HomeMy WebLinkAboutLocal Hazard Mitigation Plan - Enables City to be eligible f yd
Council/Agency Meeting Held:_ 1p -- -o
Deferred/Continued to:
Ap jroled ❑ Conditionally Approved ❑ Denied G� •/ ity Clerk's Sig at
Council Meeting Date: June 18, 2012 Department ID Number: FD12 006
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Patrick McIntosh, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution No. 2012-31 approving the Hazard Mitigation Plan
enabling the City to be eligible for pre- or post-disaster hazard
mitigation funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA)
Statement of Issue: City Council approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan is requested.
Financial Impact: Not applicable.
Recommended Action: Motion to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2012-31, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington
Beach Approving the Updated Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan."
Alternative Action(s): Do not adopt the resolution approving the plan. If not approved, the
City will not be eligible for pre- or post-disaster hazard mitigation funds from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Analysis: FEMA mandates, through the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, that any public
agency that wishes to apply for pre- or post-disaster hazard mitigation grants must have an
approved natural hazard mitigation plan. Over the past 20 years the City of Huntington
Beach has received approximately $7 million in disaster mitigation grants. On October 18,
2010, the City Council adopted Resolution 2010-76 accepting a $100,000 grant from FEMA
to update the existing plan and has provided a preliminary approval of the plan, pending City
Council adoption.
The mission of the Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan is to promote sound public
policy designed to protect citizens, critical facilities, infrastructure, private property, and the
environment from natural hazards. This plan provides the first step toward accomplishing
these goals by increasing public awareness, documenting the resources for risk reduction
and loss prevention, and identifying activities to guide the City of Huntington Beach toward
building a safer, more sustainable community. City Council adoption of the attached
resolution assures that this public policy is implemented.
HB -51- Item 6. - I
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE: 6/18/2012 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: FD12 006
Environmental Status: The adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan is categorically exempt
pursuant to Class 6, Section 15306, of the California Environmental Quality Act, which states
that basic data collection and research, which do not result in a serious or major disturbance
to an environmental resource, is exempt from further review. Additionally, the Hazard
Mitigation Plan is only a study that identifies, among other things, mitigation strategies that
the local jurisdiction has not yet approved, adopted, or funded.
Strategic Plan Goal: Maintain public safety.
Attachment(s):
® • e o
1. Resolution No. 2012-31, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach
Approving the Updated Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan," Exhibit A — Hazard
Mitigation Plan referenced, but not attached - available for Public Review in the City Clerk's
Office
Item 6. - 2 HB -52-
ATTACHMENT # 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-31
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNC OF THE
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH APPROVINP THE UPDATED
HUNTINGTON BEACH HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act, in order to be
eligible for FEMA hazard mitigation grants, local agencies must develop and adopt a Hazard
Mitigation Plan; and
The cities of Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley, along with four school districts,
formed the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Committee to develop a joint
Hazard Mitigation Plan, with the cities taking the lead in writing the plan; and
On May 3, 2004, the City Council adopted Resolution 2004-23 approving the by-laws of
the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Committee; and
The Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Committee subsequently
developed a Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was adopted by City Resolution 2004-85; and
In order for the agencies to be eligible for future FEMA hazard mitigation grants,the plan
must be updated and adopted by each participating agency's governing body,
NOW, THEREFORE,the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach does hereby
resolve as follows:
The updated Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan is hereby approved.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a
regular meeting thereof held on the�� , 201 .
Mayor
REVIE APPROVED: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CityyaWayr C AttJfney Qkc
INITIATED AND AP O D:
Exhibit: Hazard Mitigation Plan
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February 27, 2012
Draft
Hazard Mitigation Plan
CITY OF
HUNTINGTON BEACH
PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT
BREVYN METTLER
EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR
FEBRUARY 27, 2012
CONSULTANT:
RBF CONSULTING
Aaron Pfannenstiel,AICP, LEED AP
(909)974-4917
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Tableof Contents ............................................................................................................................................i
Acronyms.........................................................................................................................................................v
ChapterOne- Introduction..........................................................................................................................1
1.1 Purpose of the Plan................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Authority.................................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Plan Adoption.........................................................................................................................................2
1.4 Mitigation Priorities/ Goals.............................................................................................................5
1.4.1 Mitigation Properties.................................................................................................................5
1.4.2 Mitigation Goals and Objectives................................................................................................6
1.5 Hazard Mitigation Planning Process.....................................................................................................7
1.6 Plan Use...................................................................................................................................................9
Chapter Two -Community Profile............................................................................................................11
2.1 Physical Setting ....................................................................................................................................11
2.2 History...................................................................................................................................................11
2.3 Community Profile............................................................................................................................... 15
2.4 Existing Land Use.................................................................................................................................16
2.5 Development Trends............................................................................................................................17
Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment......................................................................................................25
3.1 Hazard Identification...........................................................................................................................25
3.1.1 2004 Hazard Identification.......................................................................................................25
3.1.2 2011 Hazard Identification.......................................................................................................29
3.1.3 2011 Hazard Ranking ...............................................................................................................33
3.2 Vulnerability/Risk Assessment Methodology..............................................................................35
Changesin 2011 Plan Update..................................................................................................................35
3.3 Hazard Profiles.....................................................................................................................................39
Changesin 2011 Plan Update..................................................................................................................39
3.3.1 Earthquake...............................................................................................................................39
HAZUS Earthquake Scenarios Analysis.....................................................................................................63
3.3.2 Flooding....................................................................................................................................71
City of Huntington Beach i
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents
3.3.3 Windstorm ...............................................................................................................................85
3.3.4 Tsunami....................................................................................................................................90
3.3.5 Dam Failure............................................................................................................................104
3.3.7 Subsidence (Sinking) ..............................................................................................................123
3.3.8 Hazardous Materials Release.................................................................................................135
3.3.9 Coastal Erosion.......................................................................................................................142
3.3.10 Terrorism.................................................................................................................................146
Chapter Four- Mitigation Actions..........................................................................................................149
4.1 Hazard Mitigation Overview........................................................................................................149
4.1.1 FEMA'S National Flood Insurance Program...........................................................................149
4.1.2 Hazard Mitigation Goals.........................................................................................................150
4.1.3 Hazard Mitigation Prioritization.............................................................................................150
4.1.4 Hazard Mitigation Benefit-Cost Review.................................................................................151
4.2 Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions ...........................................................................................152
4.3 Hazard Mitigation Actions...........................................................................................................154
4.3.1 Earthquake Mitigation ...........................................................................................................15S
4.3.2 Flood Mitigation.....................................................................................................................15S
4.3.3 Windstorm Mitigation............................................................................................................156
4.3.4 Tsunami Mitigation................................................................................................................156
4.3.5 Dam Failure Mitigation ..........................................................................................................157
4.3.6 Tornado/Water Spout Mitigation ........................................................................................157
4.3.7 Subsidence (Sinking) Mitigation.............................................................................................157
4.3.8 Hazardous Materials Release Mitigation ...............................................................................158
4.3.9 Coastal Erosion Mitigation.....................................................................................................158
4.3.10 Terrorism Mitigation..............................................................................................................159
4.3.11 Multi-Hazard Mitigation..............................................................................................................160
Chapter Five-Plan Maintenance/Capabilities....................................................................................161
5.1 Changes from the Previous Plan .................................................................................................161
5.2 Reviewing the Plan.......................................................................................................................161
5.2.1 Coordinating Body .................................................................................................................161
5.2.2 Convener................................................................................................................................161
City of Huntington Beach ii
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents
5.3 Monitoring,Updating,and Adopting the Plan............................................................................161
5.3.1 Monitoring............................................................................................................................161
5.3.2 Plan Update...........................................................................................................................162
5.3.3 Adopting................................................................................................................................162
5.3 Assets and Capabilities.................................................................................................................162
5.4 Continued Public Involvement....................................................................................................173
5.5 Point of Contact............................................................................................................................173
5.6 Appendices....................................................................................................................................173
City of Huntington Beach iii
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents
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City of Huntington Beach iv
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents
Acronyms
CalEMA—California Emergency Management Agency
CalFIRE—California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
CRS—Community Rating System
DMA 2000: Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
EOC—Emergency Operations Center
EOP—Emergency Operations Plan
FEMA— Federal Emergency Management Agency
FIRMS— Flood Insurance Rate Maps
FMP—Flood Management Plan
HAZUS—Hazards United States (FEMA's methodology for estimating potential losses)
MH- Multi-hazard
MSL- Mean Sea Level
NFIP—National Flood Insurance Program
OCEFRA—Orange County Essential Facilities Risk Assessment
OCEMO—Orange County Emergency Management Organization
DES—Office of Emergency Services (now Cal EMA)
RIMS- Regional Information Management System
SCEC—Southern California Earthquake Center
SFHA-Special Flood Hazard Area
City of Huntington Beach v
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents
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City of Huntington Beach vi
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One-Introduction
Chapter One - Introduction
Emergencies and disasters cause death and injuries, leave people displaced, cause significant
damage to our communities, businesses, public infrastructure, and environment, and also cost
tremendous amounts in terms of response and recovery dollars, causing economic loss. Hazard
mitigation is intended to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property. After disasters, repairs
and reconstruction are often completed in such a way as to simply restore to pre-disaster
conditions. Such efforts expedite a return to normalcy; however, the replication of pre-disaster
conditions results in a cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation
ensures that such cycles are broken and that post-disaster repairs and reconstruction result in
increased resiliency. While we cannot prevent disasters from happening, their effects can be
reduced or eliminated through a well-organized public education and awareness effort,
preparedness activities and mitigation actions. For those hazards which cannot be fully mitigated,
the community must be prepared to provide efficient and effective response and recovery when
needed.
1.1 Purpose of the Plan
As the cost of damages from natural disasters continues to increase, Huntington Beach
understands the importance of identifying effective ways to reduce vulnerability to disasters. A
Hazard Mitigation Plan (Plan) will assist Huntington Beach in reducing vulnerability to disasters by
identifying resources, information, and strategies for risk reduction, while helping to guide and
coordinate mitigation.
The Plan provides a set of strategies intended to do the following:
• Reduce risk from natural hazards through education and outreach programs,
• Foster the development of partnerships; and
• Implement preventative activities.
The resources and information within the Plan have been included to:
• Establish a basis for coordination and collaboration among participating agencies and
public entities,
• Identify and prioritize future mitigation projects; and
• Assist in meeting the requirements of federal assistance programs.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan works in conjunction with other plans, including the City's General Plan
and Emergency Operations Plan.
1.2 Authority
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000), Section 322 (a-d) requires that local governments
prepare a Hazard Mitigation Plan as a condition of receiving federal disaster mitigation funds.
Under this Act, the Hazard Mitigation Plan shall describe the process for identifying hazards,
assess a jurisdiction's risks and vulnerabilities, identify and prioritize mitigation actions to
City of Huntington Beach 1
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One-Introduction
minimize these risks, and encourage public participation and input during the preparation of the
plan. The current Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan update serves to meet these
requirements.
1.3 Plan Adoption
The City of Huntington Beach will use a resolution to adopt the local hazard mitigation plan.
Exhibit 1-1: City Council Resolution is a copy of the version used to adopt the 2004 Hazard
Mitigation Plan. Upon completion of CaIEMA and FEMA review and approval, the Hazard
Mitigation Plan will be adopted by the Huntington Beach City Council.
City of Huntington Beach 2
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One-Introduction
Exhibit 1-1: City Council Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-85
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH APPROVING THE
HUNTINGTON BEACH/FOUNTAIN VALLEY HAZARD
MITIGATION PLAN.
WHEREAS,pursuant to-the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act,in order to be
eligible for FEMA hazard mitigation grants,local agencies must develop and adopt a Hazard
Mitigation Plan;and
The cities of Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley,along with four school districts,
formed the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Committee to develop a joint
Hazard Mitigation Plan,with the cities taldng the lead in writing the plan;and
On May 3,2004,the City Council adopted Resolution No.2004-23 approving the by-laws
of the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Committee;and
The Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Committee has subsequently
developed a Hazard Mitigation Plan;and
In order for the agencies to be eligible for future FEMA hazard mitigation grants,the plan
must be adopted by each participating agency's governing body. .
