SECTION 4: RISK ASSESSMENT
every year. Losses were greatest in 2007 when 12,460 acres of soybeans, flue cured tobacco, and corn were affected, resulting in $1,684,909 in crop losses. Table 4.19 summarizes the crop losses due to drought in reported in the RMA system. Table 4.19 – Crop Losses Resulting from Drought, 2007-2017
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Total
Determined Acres
Indemnity Amount
12459.84 4727.20 2858.15 8186.53 3473.58 685.28 160.07 605.03 4375.86 968.63 1767.51 40,267.67
$1,684,909
$506,630 $282,486
$1,202,328
$656,081 $91,120
$8,811
$123,391.1
$1,152,001.62
$682,636
$692,770.7
$7,083,164.42
Source: USDA Risk Management Agency
Environment
Drought can affect local wildlife by shrinking food supplies and damaging habitats. Sometimes this damage is only temporary, and other times it is irreversible. Wildlife may face increased disease rates due to limited access to food and water. Increased stress on endangered species could cause extinction. Drought conditions can also provide a substantial increase in wildfire risk. As plants and trees die from a lack of precipitation, increased insect infestations, and diseases — all of which are associated with drought — they become fuel for wildfire. Long periods of drought can result in more intense wildfires, which bring additional consequences for the economy, the environment, and society. Drought may also increase likelihood of wind and water erosion of soils. Consequence Analysis
Table 4.20 summarizes the potential negative consequences of drought. Table 4.20 – Consequence Analysis - Drought
Category
Consequences
Public
Can cause anxiety or depression about economic losses, conflicts over water shortages, reduced incomes, fewer recreational activities, higher incidents of heat stroke, and fatality. Impacts to responders are unlikely. Exceptional drought conditions may impact the amount of water immediately available to respond to wildfires. Drought would have minimal impacts on continuity of operations due to the relatively long warning time that would allow for plans to be made to maintain continuity of operations. Drought has the potential to affect water supply for residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and government-owned areas. Drought can reduce water supply in wells and reservoirs. Utilities may be forced to increase rates. Environmental impacts include strain on local plant and wildlife; increased probability of erosion and wildfire.
Responders
Continuity of Operations (including Continued Delivery of Services) Property, Facilities and Infrastructure
Environment
Wake County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2019
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