Community Hazard Analysis Free Essay Example, 2000 words

Hazard Mitigation The basic purpose of hazard mitigation plan is to minimize community vulnerability to the natural hazards. The plan focuses on the natural hazard to the extent to which it poses a threat to a community. Generally a hazard mitigation plan comprises of four components (Godschalk, Beatley, Berke, Brower, & Kaiser, 1999): 1. Assessment of natural hazards 2. Vulnerability analysis of natural hazards 3. Strategy for minimizing vulnerability 4. Monitoring and evaluation of the plan 1. Hazard Assessment for Durham County, North Carolina The hazard assessment process involves the identification of the hazards that the community faces and analysis of magnitude, impact and likelihood of its occurrence in the community area. Thus it entails the assessment of: (1) type of hazard, (2) frequency and strength of hazard, (3) probability of occurrence, (4) impact on community (North Carolina Divison of Emergency Management). The hazard assessment of Durham County, North Carolina includes: Hazard Identification The identified natural hazards that pose threat to Durham County, North Carolina include (Schell, 2006): 1. Thunderstorms The most common natural hazard throughout North Carolina is thunderstorms. According to the reports of National Climatic Data Center it has been reported that between years 1950-2011 there were about 124 thunderstorms in the region out of which 92 hail and about 7 lightning events were reported for the Durham County. 2.We will write a custom essay sample on Community Hazard Analysis or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Flooding In the past a few areas of Durham County have been impacted by floods. However according to the reports of the National Climatic data Centre the statistics show that the Durham County and its Municipality have been impacted by nearly 36 floods in the years 1950-2011. 3. Severe Winter Storm Severe winter storms can pose devastating weather conditions in terms of heavy snow, freezing rain, blizzards, extreme cold and ice pellets. In the Durham county and its municipality it has been reported that 42 snow and ice events occurred from year 1950-2011. 4. Hurricanes North Carolina is frequently impacted by hurricanes and has experienced the fourth largest hurricane in the 20th century. As it’s positioned along Atlantic Ocean and at the edge of the Gulf Stream thus the frequency of impact is more. Similarly the occurrence rate for Durham County is similar due to its geographic location thus making it vulnerable to the hurricanes. 5. Tornadoes The occurrence of tornadoes in the North Carolina is reported throughout the year where majority of tornadoes occurring in the spring.