2010 Metro Mitigation Plan

Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
4.1 Hazard Identification
INTRODUCTION
The Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson Community Planning Team (CPT) conducted a Hazard
Identification study to determine what hazards threaten the planning area. This section of the
plan documents the previous occurrence of natural hazards, those that might occur in the
future, and the likelihood of their occurrence or recurrence.
The natural hazards identified and investigated in the Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson
County area include:
Dam and Levee Failure;
Flooding;
Geological Hazards, which includes:
Earthquakes; and
Landslides and Sinkholes;
Infestations;
Manmade Hazards; and
Severe Weather, which includes:
Drought / Wildfires;
Extreme Temperatures;
Thunderstorms / High Winds;
Tornadoes; and
Winter Storms.
Disaster Declaration History
One method of identifying hazards based upon past occurrence is to determine what events
triggered federal and/or state disaster declarations within the planning area. Disaster
declarations are granted when the severity and magnitude of the event‟s impact surpass the
ability of the local government to respond and recover. Disaster assistance is supplemental
and sequential. When the local government‟s capacity has been surpassed, a state disaster
declaration may be issued, allowing for the provision of state assistance. If the disaster is so
severe that both the local and state government capacities are exceeded, a federal disaster
declaration may be issued, allowing for the provision of federal disaster assistance.
Within Nashville and Davidson County there have been seven federal presidential disaster
declarations since 1994 related to flooding, severe storms/tornadoes, and ice storms. All
seven disasters are included in Table 4-1.
Metropolitan Nashville - Davidson County
Hazard Identification
Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 4-3
April 2010