Houston County, Georgia
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Houston County, Georgia Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Adopted: September 2004 Amended: May 2010 Amended: September 2015 Prepared For: Houston County Emergency Management Agency 200 Carl Vinson Parkway Warner Robins, GA 31093 Phone: (478) 542-2026 Fax: (478) 328-0618 Prepared by: Middle Georgia Regional Commission 175 Emery Hwy. Suite C Macon, GA 31217 Phone: (478) 751-6160 Fax: (478) 751-6517 Table of Contents Section Page # Table of Appendices ...................................................................................................3 Stakeholders ................................................................................................................4 Mission Statement .......................................................................................................4 Vision Statement .........................................................................................................4 Chapter One: Introduction ..................................................................................................5 Chapter Two: Natural Hazard, Risk & Vulnerability Summary .......................................17 Flooding ....................................................................................................................17 Tornado .....................................................................................................................20 Drought .....................................................................................................................23 Thunderstorm Winds ................................................................................................25 Lightning ...................................................................................................................27 Winter Storms ...........................................................................................................29 Chapter Three: Technological Hazard, Risk & Vulnerability Summary ..........................32 Hazardous Materials Spills .......................................................................................32 Chapter Four: Natural Hazard Mitigation Goals, Objectives & Action Steps ..................35 Flooding ....................................................................................................................36 Tornado .....................................................................................................................40 Drought .....................................................................................................................43 Thunderstorm Winds ................................................................................................45 Lightning ...................................................................................................................47 Winter Storms ...........................................................................................................49 Chapter Five: Technological Hazard Mitigation Goals, Objectives & Action Steps .......51 Hazardous Materials Spills .......................................................................................51 Chapter Six: Executing the Plan .......................................................................................53 Implementation/Action Plan .....................................................................................53 Evaluation/Monitoring/Updating ..............................................................................54 Plan Update and Maintenance/Public Involvement ..................................................55 Chapter Seven: Conclusion ...............................................................................................56 Sources: .....................................................................................................................57 Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (2015 Update) Page 2 of 58 Table of Appendices Appendix Appendix A – Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Hazard Descriptions GEMA Worksheet #3a Hazard Area Maps GMIS Critical Facility Inventory Reports Appendix B – Growth and Development Trends / Community Information Houston County Joint Comprehensive Plan - Introduction Houston County Demographic Profile Houston County Area Labor Profile Appendix C – Other Planning Documents Middle Georgia Regionally Important Resources Plan – Introduction Houston County Joint Solid Waste Management Plan – Introduction Middle Georgia Regional Plan – Executive Summary Houston County/Centerville/Perry/Warner Robins Summary of Service Delivery Arrangements for Emergency Management (Service Delivery Strategy – Form 2) Middle Georgia State College Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Appendix D – Worksheets Used in Planning Process GEMA Worksheet #1: Identify the Hazards GEMA Worksheet #2: Profile Hazard Events GEMA Worksheet #4: Evaluate Alternative Mitigation Actions Hazard Frequency Table Critical Facility Data Collection Form Appendix E – Planning Documentation (presented in chronological order) Meeting Agendas Attendance Records Public Hearing Notices Planning Process Timeline Resolutions Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (2015 Update) Page 3 of 58 Stakeholders The Houston County Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the Houston County Emergency Management Agency (HEMA), amended and updated the Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan, through the planning processes described herein. This Pre- Disaster Mitigation planning process was completed in cooperation with Houston County’s three municipalities: Centerville, Perry, and Warner Robins. Additionally, representatives from various community agencies as well as Middle Georgia’s largest employer, Robins Air Force Base (RAFB), and members of the local healthcare community participated in the update of this important document. The Middle Georgia Regional Commission facilitated the planning process and documented all significant accomplishments and milestones. Mission Statement To make Houston County and the cities of Centerville, Perry and Warner Robins less vulnerable to the effects of natural and human-caused hazards through effective planning, hazard risk assessments and a coordinated mitigation strategy.” Vision Statement Develop a countywide hazard mitigation mindset through local government leadership and community-based partnerships, leading the way to a safe and livable environment for all Houston County citizens. Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (2015 Update) Page 4 of 58 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION I. Beginning in 2000, and in accordance with the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of that year, each county in the United States were required to develop a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. These plans were intended to address each individual community vulnerability to hazards prior to a disaster event occurring. Based upon this requirement, Houston County initiated the development of a plan that would insure compliance with this legislative requirement and help ensure the community’s preparedness in the event of a hazard. The Middle Georgia Regional Commission was utilized as the planning process facilitator by the county. By 2004, the county had finalized and adopted the first Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. The intent and effect of this plan was to help identify areas of vulnerability in the community, reduce the risks that natural and technological hazards presented in the county, and to build a work program that would guide decisions and resource provision. Five years after the adoption of this plan, Houston County engaged in efforts to amend and update the Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan, utilizing the Middle Georgia Regional Commission as the facilitator once again. With the passing of another five-year period, the plan update process was once again reengaged by county leadership in mid-2014. As had been done in past planning efforts, this update utilized a community planning that included a cross-section of community partners. The updated plan includes a detailed and comprehensive analysis and evaluation of critical community facilities, hazard events, losses, and current plans. From this analysis and evaluation, an updated prioritized list of goals, objectives and strategies, designed to further ensure the safety of Houston County residents, was developed. This plan updated the Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan Committee and highlighted the need for increased monitoring of the plan to ensure that its action items were being implemented by the responsible community partners. II. For the second update of the Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan, Houston County once again identified and selected community members to serve on the planning committee. In the process, the county first identified partners and participants from previous cycles. These partners and their organizations were solicited for participation in the planning committee. Many previous cycle planning participants elected to - rejoin the planning committee and assist in the development. Many new staff members of these organizations also joined the committee. The county engaged other community partners to ensure that all relevant entities were provided an opportunity for input. Initial contact with participants was made through a formal letter. Email and telephone correspondence were utilized for follow-up notification. Ultimately, the county received active participation from many agencies and departments, including multiple representatives