Current Mitigation Measures - By Hazard

Alexander County is fortunate to have a number of hazard mitigation efforts in place. Some exist as legal measures through either local ordinance, state law or federal regulation. A general outline of those efforts is listed by hazard. Many efforts overlap into multiple hazards to make Alexander County and the Town of Taylorsville hazard resistant communities.

Alexander County and the Town of Taylorsville continue to incorporate numerous mitigation measures through the processes of land use and development.

Drought Hurricanes
Earthquake Terrorist Activity
Floods Thunderstorms
Forest Fires Tornados
Hazardous Materials Winter Storms

Other Mitigation Measures - Hazards, less than 1% Probability

Large Structural Fires Power Failure Fixed Nuclear Facility Mass Casualty Landfill Fires


Drought: General information regarding drought and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see the vulnerability assessment for drought.

A. Direct contact with the National Weather Service regarding drought predictions.
B. Direct contact and consultation with NC Cooperative Extension Service regarding agriculture drought predictions.
C. Monitor reservoirs and reservoir levels during dry periods.
D. Private water companies monitor wells and storage tanks.
E. Voluntary water conservation practices are put in place as necessary.
F. Mandatory water conservation practices are put in place as necessary.
G. Auxiliary water sources are identified.
H. Maintains contact with the USGS regarding real time drought conditions and drought forecasts.
I. Maintains contact with the NC Drought Monitoring Council regarding potential long term conditions.

Earthquake: General information regarding earthquake and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see the vulnerability assessment for earthquake hazard.

A. Increased awareness of earthquake potential by local government officials.
B. Increased awareness of earthquake potential by the public.
C. Increased awareness of the availability of information from the USGS.
D. Encouraged citizens to check for hazards in their home in accordance with FEMA publications. 
E. Encouraged homeowners to review insurance policies as part of an overall family disaster plan.
F. Shelter agreements are in place via Red Cross to provide shelter operations.
G. Encouraged citizens, business owners, and others to develop emergency preparedness plans, emergency response plans and emergency recovery plans.

Fixed Nuclear Facility: General information regarding a fixed nuclear facility and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.

A. Direct communications with NCEM during an elevated emergency action level (EAL).
B. NRC Standards of operation for nuclear power plants.
C. Established emergency action levels.
D. Established and published evacuation routes that will not effect Alexander County or Taylorsville
E. Training of offsite EOC, Public information and other government personnel annually.
F. Training of offsite response personnel annually.
G. Bi-annual, federally graded exercise. Five year IPZ exercise that Alexander County participates in.
H. Public is informed by emergency management and the utility through brochures, calendars and other public information materials. Education materials are available from the utility.
I. Emergency Management officials are kept informed through meetings with plant and utility personnel.
J. Public telephone access to the utility to ask questions and receive answers.
K. Shelter agreements are in place via Red Cross to provide shelter operations.
L. Detection and monitoring equipment that is tested and calibrated is available if needed.

Floods: General information regarding floods and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see the vulnerability assessment for floods.

A.

Alexander County (370398) is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, making citizens eligible for flood insurance.
B. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) are available in the various planning offices.
C. Alexander County Code of Flood Plain Management (Chapter 159)
D. SBCCI Standard for Flood Plain Management (SSTD 4-89)
E. Greater awareness of public and private sector regarding flooding potential.
F. Digital floodplain maps are now available to emergency management and other emergency planners and responders.
G. Potential road closure listings from NC DOT are available.
H. Access to and considerable cooperation from local broadcast media to warn the public of the potential for flooding. (EAS)
I. Watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
J. Public education in flood potential and the availability of flood insurance.
K. Public education programs regarding flooding and emergency management are conducted as often as possible or requested.
L. Weather alert radios are in each school and day care center to provide early warning. Radios are also in use in many government agencies.
M. Discouragement of the public and developers from developing property in flood zones.
N. Shelter agreements are in place via Red Cross to provide shelter operations.
O. All property locations are now known so work can begin on further mitigation efforts.

Forest Fires: General information regarding forest fires and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see the vulnerability assessment for forest fires.

A. Public awareness of the causes of forest fires have helped reduce the overall number of occurrences.
B. Direct contact with the District Forestry office that issues "fire potential" reports daily by radio.
C. Burning bans are imposed and rigidly enforced as needed. Citations have been issued in the past.
D. Education by fire marshals and fire departments, as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has greatly reduced outdoor burning of trash, reducing the number of forest fires.
E. Aggressive training and response by local fire departments and state forestry have diminished acreage consumed by forest fires.
F. Most fire departments are equipped with specialized equipment to help fight forest fires.
G. Fire safety education is conducted by the Fire Marshals office and is coordinated with each participating fire department.
I. NC Forestry responds to all reports of forest (or brush) fires and can therefore coordinate the response of Forestry resources directly, as needed.

Hazardous Materials: General information regarding hazardous materials and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see vulnerability assessment for hazardous materials.