NOW,THEREFORE,IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach as follows:
I. The Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Plan is hereby approved.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a regular
meeting thereof held on the t 8th day of October 2004.
r Mayo
REVIEWED AND APPROVED: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City A & ' 'strai�um for l ty Attomey&
MTED ANDDD APPROVED:
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City of Huntington Beach 3
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One-Introduction
Placeholder for 2012 adoption resolution.
City of Huntington Beach 4
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One- Introduction
1.4 Mitigation Priorities/ Goals
1.4.1 Mitigation Properties
The mission of the Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan is to promote sound public policy
designed to protect citizens, critical facilities, infrastructure, private property, and the
environment from natural hazards. This can be achieved by increasing public awareness,
documenting the resources for risk reduction and loss-prevention, and identifying activities to
guide the City toward building safer, more sustainable communities. To assist Huntington Beach
staff and decision makers, the following five categorical priorities have been identified for use in
evaluating this plan and implementing mitigation activities.
Protect Life and Property
Implement activities that assist in protecting lives by making homes, businesses, infrastructure,
critical facilities, and other property more resistant to losses from natural and man caused
hazards. Reduce losses and repetitive damages from natural and man caused hazard events while
promoting insurance coverage for catastrophic hazards. Improve hazard assessment information
to make recommendations for discouraging new development in high hazard areas and
encouraging preventative measures for existing development in areas vulnerable to natural and
man caused hazards.
Public Awareness
Develop and implement education and outreach programs to increase public awareness of the
risks associated with natural and man caused hazards. Provide information on tools, partnership
opportunities, and funding resources to assist in implementing mitigation activities.
Natural Systems
Balance natural resource management and land use planning with natural hazard mitigation to
protect life, property, and the environment. Preserve, rehabilitate, and enhance natural systems
to serve natural hazard mitigation functions.
Partnerships and Implementation
Strengthen communication and coordinate participation among and within public agencies,
citizens, nonprofit organizations, business, and industry to gain a vested interest in
implementation. Encourage leadership within public and private sector organizations to prioritize
and implement local and regional hazard mitigation activities.
Enhance Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy
Establish policy to ensure implementation of mitigation projects reducing the vulnerability of
critical facilities, utilities, and infrastructure. Strengthen emergency operations by increasing
collaboration and coordination among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, business, and
industry. Coordinate and integrate natural and man caused hazard mitigation activities, where
appropriate,with emergency operations plans and procedures.
City of Huntington Beach 5
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One—Introduction
1.4.2 Mitigation Goals and Objectives
While maintaining consideration for the five priorities described above, the Hazard Mitigation
Planning Team (Planning Team or the Team) reviewed the previous plan's goals and objectives
during the current planning process. The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team also reviewed the goals
from the most current Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Based on these reviews and the
updated hazard risk assessment, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team agreed on the following
revised goals and objectives. Several of the previous goals and objectives were found to be more
appropriate as potential mitigation activities. These were highlighted and considered separately
for inclusion in the list of identified mitigation actions. The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team
consolidated the hazard specific goals and objectives into goals and objectives that apply to the
City regardless of the specific hazard. These are presented in Table 1.1: Mitigation Goals and
Objectives.
Table 1.1: Mitigation Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Protect life and property from future natural and man caused hazards.
Objective LA: Implement activities that assist in protecting lives by making homes, businesses, infrastructure,
critical facilities, and other property more resistant to natural and man caused hazards.
Objective LB: Reduce losses and repetitive damage for chronic hazard events,while promoting insurance
coverage for catastrophic hazards.
Objective 1.C: Improve hazard assessment information to make recommendations for discouraging new
development and encouraging preventative measures for existing development in areas
vulnerable to natural hazards.
Objective 1.D: Reduce loss of life by creating successful warning systems for effective notification of events
during a disaster.
Goal 2: Raise public awareness of events and increase participation in preparedness and mitigation
activities
Objective 2.A: Develop and implement education and outreach programs to increase public awareness of the
risks associated with natural and man caused hazards.
Objective 2.B: Provide information on tools, partnership opportunities, and funding resources to assist in
implementing mitigation activities.
Goal 3: Protect Natural Systems
Objective 3.A: Balance watershed planning, natural resource management, and land use planning with hazard
mitigation to encourage a sustainable environment which reduces risk to life and property.
Objective 3.8: Preserve, rehabilitate, and enhance natural systems to serve natural hazard mitigation
functions.
City of Huntington Beach 6
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One- Introduction
Table 1.1: Mitigation Goals and Objectives, cont'd
Goal 4: Develop partnerships within communities and develop implementation strategies
Objective 4.A: Strengthen communication and coordinate participation among and within public agencies,
residents, non-profit organizations, business, and industry to gain a vested interest in
implementation.
Objective 4.B: Encourage leadership within public and private sector organizations to prioritize and implement
local, county, and regional hazard mitigation activities.
Goal 5: Enhance emergency management and homeland security policy
Objective 5.A: Establish policy to ensure mitigation projects for critical facilities, services, and infrastructure.
Objective 5.B:Strengthen emergency operations by increasing collaboration and coordination among public
agencies, non-profit organizations, business, and industry.
Objective 5.C: Coordinate and integrate natural hazard mitigation activities, where appropriate, with
emergency operations plans and procedures.
1.5 Hazard Mitigation Planning Process
Previous Planning Process
The 2004 Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Planning Team was the result of a
collaborative effort between the City of Huntington Beach, City of Fountain Valley, Huntington
Beach City School District, Huntington Beach High School District, Ocean View School District, and
Fountain Valley School District. These agencies collectively developed the mission, goals, and
action items for the mitigation plan.
The hazard mitigation planning process for the 2004 Hazard Mitigation Plan included nine monthly
meetings and three special meetings. The process included listing assets, reviewing policies and
ordinances which guide development in hazard areas, researching hazards and their impacts, and
determining strategies to mitigate these hazards.
Planning Process for Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan 2011 Update
In 2011, the City of Huntington Beach initiated an update to their hazard mitigation plan as a
single jurisdiction plan. A Hazard Mitigation Planning Team met for three milestone collaboration
sessions and held one conference call. The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team developed the
mission, goals, and strategies for this mitigation plan. This team consisted of representatives from
the main City Departments, including:
• City Manager's Office • Emergency Management &
• Fire Department Homeland Security Office
• Planning Department
City of Huntington Beach 7
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One— Introduction
• Public Works Department • Information Services Department
Table 1.2: Meeting Summaries and Public Involvement Opportunities describes the purpose of
each meeting and the outcome.
Table 1.2: Meeting Summaries and Public Involvement Opportunities
Date Purpose
The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team was introduced and the City's consultant provided an
2-17-11 overview of the hazard mitigation planning process and provided background information on the
previous Plan adopted in 2004. As part of this meeting, the City's consultant also facilitated a
(Meeting) discussion of the hazards that are profiled in the plan and conducted a prioritization exercise with
the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team,which identifies which hazards are considered to have
significant, moderate,or limited impacts on the City.
5-19-11 This meeting was conducted to review the hazard profiles prepared for the Plan update, discuss
the vulnerability assessment methodology that was used in the Plan,verify the goals and
(Meeting) objectives, and discuss the upcoming public outreach effort of using an online survey to poll
Huntington Beach residents.
This conference call was conducted with the Emergency Services Coordinator to discuss follow up
6-27-11 items to our 5-19-11 meeting. The discussion on this call included verification of the critical
(Conference facilities list and confirmation of the mapped hazard areas within the City. In addition, a
Call) discussion of the tsunami inundation mapping used for the plan as well as the updated HAZUS
Risk Assessment occurred. A follow up item from this call was the completion of the online
survey for final distribution to City residents.
7-15-11 An online survey(provided in Appendix A)was conducted by the City starting on July 15, 2011 and
ending on August 1, 2011. The survey was distributed to over 3,000 recipients within various
(Public groups throughout the City including the City's Mobile Home Park Association and Chamber of
Survey Commerce. A total of 154 citizens responded to the survey's 24 questions. Based on these
Distribution) results it was indicated that earthquake,flood, and tsunami are hazards within Huntington Beach
that are of most concern to the respondents.
This meeting provided an overview and dialogue on all of the information prepared within the
plan to date (hazard profiles, critical facilities layers,vulnerability assessment, HAZUS input). The
10-13-11 conclusion of this discussion focused on the City's preferred mitigation actions that they will
pursue implementation of over the next five year period. As part of this discussion,the Hazard
(Meeting) Mitigation Planning Team discussed which previous actions still apply, which actions should be
removed, and which actions should be added. In addition,the Team discussed and gained
consensus on action priorities as well as plan maintenance activities during the five year plan
timeframe.
1-4-12 The Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan was distributed for Public Review from January 4, 2012 through
through January 20, 2012. A press release detailing how to access and review the plan was distributed to
1-20-12 several media outlets; the City's email interest list(which contains over 3,000 recipients); and was
(Public placed on the City's main page of their website. During this period one comment was received,
Review which indicated that the Sunset Beach Annexation area was not addressed. In response to this
Period) comment, the City added additional demographic information regarding this annexation area.
City of Huntington Beach 8
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One- Introduction
1.6 Plan Use
Each section of the mitigation plan provides information and resources to assist people in
understanding the hazard-related issues facing residents, businesses, and the environment. The
structure of the plan enables people to use a section of interest to them and allows the City of
Huntington Beach to review and update sections when new data is available. The ability to update
individual sections of the mitigation plan places less of a financial burden on the City. Decision
makers can allocate funding and staff resources to selected pieces in need of review, thereby
avoiding a full update, which can be costly and time consuming. The ease of incorporating new
data into the plan will result in a hazard mitigation plan that remains current and relevant to
Huntington Beach.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan is comprised of the following chapters:
• Chapter 1: Introduction
The Introduction describes the background and purpose of developing the mitigation plan
in addition to the planning process.
• Chapter 2: Community Profile
The Community Profile presents the history, geography, demographics, and
socioeconomics of Huntington Beach. It serves as a tool to provide a historical perspective
of natural hazards in the City.
• Chapter 3: Hazards Assessment
This chapter provides information on hazard identification, hazard profiles, vulnerability
and risk associated with natural hazards, and a vulnerability assessment of critical facilities
in relation to the identified hazards.
• Chapter 4: Mitigation Actions
This chapter provides strategies and mitigation actions to reduce potential risks to
Huntington Beach's critical facilities, residents, and businesses.
• Chapter S: Plan Maintenance/Capabilities
This chapter provides information on plan implementation, monitoring and evaluation,
discusses the assets and capabilities available to achieve the proposed mitigation actions
outlined in Chapter 4, and opportunities for continued public involvement.
City of Huntington Beach 9
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter One- Introduction
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City of Huntington Beach 10
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two-Community Profile
Chapter Two - Community Profile
2.1 Physical Setting
The City of Huntington Beach is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and west, by Seal
Beach on the northwest, by Newport Beach on the southwest, by Westminster and Fountain
Valley on the north, and Costa Mesa on the east. Huntington Beach is located 35 miles
southeast of Los Angeles (refer to Exhibit 2-1 -Regional Location Map).
Huntington Beach is served by the 405 freeway which follows the northern boundary of the
City. The two major arterial highways through Huntington Beach are Pacific Coast Highway,
which follows the coastline on the west, and Highway 39/Beach Boulevard, which is a north-
south major transportation highway. These two highways are especially busy in summer
months when tourists come to the beach.
The terrain of Huntington Beach is relatively flat. Elevations in the City range from a maximum
of 100 feet above sea level to below sea level in the south end. On the southeast side of
Huntington Beach, where the city meets the City of Fountain Valley, the elevation is only 5-20
feet above sea level. The south end of town is where the Santa Ana River flowed naturally prior
to the construction of Santa Ana flood control channel. At the north western end of the city is
Huntington Harbour, Bolas Chica Wetlands and the recently annexed Sunset Beach.
Huntington Beach is famous for its long beautiful beaches, mild climate, and excellent surfing.
The waves are a unique natural effect caused by edge-diffraction of ocean swells by the
Catalina Islands. Because the coast curves so strongly eastward, the local beach actually faces
south. This unique feature makes it one of the most pleasant, sunny beaches of the West Coast
of the United States but also increases the risk of coastal storms. Bordering the southern edge
of the harbor is a marsh known as the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.
2.2 History
Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City, is a coastal city along the Pacific Ocean. It has an
area of 27.7 square miles, with 10 miles of shoreline. Huntington Beach was incorporated in
1909 under its first mayor, Ed Manning. Its original developer was the Huntington Beach
Company, a real-estate development firm owned by Henry Huntington, a railroad magnate
after whom the city is named. The Huntington Company is still a major land-owner in the city.
