Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduction
In order for a community to be able to understand the risks and vulnerabilities for
which it is to plan, it is critical that the person charged with emergency manage-
ment duties perform a hazard vulnerability analysis. To complete this analysis, it
is necessary for the Emergency Manager to understand the different hazards and
vulnerabilities for the community that they serve. Vulnerabilities can include spe-
cial populations, critical facilities, and environmental concerns. To clarify what a
hazard vulnerability analysis is, it is important that the Emergency Manager under-
stands a few definitions. This includes
Hazard —An occurrence, whether accidental or intentional, that can threaten
or actually cause damage or destruction to lives or property. Hazards can be
natural, man-made, or technological.
Vulnerability —A site or a community's exposure to loss from a hazardous inci-
dent. This can be influenced by demographics, economic considerations, loca-
tions of political significance, geologic factors, or other environmental concerns.
Risk —Probability, or likelihood, of a hazardous occurrence.
In this chapter, we will look at a multitude of hazards that could potentially affect
a community. This listing is not entirely all-inclusive due to the ever-changing vari-
ables associated with hazards. This is also not an attempt to state that these hazards
will all occur in one community. It is the responsibility of the Emergency Manager
to complete a hazard vulnerability analysis to determine the hazard scenarios for
which the community should plan, train, and exercise.
Hazards
Hazards come in many different forms. For the purposes of this chapter, hazards will be
divided into three categories: Natural, Man-Made, and Technological. It is important
that the Emergency Manager become familiar with each of these hazards, and under-
stand the implications of each of these hazards on their community, as well as other
communities. Disasters caused by these hazards do not know jurisdictional boundaries.
Therefore, it must be understood that the effect(s) of a disaster in a neighboring jurisdic-
tion, or even within the region, could have long-reaching effects into many communities.
Natural Hazards
Flooding
Description and History
Floods cause more deaths each year than any other hazard produced from severe
weather events. Although the number of fatalities can vary dramatically with
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