Hazard Mitigation Plan VAL VERDE COUNTY, TEXAS “Cover the Border” 2011 - 2016 Draft July 9, 2011 Prepared by THE RIO GRANDE INSTITUTE in partnership with Val Verde County officials and the Middle Rio Grande Development Council Under authority of the Honorable Laura Allen Val Verde County Judge For more information, visit our website at: www.riogrande.org Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 1. Planning Process ............................................................................................................. 5 1.1. Purpose ............................................................................................................................. 5 1.2. Participating jurisdictions .............................................................................................. 5 1.3 Planning partners ............................................................................................................ 5 1.4 Planning process.............................................................................................................. 6 1.4.1. Open public process.............................................................................................. 7 1.4.2. Hazard identification ......................................................................................... 11 1.4.3. Risk assessment ................................................................................................... 12 1.4.4. Mitigation strategies ........................................................................................... 12 1.4.5. Implementation and monitoring ...................................................................... 13 Chapter 2. Mitigation Goals .......................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 3. Description of the County........................................................................................... 18 3.1. Geography ...................................................................................................................... 18 3.2. Climate ............................................................................................................................ 19 3.3. Topography.................................................................................................................... 19 3.4. History ............................................................................................................................ 19 3.5. Population ...................................................................................................................... 20 3.6. Economy and income.................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 4. Assets at Risk................................................................................................................ 22 4.1. Study area definition..................................................................................................... 22 4.2. Assets at risk .................................................................................................................. 24 4.3. Critical facilities and infrastructure ............................................................................ 24 Chapter 5. Risk Assessment .......................................................................................................... 28 5.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................... 28 5.1.1. Hazards addressed in this plan ................................................................... 28 5.1.2. Presidential disaster declarations................................................................ 28 5.1.3. Risk assessment process ............................................................................... 29 5.1.4. Loss estimates……………………………………………….………… 31 5.1.5. Hazard profiles………………………………………………………… 33 5.2. Severe Thunderstorms................................................................................................. 35 5.2.1. Description of the hazard............................................................................. 35 5.2.2. Measurement ................................................................................................. 35 1 _________________________________________________________________________________ Val Verde County July 9, 2011 “Cover the Border” Hazard Mitigation Plan 5.2.3. Previous occurrences .................................................................................... 35 5.2.4. Geographic areas affected ............................................................................ 36 5.2.5. Probability of future disasters ..................................................................... 37 5.2.6. Vulnerability .................................................................................................. 37 5.2.7. Potential impact ............................................................................................. 37 5.3. Flooding ......................................................................................................................... 38 5.3.1. Description of the hazard............................................................................. 38 5.3.2. Measurement ................................................................................................. 39 5.3.3. Previous occurrences .................................................................................... 39 5.3.4. Geographic areas affected ............................................................................ 40 5.3.5. Probability of future disasters ..................................................................... 44 5.3.6. Vulnerability to flooding.............................................................................. 44 5.3.7. Potential impact ............................................................................................. 44 5.3.8. Previous mitigation actions.......................................................................... 46 5.4. Hazardous materials incidents.................................................................................... 50 5.4.1. Description of the hazard............................................................................. 50 5.4.2. Measurement ................................................................................................. 50 5.4.3. Previous occurrences .................................................................................... 51 5.4.4. Geographic areas affected ............................................................................ 52 5.4.5. Probability of future disasters ..................................................................... 58 5.4.6. Vulnerability .................................................................................................. 59 5.4.7. Potential impact ............................................................................................. 60 5.5. Wildland fire ................................................................................................................. 63 5.5.1. Description of the hazard............................................................................. 63 5.5.2. Measurement ................................................................................................. 63 5.5.3. Previous occurrences .................................................................................... 64 5.5.4. Geographic areas affected ............................................................................ 64 5.5.5. Probability of future disasters ..................................................................... 67 5.5.6. Vulnerability .................................................................................................. 67 5.5.7. Potential impact ............................................................................................. 67 5.6. Drought........................................................................................................................... 68 5.6.1. Description of the hazard............................................................................. 68 5.6.2. Measurement ................................................................................................. 69 5.6.3. Previous occurrences .................................................................................... 69 5.6.4. Geographic areas affected ............................................................................ 70 5.6.5. Probability of future disasters ..................................................................... 71 5.6.6. Vulnerability .................................................................................................. 71 5.6.7. Potential impact ............................................................................................. 71 5.7. Tornadoes ...................................................................................................................... 72 5.7.1. Description of the hazard............................................................................. 72 2 _________________________________________________________________________________