i List of Figures and Tables ....................................................................................................................... ix Section 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Plan Goals and Authority ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) .......................................................................................... 2 1.3 Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) ............................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) ...................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Participation......................................................................................................................................... 4 Section 2: Mitigation Plan Update ............................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Planning Process ................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1.1 Plan Administrators ..................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.2 Emergency Manager Role and Responsibilities .......................................................................... 7 2.1.3 The Mitigation Steering Committee ............................................................................................. 7 2.1.4 Hazard Mitigation Planning Team ............................................................................................... 8 2.1.5 Participating Jurisdictions............................................................................................................ 9 2.1.6 Meetings and Participation .......................................................................................................... 9 2.1.7 Additional Meetings and Participation ....................................................................................... 12 2.1.8 Partners and Stakeholders ....................................................................................................... 14 2.1.9 Review and Incorporation of Existing Plans and Studies .......................................................... 14 2.1.10 Participation and Data Request .............................................................................................. 17 2.1.11 Summary of the Planning Process & Significant Plan Updates ............................................... 18 2.2 Changes Made During this Plan Update ........................................................................................... 18 Section 3: Community Profile ................................................................................................................. 20 3.1 General Overview .............................................................................................................................. 21 3.1.1 Historical Setting ....................................................................................................................... 22 3.2 Physical Characteristics .................................................................................................................... 23 3.2.1 Climate and Precipitation .......................................................................................................... 23 3.2.2 Geology .................................................................................................................................... 25 3.2.3 Geography ................................................................................................................................ 25 3.2.4 Hydrology .................................................................................................................................. 26 ii 3.2.5 Surface Water ........................................................................................................................... 26 3.2.6 Aquifers ..................................................................................................................................... 27 3.2.7 Lakes ......................................................................................................................................... 28 3.2.8 Rivers ........................................................................................................................................ 29 3.2.9 Watersheds ............................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.10 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................. 31 3.2.11 Soil .......................................................................................................................................... 33 3.2.12 Topography ............................................................................................................................. 34 3.2.13 Land Use ................................................................................................................................ 35 3.3 Population and Demographics .......................................................................................................... 37 3.3.1 Historic Population .................................................................................................................... 37 3.3.2 Population Trends ..................................................................................................................... 39 3.3.3 Comparable Growth .................................................................................................................. 39 3.3.4 Population by Age Groups ........................................................................................................ 39 3.3.5 Households ............................................................................................................................... 40 3.3.6 Population and Household Projections ...................................................................................... 41 3.3.7 Special Populations .................................................................................................................. 41 3.3.7 Poverty ...................................................................................................................................... 43 3.4 Community Conditions ...................................................................................................................... 43 3.4.1 Historical Setting ....................................................................................................................... 44 3.4.2 Race and Ethnicity .................................................................................................................... 45 3.4.3 Level of Education .................................................................................................................... 46 3.4.4 Socioeconomic Conditions: Income .......................................................................................... 47 3.4.5 Employment .............................................................................................................................. 47 3.4.6 Occupation ................................................................................................................................ 48 3.4.7 Economy ................................................................................................................................... 48 3.4.8 Faith Based Community ............................................................................................................ 49 3.4.9 Economic Conditions ................................................................................................................ 50 3.4.11 Future Development ............................................................................................................... 52 3.4.12 Crime ...................................................................................................................................... 52 3.5 Critical Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................... 52 iii 3.5.1 Airports ..................................................................................................................................... 53 3.5.2 Railroads ................................................................................................................................... 53 3.5.3 Pipelines ................................................................................................................................... 55 3.5.4 Solid Waste Facilities ................................................................................................................ 57 3.5.5 Transit ....................................................................................................................................... 57 3.5.6 Transportation ........................................................................................................................... 57 3.5.7 Highways .................................................................................................................................