Wake County Hazard Mitigation Plan - Adopted 10-21-2024

SECTION 4: RISK ASSESSMENT

Table 4.29 – Estimated Population Impacted by 500-Year Earthquake

Elderly Population At Risk

All Children Population

Children At Risk

Population At Risk

All Elderly Population

Total Population

Jurisdiction

Number Percent

Number Percent

Number Percent

Raleigh

476,892

420,104

88%

53,945

53,945

100%

26,904 26,904

100%

Apex

57,525

41,724

73%

5,963

5,963

100%

3,912

3,912

100%

Cary

164,869

137,544

83%

19,866

19,866

100%

9,432

9,432

100%

Fuquay-Varina

32,177

25,023

78%

4,432

4,432

100%

2,204

2,204

100%

Garner

35,232

30,981

88%

5,015

5,015

100%

2,863

2,863

100%

Holly Springs

30,885

25,787

83%

2,685

2,685

100%

2,254

2,254

100%

Knightdale

29,077

18,501

64%

3,207

3,207

100%

1,917

1,917

100%

Morrisville

21,999

18,655

85%

1,533

1,533

100%

1,627

1,627

100%

Rolesville

12,236

5,199

42%

1,401

1,401

100%

919

919

100%

Wake Forest

38,203

31,175

82%

4,777

4,777

100%

2,891

2,891

100%

Wendell

8,423

7,889

94%

1,361

1,361

100%

418

418

100%

Zebulon

5,751

6,102

106%

948

948

100%

437

437

100%

Unincorporated Wake County

230,494

135,124

59%

29,196

29,196

100%

14,301

14,301

100%

TOTAL

1,143,763

903,808

79%

134,329 134,329

100%

70,079

70,079

100%

Source: NCEM Risk Management Tool

PROPERTY In a severe earthquake event, buildings can be damaged by the shaking itself or by the ground beneath them settling to a different level than it was before the earthquake (subsidence). Buildings can even sink into the ground if soil liquefaction occurs. If a structure (a building, road, etc.) is built across a fault, the ground displacement during an earthquake could seriously damage that structure. Earthquakes can also cause damages to infrastructure, resulting in secondary hazards. Damages to dams or levees could cause failures and subsequent flooding. Fires can be started by broken gas lines and power lines. Fires can be a serious problem, especially if the water lines that feed the fire hydrants have been damaged as well. Wake County has not been impacted by an earthquake with more than a moderate intensity, so damage to the built environment is unlikely. Table 4.30 through Table 4.31 detail the estimated buildings impacted from varying magnitudes of earthquake events.

Wake County, NC Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

WSP June 2024 Page 114

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