A. Each fire department is trained to at least the "Awareness Level" under OSHA 1910.120 standards. Some departments meet standards for "Operations level". Alexander County has access to at least four persons trained at the technician level and over a dozen qualified radiological monitoring trainers within a one hour response time.
B. Community "Right to Know" is in place and has educated many members of the public regarding chemical hazards in the area.
C. S.A.R.A. Title III is in place in Alexander County and has been since 1988. Tier II reports are required annually from each company that keeps, stocks or maintains certain levels of hazardous chemicals. This information is shared with local fire departments, and upon request, to the public.
D. Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) facilities are required, by law; to have pre-planning. These plans are reviewed by Emergency Management and or the LEPC annually. There is only one EHS facility in Alexander County.
E. At least one NCDEM Regional Response Team (RRT) is within a one hour response from Alexander County.
F. Alexander County has a written statewide mutual aid agreement.
G. Alexander County keeps a current list of spill clean up companies available to business, industry, transportation companies and the public.
H. Dispatch and response procedures are in place for all reports of chemical accidents.
I. Emergency Management responds to hazardous materials calls upon request and is notified of all hazardous materials incidents in the county.

Hurricanes: General information regarding hurricanes and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see the vulnerability assessment for hurricanes.

A. Alexander County Emergency Management participates in hurricane preparedness planning as a potential reception area for coastal evacuees as well as practical exercises and it assists in actual hurricane events.
B. Hurricane awareness information is presented to the public as often as possible or practical.
C. Hurricanes are tracked in the EOC as they develop and government officials, and the media are kept informed of the preparations of response forces.
D. Response forces are experienced and well trained.
E. Emergency plans are in place and exercised.
F. Hurricane watches and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service.
G. Watches and warnings are received via weather alert radios in all schools and day care centers as well as most government offices.
H. Watch and warning procedures to further alert agencies are carried out by emergency communications.
I. Shelter agreements are in place via Red Cross to provide shelter operations.

Landfill Fires: General information regarding landfill fires and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.

A. Procedures have been developed by the county Solid Waste Department to effectively extinguish the majority of fires.
B. Practical experience as well as training has been conducted with many fire departments.
C. Response procedures have been enhanced.
D. Necessary equipment and manpower (through contractors) have been located as resources that can respond.
E. Regulations at facilities prohibit the deposit of flammable liquids, chemicals or other such substances.
F. The county solid Waste facility is inspected for and mitigation efforts installed to prevent methane gas buildup, thereby reducing the potential for fire.

Large Structural Fires: General information regarding large structural fires and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.

A. Fire inspections are conducted as often as possible at businesses and industry by fire marshals on a schedule.
B. Building evacuations must be posted.
C. Fire extinguishers clearly marked, available, tested and recharged on a regular basis.
D. Fire extinguisher use classes are taught as often as possible.
E. NFPA standards and codes are followed.
F. Fire code is rigidly enforced with citations issued for violations.
G. Fire departments regularly conduct pre-plans for facilities, businesses and industry in their respective jurisdictions.
H. Additional fire safety and fire education programs are conducted as often as possible.

Mass Casualty: General information regarding mass casualty and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.

A. The hospital has developed coordinated procedures to handle mass casualty incidents.
B. Emergency Medical Service has developed a Mass Casualty plan.
C. Plans are exercised on a regular basis.
D. Training and exercises have been and continue to be conducted on mass casualty events including transportation, water, fixed facility, aircraft and schools.
E. Inspections are conducted on new construction to insure compliance with building codes.
F. Buildings are inspected regularly by fire marshals to insure compliance with fire codes and insure that fire exits are not locked or otherwise obstructed.
G. Mutual aid agreements have been entered into that may assist in supplying additional resources in a mass casualty incident.

Other or Unknowns (biologics, disease, etc): General information regarding other or unknown hazards and the definition is
available in the hazard identification index.

A. The hospital has developed coordinated procedures to handle infectious diseases and has an infectious disease coordinator.
B. Training has been conducted with area responders and agencies regarding biological hazards.
C. The Health Department, in conjunction with Emergency Management, area medical providers and others, is developing a bio-terrorism plan.
D. The Health Department is in constant contact with state and federal agencies regarding biological and disease threats.
E. The Cooperative Extension Service has conducted training for government agencies and the public regarding foot and mouth disease and the procedures that have been developed to prevent an outbreak and procedures have been developed if an outbreak is detected.
F. State laboratories have increased efforts to more quickly identify such threats or hazards.
G. Alexander County participates in the Health Alert Network.

Power Failure: General information regarding major power failures and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.

A. Formal emergency plans are in place at both the local level and state level to restore power as quickly as possible. One formal plan in use is that of Energy United and the NC Electric Membership Corporation.
B. Electric power system personnel are available 24/7 in emergency situations.
C. Response unit (fleet) maintenance programs.
D. Public education in the form of public program presentations, publications, brochures and flyers.
E. 24 hour emergency dispatch of personnel to locate and resolve distribution problems.
F. 24 hour telephone numbers available to the public.
G. Pole maintenance programs, whereby distribution poles are inspected and if necessary replaced.
H. Work plans in place to build new or upgrade sub stations.
I. Right of Way maintenance programs, whereby right of ways are cleared of trees or other debris that may cause an outage.
J. Media centers or information distributed to the public to keep the public informed regarding outages and the progress on repairs.
K. Technical representatives are available upon request for the Emergency Operations Center.
L. Contracted emergency assistance to provide supplies, equipment and manpower as part of an emergency plan.
M. Installation of underground systems where feasible, cost effective or otherwise appropriate.

