston-based holding company formed in 2002 from Reliant Energy Arkla. CNP operates 8,200 miles of gas pipelines that serve as a hub for customers in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Telephone, Internet, and Cable Service Ada’s telephone service is provided by Southwestern Bell (SBC), which also provides high-speed Internet to the community. CableONE, 1610 Arlington, is the provider for cable television services. Cell phone service is available from Cingular, Sprint, U.S. Cellular and T-Mobile. Verizon has sharing arrangements with Sprint.

Transportation Systems Highways and Major Roads Ada has good accessibility to state and national highway systems, as shown in Figure 1-1. US Hwy 377 (duplexed with OK Hwy 99) runs from Del Rio, TX, through Willis, OK, Madill, Tishomingo, Ada, Seminole and Prague, before ending in Stroud at Interstate 44. OK Hwy 1 runs through southeastern Oklahoma from just north of Madill through Ada, McAlester, Talihina and into Arkansas along the Rich Mountain ridge south of Heavener. OK Hwy 1 also links Ada to Interstate 35 west of Sulphur. Interstate 35 is the main north- south artery through Oklahoma, linking the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to Oklahoma City and Wichita, KS. At over 600 miles in length, OK Hwy 3 is the longest state highway in Oklahoma. Beginning at the Colorado state line north of Boise City, the highway passes through Boise City, Guymon, Hardesty, Watonga, Kingfisher, Oklahoma City, Shawnee, Ada, Antlers, Broken Bow and Idabel before entering Arkansas in the southeast corner of McCurtain County. OK Hwy 99 (duplexed with US Hwy 377) is the longest north-south state highway in Oklahoma. Along with US Hwy 377, it runs from Willis, OK, through Tishomingo and Ada to Stroud, then branches off of US 377 to Drumright, Cleveland, Hominy and Pawhuska, before entering Kansas just west of Hulah Lake. OK Hwy 19 runs from Blair, 10 miles north of Altus, to Ada, a distance of 170 miles. From west to east, the highway passes through Boone, Apache, Cyril, Chickasha, Lindsay and Pauls Valley before reaching Ada., where it terminates. Daily traffic counts on Ada’s major highways and roads are summarized in Table 1-4 below. Table 1–4: Highway Traffic Counts

Highway Daily Traffic Counts US Hwy 377 in north Ada 12,000 US Hwy 377 in south Ada 2,300 OK Hwy 1 southwest Ada 6,400 OK Hwy 1 east Ada 10,400 OK Hwy 3W NW of Ada 16,900 OK Hwy 3 SE of Ada 4,600 OK Hwy 3 in S Ada 5,099 OK Hwy 19 W of Ada 6,900

Railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe Ada is served by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), and is a BNSF main line national switching yard. Ada is one of 245 stations serviced by BNSF in Oklahoma, which also include Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Muskogee, Henryetta and Okmulgee, as well as nearby towns of Holdenville and Madill. The BNSF operates on tracks originally built by the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad (Frisco). The trackage was absorbed into the BNSF’s Texas Division when the Frisco was dissolved in 1981. The BNSF is one of the

two largest railroads in the US, and is particularly strong in the Midwest and West. The railroad operates at least three local trains a day. Primary cargoes shipped through Ada are agricultural and mining products. Among the agricultural products are soybean meal, corn and corn syrup, nut and vegetable oil, cottonseed meal and oil, wheat and wheat bran, and malt. Mining products include coal, oil, propane, asphalt, gypsum, and limestone. Ada Municipal Airport The City of Ada is served by Ada Municipal Airport. The airport code is ADH and is owned and operated by the City of Ada. The airport is an uncontrolled field with four runways and is open to the public. The ground elevation of the runways is 1,016 ft. The asphalt for the major runway has a weight bearing capacity of 50,000 lbs for single wheel, 140,000 lbs for double wheel, and 224,000 lbs for dual double wheel aircraft. Jetfuel is available, as are hangers and Ada Municipal Airport tiedowns, and major aircraft ground support. Aircraft located at the field are 40 general aviation singles, five general aviation multi, and three jet aircraft. The traffic includes 2% military aircraft. Aircraft operations average 34 planes per day, 33% of which is local general aviation, 65% transient general aviation, and 2% military. Instrument approach (with GPS, VOR, and Localizer) is available for all runways. The airport has an automatic weather observation system. A new approach lighting system was added to the main runway in 2004, along with a visual guidance lighting system. The nearest commercial airport is Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City (67 miles), which is served by multiple national and international carriers, both passenger and airfreight. Bus Lines and Taxi Service Public transit is provided by Call-a-Ride, which is jointly sponsored by the City of Ada, Pontotoc County, East Central University and United Way. Call-a-Ride primarily serves residents of Ada (including ECU), Byng, Latta, Pickett, and Stonewall within Pontotoc County. Demand-response routes to Seminole and Pauls Valley are available. Hours of operation are weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discount fares for riders who are disabled or elderly. Call-a-Ride has 21 vehicles with a capacity of 258 passengers. Ada does not have a municipal bus service. Taxi service is available from Ada Cab. There are a number of organizations that have transportation services that may be of use in the event of a disaster. East Central State University has bus service available for disabled or handicapped students. New Horizons Unlimited is a sheltered workshop for mentally handicapped and disabled adults. They have 8 vehicles with a 100-passenger capacity. McCalls Chapel School Group Home has 6 vehicles with 100-passenger capacity. Mental Health of Southeastern Oklahoma has 5 vehicles with 100-passenger capacity.

