Local mitigation strategy (LMS) - Volusia County Government

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTIONand land use patterns are discussed. This baseline information provides a snapshot of the planning areaand thereby assists local officials recognize those social, environmental and economic factors thatultimately play a role in determining community vulnerability to hazards.The Risk Assessment is presented in three sections: Section 4: Hazard Identification; Section 5: HazardProfiles; and Section 6: Vulnerability Assessment. Together, these sections serve to identify, analyze andassess the overall risk posed to Volusia County and the participating jurisdictions from hazards. The riskassessment also attempts to define any hazard risks that may uniquely or exclusively affect specificareas of Volusia County or its participating jurisdictions and partners.The Risk Assessment builds on available historical data from past hazard occurrences, establishesdetailed profiles for each hazard, and culminates in a hazard risk ranking based on conclusions about thefrequency of occurrence, spatial extent and potential impact of each hazard. FEMA’s HAZUS ®MH lossestimation methodology and Mapping for Emergency Management, Parallel Hazard Information System(MEMPHIS) results were also used in evaluating known hazard risks by their relative long-term cost inexpected damages. In essence, the information generated through the risk assessment serves a criticalfunction as Volusia County and the participating jurisdictions seek to determine the most appropriatemitigation actions to pursue and implement—enabling it to prioritize and focus its efforts on thosehazards of greatest concern and those structures or planning areas facing the greatest risk(s).The Capability Assessment, found in Section 7, provides a detailed analysis of the capacity in VolusiaCounty and the participating jurisdictions to implement meaningful mitigation strategies and identifiesexisting opportunities to increase and enhance that capacity. Specific capabilities addressed in thissection include planning and regulatory capability, staff and organizational (administrative) capability,technical capability, fiscal capability and political capability. Information was obtained through the useof detailed survey questionnaires for local officials and an inventory and examination of existing plans,ordinances and relevant documents. The purpose of this assessment is to identify any existing gaps,weaknesses or conflicts in programs or activities that may hinder mitigation efforts, and to identifythose activities that should be built upon in establishing a successful and sustainable local hazardmitigation program.The Community Profile, Risk Assessment and Capability Assessment collectively serve as a basis fordetermining the goals for the Volusia County Multi-jurisdictional LMS, each contributing to thedevelopment, adoption and implementation of a meaningful and manageable Mitigation Strategy that isbased on accurate background information.The Mitigation Strategy, found in Section 8, consists of broad countywide goal statements as well as ananalysis of hazard mitigation techniques for Volusia County and its participating jurisdictions andpartners to consider in reducing hazard vulnerabilities. The Strategy provides the foundation for adetailed Mitigation Action Plan, found in Section 9, which links specific mitigation actions for eachCounty department or agency to locally-assigned implementation mechanisms and target completiondates. Together, these sections are designed to make the Plan both strategic (through the identificationof long-term goals) but also functional through the identification of short-term and immediate actionsthat will guide day-to-day decision-making and project implementation.In addition to the identification and prioritization of possible mitigation projects, emphasis is placed onthe use of program and policy alternatives to help make Volusia County and the participatingVolusia County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation PlanFebruary 20101:5