C AMERON C OUNTY H AZARD M ITIGATION P LAN PLANNING PARTNER: CITY OF HARLINGEN Preparing for a Sustainable Future for Human Life and Property A PPROVED: M AY, 2015 For more information, visit our website at: www.co.cameron.tx.us Written comments should be forwarded to: H2O Partners, Inc. P. O. Box 160130 Austin, Texas 78716 [email protected] www.h2opartnersusa.com T ABLE OF C ONTENTS Section 1 - Introduction Background ....................................................................................................................................1-1 Scope .............................................................................................................................................1-2 Purpose ..........................................................................................................................................1-3 Authority ........................................................................................................................................1-3 Summary of Sections.......................................................................................................................1-4 Section 2 – Planning Process Plan Preparation and Development .................................................................................................2-1 Review and Incorporation of Existing Plans ......................................................................................2-5 Public and Stakeholder Involvement ...............................................................................................2-8 Section 3 – County Profile Overview ........................................................................................................................................3-1 Population and Demographics .........................................................................................................3-2 Future Development .......................................................................................................................3-3 Section 4 – Risk Overview Hazards Identification .....................................................................................................................4-1 Natural Hazards and Climate Change ...............................................................................................4-3 Overview of Hazard Analysis ..........................................................................................................4-4 Building Values ..............................................................................................................................4-5 Section 5 – Flood Hazard Description ..........................................................................................................................5-1 Location .........................................................................................................................................5-4 Extent ............................................................................................................................................5-8 Historical Occurrences .................................................................................................................. 5-11 Probability of Future Events .......................................................................................................... 5-15 Vulnerability and Impact .............................................................................................................. 5-15 NFIP Participation ........................................................................................................................ 5-16 Cameron County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan Page 2 T ABLE OF C ONTENTS Flood Risk Reduction and Education ............................................................................................. 5-17 Prioritizing Mitigation Actions ...................................................................................................... 5-18 Repetitive Loss ............................................................................................................................. 5-18 Section 6 – Drought Hazard Description .........................................................................................................................6-1 Location .........................................................................................................................................6-2 Extent ............................................................................................................................................6-2 Historical Occurrences ....................................................................................................................6-3 Probability of Future Events ...........................................................................................................6-5 Vulnerability and Impact ................................................................................................................6-6 Section 7 – Extreme Heat Hazard Description .........................................................................................................................7-1 Location .........................................................................................................................................7-1 Extent ............................................................................................................................................7-1 Historical Occurrences ....................................................................................................................7-4 Probability of Future Events ...........................................................................................................7-7 Vulnerability and Impact ................................................................................................................7-7 Section 8 – Hurricane Wind Hazard Description .........................................................................................................................8-1 Location .........................................................................................................................................8-1 Extent ........................................................................................................................................ 8-2 Historical Occurrences ....................................................................................................................8-3 Probability of Future Events ...........................................................................................................8-8 Vulnerability and Impact .............................................................................................................. 8-10 Cameron County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan Page 3 T ABLE OF C ONTENTS Section 9 – Tornado Hazard Description .........................................................................................................................9-1 Location .........................................................................................................................................9-2 Extent ............................................................................................................................................9-3 Historical Occurrences ....................................................................................................................9-5 Probability of Future Events ......................................................................................................... 9-10 Vulnerability and Impact ............................................................................................................... 9-10 Section 10 – Severe Thunderstorm Hazard Description ....................................................................................................................... 10-1 Location ........................................................................................................................................ 10-1 Extent .......................................................................................................................................... 10-1 Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................... 10-3 Probability of Future Events ......................................................................................................... 10-6 Vulnerability and Impact .............................................................................................................. 10-6 Section 11 – Hail Hazard Description ....................................................................................................................... 11-1 Location ........................................................................................................................................ 11-1 Extent .......................................................................................................................................... 11-2 Historical Occurrences .................................................................................................................. 11-2 Probability of Future Events ......................................................................................................... 11-5 Vulnerability and Impact .............................................................................................................. 11-5 Section 12 –