1.2.6 Economy Originally a railroad town and agricultural community, and then an oil boom town, Ada’s economic base today is primarily concentrated in services, retail trade and government. Pontotoc County’s economic base is a blend of government, services, agriculture and industry. The surrounding area is known, too, for its cattle ranches and horse farms. The region’s abundant limestone, shale, silica, sand and clay has attracted manufacturers of glass, cement and brick. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, Pontotoc County had 1,368 farms, averaging 269 acres. Average gate receipts were $19,014, with 15 farms having gate receipts above $250,000. Agricultural production was divided between livestock ($23,903,000, or 92% of total receipts) and crops ($2,108,000, or 8%). In comparison with the 1997 Census of Agriculture, average gate receipts had increased by 5% and average farm size by 2%. Of Ada’s population over the age of 16 years, 60.4% are in the labor force and only 6.8% are unemployed. Of those employed, 72.7% are private wage and salary workers, 18.8% government workers, and 7.8% self-employed in unincorporated businesses. Ada’s per capita income in 2000 was $14,666, with the median income for male, full-time, year-round workers being $25,223. The median household income in 2000 was $22,977 (compared with $33,400 for Oklahoma and $41,994 for the USA), and the median family income at $31,805. Holcim Inc. cement plant Ada’s largest employers are the Chickasaw Nation with 1700 employees, Valley View Regional Hospital with 744 employees and Pre-Paid Legal Services with 625 employees. Other large employers are listed in Table 1-5 below. The city’s major employers are: Chickasaw Nation Enterprises provides a wide range of government, health and social services to approximately 190,000 members of the Chickasaw Tribe in south central Oklahoma, funded by grants and business enterprises, the most lucrative of which are its gambling casinos. Valley View Regional Hospital is a community-owned, not-for-profit acute care general hospital with over 700 employees and 40 physicians. Prepaid Legal Services, Inc., provides legal services to over 1.5 million families in the U.S. and Canada by means of “legal insurance policies.”

Table 1–5: Major Employers Source: Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Ada Chamber of Commerce Company Product/Services Employed Chickasaw Nation & Chickasaw Enterprises Varied Services 1,700 Valley View Regional Hospital Health Care / Social Assistance 744 Prepaid Legal Services, Inc Finance & Insurance 625 Solo Cup Manufacturing 500 East Central University Education 456 IRT Service industry 450 Wal-Mart Supercenter Retail 450 Carl Albert Indian Hospital Health Care / Social Assistance 375 Flex-N-Gate Technologies Manufacturing 300 City of Ada City Administration 210 Robert Kerr Environmental Research Center Scientific, & Technical Services 165 Holcim Inc. Cement Manufacturing 120 McCall’s Communities Health Care / Social Assistance 120

Solo Cup manufactures plastic cups and containers at its 267,000 sq. ft. plant in north Ada. East Central University, is a four-year state university with an enrollment of around 5,000. IRT (Interactive Response Technologies) is a call center for clients in the financial services industry, telecommunications, healthcare, insurance and education, such as T- Mobile, LensCrafters, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Mutual of Omaha. Wal-Mart SuperCenter. Wal-Mart is the nation’s largest retailer. Carl Albert Indian Care Facility, is a 53 bed acute-care hospital (and part of the Public Health Service) administered by the Chickasaw Nation. Flex-N-Gate Technologies produces body moldings, bumpers, grilles, hinges, latches and other external automobile parts at its 352,000 square foot facility. EPA Robert Kerr Environmental Research Center conducts research and technical assistance to protect and restore ground water, surface water, and ecosystems. Holcim Inc. (formerly Holnam, Inc.) produces cement from its plant and quarry in southeast Ada. The Holcim head office is in Switzerland. McCall’s Communities is a residential care facility and school for mentally handicapped adults.