Huntington Beach remained a sleepy seaside town until the famous oil boom in the 1920's.
The initial growth of the city began with the oil boom in 1920. Wells sprang up overnight and in
less than a month the town grew from 1,500 to 5,000 people. Beginning in the late 1950's and
continuing into the 1960's and 1970's, residents by the thousands moved into the City.
Huntington Beach became the fastest growing city in the continental U.S. as housing tract after
housing tract was built. In the 1970's and 1980's oil production rigs were concealed to improve
the beach's image.
City of Huntington Beach 11
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two- Community Profile
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City of Huntington Beach 12
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two- Community Profile
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City of Huntington Beach 14
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two-Community Profile
In 1925, Duke Kahanamoku brought the sport of surfing to Huntington Beach and the Southern
California shores. The city's first surf shop, Gordie's Surf Boards, opened in 1953. Six years
later, the first U.S. Surfing Championships were held in Huntington Beach. The following year,
the Surfing Championships were covered on television, which rocketed Huntington Beach's
international fame as a surfer's paradise. In 2005, the USA Surf Team adopted Huntington
Beach as its official home and the Association of Surfing Professionals-North America moved to
the city.
2.3 Community Profile
The City of Huntington Beach has a population of approximately 190,000 residents within an
area of approximately 27.7 square miles. In 2011, the City annexed the Sunset Beach
community, which encompasses approximately 85 acres of land located on the north end of the
City. Tables 2.1 through 2.3 provide an overview of the population data, racial makeup, and
education levels for the City of Huntington Beach and Sunset Beach Census Designated Place
(CDP) based on the 2010 Census.
Table 2.1: Huntington Beach Population Data
Population Huntington Beach Sunset Beach CDP
Total Population 189,992 971
Males 94,260 530
Females 95,732 441
Median Resident Age 38.7 46.9
Median Household Income $ 80,000 $56,136
Per Capita Income $41,346 $41,860
Median House Value $709,700 $1,000,000+
Source htto://factfinder.census.gov
Table 2.2: Huntington Beach Racial Makeup
Race Huntington Beach Sunset Beach CDP
White (non-Hispanic) 127,640(67.2%) 813 (83.7%)
Black 1,635 (0.9%) 4 (0.4%)
American Indian 532 (0.3%) 6 (0.6%)
Asian 20,792 (10.9%) 40 (4.1%)
Pacific Islander 595 (0.3%) 2 (0.2%)
Other Race 395 (0.2%) 4 (0.4%)
Two or More Races 5,992 (3.2%) 23 (2.4%)
Hispanic 32,411 (17.1%) 79 (8.1%)
Source htto://factfinder.census.gov
City of Huntington Beach 15
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two-Community Profile
Table 2.3: Huntington Beach Education Levels
Education Attainment(Age 25 and Over) Huntington Beach Sunset Beach CPD
Less than 91" Grade 4,046 8
9th to 121h Grade 5,463 16
High School Graduate 24,561 124
Some College, No Degree 34,505 202
Associate Degree 13,122 128
Bachelors Degree 35,428 336
Graduate or Professional Degree 19,160 157
Source htto://factfinder.census.gov
Based on the 2010 Census data, median household income within the City is approximately
$80,000; median age of Huntington Beach residents is 39 years old, and the median house
value is approximately $709,700. For Sunset Beach, median household income is
approximately $56,136; median age of residents is 47 years old, and the median house value is
over$1,000,000.
In addition to this, the City has an extensive park system, which includes 58 public parks, riding
stables, and the largest city-owned and operated regional park in Orange County. There are
approximately three miles of equestrian trails, two golf courses, 72 tennis courts, a marina, and
protected wildlife preserve. Schools within the City include 35 elementary, 10 middle and five
high schools (public and private), and Golden West Community College.
2.4 Existing Land Use
This subsection is new to the 2011 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update; information regarding
existing land use was taken from the City of Huntington Beach General Plan, Land Use Element.
The City of Huntington Beach General Plan addresses the use and development of private land,
including residential and commercial areas. This plan is one of the City's most important tools in
addressing environmental challenges including transportation and air quality, growth
management, conservation of natural resources, clean water, and open spaces. Table 2.4: Land
Use Designations identifies the land use designations and typical permitted uses allowed in the
City.
Through these land use designations (Exhibit 2-2 - land Use Map) the City of Huntington Beach
has some capability to reduce risk to natural and man-caused hazards. For example, open space
land use can be designated in areas of hazard risk to prevent damage to developed property.
Understanding where residential and commercial land uses are in relation to hazard risk is a key
component to implementing mitigation strategies. In this way, information from the City's
General Plan will be used to inform the implementation of the mitigation strategy outlined in
this plan.
City of Huntington Beach 16
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two—Community Profile
2.5 Development Trends
Development Patterns
Huntington Beach's 17,730 acres, or 27.7 square miles, is 98% developed with residential,
commercial, industrial, institutional, public uses, and streets/highways. The remaining 2% of the
land within the City boundaries is vacant. Residential is the largest single land use of which
single family units represent the majority of all housing. Residential neighborhoods are
structured as large super blocks throughout the City focusing on a school and/or park. The
City's major commercial areas are generally located along the major streets, at major
intersections, and in the downtown area. Industrial areas are generally developed into large
centers in the northwest part of the City, as a linear corridor along Gothard Street, and adjacent
to the coastal frontage in the southeast and southwest.
Sunset Beach Annexation
Sunset Beach is a small, beachfront community (annexed into the City of Huntington Beach in
August, 2011), adjacent to and northwest of the City of Huntington Beach. Surrounded by
Huntington Beach on the south and east, the City of Seal Beach on the north and the Pacific
Ocean on the west, this community is home to an estimated 917 residents and 641 dwelling
units. The approximately 85 acre community is elongated (just over one mile) and narrow, with
a combination of residential, commercial and public land uses. Sunset Beach has maintained its
old time charm, with a quaint post office and a women's club. Aside from the beautiful white
sand beach, a predominant feature of this community is a 13-acre linear park that fronts most
of the homes in this community, provides free parking for beach users, contains five remodeled
restrooms, and a tot lot. Due to the recent annexation of Sunset Beach, the demographics and
other pertinent information regarding this area have not been aggregated with City of
Huntington Beach statistics. It is anticipated that this information will be consolidated and
available for the next revision.
Table 2.4: Land Use Designations
Land Use Designation Typical Permitted Uses
RESIDENTIAL
Residential Low(RL) Single family residential units; clustered zero-lot line developments; and
"granny"flats.
Residential Medium (RM) Single family residential units, duplexes, townhomes, and garden
apartments.
Residential Medium High Townhomes, garden apartments,apartment"flats."
(RMH)
Residential High (RH) Townhomes, garden apartments,and apartments.
COMMERCIAL
City of Huntington Beach 17
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two—Community Profile
Table 2.4: Land Use Designations
Land Use Designation Typical Permitted Uses
Commercial Neighborhood Small-scale retail commercial, professional offices, eating and drinking
(CN) establishments, households goods, food sales, drug stores, personal
services, cultural facilities, institutional, health, government offices, and
similar uses.
Commercial General (CG) Retail commercial, professional offices, eating and drinking
establishments, household goods, food sales, drugstores, building
materials and supplies, personal services, recreational commercial,
overnight accommodations, cultural facilities, government offices,
educational, health, institutional and similar uses.
Commercial Regional (CR) Anchor department stores, outlet stores, promotional ("big box") retail,
retail commercial, restaurants, entertainment, professional offices,
financial institutions, automobile sales facilities, and similar region-
serving uses.
Commercial Office(CO) Professional offices and ancillary commercial services.
Commercial Visitor(CV) Hotels/motels, restaurants, recreation-related retail sales, cultural uses
(e.g., museums)and similar uses oriented toward visitors to the City.
INDUSTRIAL
Industrial (1) i. Light manufacturing, research and development, warehousing,
business parks and professional offices, supporting retail,
financial, and restaurants.
ii. Warehouse and sales outlets.
PUBLIC AND INSTITUTIONAL
Public (P) Governmental administrative and related facilities, such as public
utilities, schools, public parking lots, infrastructure, religious and similar
uses.
MIXED USE
Mixed Use (M) i. Single uses containing Commercial Neighborhood (CN), or
Commercial General (CG)or Residential use as listed above.
ii. Mixed use areas that may include Vertically Integrated Housing
(MV) or Horizontally Integrated Housing (MH) uses, townhomes,
garden apartments, and mid-/high-rise apartments,
Neighborhood (CN) and Commercial General (CG) uses.
iii. The exact density, location, and mix of uses in this category is
intended to be governed by a Specific Plan to allow greater
design flexibility and to address the uniqueness of a particular
area.
City of Huntington Beach 18
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two—Community Profile
Table 2.4: Land Use Designations
Land Use Designation Typical Permitted Uses
Mixed Use-Vertically i. Single use structures containing Neighborhood (CN) and
Integrated Housing (MV) Commercial General (CG) uses as listed above.
ii. Mixed use structures incorporating residential units on the
second floor and/or rear of commercial uses; with restrictions on
the types of commercial uses to ensure compatibility with the
housing.
OPEN SPACE
Parks(OS-P) Public parks and recreational facilities.
Shoreline (OS-S) Publicly owned coastal beaches. Ancillary buildings may be permitted,
such as food stands and recreation equipment rentals.
Commercial Recreation (OS- Publicly or privately owned commercial recreation facilities such as golf
CR) courses.
Conservation (OS-C) Properties to be retained for environmental resource conservation and
management purposes. Ancillary buildings, such as maintenance
equipment storage, may be permitted.
Water Recreation (OS-W) Lakes and other water bodies used for recreational purposes such as
boating, swimming, and water skiing.
Source:Huntington Beach General Plan,1996
City of Huntington Beach 19
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two-Community Profile
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City of Huntington Beach 20
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two—Community Profile
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City of Huntington Beach 22
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Two-Community Profile
Future Development
The City of Huntington Beach is nearly built-out with little vacant land remaining for new
development. Future development in the City will consist of construction on the few remaining
vacant infill sites as well as redevelopment of existing projects. With the scarcity of vacant
land, many older and underutilized residential properties are being demolished to make way
for new development built to the maximum density permitted. Outdated shopping centers and
freestanding commercial buildings will continue to be demolished and redeveloped or undergo
fagade improvements and remodeling. Similarly, underutilized industrial properties will
probably continue to be recycled into modern industrial business parks. The trend to convert
unused school sites to commercial or other development will also likely continue.
Based on this trend it is anticipated that the residential and employment populations of the City
will increase in conjunction with redevelopment and greater utilization of developed properties
within the City. As a result a greater population would potentially be exposed to the hazards
identified within the City.
City of Huntington Beach 23
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
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City of Huntington Beach 24
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Chapter Three - Hazards Assessment
This section of the Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan provides a detailed discussion of
the potential hazards that may affect the City as well as the potential risk/vulnerability to City
facilities associated with these hazards.
3.1 Hazard Identification
During the kick off meeting / Milestone Meeting #1 on February 17, 2011, the Planning Team
reviewed the hazards identified in the original hazard mitigation plan and made several
revisions. This section reflects those revisions and presents the rationale. The original hazard
identification was based on the completion of three phases in 2003. This was used as the basis
for the hazard review and discussion on February 17, 2011.
3.1.1 2004 Hazard Identification
Phase 1 -County Hazard Analysis 2003
In 2003, the Orange County Emergency Management Organization (OCEMO) met twice monthly
to develop jurisdictional Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs). For the first six months, Orange
County cities worked together to develop the Hazard Analysis section of their respective plans.
The Committee reviewed maps such as the FEMA State Hazard Map to determine hazards that
impact Orange County. The group came to a consensus on all the hazards that impact the
planning area. The final outcome of this exercise was a final ranking of these hazards by the
Orange County EOP Writing Committee by "Chance of Occurrence" and "Effect."
Phase 2-City Hazard Analysis 2003
The next phase of this process included a review of the Phase 1 results by key Huntington Beach
staff members, who then developed a City-specific ranking process, which is depicted in the
following Hazard Priorities and Hazard Ranking matrices (Tables 3.1-1 and 3.1-2).