Terrorist Activity: General information regarding terrorist activity and the definition is available in the hazard identification index. Also see the vulnerability assessment for terrorist threats.

A. The hospital has developed coordinated procedures to handle infectious diseases and has an infectious disease coordinator.
B. Training has been conducted with area responders and agencies regarding terrorist activity and potential biological hazards or other hazards, such as bombings.
C. The Health Department, in conjunction with Emergency Management, area medical providers and others, is developing a bio-terrorism plan.
D. The Health Department is in constant contact with state and federal agencies regarding biological and disease threats.
E. The Cooperative Extension Service has conducted training for government agencies and the public regarding foot and mouth disease and the procedures that have been developed to prevent and outbreak and procedures that have been developed if an outbreak is detected.
F. State laboratories have increased efforts to more quickly identify such threats or hazards.
G. Law enforcement has received additional training and awareness regarding terrorist activity with increased coordination between local, state and federal law enforcement to exchange information.
H. Response agencies have received additional training regarding terrorist potential.
J. The public has been kept informed.
K. Local response procedures have been developed for suspicious packages and or mail.
L. Additional procedures and efforts have been made regarding mass casualty incidents that may result from a terrorist act.
M. Increased levels of security or additional security measures have been put into place at many government facilities.

Thunderstorms: General information regarding thunderstorms and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see the vulnerability assessment for thunderstorms.

A. Close contact is maintained by telephone with the National Weather Service (NWS)
B. Alexander County Communications has the capability to monitor weather systems, as well as the potential intensity of the storms, via NWS and other electronic means.
C. NWS issues watches and warnings to the public and government agencies.
D. Public education continues to take place regarding watches and warnings.
E. Weather alert radios have been placed in each school and day center as well as many government agencies.
F. Access to and considerable cooperation from local broadcast media to warn the public of the potential for severe thunderstorms.
G. When necessary the Emergency Action System (EAS) can be activated at the local level by appropriate officials.
H. Power and or utility restoration plans and mitigation efforts are in place with the various electric utilities.
I. Debris clearance, as required, can be requested from various agencies, including NC DOT.

Tornados: General information regarding tornados and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see the vulnerability assessment for tornados.

A. Close contact is maintained by telephone with the National Weather Service (NWS)
B. Alexander County Communications has the capability to monitor storms approaching the county, as well as the potential intensity of the storms.
C. NWS issues watches and warnings to the public and government agencies.
D. Public education continues to take place regarding watches and warnings.
E. Weather alert radios have been placed in each school and day center as well as many government agencies.
F. Access to and considerable cooperation from local broadcast media to warn the public of the potential for severe storms.
G. When necessary the Emergency Action System (EAS) can be activated at the local level by appropriate officials.
H. Power and or utility restoration plans and mitigation efforts are in place with the various electric utilities.
I. Debris clearance, as required, can be requested from various agencies, including NC DOT.
J. Numerous "courtesy" inspections and recommendations regarding tornado shelters have been conducted at area businesses by Emergency Management.
K. Backup warning systems exist, including call down lists. As many notification calls as possible are made prior to the entry of the storm system into the county, as an additional warning method.
L. If necessary or appropriate, fire department sirens can be sounded as an additional warning method to the public.
M. Broadcasts are made via all emergency radio frequencies to all emergency services agencies regarding watches and warnings.
N. Shelter agreements are in place via Red Cross to provide shelter operations.

Winter Storms: General information regarding winter storms and the definition is available in the hazard identification index.
Also see the vulnerability assessment for winter storms.

A. Close contact is maintained by telephone with the National Weather Service (NWS)
B. Alexander County Communications has the capability to monitor storms approaching the county, as well as the potential intensity of the storms. Numerous other weather monitoring stations are available to the communications center and the emergency operations center.
C. NWS issues watches and warnings to the public and government agencies.
D. Public education continues to take place regarding watches and warnings.
E. Weather alert radios have been placed in each school and day center as well as many government agencies.
F. Access to and considerable cooperation from local broadcast media to warn the public of the potential for severe storms.
G. When necessary the Emergency Action System (EAS) can be activated at the local level by appropriate officials.
H. Power and or utility restoration plans and mitigation efforts are in place with the various electric utilities.
I. Debris clearance, as required, can be requested from various agencies, including NC DOT. Pre-determined routes for clearance are in place by NC DOT.
J. Snow and ice removal methods are in place by the town and NC DOT.
K. Backup warning systems exist, including call down lists. As many notification calls as possible are made prior to the entry of the storm system into the county, as an additional warning method.
L. If necessary or appropriate, fire department sirens can be sounded as an additional warning method to the public.
M. Broadcasts are made via all emergency radio frequencies to all emergency services agencies regarding watches and warnings.
N. Shelter agreements are in place via Red Cross to provide shelter operations.