1.2.7 Development According to the Pontotoc County Assessor’s Office, there are a total of ____ improved properties within the urban areas of the City of Ada. Improvements range from houses and office buildings to garages and swimming pools. The total improvement value of these properties, adjusted for fair market value, is $______. Numbers of properties with improvements, by type, and improvement values are shown in Table 1-6.

Table 1–6: City of Ada Properties and Values by Improvement Type Source: Pontotoc County Assessor’s Office

Number of Improvement Improvement Type Propertie Value s Urban Agriculture Urban Commercial Urban Residential Total

The numbers of housing units, according to the 2000 Census, are listed by type in Table 1-7. There are no mobile home parks within the City of Ada.

Table 1–7: City of Ada Housing Units, by Type Source: 2000 U.S. Census

Housing Unit Type Number Single-family 5,553 Multi-family 1,822 Mobile homes 80 Boat, RV, van, etc. 11 Total housing units 7,466

The city’s multi-family housing consists of market-rate and subsidized units. There are ten market-rate complexes and four subsidized housing complexes. Ada issued 74 single-family building permits between 1997 and 2000. While the median home value Ada in 2001 was $58,612, the average cost of a new home between 1997 and 2000 was $104,109. Including lot price, the average cost of a new home in Ada in 2000 was $97,000. Almost all new home construction in Ada has been custom houses for specific buyers, most of them in the northeast quadrant of the city. The average resale price of a home in Ada in 2001 was $69,582, with an average list term of three months. Newly platted subdivisions are “Rose Creek,” a 24-acre development in south Ada on Kerr Lab Rd., which will have 74 single-family homes; “The Heritage,” a 17.5 acre middle-income single-family development on N. Monte Vista; “Vinehaven” on Kerr Lab Rd.; 20 residential lots at “Kingsridge III” on Kerr Lab Rd.; the “Legacy Hills” addition in southeast Ada; and “Whispering Cedars,” a 12.5-acre, 20-home addition at Egypt and Rosedale Rd. Most commercial construction in Ada is taking place along Lonnie Abbott Boulevard on the north side of the city.

Past Development Patterns Initially an gricultural community, Ada’s development has been anchored by its railroads, East Central University (ECU), its state and US highways, the oil industry, and by being the Pontotoc County seat. Over the years, railroad traffic has declined, Interstate superhighways have siphoned away much of the regional automobile traffic, and the oil industry has gradually declined through several slumps and rebounds.

Development Plans Ada is nevertheless far from moribund. It has an excellent local government, an aggressive City Council and mayor, a close working relationship between the community and its media, and an active Main Street program. Ranching in Pontotoc County brought in $24 million in 2002. Ada still has a major railroad, the BNSF, and now a four-lane highway from I-35 near Sulphur north to the Pontotoc County line. Eventually this highway will be four-lane to I-40 near Seminole, which should increase both passenger and truck traffic through the community. East Central University remains an economic anchor. The cement industry is still active, with Holnam Cement having been recently purchased by Holcim Ltd., of Switzerland. Ada has worked hard to attract new industry, but has also fostered and supported the growth of local enterprises, such as Pre-Paid Legal Services and Edge Tech Corp. Perhaps one of Ada’s biggest economic boosts has come from its selection as the capital of the reconstituted Chickasaw Nation. Casinos and other tribal enterprises and charities have brought new revenue streams into the community. The Chickasaw Nation is now Ada’s largest employer. Another factor shaping Ada’s future development is the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, or CLEET. Established in 1963, CLEET has built a new headquarters and training facility in northwest Ada. Classes are scheduled to begin in the autumn of 2006. Ada, along with many Oklahoma cities, experienced water shortages in 2000, 2002 and 2006. Its source of water, the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, is also used by the cities of Durant, Tishomingo and Sulphur, and by private landowners. In order to continue growing and compete for businesses, Ada is considering the development of a lake west of the city as a secondary water supply. The proposed Scissortail Lake would dam the Canadian Sandy and Brook Creeks, about three miles west of Ada. Besides serving as a backup water supply, the proposed lake would boost land values in the western part of the city, and stimulate tourism and lake-related living and recreational activities. Future Development Development Goals. Ada’s development plan is to continue to grow by making the city a forward-looking business, cultural and tourist center, and a place where companies want to locate and people want to work and live. Towards this end, the City plans to:  Encourage economic diversification and growth;  Strive for quality in city design and planning, government, jobs, infrastructure, environment, and amenities;  Improve and integrate local and regional transportation networks;  Use provision of infrastructure as means of directing and controlling growth;  Encourage rural residential development in areas beyond the reach of City utilities.

