Gwinnett County, Georgia HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN Table of Contents Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...........................................................................................1 Plan Mission ..........................................................................................................1 Plan Organization ..................................................................................................1 Plan Financing .......................................................................................................2 Plan Participation ...................................................................................................2 Interagency and Intergovernmental Coordination .................................................3 Hazards Identified .................................................................................................3 Plan Goals ..............................................................................................................4 Mitigation Goals, Objectives and Strategy Organization ......................................5 Plan Implementation ..............................................................................................5 Section 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Hazard Mitigation .................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Incorporating Mitigation into Existing Planning Mechanisms ................ 1-3 1.3 Mitigation Planning Process .................................................................... 1-4 Section 2 PLANNING AREA PROFILE ................................................................ 2-1 2.1 History...................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Topography .............................................................................................. 2-1 2.3 Climate ..................................................................................................... 2-9 2.4 Water Resources ...................................................................................... 2-9 2.5 Soils.......................................................................................................... 2-9 2.6 Natural Resources .................................................................................. 2-10 2.7 Demographic Profile .............................................................................. 2-12 2.8 Residential Development ....................................................................... 2-15 2.8.1 General Housing Characteristics ................................................ 2-15 2.9 Commercial Development ..................................................................... 2-18 2.10 County Government ............................................................................... 2-21 2.10.1 Government Administration ...................................................... 2-21 2.10.2 Law Enforcement ....................................................................... 2-23 2.10.3 Fire and Emergency Services ..................................................... 2-25 2.10.4 Education ................................................................................... 2-26 2.10.5 Hospitals .................................................................................... 2-27 2.10.6 Religious Facilities..................................................................... 2-27 Gwinnett County Hazard Mitigation Plan – December 2009 i Table of Contents Section 3 HAZARD VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT..................................... 3-1 3.1 Natural Hazards ....................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Landslides and Mudslides Not Included .................................................. 3-1 3.3 Sinkholes Not Included ............................................................................ 3-2 3.4 Civil Disturbance Not Included ............................................................... 3-2 3.5 Atmospheric Hazards ............................................................................... 3-2 3.6 Damage Assessment ................................................................................ 3-2 3.7 Winter Storms .......................................................................................... 3-3 3.7.1 Hazard Identification ................................................................... 3-3 3.7.2 Hazard Profile .............................................................................. 3-3 3.7.3 Assets Exposed to Hazard ........................................................... 3-4 3.7.4 Estimate of Potential Losses ........................................................ 3-4 3.7.5 Land Use and Development Trends ............................................ 3-4 3.7.6 Multi-Jurisdictional Concerns ..................................................... 3-4 3.7.7 Hazard Summary ......................................................................... 3-4 3.8 Severe Thunderstorms/Windstorms ......................................................... 3-5 3.8.1 Hazard Identification ................................................................... 3-5 3.8.2 Hazard Profile .............................................................................. 3-5 3.8.3 Assets Exposed to Hazard ........................................................... 3-6 3.8.4 Estimate of Potential Losses ........................................................ 3-6 3.8.5 Land Use and Development Trends ............................................ 3-6 3.8.6 Multi-Jurisdictional Concerns ..................................................... 3-6 3.8.7 Hazard Summary ......................................................................... 3-7 3.9 Tropical Storms/Hurricanes ..................................................................... 3-7 3.9.1 Hazard Identification ................................................................... 3-7 3.9.2 Hazard Profile .............................................................................. 3-8 3.9.3 Assets Exposed to Hazard ........................................................... 3-9 3.9.4 Estimate of Potential Losses ...................................................... 3-10 3.9.5 Land Use and Development Trends .......................................... 3-10 3.9.6 Multi-Jurisdictional Concerns ................................................... 3-10 3.9.7 Hazard Summary ....................................................................... 3-10 3.10 Tornadoes .............................................................................................. 3-12 3.10.1 Hazard Identification ................................................................. 3-12 3.10.2 Hazard Profile ............................................................................ 3-12 3.10.3 Assets Exposed to Hazard ......................................................... 3-13 3.10.4 Estimate of Potential Losses ...................................................... 3-13 3.10.5 Land Use and Development Trends .......................................... 3-14 3.10.6 Multi-Jurisdictional Concerns ................................................... 3-14 3.10.7 Hazard Summary ....................................................................... 3-14 3.11 Lightning ................................................................................................ 3-15 3.11.1 Hazard Identification ................................................................. 3-15 3.11.2 Hazard Profile ............................................................................ 3-15 3.11.3 Assets Exposed to Hazard ......................................................... 3-15 3.11.4 Estimate of Potential Losses ...................................................... 3-16 3.11.5 Land Use and Development Trends .......................................... 3-16 3.11.6 Multi-Jurisdictional Concerns ................................................... 3-16 ii Gwinnett County Hazard Mitigation Plan – December 2009 Table of Contents 3.11.7 Hazard Summary ....................................................................... 3-16 3.12 Wildfires ................................................................................................ 3-17 3.12.1 Hazard Identification ................................................................. 3-17 3.12.2 Hazard Profile ............................................................................ 3-17 3.12.3 Vulnerability Assessment .......................................................... 3-17 3.12.4 Assets Exposed to Hazards ........................................................ 3-18 3.12.5 Damage Assessment .................................................................. 3-18 3.12.6 Land Use and Development Trends ........................................... 3-18 3.12.7 Multi-Jurisdictional Concerns .................................................... 3-18 3.12.8 Hazard Summary ....................................................................... 3-18 3.13 Hydrologic Hazards ............................................................................... 3-19 3.14 Flooding ................................................................................................. 3-19 3.14.1 Hazard Identification ................................................................. 3-19 3.14.1.1 Hazard Profile