Phase 3-Hazard Mitigation Committee Hazard Analysis
County Hazard Analysis Review
The final phase of this process included a review of the FEMA maps utilized in the 2003 Orange
County Operational Area hazard analysis. Based on this review the City decided to focus
mitigation efforts solely on natural hazards, with consensus that earthquake, tornado, and
tsunami are significant threats to the local planning area.
City of Huntington Beach 25
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.1-1: 2004 Hazard Priorities
Planning Risk Chance of Effect
Priority Occurrence
1 Earthquake 7 10
2 Flood/Storm, Hurricane or Tidal Wave 10 7
3 Urban Fire or Explosion 8 8
4 Hazardous Chemical Spill/Oil 8 8
Spill/Pipeline Breakage
5 Violence in the Workplace/School/City 7 7
Facility
6 Terrorism/Weapons of Mass Destruction 6 9
7 High Wind/Santa Ana Wind Condition 9 5
8 Tornado or Water Spout 6 7
9 Aircraft/Train Accident 4 9
10 Riot or Civil Disturbance 7 5
11 Epidemic or Pandemic 3 10
12 Radiological or Nuclear Accident 3 10
13 Tsunami 3 9
14 Power Outage or Stage III Energy 5 5
15 Dam Failure 2 8
16 Agricultural/Vector animal 2 3
Chance of Occurrence and Effect numbers are not rated from one to ten (1-10). Higher numbers signify greater chance of occurrence and
greater effect.
"Chance of Occurrence is based on Huntington Beach history,geography,and potential to occur
"Effect is the worst case scenario.
City of Huntington Beach 26
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three— Hazards Assessment
Table 3.1-2: 2004 Hazards Ranking
Rank Hazard Score
1 Earthquake 22.00
2 Flood/Storm, Hurricane or Tidal Wave 20.22
3 Power Outage or Stage III Energy 14.33
4 Terrorism/Weapons of Mass Destruction 14.22
5 Subsidence 14.00
6 Hazardous Chemical Spill/Oil Spill/Pipeline 13.89
Breakage
7 High Winds/Santa Ana Wind Condition 13.44
8 Urban Fire or Explosion 11.56
9 Epidemic or Pandemic(SARS) 10.89
10 Radiological or Nuclear Accident 10.89
11 Violence in the Workplace/School/City Facility 10.78
12 Riot or Civil Disturbance 10.22
13 Tsunami 10.22
14 Dam Failure 9.89
15 Aircraft/Train Accident 8.78
16 Tornado or Water Spout 8.44
17 Special Events 7.78
18 Agricultural/Vector both plant or animal 7.22
State of California Proclaimed Disasters
In 2003, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee reviewed the "California Proclaimed States
of Emergency Statistics from 1950 to 1997." This document was provided by the State of
California Office of Emergency Services (OES), which is now called the California Emergency
Management Agency, Hazard Mitigation Section.
City General Plan
The Safety Element of the General Plan for the City of Huntington Beach was reviewed. This
education included reviewing related maps, studies, and crucial references listed in the General
Plan. Significant overlap appropriately exists between the General Plan and the Mitigation
Section of the City Emergency Operations Plans. Relevant maps and excerpts were taken from
the General Plan for later integration into the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
City of Huntington Beach 27
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Hazard Mitigation Hazard Ranking
The next step was to allow Committee members to rank all the hazards. Committee members,
educated during previous phases, were asked to re-rank the list of all potential hazards
previously ranked in 2003 for the EOP. On January 20, 2004, Committee members were given
instructions as to how to complete the FEMA Vulnerability Assessment Worksheet.
Committee members were asked to score the hazards based on the following categories:
• Magnitude • Frequency
• Duration • Degree of Vulnerability
• Distribution • Community Priorities
• Area Affected
Each category was given a rating from 0 to 3, where 0 = no risk and 3 = high risk.
All hazards were included in the rankings. Hazard lists were taken from all three EOPs for the
participating jurisdictions (two Cities and the County) and the additional hazards discussed by
the committee (i.e. Huntington Beach subsidence). Results from Huntington Beach Committee
members are provided in Table 3.1-2:2004 Hazards Ranking.
Multiple committee members, after reviewing the FEMA 386 series guidance and reflecting
upon recent newspaper coverage of hazard impacts, suggested that subsidence be added as a
natural hazard. Further discussion revealed local subsidence cases including damage to Murdy
Fire Station, Marina High School, Edison High School, the shopping center at the corner of
Atlanta Avenue and Beach Boulevard, and the Huntington Beach Public Works Corporate Yard.
Consensus was reached that subsidence does have a significant impact upon the planning area,
enough at least to warrant further investigation.
Narrowing the Focus
Committee leaders reviewed the outcomes and noted that the planning area is not impacted by
wildfire and mud/landslide. The City is nearly all built-out and therefore lacks open wildland
and landslide prone topography. Considerable discussion was held on whether urban fire
should be included as a natural hazard. Input from the Fire Department committee members
solidified the conclusion that most urban fires in the planning area are caused by arson,
mechanical processes, and electrical processes. Therefore, urban fire lacks a natural hazard
categorization except as a result of earthquake damage. The resulting list of hazards included in
the 2003 hazard mitigation plan is as follows:
City of Huntington Beach 28
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three— Hazards Assessment
Previously Identified & Profiled Hazards
1. Windstorms: Santa Ana Wind &Tornadoes
2. Tsunami
3. Subsidence
4. Dam Failure
5. Flood (severe weather storms)
6. Earthquake
3.1.2 2011 Hazard Identification
The Planning Team reviewed the list of hazards provided in the FEMA mitigation planning
guidance and discussed whether any hazards should be added to the list of the previously
identified six hazards. Table 3.1-3: 2011 Hazard Identification presents a summary of that
discussion.
Table 3.1-3: 2011 Hazard Identification
Identified Preliminary Disposition
Hazard in 2004
Plan
Not Applicable. The City of Huntington Beach does not have a
Agricultural Pests large enough agriculture industry to warrant consideration of
agricultural pest mitigation strategies.
Avalanche Not Applicable. Avalanches are not a concern given the location
and geographical features of Huntington Beach.
The planning team acknowledged that bluff erosion is a concern
Coastal Erosion in the City of Huntington Beach. There is infrastructure
(bikeways, lighting, etc) within the coastal areas that should be
considered for mitigation strategies.
Coastal Storm The planning team agreed to add the concern for coastal storm
with the flood hazard profile.
The planning team agreed to continue considering this hazard
Dam Failure Yes for mitigation strategies. It was acknowledged that there was
one incident of seepage, but the dam has been raised and holds
more water.
Drought The planning team acknowledged that drought concerns are
adequately addressed in the City's urban water master plan.
City of Huntington Beach 29
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three— Hazards Assessment
Table 3.1-3: 2011 Hazard Identification
Identified Preliminary Disposition
Hazard in 2004
Plan
The planning team agreed to continue considering this hazard
for mitigation strategies with additional consideration for fires
Earthquake Yes that occur as a result of earthquakes. Earthquakes are especially
dangerous to the City of Huntington Beach due to the
vulnerability to liquefaction.
Epidemic/Pandemic The planning team agreed this concern is addressed adequately
through the County's public health efforts.
Expansive soils Not Applicable. Expansive soils are not a concern given the
location and geographical features of Huntington Beach.
Extreme Heat Not Applicable. Extreme heat is not a concern given the location
and geographical features of Huntington Beach.
Flood Yes The planning team agreed to continue considering this hazard
for mitigation strategies.
Hailstorm Not Applicable. Hailstorms are not a concern given the location
and geographical features of Huntington Beach.
The planning team noted two significant hazardous materials
incidents in recent history, Magnolia Oil Incident and American
Oil Trader Incident. In addition, the community is susceptible to
onshore and off shore oil spills.There are over 400 businesses in
the hazardous materials program.
Hazardous Materials
Additionally, the City has areas where methane gas is present in
the soil. The presence of methane gas is associated with oil
extraction and decomposition of organic material. For these
reasons, the planning team agreed to add this hazard for
consideration of mitigation strategies.
Hurricane Not Applicable. Hurricanes are not a concern given the location
and geographical features of Huntington Beach.
City of Huntington Beach 30
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.1-3: 2011 Hazard Identification
Identified Preliminary Disposition
Hazard in 2004
Plan
The planning team agreed to continue considering this hazard
Land Subsidence Yes for mitigation strategies giving special note to Murdy Fire
Station.
Landslide and Not Applicable. Landslides and mudflow are not a concern given
Mudflow the location and geographical features of Huntington Beach.
Over 11 million people visit the City of Huntington Beach every
year. The City hosts many large events where hotels are sold
Man Caused Hazards out. The planning team acknowledged a concern for terrorism
threats to Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, Los Alamitos Joint
Forces Training Base, and San Onofre Nuclear Generating
Station.
Severe Winter Snow Not Applicable. Severe winter snow storms are not a concern
Storm given the location and geographical features of Huntington
Beach.
The planning team acknowledged that the City has experienced
Tornado three tornado events and agreed to include this hazard for
consideration of mitigation strategies. In addition, in 2010, an F2
tornado derailed a train in nearby Riverside County.
The planning team agreed to continue considering this hazard
for mitigation strategies. The City has had three tsunami
Tsunami Yes advisories in less than 3 years. These advisories have the
potential to not only affect coastal residents but our large
tourist population.
Volcano Not Applicable. Volcano eruptions are not a concern given the
location and geographical features of Huntington Beach.
Wildfire Not Applicable. Wildfire is not a concern given the location and
geographical features of Huntington Beach.
Wind See Windstorm
City of Huntington Beach 31
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three—Hazards Assessment
Table 3.1-3: 2011 Hazard Identification
Identified Preliminary Disposition
Hazard in 2004
Plan
The planning team agreed to continue considering this hazard
Windstorm Yes for mitigation strategies. Santa Ana winds are the primary
concern for the City of Huntington Beach.
City of Huntington Beach 32
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
3.1.3 2011 Hazard Ranking
The planning team used an Excel tool to prioritize the identified hazards by assigning each hazard a ranking based on probability of
occurrence and potential impact. These rankings were assigned based on group discussion, knowledge of past occurrences, and the
existing baseline risk assessment from the previous hazard mitigation plan and current emergency operations plan. This tool and the
summary results are presented in Table 3.1-4: Hazard Ranking Worksheet.
Table 3.1-4: Hazard Ranking Worksheet
Impact
Hazard Type Probability Affected Primary Secondary Total Score Hazard Planning
Consideration
Area Impact Impacts
Earthquake 4 4 4 4 64.00 Significant
Flood 4 3 3 3 48.00 Significant
Tsunami 4 3 3 3 48.00 Significant
Windstorm 4 4 1 1 35.20 Moderate
Dam Failure 2 3 3 3 24.00 Moderate
Hazardous Materials 2 1 4 2 18.40 Moderate
Subsidence 3 1 1 1 12.00 Limited
Coastal Erosion 3 1 1 1 12.00 Limited
Terrorism 1 2 4 3 11.80 Limited
Tornado 2 1 1 2 10.00 Limited
City of Huntington Beach 33
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
Notes:
Probability Importance 2.0 Secondary Impacts Importance 0.5
Based on estimated likelihood of occurrence from historical data Based on estimated secondary impacts to community at large
Probability Score Impact Score
Unlikely 1 Negligible-no loss of function,downtime,and/or evacuations 1
Somewhat Likely 2 Limited-minimal loss of function,downtime,and/or evacuations 2
Likely 3 Moderate-some loss of function,downtime,and/or evacuations 3
Highly Likely 4 High-major loss of function,downtime,and/or evacuations 4
Affected Area Importance 0.8 Total Score=Probability x Impact,where:
Based on size of geographical area of community affected by hazard Probability (Probability Score x Importance)
Affected Area Score
Isolated 1 Impact=(Affected Area+Primary Impact+Secondary Impacts),where:
Small 2 Affected Area=Affected Area Score x Importance
Medium 3 Primary Impact=Primary Impact Score x Importance
Large 4 Secondary Impacts=Secondary Impacts Score x Importance
Primary Impact Importance 0.7 Hazard Planning Consideration
Based on percentage of damage to typical facility in community Total 5core (Ranee) Distribution Hazard Level
Impact Score 0.0 20.0 5 Limited
Negligible-less than 30%damage 1 12.1 42.0 3 Moderate
Limited-between 10%and 25%damage 2 42.1 64.0 3 Significant
Critical-between 25%and 50%damage 3
Catastrophic-more than 50%damage 4
The probability of each hazard is determined by assigning a level,from unlikely to highly likely,based on the likelihood of occurrence from historical data. The total impact value includes
the affected area,primary impact and secondary impact levels of each hazard. Each level's score is reflected in the matrix. The total score for each hazard is the probability score
multiplied by its importance factor times the sum of the impact level scores multiplied by their importance factors.Based on this total score,the hazards are separated into four
categories based on the hazard level they pose to the communities:Significant,Moderate,Limited,None.