Ada is growing in the northwest, north, south and east. The CLEET facility in the northwest, along OK Hwy 3E and 99 should stimulate development in that sector of the city. Commercial is developing along Lonnie Abbott Blvd. in the north, and south along OK Hwy 3E. The Chickasaw Nation is developing land on Lonnie Abbott, at Mississippi Ave., where the City has recently annexed 47 acres. Office commercial and campus industrial development is taking place in the south along Kerr Lab Rd., Kerr Lab Blvd., and Stonecipher Blvd., where Pre-Paid Legal is located. The Chickasaw Nation is building a new medical facility in this area, on the south side of Stonecipher Blvd.

1.2.8 Critical Facilities Critical facilities are defined differently by different organizations and agencies, but are usually classified as those facilities that, if put out of operation by any cause, would have a broadly adverse impact on the community as a whole. FEMA includes the following:  Structures or facilities that produce, use or store highly volatile, flammable, explosive, toxic and/or water-reactive materials;  Hospitals, nursing homes, and housing likely to contain occupants who may not be sufficiently mobile to avoid death or injury during a disaster;  Police stations, fire stations, vehicle and equipment storage facilities, and emergency operations centers that are needed for disaster response activities before, during, and after an event; and  Public and private utility facilities that are vital to maintaining or restoring normal services to affected areas before, during and after an event. This may also include buildings designated as emergency shelters, schools, childcare centers, senior citizen centers, major medical facilities, disability centers, and City Hall. Since 9/11, FEMA has also added banks and other financial institutions to their critical facilities list. The City of Ada’s critical facilities are listed in Table 1-8 and are shown in Figures 1–6.

Table 1–8: Ada Critical Facilities

ID Name Address Phone City Facilities 35 Ada City Hall 231 S. Townsend 436-6300 32 Ada City Hall West Annex 210 W. 13th 436-8140 34 Ada Police Department 231 S. Townsend 332-4466 38 Ada Central Fire Department 201 S. Broadway 436-8076 22 Ada Fire Station #2 942 E. 6th St. 436-8076 21 Ada Public Works 220 West 7th St. 436-8100 Ada Recycling Center 3 Ada Wastewater Treatment Plant North end of Mississippi 436-8140 54 Ada Water Treatment Plant 436-8140 1 Ada Municipal Airport 2800 Airport Rd. 436-8190 20 Ada Purchasing Department 512 N. Stockton 436-8041 61 Irving Community Center 204 N. Oak 436-0383 County Facilities 37 Pontotoc County Courthouse 120 W. 13th St. 332-8977 17 Pontotoc County Health Department 1630 Beverly 332-2011 Federal Facilities 40 US Post Office 131 E 12th St 332-6118 5 Bureau of Indian Affairs 1500 N. Country Club Rd. 436-0784 55 NRCS Offices 1328 Cradduck Rd. 332 3070 Tribal Government 13 Chickasaw Nation Headquarters 520 E. Arlington 436-2603 14 Chickasaw Nation Treasury Building 520 E. Arlington 27 Chickasaw Nation Enterprises 2020 Arlington 421-9500 Financial Institutions 19 Arvest Bank 930 N Country Club Rd 332-6190 36 Citizens Bank of Ada 123 W. 12th 332-6100 24 Citizens Bank of Ada 1717 Arlington 332-6100 4 Citizens Bank in Wal-Mart Supercenter 1601 Lonnie Abbot Blvd. 332-6100 43 Bank of the West 606 E Main St 332-2910 39 Vision Bank 101 E Main St 332-5132 26 Vision Bank 1800 Arlington St 332-5132 41 Vision Motor Bank 1200 E 12th St 332-5132 33 First United Bank: Ada 221 W 12th St 332-4020 30 Stillwater National Bank 524 W Main St 421-9505 23 Landmark Bank NA 1616 E Arlington St 436-1766 Medical Facilities 9 Rolling Hills Hospital 1000 Rolling Hills Ln 436-2138 16 Carl Albert Indian Health Center 1001 Country Club Rd. 436-3980 Chickasaw Nation Health Care (under construction) 51 Valley View Regional Hospital 430 N Monte Vista 332-2323 Educational Facilities 52 Pontotoc Technology Center 601 W 33rd St 310-2200 8 Victory Life Fellowship (K-4) 1001 Tipton Terrace 436-2279 45 East Central University 1100 E 14th St 332-8000 Social Service Facilities 18 Ada Retirement Center 931 N Country Club Rd 332-3631 11 Ballard Nursing Center 201 W 5th St 436-1414 25 Jan Frances Care Center 815 N Country Club Rd 332-5328 53 Pontotoc County Adult Day Care 301 E Kings Rd 332-2855

