PRE-DISASTER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2018 Update
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PRE-DISASTER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2018 Update PRE-DISASTER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2018 University of Georgia Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan 2018 Update University of Georgia Office of Emergency Preparedness 286 Hodgson Oil Building, Suite 200 S Athens, Georgia 30602 706.542.5845 www.prepare.uga.edu Primary Contact: Secondary Contact: Steve Harris John Newton Director Emergency Operations Manager Office of Emergency Preparedness Office of Emergency Preparedness Office: 706.542.5845 Office: 706.542.5845 Fax: 706.542.4664 Fax: 706.542.4664 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Page 1 of 103 PRE-DISASTER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2018 Preface Mitigation Vision for the Future Emergency Managers succeed and fail by how well they follow the following fundamental principles of emergency management, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Purposefully, our emergency management forefathers put the word mitigation first as a “means” to prevent or minimize the effects of disasters. Mitigation is commonly defined as sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects. Hazard mitigation focuses attention and resources on community policies and actions that will produce successive benefits over time. A mitigation plan states the aspirations and specific courses of action that a community intends to follow to reduce vulnerability and exposure to future hazard events. These plans are formulated through a systematic process centered on the participation of citizens, businesses, public officials, and other community stakeholders. Mitigation forms, or should form, the very foundation of every emergency management agency. For the prevention of disasters in communities, emergency management agencies that adopt mitigation practices in an effort to reduce, minimize, or eliminate hazards in their community have found, the vision for the future of emergency management. The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 has set the benchmark and outlines the criteria for communities with the vision to implement hazard mitigation practices in their communities. The University of Georgia realizes the benefits achieved by the development and implementation of mitigation plans and strategies in our community. University of Georgia’s officials, public safety departments, planners, and many others have proven that by working together towards the development and implementation of this plan, have the vision to implement mitigation practices therefore reducing the loss of life and property in their community. The areas covered by this plan include: University of Georgia main campus in Athens, GA Page 2 of 103 PRE-DISASTER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2018 Table of Contents Chapter One - Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 7 Summary of Updates for Chapter One ................................................................................................. 7 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Scope .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Plan Review ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Committee ....................................................................................... 10 Multi-Jurisdictional Considerations .................................................................................................. 11 Incorporation of Existing Plans, Studies, and Resources .................................................................. 12 Chapter Two - University of Georgia Profile ....................................................................................... 13 Summary of Updates for Chapter Two ............................................................................................... 13 Past Hazards ....................................................................................................................................... 13 History ................................................................................................................................................ 14 Past Events ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Enrollment and Population Information ........................................................................................... 17 Transportation .................................................................................................................................... 17 Climate ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Chapter Three - Hazard Profiles ............................................................................................................ 19 Summary of Updates for Chapter Three ............................................................................................ 19 Risk Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 20 Natural Hazard: Thunderstorms ....................................................................................................... 21 Assets Exposed to the Hazard ........................................................................................................... 26 Estimated Potential Losses................................................................................................................. 27 Hazard Summary ................................................................................................................................ 27 Thunderstorm Data Table .................................................................................................................. 27 Natural Hazard: Winter Storms ........................................................................................................... 32 Hazard Description ........................................................................................................................... 32 Hazard Profile .................................................................................................................................... 32 Assets Exposed to the Hazard ........................................................................................................... 34 Estimated Potential Losses................................................................................................................ 34 Hazard Summary ................................................................................................................................ 35 Winter Storm Data Table ................................................................................................................... 35 Natural Hazard: Flooding .................................................................................................................... 36 Page 3 of 103 PRE-DISASTER HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2018 Hazard Description ........................................................................................................................... 36 Hazard Profile ..................................................................................................................................... 37 Assets Exposed to the Hazard ............................................................................................................ 37 Estimated Potential Losses................................................................................................................ 38 Hazard Summary ............................................................................................................................... 39 Natural Hazard: Tornado ..................................................................................................................... 44 Hazard Description ........................................................................................................................... 44 Hazard Profile .................................................................................................................................... 44 Estimated Potential Losses................................................................................................................. 47 Hazard Summary ............................................................................................................................... 48 Tornado Data Table ........................................................................................................................... 49 Natural Hazard: Drought ..................................................................................................................... 49 Hazard Description ........................................................................................................................... 49 Hazard Profile ...................................................................................................................................