City of Huntington Beach 34
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
3.2 Vulnerability/Risk Assessment Methodology
Changes in 2011 Plan Update
The 2004 Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Hazard Mitigation Plan compiled a list of all City
and District owned buildings and critical facilities located in the hazard area using the FEMA
Hazard Mitigation Worksheet 3b. For the 2011 Update, this list was reviewed and updated by
the Team to include new facilities and remove facilities outside of the City. In addition, the City
also created a second list of critical facilities that do not include location information due to the
sensitive nature of the facilities and the concern over identification of their exact location
within the City. To assist the City, a separate vulnerability assessment table has been provided
within each hazard profile for these facilities with general description information.
As part of the 2011 Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan update, GIS analysis was
performed to determine hazard vulnerability and risk. This analysis included intersecting
geospatial hazard data with the critical facilities database to determine the number and types
of facilities that are potentially at risk from the various hazards. An analysis was also performed
to determine the approximate population at risk within defined hazard areas. This was
accomplished by geospatially intersecting 2010 U.S. Census block group population data with
the defined hazard areas. Table 3.2-1 shows the approximate number of persons within each
defined hazard area.
Similar to the 2004 Plan, the 2011 vulnerability assessment identified the percentage of land
area within Huntington Beach that is potentially susceptible to a particular hazard. Although
this methodology is similar to the one used in the 2004 Plan, the 2011 Update uses more recent
and improved information available from various local, state, and federal agencies (i.e. CaIFIRE,
CaIEMA, FEMA, etc.). Although not available for this plan update, critical facility replacement
values could provide useful information about hazard exposure and potential losses should a
hazard event occur. Consideration should be given to collecting this information prior to future
hazard mitigation plan updates.
City of Huntington Beach 35
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
Table 3.2-1: Huntington Beach Population (approximate) in Defined Hazard Areas
Hazard Approx. #of People Affected
Prado Dam Inundation 130,506
Flooding
100 year flood 12,781
500 year flood (0.2%annual chance flood) 18,105
Liquefaction Potential
Liquefaction 120,406
Earthquake-Induced Landslides 84
Subsidence (in feet)
0 to-0.1 94,144
-0.1 to-0.2 57,221
-0.2 to-0.3 24,159
-0.3 to-0.4 5,699
-0.4 to-0.5 4,326
-0.5 to -0.6 1,779
-0.6 to-0.7 984
-0.7 to-0.8 726
-0.8+ 386
Tsunami 80,000*
"The Tsunami estimate incorporates additional populations at risk due to the large number of commercial uses,ranging from large resort
hotels to small retail shops,located in the tsunami inundation zone.
Asset Inventory
As part of the 2011 update, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team identified fifty critical facilities
to be part of this Plan's hazard vulnerability/risk analysis. The facilities include police stations,
fire stations, hospitals, shelters, and other facilities that provide important services to the
community. Damage to these facilities caused by a hazard event has the potential to impair
response and recovery from the event and may lead to disruption of services. Table 3.2-2
provides a complete listing of the critical facilities examined within the 2011 update. Facilities
identified with an asterisk were previously identified in the 2004 plan.
City of Huntington Beach 36
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.2-2: Critical Facilities Included in the 2011 Vulnerability/Risk Analysis
Id Name Address
1 Banning Library Branch 9281 Banning Avenue
2 Beach Maintenance Yard* 8669 Edison Avenue
3 Central Library 7111 Talbert Avenue
4 City Emergency Operations Center (EOC)* 2000 Main Street
5 City Hall* 2000 Main Street
6 City Pool and Gym 16` Street & Palm Avenue
7 Downtown Police Substation* 204 5th Street
8 Dwyer Middle School (Shelter) 1502 Palm Avenue
9 Edison Community Center 21377 Magnolia Street
10 Edison High School (Shelter)* 21400 Magnolia Street
11 Fire Training Center* 18301 Gothard Street
12 Golden West College 15744 Goldenwest Street
13 H.B.P.D. Main Police Station* 2000 Main Street
14 Helen Murphy Library Branch 15882 Graham Street
Huntington Beach Elementary School District
15 EOC* 20451 Craimer Lane
16 Huntington Beach High School (Shelter)* 1905 Main Street
17 Huntington Beach High School District EOC* 10251 Yorktown Avenue
18 Huntington Beach Hospital* 17772 Beach Boulevard
19 Main Street Library Branch 535 Main Street
20 Marina High School (Shelter)* 15871 Springdale Street
21 Marine Safety Headquarters* 103 Pacific Coast Highway
22 Murdy Community Center 7000 Norma Street
23 Oakview Center 17241 Oak Lane
24 Oakview Library Branch 17251 Oak Lane
25 Oakview Police Substation* 17483 Beach Boulevard, Unit B
26 Ocean View High School (Shelter)* 17071 Gothard Street
27 Ocean View School District EOC* 17200 Pinehurst Lane
City of Huntington Beach 37
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.2-2: Critical Facilities Included in the 2011 Vulnerability/Risk Analysis
Id Name Address
28 Orange County Sanitation District, Plant No. 2 22212 Brookhurst Street
29 Peck & Springdale Reservoir Complex 14561 Springdale Street
30 Police Heliport 18401 Gothard Street
31 Public Works Park,Tree and Landscape Yard* 17581 Gothard Street
32 Public Works, Don Kiser Corporate Yard* 17371 Gothard Street
33 Rogers' Senior Center 1706 Orange Avenue
34 Social Security Office 2100 Main Street, Suite 260
35 Sowers School (Shelter) 9300 Indianapolis Avenue
36 Stacey Intermediate School 6311 Larchwood Drive
37 State Parks Headquarters 21601 Pacific Coast Highway
38 Station 1-Gothard Fire Station* 18311 Gothard Street
39 Station 2- Murdy Fire Station* 16221 Gothard Street
40 Station 3 - Bushard Fire Station* 19711 Bushard Street
41 Station 4- Magnolia Fire Station* 21441 Magnolia Avenue
42 Station 5 - Lake Fire Station* 530 Lake Street
43 Station 6- Edwards Fire Station* 18590 Edwards Street
44 Station 7 -Warner Fire Station* 3831 Warner Avenue
45 Station 8- Heil Fire Station* 5891 Heil Avenue
46 Talbert Middle School 9101 Brabham Drive
47 US Post Office (Beach Center Station) 316 Olive Avenue
48 US Post Office (Ida Jean Haxton Station) 9151 Atlanta Avenue
49 US Post Office (Main Office) 6771 Warner Avenue
50 Water Operations* 19001 Huntington Street
* Facilities identified by Huntington Beach in the 2004 Plan.
Hazard Area Data Sources
All GIS data used in the vulnerability analyses profiled in Section 3.3 was received by the City of
Huntington Beach GIS Department for the 2011 plan update.
City of Huntington Beach 38
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
3.3 Hazard Profiles
Changes in 2011 Plan Update
The 2004 Hazard Mitigation Plan studied six natural hazards: windstorms, tsunamis, subsidence,
dam failures, floods, and earthquakes. The 2011 Plan Update added four additional hazards for
analysis: tornados/waterspouts, hazardous material releases, coastal erosion, and acts of
terrorism.
The following are profiles of the hazards identified for the City of Huntington Beach. The
profiles include a vulnerability analysis and risk assessment using the methodologies described
in Section 3.2 above.
3.3.1 Earthquake
General Description
An earthquake is a ground shaking event typically associated with stress/strain occurring within
the earth's crust. Typical causes of stress/ strain come from faults, volcanic activity and/or
magmatic activity. Earthquakes are most commonly associated with faults, which typically
coincide at tectonic plate boundaries along the earth's surface. These boundaries are slowly
moving towards, away, or past one another, which is a major contributor to stress/strain in the
earth's crust. Where plates are slide past one another, often times they get stuck due to
friction, causing a buildup of stress. When this stress overcomes plate friction, an earthquake
occurs, releasing energy that travels in waves through the earth's crust causing sudden, rapid
shaking. In the case of California, the San Andreas Fault is considered the boundary between
the Pacific and North American Tectonic Plates, which are sliding past each other.
Fault Types
Strike-slip Fault
Strike-slip faults are vertical or almost vertical rifts where the earth's plates move
mostly horizontally. From the observer's perspective, if the opposite block looking
across the fault moves to the right, the slip style is called a right lateral fault; if the block
moves left, the shift is called a left lateral fault.
Dip-slip/Thrust Fault
Dip-slip faults are slanted fractures where the blocks mostly shift vertically. If the earth
above an inclined fault moves down, the fault is called a normal fault, but when the rock
above the fault moves up, the fault is called a reverse fault. Thrust faults are a reverse
fault with a dip of 45 ° or less.
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Earthquake Related Hazards
Ground shaking, liquefaction, and amplification are the specific hazards associated with
earthquakes. The severity of these hazards depends on several factors, including soil and slope
conditions, proximity to the fault, magnitude, and the type of earthquake.
Ground Shaking
Ground shaking is the motion felt on the earth's surface caused by seismic waves
generated by the earthquake. It is the primary cause of earthquake damage. The
strength of ground shaking depends on the magnitude of the earthquake, the type of
fault, and distance from the epicenter (where the earthquake originates). Buildings on
poorly consolidated and thick soils will typically see more damage than buildings on
consolidated soils and bedrock.
Liquefaction
Liquefaction occurs when ground shaking causes wet granular soils to change from a
solid state to a liquid state. This results in the loss of soil strength and the soil's ability to
support weight. Buildings and their occupants are at risk when the ground can no longer
support these buildings and structures. Many communities in Southern California are
built on ancient river bottoms and have sandy soil. In some cases, this ground may be
subject to liquefaction, depending on the depth of the water table.
Amplification
Soils and soft sedimentary rocks near the earth's surface can modify ground shaking
caused by earthquakes. One of these modifications is amplification. Amplification
increases the magnitude of the seismic waves generated by the earthquake. The
amount of amplification is influenced by the thickness of geologic materials and their
physical properties. Buildings and structures built on soft and unconsolidated soils can
face greater risk. Amplification can also occur in areas with deep sediment filled basins
and on ridge tops.
Secondary Affects of Earthquakes
Fires
There is a high probability of fires following an earthquake due to the amount of
underground infrastructure (gas lines, water mains/lines, etc.) that typically get
damaged. Earthquake related fires can complicate earthquake response efforts.
Dam Failure
In addition to the direct affects caused by earth shaking and ground failure
(liquefaction), the City of Huntington Beach could be impacted by flooding caused by
earthquake induced dam failure. However, the probability for serious damage is
considered low since the Prado Dam is rarely full.
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Oil Spills& Pipeline Breakage
Oil fields and oil storage tanks are being consolidated but can be seen throughout
Huntington Beach. In addition, oil pipelines traverse various parts of the City, which
could be damaged during an earthquake.
Tsunami
An earthquake anywhere in the Pacific Ocean can cause a tsunami, which could impact
Huntington Beach. The Alaska 1964 Good Friday Earthquake caused a tsunami in
Crescent City, California and tidal surges all the way south in Huntington Beach. The
Magnitude (M) 9 T6hoku earthquake which occurred on March 11, 2011, caused a
tsunami which devastated Japan and caused an estimated $50 million in damages to the
California coast.
Of concern are potential sources of a tsunami which include the Palos Verdes, the San
Clemente or other uncharted faults off the coast of California capable of producing
earthquakes that generate a tsunami. In addition, there are several submarine landslide
zones that could cause significant inundation to the Huntington Beach coastline.
Hazardous Chemical Spills
The City of Huntington Beach has numerous offshore and underground petrochemical
pipelines of various sizes. An earthquake could easily cause pipeline breakage releasing
petrochemicals.
Location and Extent
Faults located in the Southern California area that could affect the City include: the San
Andreas, Newport-Inglewood, Elsinore, San Jacinto, San Joaquin Hills, Puente Hills Blind Thrust
Fault and Palos Verdes Faults, shown in the Exhibit 3.3-1 Southern California Earthquake Faults.
City of Huntington Beach 41
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RARTBQUARR FAULTS
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Exhibit 3.3-1: Southern California Earthquake Faults
Earthquakes are measured in terms of their magnitude and intensity. Magnitude is measured
by using the Richter magnitude scale. The Richter magnitude scale was developed in 1935 by
Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology, as a mathematical device to
compare the size of earthquakes. Table 3.3-1, describes the effects of earthquakes based on
their magnitude. The magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the
amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. Adjustments are included for the variation in
the distance between the various seismographs and the epicenter of the earthquakes. On the
Richter scale, magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimal fractions. For example, a
magnitude 5.3 might be computed for a moderate earthquake, and a strong earthquake might
be rated as magnitude 6.3. Because of the logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number
increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude; as an estimate of
City of Huntington Beach 42
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
energy, each whole number step in the magnitude scale corresponds to the release of about 31
times more energy than the amount associated with the preceding whole number value.
Table 3.3-1, Richter Scale
Richter
Magnitudes Earthquake Effects
Less than 3.5 Generally not felt, but recorded.
3.5-5.4 Often felt, but rarely causes damage.
Under 6.0 At most slight damage to well-designed buildings. Can cause major
damage to poorly constructed buildings over small regions.
6.1-6.9 Can be destructive in areas up to about 100 kilometers across where
people live.
7.0-7.9 Major earthquake. Can cause serious damage over larger areas.
8orgreater Great earthquake. Can cause serious damage in areas several hundred
kilometers across.
The effect of an earthquake on the Earth's surface is called the intensity. The intensity scale
consists of a series of certain key responses such as people awakening, movement of furniture,
damage to chimneys, and finally, total destruction. Although numerous intensity scales have
been developed over the last several hundred years to evaluate the effects of earthquakes, the
one currently used in the United States is the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale, refer to
Table 3.3-2. It was developed in 1931 by the American seismologists Harry Wood and Frank
Neumann. This scale, composed of 12 increasing levels of intensity that range from
imperceptible shaking to catastrophic destruction, is designated by Roman numerals. It does
not have a mathematical basis; instead it is an arbitrary ranking based on observed effects.
The MMI value assigned to a specific site after an earthquake has a more meaningful measure
of severity to the nonscientist than the magnitude because intensity refers to the effects
actually experienced at a particular place.
The lower numbers of the intensity scale deal with the manner in which people feel the
earthquake. The higher numbers of the scale are based on observed structural damage.
Structural engineers usually contribute information for assigning intensity values of VIII or
above.
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-2, Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale for Earthquakes
Corresponding
Scale Intensity Earthquake Effects Richter Scale
Magnitude
I Instrumental Detected only on seismographs
II Feeble Some people feel it <4.2
III Slight Felt by people resting; like a truck rumbling by
IV Moderate Felt by people walking
V Slightly Strong Sleepers awake; church bells ring <4.8
Trees sway; suspended objects swing; objects fall
VI Strong <5.4
off shelves
VII Very Strong Mild Alarm; walls crack; plaster falls <6.1
VIII Destructive Moving cars uncontrollable; masonry fractures;
poorly constructed buildings damaged
IX Ruinous Some houses collapse; ground cracks; pipes break <6 9
open
Ground cracks profusely; many buildings
X Disastrous destroyed; liquefaction and landslides <7.3
widespread
Most buildings and bridges collapse; roads,
XI Very Disastrous railways, pipes and cables destroyed; general <8.1
triggering of other hazards
XII Catastrophic Total destruction; trees fall; ground rises and falls >8 1
in waves
The San Andreas, Newport-Inglewood, Elsinore, San Jacinto, San Joaquin Hills, Puente Hills Blind
Thrust Fault and Palos Verdes Faults are all considered active and are capable of producing
earthquakes in the 4.5—8+ range on the Richter Scale, equivalent to V to XII on the MMI Scale.
Earthquake Faults
The San Andreas Fault Zone
The San Andreas Fault is located approximately 70 miles east of Huntington Beach. This
fault is the dominant active fault in California; it is the main element of the boundary
between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. The longest and most
publicized fault in California, it extends approximately 650 miles from Cape Mendocino
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
in northern California to east of San Bernardino in southern California, and is
approximately 35 miles northeast of Orange County. This fault was the source of the
1906 San Francisco earthquake, which resulted in some 700 deaths and millions of
dollars in damage. It is the southern section of this fault that is currently of greatest
concern to the scientific community.
Geologists can demonstrate that at least eight major earthquakes (Richter magnitude
7.0 and larger) have occurred along the Southern San Andreas Fault in the past 1200
years with an average spacing in time of 140 years, plus or minus 30 years. The last such
event occurred in 1857 (the Fort Tejon earthquake). Based on that evidence and other
geophysical observations, the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities
(SCEC, 1995) has estimated the probability of a similar rupture (magnitude7.8) in the
next 30 years (1994 through 2024) to be about 50%. The range of probable magnitudes
on the San Andreas Fault Zone is reported to be 6.8 - 8.0.
The Newport-Inglewood Fault
The Newport-Inglewood Fault is considered the second most active fault in California. It
extends from the Santa Monica Mountains southeastward through the western part of
Orange County to the offshore area near Newport Beach and was the source of the
destructive 1933 Long Beach earthquake (magnitude 6.4), which caused 120 deaths and
considerable property damage. During the past 60 years, numerous other shocks
ranging from magnitude 3.0 to 5+ have been recorded. The Southern California
Earthquake Center (SCEC) reports probable earthquake magnitudes for the Newport-
Inglewood fault to be in the range of 6.0 to 7.4
Elsinore Fault Zone
The Elsinore Fault is located in the northeast part of Orange County. This fault follows a
general line easterly of the Santa Ana Mountains into Mexico. The main trace of the
Elsinore Fault zone is about 112 miles long. The last major earthquake on this fault
occurred in 1910 (magnitude 6.0), and the interval between major ruptures is estimated
to be about 250 years. SCEC reports probable earthquake magnitudes for the main trace
of the Elsinore fault to be in the range of 6.5 to 7.5. At the northern end of the Elsinore
Fault zone, the fault splits into two segments: the 25 mile long Whittier Fault (probable
magnitudes between 6.0 and 7.2), and the 25 mile long Chino Fault (probable
magnitudes between 6.0 and 7.0).
San Jacinto Fault Zone
The San Jacinto Fault is approximately 30 miles north and east of the county. The
interval between ruptures on this 130 mile long fault zone has been estimated by SCEC
to be between 100 and 300 years, per segment. The most recent event (1968 magnitude
6.5) occurred on the southern half of the Coyote Creek segment. SCEC reports probable
earthquake magnitudes for the San Jacinto fault zone to be in the range of 6.5 to 7.5.
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The San Joaquin Hills Thrust Fault
The San Joaquin Hills Fault is a recently discovered southwest-dipping blind thrust fault
originating near the southern end of the Newport-Inglewood Fault close to Huntington
Beach, at the western margins of the San Joaquin Hills. Rupture of the entire area of this
blind thrust fault could generate an earthquake as large as magnitude 7.3. In addition, a
minimum average recurrence interval of between about 1650 and 3100 years has been
estimated for moderate-sized earthquakes on this fault (Grant and others, 1999).
Puente Hills Thrust Fault
The Puente Hills Fault is another recently discovered blind thrust fault that runs from
northern Orange County to downtown Los Angeles. This fault is now known to be the
source of the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. Recent studies indicate that this fault
has experienced four major earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 7.2 to 7.5 in the
past 11,000 years, but that the recurrence interval for these large events is on the order
of several thousand years.
Palos Verdes Fault Zone
The Palos Verdes Hills Fault is located off the coast of Huntington Beach. It starts north
of Long Beach and extends south past Newport Beach where it is projected to join the
Coronado Bank Fault Zone. The Palos Verdes Hills Fault is capable of a 6.0-7.0 magnitude
earthquake. It has two main branches and continues southward as the Palos Verdes-
Coronado Bank Fault Zone. An issue of concern is the fault has the potential to cause
shaking, liquefaction, and a local tsunami that would strike without sufficient warning
time to evacuate the Orange County and Long Beach coastal areas.
A major earthquake along any of these faults could result in substantial casualties and damage
resulting from collapsed buildings, damaged roads and bridges, fires, flooding, and other
threats to life and property. Other faults traversing the Los Angeles Basin, Riverside, San
Bernardino, and San Diego Counties could also affect Huntington Beach, but not as severely.
There may still be unmapped earthquake faults throughout Southern California that could also
affect the Huntington Beach area.
Past Occurrences
Table 3.3-3, Historical Earthquakes of California, contains a list of earthquakes which occurred
between 1769 and 2010 with a 5.0 magnitude or greater.
1933 Long Beach Earthquake
In 1933, the Long Beach 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Los Angeles Basin. The
quake occurred on the Newport-Inglewood Fault and the epicenter was approximately
10 miles southeast of Long Beach and approximately 2 miles south of Main Street and
Pacific Coast Highway. Huntington Beach was mostly undeveloped at that time so much
of the damage was in the more heavily populated City of Long Beach, hence the name of
the earthquake. Damage to Huntington Beach was concentrated in the downtown area,
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
especially along Main Street where numerous unreinforced masonry buildings were
damaged. Central School, which sat on the site where Dwyer Middle School resides
today, sustained severe damage, requiring subsequent demolition.
to RA'
h f
The following is an excerpt from www.anaheimcolony.com:
On March 10, 1933 at 5:54 in the evening, a severe earthquake shook Southern California. Four deaths occurred in
Orange County. In Santa Ana, a man and his wife raced out of the Rossmore Hotel and were crushed under on
avalanche of bricks and mortar. Another man, while walking in front of the Richelieu Hotel, was struck by a piece of
falling comice and instantly killed. In Garden Grove, a 13-year old girl was planning a freshman party with her
friends when the earthquake hit. She was sitting on the steps of a local high school and was crushed by a falling
wall. Two of her friends were injured.
In Newport Beach, 800 chimneys were broken off at the roofline and several hundred buildings were destroyed. In
Huntington Beach, steel oil derricks were "squashed"several inches out of the ground. In Santa Ana, Anaheim and
Garden Grove, business centers were badly damaged and debris covered downtown streets.A heavy fog enveloped
the Southland, making rescue work difficult. The 1933 Long Beach earthquake
affected 75,000 square miles, and resulted in the formation of more stringent
building codes for Orange County structures.
1971 Sylmar Earthquake(San Fernando)
On February 9, 1971 at 6:02 AM, the Los Angeles basin
shook for over one minute. The earthquake occurred on
the San Fernando Fault Zone and resulted in 65 deaths and
a financial cost of over $500 million. Effects of the
earthquake resulted in a crack in the Van Norman Dam
causing an evacuation of an 80-square mile area due to potential dam failure. Scores of
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
people were trapped in buildings and fires were started from natural gas line breaks.
Two hospitals were affected. The Veterans Administration Hospital had seven deaths
and the Olive View Hospital had two deaths. Following this earthquake the Alquist
Hospital Seismic Act was passed.
1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake
In October 1987, the Whittier Narrows
Earthquake struck the Los Angeles area with a
a 5.9 magnitude quake. This quake occurred
on the Whittier Fault Zone, a fault system M►�
not previously known for seismic activity.
There were eight deaths and 200 injuries.
The quake damage was estimated at $358
million. The quake was felt throughout Orange County.
1994 Northridge Earthquake
On January 17, 1994, the Northridge
ti Earthquake, a magnitude 6.7 quake,
11„i occurred along the Northridge Blind Thrust
Fault. There were 57 deaths and over 1,500
.d people were injured. The quake caused
billions of dollars in damage and disrupted
the lives of thousands of residents, schools
and businesses in Southern California. This
g quake was also felt throughout Orange
} County. For days afterward, thousands of
1 homes and businesses were without
electricity; tens of thousands had no gas;
�i and nearly 50,000 had little or no water.