ID Name Address Phone 56 Baptist Village 3501 Oakridge Dr 332-6004 49 Sterling House 801 Stadium Dr. 421-9800 62 McCall’s Chapel School and Group Home Route 7, Box 232 436-0373 63 Woodland Hills Nursing Home 200 N Easton 857-2472 64 Stonegate Nursing Home 130 E 6th 265-4247 Ada Senior Site 1005 Chamber Loop 436-1007 Child Care Facilities Stepping Stones of Ada 915 S Hickory St 332-7727 59 Ada Headstart 1 & 2 1721 Cradduck Rd 332-7223 29 Becky's Family Childcare Cen 609 W Main 332-4646 44 Care-A-Lot Preschool 723 E 10th St 436-3125 2 Chickasaw Nation Child Development Center 226 Rosedale Rd 310-9490 46 ECU Child Development 1000 Block E 10th St 310-5629 48 Good Shepherd Preschool 129 W 14th St 436-5225 58 Hacienda Academy 16245 CR 1565 332-7799 10 Latta Kids Zone Daycare 13924 CR 1560 332-3035 31 Little Sprouts Daycare 510 W 12th St 332-8331 28 Little Sprouts, Too!! 1000 W 12th St 332-3100 42 Luanne's Early Learning Daycare Center 521 E 12th St 332-3247 Meme's Playhouse 108 S Monte Vista 310-0717 6 Monte Vista Academy 1425 N Monte Vista 436-9034 Stepping Stones of Ada 3600 E Arlington Ave 235-0069 57 Central Bible Academy 824 Stadium 332-3261 15 Total Learning Center 1628 Beverly #108 436-1447

Figure 1–6: City of Ada Critical Facilities

Ada Public Schools Critical Facilities Ada Public Schools has seven facilities located throughout the city. These facilities are listed in Table 1-9 below and their location shown in Figure 1-7.

Table 1–9: Ada Public Schools Facilities Teaching Student ID Name Address Phone Staff s 65 Glenwood Kindergarten 825 W 10th 19.9 367 310-7283 66 Washington Elementary 600 W 17th 23.5 332 310-7303 68 Ada Junior High 223 W 18th 25.6 620 310-7260 7 Homer Elementary 1400 N. Monte Vista 38 640 332-4303 Francis Elementary School 18461 Cr. 1480 23 200 332-4114 72 Byng Elementary School 500 S. New Bethel Blvd. 16.6 231 310-6723 67 Willard Grade Center 817 E 9th 26.0 364 310-7250 69 Hayes Grade Center 500 S Mississippi 24.6 375 310-7294 72 Byng Junior High School 500 S. New Bethel Blvd. 20 336 310-6744 71 Ada High School 1400 Stadium Dr. 32.7 524 310-7220 72 Byng High School 500 S. New Bethel Blvd. 23.1 315 310-6733 70 STEPS Alternative Education Academy 1400 Pine St. 3 25 310-7280

Figure 1–7: Ada City Schools Locations

R.D. Flanagan & Associates 31 Ada Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan