SECTION 4: RISK ASSESSMENT
Environment
Hurricane winds can cause massive damage to the natural environment, uprooting trees and other debris within the storm’s path. Animals can either be killed directly by the storm or impacted indirectly through changes in habitat and food availability caused by high winds and intense rainfall. Endangered species can be dramatically impacted. Forests can be completely defoliated by strong winds. Consequence Analysis Table 4.54 summarizes the potential negative consequences of hurricanes and tropical storms. Table 4.54 – Consequence Analysis – Hurricane and Tropical Storm
Category
Consequences
Public
Impacts include injury or death, loss of property, outbreak of diseases, mental trauma and loss of livelihoods. Power outages and flooding are likely to displace people from their homes. Water can become polluted such that if consumed, diseases and infection can be easily spread. Residential, commercial, and public buildings, as well as critical infrastructure such as transportation, water, energy, and communication systems may be damaged or destroyed, resulting in cascading impacts on the public. Localized impact expected to limit damage to personnel in the inundation area at the time of the incident. Damage to facilities/personnel from flooding or wind may require temporary relocation of some operations. Operations may be interrupted by power outages. Disruption of roads and/or utilities may postpone delivery of some services. Regulatory waivers may be needed locally. Fulfillment of some contracts may be difficult. Impact may reduce deliveries. Structural damage to buildings may occur; loss of glass windows and doors by high winds and debris; loss of roof coverings, partial wall collapses, and other damages requiring significant repairs are possible in a major (category 3 to 5) hurricane. Hurricanes can devastate wooded ecosystems and remove all the foliation from forest canopies, and they can change habitats so drastically that the indigenous animal populations suffer as a result. Specific foods can be taken away as high winds will often strip fruits, seeds and berries from bushes and trees. Secondary impacts may occur; for example, high winds and debris may result in damage to an above- ground fuel tank, resulting in a significant chemical spill. Local economy and finances adversely affected, possibly for an extended period of time, depending on damages. Intangible impacts also likely, including business interruption and additional living expenses. Likely to impact public confidence due to possibility of major event requiring substantial response and long-term recovery effort.
Responders
Continuity of Operations (including Continued Delivery of Services)
Property, Facilities and Infrastructure
Environment
Economic Condition of the Jurisdiction
Public Confidence in the Jurisdiction’s Governance
Hazard Summary by Jurisdiction The following table summarizes hurricane and tropical storm hazard risk by jurisdiction. Most aspects of hurricane risk do not vary substantially by jurisdiction; however, impacts may be greater in more highly developed areas with greater amounts of impervious surface and higher exposure in terms of both property and population density. Additionally, mobile home units are more vulnerable to wind damage. While mobile home units do not comprise a significant proportion of any jurisdictions housing mix, Wake County, Apex, Cary, and Raleigh each have over 250 mobile home units in their jurisdiction and therefore may face more severe impacts from wind.
Wake County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2019
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