Approximately 15,000 structures were
moderately to severely damaged, which left thousands of people temporarily homeless. Over
66,500 buildings were inspected. Nearly 4,000 were severely damaged and over 11,000 were
moderately damaged. Several collapsed I
bridges and overpasses created commuter
havoc on the freeway system. Ground shaking
caused extensive damage. In addition, the
i r
earthquake triggered liquefaction and dozens
of fires, which also caused additional severe
damage. This extremely strong ground motion -
in a large portion of the Los Angeles Basin
resulted in record economic losses.
However, the earthquake occurred early in the
morning on a holiday. This circumstance
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
considerably reduced the potential effects. Many collapsed buildings were unoccupied, and
most businesses were not yet open. The direct and indirect economic losses ran into the tens of
billions of dollars.
Table 3.3-3, Historical Earthquakes of California
Southern California Earthquakes with a Magnitude 5.0 or Greater
1769 Los Angeles Basin 1918 San Jacinto
1800 San Diego Region 1923 San Bernardino Region
1812 Wrightwood 1925 Santa Barbara
1812 Santa Barbara Channel 1933 Long Beach
1827 Los Angeles Region 1941 Carpenteria
1855 Los Angeles Region 1952 Kern County
1857 Great Fort Tejon Earthquake 1954 West of Wheeler Ridge
1858 San Bernardino Region 1971 San Fernando
1862 San Diego Region 1973 Point Mugu
1892 San Jacinto or Elsinore Fault 1986 North Palm Springs
1893 Pico Canyon 1987 Whittier Narrows
1894 Lytle Creek Region 1992 Landers
1894 East of San Diego 1992 Big Bear
1899 Lytle Creek Region 1994 Northridge
1899 San Jacinto and Hemet 1999 Hector Mine
1907 San Bernardino Region 2004 San Luis Obispo
1910 Glen Ivy Hot Springs 2008 Chino Hills
1916 Tejon Pass Region 2010 Baja California
Source:US Geological Survey
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Probability of Future Occurrences
A SCEC report published in 1994 Seismic Hazards in Southern California: Probable Earthquakes,
1994 to 2024 indicated that the probability of an earthquake of Magnitude 7 or larger in
Southern California before the year 2024 is 80 to 90 percent. The San Andreas Fault is located
approximately 70 miles east of Huntington Beach. This fault is capable of producing
earthquakes in the magnitude 8+ range. It has been scientifically determined through a carbon
dating process that a major earthquake on this fault has occurred approximately every 145
years plus or minus 20 years. The last major earthquake on the Southern San Andreas Fault
occurred in 1857 (154 years ago as of 2011). The San Andreas is considered one of the most
active faults in the world today. A major earthquake up to an 8.3 magnitude is expected to
occur again within the next 20 years.
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
Earthquakes have the potential to produce significant destruction to buildings and
infrastructure in the area, which in turn may trap and bury people. Damaged infrastructure can
hamper emergency response times and the movement of people and goods which can cripple
the local economy. Older buildings and infrastructure, including bridges, may be particularly
vulnerable. Many buildings in Huntington Beach were built before 1993 when stricter building
codes took effect. Much of the interstate highway system was built in the mid to late 1960s.
Retrofitting of older buildings and infrastructure is one way to reduce earthquake vulnerability.
Although efforts have been underway to do so, many structures and bridges have not been
retrofitted. Potential economic loss due to earthquakes easily totals into the millions and
possibly into the billions of dollars for Huntington Beach. The HAZUS MH earthquake analysis
found below examines potential losses for three separate earthquake scenarios. Losses for
these scenarios range from $125 thousand to approximately $2 million, depending on the
source and magnitude of the tremor.
As discussed previously, a number of faults are located throughout Southern California, each
having the potential to produce damaging earthquakes. An examination of the faults running
directly through the City of Huntington Beach and the location of the city's critical facilities
indicates that 18 critical facilities lie within 500 feet of a fault. Table 3.3-4 lists these facilities as
well as the faults which they are near. At least six schools or school Emergency Operations
Centers (EOCs) are included in this list.
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Table 3.3-4: Critical Facilities Near Active Faults
Id Name* Hazard Information
2 Beach Maintenance Yard South Branch Fault
4 City EOC North Branch Fault
5 City Hall North Branch Fault
6 City Pool and Gym South Branch Fault
8 Dwyer Middle School (Shelter) South Branch Fault
30 Edison High School (Shelter) North Branch Fault
13 H.B.P.D. Main Police Station North Branch Fault
15 Huntington Beach Elementary School District EOC Adams Ave. Fault
16 Huntington Beach High School (Shelter) North Branch Fault
17 Huntington Beach High School District EOC Bolsa-Fairview Fault
19 Main Street Library Branch South Branch Fault
30 Police Heliport Bolsa-Fairview Fault
34 Social Security Office North Branch Fault
35 Sowers School (Shelter) Indianapolis Ave. Fault
41 Station 4- Magnolia Fire Station North Branch Fault
42 Station 5 - Lake Fire Station South Branch Fault
48 US Post Office (Ida Jean Haxton Station) North Branch Fault
50 Water Operations Yorktown Avenue Fault
'Critical Facilities within a 500 foot radius of a fault line.
Although the heaviest damage typically occurs nearest an earthquake's epicenter, it should be
noted that some earthquakes can be felt for hundreds of miles. Despite there being only 18
critical facilities within 500 feet of a fault, all critical facilities are potentially vulnerable and at
risk to earthquakes. Exhibit 3.3-2 depicts the faults located within the City and the location of
critical facilities in relation to those faults.
The City of Huntington Beach analyzed other critical public facilities near active faults, however,
for security reasons, the location of these facilities were not disclosed. These facilities are listed
by facility name under Table 3.3-5.
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Table 3.3-5: Additional Critical Facilities Near Active Faults
Facility Category Facility Name*
Reservoir/Booster Stations Overymyer
Adams
Flounder
Hamilton
Flood Control Stations
Newland
Slater
Yorktown
"D" Station
Algonquin
Trinidad
Sewer Lift Stations Davenport
Edgewater
Oceanhill
Ellis
Critical Facilities within a 500 foot radius of a fault line.
Approximately 18.39 square miles of the City is located in a liquefaction hazard area which is
roughly 67.6%of the total City land area. A smaller portion, roughly 0.03 square miles or 0.11%
of the total City land area, is located within an earthquake-induced landslide hazard area.
Approximately 120,406 persons reside within a liquefaction hazard area and roughly 84 within
an earthquake-induced landslide hazard area (as indicated in Table 3.2-1 in Section 3.2 above.).
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Exhibit 3.3-2: Fault Map
29
36
I
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Note: Critical Facilities 4, 5 and 13 (EOC, City Hall, and H.B.P.D Main Police Station) are all located at 2000 Main St.These
facilities share one point on the map;however,facility 4 is not labeled due to overlap.
City of Huntington Beach 53
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
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City of Huntington Beach 54
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
As shown in Table 3.3-6,there are 28 critical facilities located in a liquefaction hazard area, nine
of which are schools or school EOCs (not counting colleges). At least five fire stations are also
located in the liquefaction hazard area and are potentially at risk. No critical facilities are
located immediately adjacent to earthquake-induced landslide hazard areas. Exhibit 3.3-3
shows liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides hazard areas in the City.
City of Huntington Beach 55
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-6: Critical Facilities Exposed to Liquefaction
Id Name Hazard Information
1 Banning Library Branch Liquefaction
2 Beach Maintenance Yard Liquefaction
3 Central Library Liquefaction
9 Edison Community Center Liquefaction
10 Edison High School (Shelter) Liquefaction
12 Golden West College Liquefaction
14 Helen Murphy Library Branch Liquefaction
15 Huntington Beach Elementary School District EOC Liquefaction
17 Huntington Beach High School District EOC Liquefaction
20 Marina High School (Shelter) Liquefaction
22 Murdy Community Center Liquefaction
26 Ocean View High School (Shelter) Liquefaction
27 Ocean View School District EOC Liquefaction
28 Orange County Sanitation District, Plant No. 2 Liquefaction
29 Peck &Springdale Reservoir Complex Liquefaction
31 Public Works Park, Tree and Landscape Yard Liquefaction
32 Public Works, Don Kiser Corporate Yard Liquefaction
35 Sowers School (Shelter) Liquefaction
36 Stacey Intermediate School Liquefaction
37 State Parks Headquarters Liquefaction
39 Station 2- Murdy Fire Station Liquefaction
City of Huntington Beach 56
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-6: Critical Facilities Exposed to Liquefaction
Id Name Hazard Information
40 Station 3 - Bushard Fire Station Liquefaction
41 Station 4- Magnolia Fire Station Liquefaction
44 Station 7 - Warner Fire Station Liquefaction
45 Station 8- Heil Fire Station Liquefaction
46 Talbert Middle School Liquefaction
48 US Post Office (Ida Jean Haxton Station) Liquefaction
49 US Post Office (Main Office) Liquefaction
City of Huntington Beach 57
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
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City of Huntington Beach 58
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
Exhibit 3.3-3: Liquefaction Hazards
29
•
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• Critical Facilities 37 2
Liquefaction Potential 1
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i Earthquake-Induced Landslides 28
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City of Huntington Beach 59
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
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City of Huntington Beach 60
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
The City of Huntington Beach analyzed other critical public facilities located in a liquefaction
hazard area; however, for security reasons, the location of these facilities was not disclosed.
These facilities are listed by facility name under Table 3.3-7.
Table 3.3-7:Additional Critical Facilities Exposed to Liquefaction
Facility Category Facility Name
Well#1
Well#3a
Well#4
Well#5
Well#6
Water Well Sites
Well#7
Well#9
Well#10
Well#12
Well#13
Reservoir/Booster Station Peck
Adams
Atlanta
Banning
Bolsa Chica
Flounder
Hamilton
Heil
Flood Control Stations Indianapolis
Marilyn
Meridith
Newland
Scenario
Shields
Slater
Yorktown
City of Huntington Beach 61
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-7:Additional Critical Facilities Exposed to Liquefaction
Facility Category Facility Name
OC-35
OC-9
Imported Water Connections OC-44
Slater
Edwards
Brighton
"C" Station
Saybrook
Graham
Adams
"B"Station
Edinger
Trinidad
McFadden
Sewer Lift Stations Davenport
Humbolt
Edgewater
Lark
Oceanhill
Bushard
Coral Cay
"E" Station
New Britain
Atlanta
Brookhurst
"A" Station
City of Huntington Beach 62
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
HAZUS Earthquake Scenarios Analysis
FEMA's HAZUS MH MR-4 software was used to conduct an earthquake scenario analysis to
determine potential losses and other impacts of earthquakes that could occur in or near the
City. The analysis used:
1. Improved Orange County Essential Facilities Risk Assessment (OCEFRA) building
inventory data from a 2009 FEMA-funded study
2. Building values that are consistent with the standard HAZUS-MH cost model
3. The effects of liquefaction (not included in either the ShakeOut or the OCEFRA study,
due to software issues)
Tables 3.3-8 and 3.3-9 detail the building inventory exposure data by general occupancy and
general building type. These values were used to determine potential losses in the City for each
scenario examined.
Table 3.3-8, Building Inventory Data (General Occupancy) used in HAZUS-MH MR-4 Earthquake
Scenario Analysis
Building Inventory Information by Building Contents Building Square Building
General Occupancy Replacement Replacement Footage Count
Value ($1,000) Value($1,000) (1,000 Sq. Ft.)
Residential $13,958,962 $6,980,671 110,877 53,200
Commercial $2,000,063 $2,096,599 17,304 3,193
Industrial $643,522 $907,083 7,199 1,038
Other $282,123 $300,998 2,214 384
TOTAL $16,884,670 $10,285,351 137,594 57,815
Table 3.3-9, Building Inventory Data (General Building Type) used in HAZUS-MH MR-4
Earthquake Scenario Analysis
Selected Building Inventory Data Building Building Estimated %of
by General Building Type Replacement Replacement Building Count Building
Value ($1,000) Value (%) Count
Concrete $646,835 3.8% 829 1%
Manufactured Housing $238,861 1.4% 3,823 7%
Precast Concrete $198,030 1.2% 313 1%
Reinforced Masonry $901,567 5.3% 1,262 2%
Steel $405,019 2.4% 607 1%
Unreinforced Masonry $40,991 0.2% 66 0%
Wood Frame(Other) $2,437,323 14.4% 4,235 7%
Wood Frame (Single-family) $12,016,044 71.2% 46,680 81%
TOTAL $16,884,670 57,815
City of Huntington Beach 63
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Three scenarios were chosen for the analysis. They include a magnitude 7.9 ShakeOut Scenario
on the San Andreas Fault; a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on the Newport-Inglewood Fault; and a
magnitude 6.6 earthquake on the San Joaquin Hills Fault. Exhibits 3.3-4 through 3.3-6 illustrate
the instrumental intensity graphically and present information about the perceived shaking,
potential damage, peak acceleration and peak velocity for each of the three scenarios. Tables
3.3-10 through 3.3-12 provide summary loss statistics by scenario.
