Introduction

This section contains a summary of the initial results and recommendations of New Hanover County's Vulnerability Assessment. These results target specific locations and priorities for identifying and completing mitigation actions.

Hazard Identification Summary

Recommendation 1.1

Future hazard mitigation projects should focus on minimizing damages from the following hazards (in priority order):

• Wind
• Flood
• Storm Surge
• Earthquake
• Wildfire
• Coastal Erosion
• Tornado

Mitigation projects should be multi-hazard and attempt to address as many of the above hazards as possible.

Hazard Analysis Summary

The map below is a general multi-hazard risk map for the hazards identified above.

Figure 3.57

Recommendation 2.1

To the extent practicable, hazard mitigation projects should be prioritized according to applicability in high-risk and moderately high-risk areas.

Critical Facilities Summary

Figure 3.58

Recommendation 3.1

Prioritize mitigation projects on critical facilities and vulnerable population facilities in the following order:

1)Facilities with repetitive damage history.

2)Facilities with prior damage history.

3)Facilities with high or moderately high multi-hazard risk scores.

Recommendation 3.2 – Utilities, Communications, Transportation

Figure 3.59

Conduct detailed structural and operational assessments on the following utilities, communication facilities, and transportation facilities to define necessary and appropriate mitigation actions:

1)All facilities essential to emergency operations.

2)Facilities with repetitive or prior damages.

3)Remaining facilities in high-risk locations.

4)Remaining facilities in moderately high-risk locations.

Recommendation 3.3 – Shelters

Figure 3.60

Conduct detailed structural assessments on all shelters and define necessary mitigation actions. Mitigation actions on all shelters are recommended as immediate priorities.

Recommendation 3.4 – Fire and Rescue, Police Facilities

Figure 3.61

Conduct detailed structural and operational assessments on all facilities to define necessary mitigation actions in the following priority order:

1) Facilities with repetitive or prior damages.

2) Facilities in high-risk locations.

3) Facilities in moderately high-risk locations.

4) Remaining facilities.

Recommendation 3.5 – Government Facilities

Figure 3.62

Conduct detailed structural and operational assessments on the following facilities:

1) Facilities with repetitive or prior damages.

2) Facilities in high-risk locations.

3) Facilities in moderately high-risk locations.

Recommendation 3.6 – Schools, Hospitals and Nursing Homes (Vulnerable Populations)

Figure 3.63

Conduct detailed structural assessments on all facilities in the following priority order:

1) Facilities with repetitive or prior damages.

2) Facilities in high-risk locations.

3) Facilities in moderately high-risk locations.

4) Remaining facilities.

Societal Analysis Summary

Figure 3.64

Recommendation 4.1

Target special hazard mitigation educational activities for neighborhoods in the special consideration areas. Pursue the delivery of information through local churches, schools, and community centers.

Recommendation 4.2

Develop hazard mitigation guidelines for use in Community Development Block Grant and other publicly funded projects in the special consideration areas.

Figure 3.65

Recommendation 4.3

Identify and develop a low cost/high yield mitigation project to aid the residents of this high-risk area. Seek private sector partnerships (building supply companies, etc.) to help fund or provide supplies for the project. Possibly enlist support of local community volunteers or Americorps volunteers to complete the project.

Economic Analysis Summary

Figure 3.66

Figure 3.67

Recommendation 5.1

Conduct a business disaster preparedness survey for all businesses in the industries identified in the table above. Target those business located in high-risk and moderately high-risk areas.

Figure 3.68

Recommendation 5.2

Identify as many of the businesses listed in the table above as possible. Develop a special business education program for major employers and enlist these businesses as hazard mitigation partners. Prioritize those businesses employing more than 500 people.

Environmental Analysis Summary

Figure 3.69

Recommendation 6.1

Develop and conduct a disaster preparedness survey designed to address secondary environmental hazards. Prioritize businesses in high-risk and moderately high-risk locations, as well as those with high environmental sensitivity scores.

Recommendation 6.2

Conduct detailed structural assessment on all public-sector secondary risk sites to define necessary mitigation actions. Assessments should be prioritized according to multi-hazard risk summary scores.

Mitigation Opportunities Summary

Recommendation 7.1

Evaluate existing development regulations to ensure that hazards are considered during zoning and subdivision application processes.

Figure 3.70

Recommendation 7.2

Identify hazards considerations for incorporation into comprehensive plans.

Figure 3.71

Recommendation 7.3

Target flood insurance education program for homeowners in block groups with >58 percent homes built before 1970.

Figure 3.72

Recommendation 7.4

Target mobile home hazard mitigation education program in block groups with >30 percent mobile homes.

Figure 3.73

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