The Newport-Inglewood Fault scenario produced the most significant impacts to the City. Total
direct economic loss in this scenario was estimated to be nearly $1.8 billion. If such a scenario
were to occur during the daytime, it is estimated that 2,223 people might be injured. If instead
such a scenario were to play out at night, injuries are estimated at 2,260. The number of
displaced households from this simulated event is 5,214 with approximately 1,288 people
expected to require short-term sheltering. In examining building damage counts by building
type, it appears that of the 46,680 wood-framed, single-family homes in the City, approximately
97 are expected to be completely destroyed. Of the 3,823 manufactured homes in the City,
2,328 are expected to be completely destroyed.
Exhibit 3.3-4, Newport-Inglewood Fault Earthquake Scenario Results
. . • . f,.
ry _
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City of Huntington Beach 64
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
The San Joaquin Hills Fault scenario produced approximately $1 billion in direct economic loss.
Such a scenario might lead to 730 injuries if it occurred during the day and 983 should the
scenario play out at night. The number of displaced households in this scenario is estimated at
2,709 with 683 people requiring short-term sheltering.
The ShakeOut scenario, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake on the San Andreas Fault, produced
approximately $124 million in direct economic loss and leads to an estimated 133 injuries
during the day time or 202 injuries if it occurred at night. In that scenario, approximately 64
households could be displaced and approximately 16 might require short-term sheltering.
Under all three scenarios, manufactured housing suffered the highest number of completely
damaged buildings.
Exhibit 3.3-5, San Joaquin Hills Fault Earthquake Scenario Results
NICA �{ , 1er-
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City of Huntington Beach 65
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three - Hazards Assessment
Exhibit 3.3-6, ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario Results
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miles
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WEAK STRONG
PLANNING SCENARIO ONLY le pVeis-lP—e Tue Api1.31Q9MWMPIA14M
City of Huntington Beach 66
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-10, Direct Economic Losses for Buildings By Earthquake Scenario
Earthquake Scenario
M6.9 Newport- M6.6 San
M7.8 ShakeOut Inglewood Fault Joaquin Hills
Direct Economic Losses for Buildings ($1,000) Scenario with with Fault with
Liquefaction Liquefaction Liquefaction
Total Building Exposure Value 16,884,670
Cost of Structural Damage 16,222 228,370 117,455
o Cost of Non-Structural Damage 62,455 949,378 551,753
Total Building Damage (Str. + Non-Str.) 78,677 1,177,749 669,208
a o Building Loss Ratio % 0.5% 7.0% 4.0%
M Cost of Contents Damage 25,922 323,924 205,569
Inventory Loss 1,198 12,175 5,167
Relocation Loss 9,375 121,215 61,742
E ' Capital-Related Loss 2,581 39,864 17,223
c 0 Rental Income Loss 3,460 67,386 31,207
Wage Losses 3,610 50,598 22,860
Total Direct Economic Loss 124,822 1,792,909 1,012,976
% Of Countywide Loss 3.7% 19.6% 6.8%
Table 3.3-11, Casualties By Earthquake Scenario
Earthquake Scenario
M7.8 M6.9 M6.6
ShakeOut Newport- San Joaquin
Scenario Inglewood Hills Fault
Casualties with Fault with with
Liquefaction Liquefaction Liquefaction
Casualties- 2 pm
Fatalities 0 12 2
Trauma injuries 0 4 1
Other (non-trauma) hospitalized injuries 0 27 7
Total hospitalized injuries 0 31 8
m
Injuries requiring Emergency Department Visits 45 775 246
Injuries treated on an Outpatient basis 88 1,405 474
u Total injuries 133 2,223 730
o Hospital visits requiring EMS transport 2 50 12
City of Huntington Beach 67
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-11, Casualties By Earthquake Scenario
Earthquake Scenario
M7.8 M6.9 M6.6
ShakeOut Newport- San Joaquin
Scenario Inglewood Hills Fault
Casualties with Fault with with
Liquefaction Liquefaction Liquefaction
Casualties- 2 am
Fatalities 0 5 1
Trauma injuries 0 2 0
Other (non-trauma) hospitalized injuries 0 13 0
Total hospitalized injuries 0 15 0
a, Injuries requiring Emergency Department Visits 68 778 330
m
N Injuries treated on an Outpatient basis 134 1,462 652
m
Total injuries 202 2,260 983
L
to
Hospital visits requiring EMS transport 3 43 14
Number of Displaced Households 64 5,214 2,709
a
Number of People Requiring Short-term
L Shelter 16 1,288 683
Ln
Table 3.3-12, Debris and Building Damage By Earthquake Scenario
Earthquake Scenario
M7.8 M6.9 M6.6
ShakeOut Newport- San Joaquin
Scenario Inglewood Fault Hills Fault
Debris and Building Damage with with with
Liquefaction Liquefaction Liquefaction
Debris (thousands of tons)
Brick, Wood & Other (Light) Debris 25 218 107
Concrete & Steel (Heavy) Debris 19 260 86
o Total Debris 43 478 193
Building Damage Count by General Building Type
None 673 74 225
Slight 101 212 309
Moderate 48 339 240
Extensive 7 162 49
Complete 0 43 7
U TOTAL 829 829 829
City of Huntington Beach 68
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-12, Debris and Building Damage By Earthquake Scenario
Earthquake Scenario
M7.8 M6.9 M6.6
ShakeOut Newport- San Joaquin
Scenario Inglewood Fault Hills Fault
Debris and Building Damage with with with
Liquefaction Liquefaction Liquefaction
Building Damage Count by General Building Type
None 474 0 25
m
Slight 708 4 186
o Moderate 1,514 136 1,215
= Extensive 991 1,355 1,821
w:
Complete 136 2,328 577
TOTAL 3,823 3,823 3,823
a None 294 49 81
Y
u
Slight 17 134 140
c Moderate 2 119 86
Y
Extensive 0 10 5
N
Complete 0 1 0
a TOTAL 313 313 313
None 1,201 274 477
Slight 51 423 445
a Moderate 9 412 291
v
i � Extensive 0 129 46
o �
° Complete 0 24 3
Z
TOTAL 1,262 1,262 1,262
None 352 28 144
Slight 166 117 226
Moderate 83 320 204
Extensive 7 126 31
a, Complete 0 17 3
TOTAL 607 607 607
Ln
None 59 7 16
Slight 7 21 25
U Moderate 1 25 19
1
0 Extensive 0 9 5
c c
v Complete 0 4 1
TOTAL 66 66 66
City of Huntington Beach 69
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-12, Debris and Building Damage By Earthquake Scenario
Earthquake Scenario
M7.8 M6.9 M6.6
ShakeOut Newport- San Joaquin
Scenario Inglewood Fault Hills Fault
Debris and Building Damage with with with
Liquefaction Liquefaction Liquefaction
None 3,908 708 1,395
E Slight 300 1,722 1,948
t Moderate 27 1,276 804
0 o Extensive 0 455 80
° Complete 0 73 7
TOTAL 4,235 4,235 4,235
Building Damage Count by General Building Type
None 44,913 13,598 19,356
m •£ Slight 1,732 26,002 23,002
LL T Moderate 33 6,351 3,932
a Extensive 1 631 334
° Complete 0 97 56
in
TOTAL 46,680 46,680 46,680
None 51,874 14,739 21,720
z Slight 3,081 28,635 26,279
a Moderate 1,717 8,977 6,792
m Extensive 1,006 2,878 2,370
a Complete 137 2,586 654
TOTAL 57,815 57,815 57,815
None 90% 25% 38%
z Slight 5% 50% 45%
a Moderate 3% 16% 12%
m Extensive 2% 5% 4%
a Complete 0% 4% 1%
TOTAL 100% 100% 100%
City of Huntington Beach 70
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
3.3.2 Flooding
General Description
A flood occurs any time a body of water rises to cover what is usually dry land. Floods have
many causes, including heavy rains, spring snowmelt, tsunamis, hurricanes, coastal storms, and
dam or levee failure. When flooding occurs, affected areas may sustain damage to structures
and personal property, as well as severe damage to the environment in the form of soil erosion
and deforestation and damage to utilities and transportation systems.
The types and causes of flooding that can occur within Huntington Beach are the result of:
Weather Related Flooding
Huntington Beach weather conditions are consistent with coastal southern California,
which is semi-arid. Summer months are warm and dry. The threat of severe winter
storms is greatest during December through March. The threat from tropical storms is
greatest in August through October, as a result of hurricanes from Mexico during that
timeframe. The southwest facing beach of Huntington Beach can experience surf and
wave impacts from both winter and summer storms. Heavy rains combined with high
tide and large surf creates an increased potential for flooding. High tides may prevent
flow from the Santa Ana River into the Pacific Ocean resulting in flooding in the south
end of Huntington Beach.
Heavy Rain
In Huntington Beach, 75% of the city sits 25 feet or below sea level which increases the
vulnerability to flooding. The city has a vast network of flood control facilities to
prevent flooding but heavy rains have the potential to exceed the capacity of the system
and cause flooding throughout the city. During periods of heavy rains, water fills the
storm drainage system to capacity. Nearby pump stations are unable to pump the
accumulated rainwater into the substandard flood control channels which causes
drainage problems.
In addition, a large portion of the southeastern area of the City of Huntington Beach has
a high water table. When the City experiences heavy rains, the land becomes incapable
of absorbing any additional water and flooding may occur. Some of the high water table
areas have been classified as wetlands. Wetlands are found on the inland side of Pacific
Coast Highway between the Santa Ana River and Beach Boulevard and in the Bolsa Chica
area inland of Pacific Coast Highway between Warner Avenue and Seapoint Street. The
Talbert Marsh wetland and the Bolsa Chica receive local drainage waters and tidal
flooding and are considered habitat for wildlife.
High Tides
Tides are the periodic rise and fall of all ocean waters resulting from the gravitational
attraction of the moon and the sun upon the surface of the earth. Because the moon is
City of Huntington Beach 71
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
much closer to the earth than the sun, it is the principal cause of tides. The location of
the moon over the earth creates a powerful pull on the water, which then rises above its
normal level. High and low tides alternate in a continuous cycle with two high tides and
two low tides every lunar day. The average lunar day is 24 hours, 50 minutes, and 28
seconds. Two successive high or low tides are generally the same height.
High Surf
High surf occurs when wind from storms at sea forces the water level and wave action
toward the shore. Typical surf in Huntington Beach is two to four feet, but waves up to
25 feet have occurred during heavy storms.
The flood hazards that potentially threaten Huntington Beach include:
Santa Ana River: Inland runoff from San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties fill the
Santa Ana River. The river is the eastern border of Huntington Beach. The mouth of the river
flows into the Pacific Ocean through Huntington Beach.
Coastal Storms: Being a coastal community increases the threat of storms with high winds
and flooding.
High tides: During high tides, it may become more difficult or even impossible for the Santa
Ana River to empty into the ocean and therefore cause floodwaters to back up into
residential areas.
Tsunami: Although tsunamis are rare, they remain a potential threat to Huntington Beach as
well as every coastal area.
Dam Failure: There are two flood control dams that control flood flow along the Santa Ana
River. The Seven Oaks Dam is located on the river in the upper Santa Ana Canyon about
eight miles northeast of the City of Redlands in San Bernardino County. This dam was
completed in 1999. The Prado Dam is about 40 miles downstream of the Seven Oaks Dam.
Approximately 47 billion gallons (145,600 acre-feet) of water can be stored in the Seven
Oaks reservoir and 61 billion gallons (187,600 acre-feet) in the Prado reservoir.
Location and Extent
The City of Huntington Beach joined the FEMA flood insurance program on September 5, 1983
by adoption of Floodplain Regulations, Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 60.3.
Following City Council direction in 1994, the Planning Department submitted an application to
FEMA for participation in the Community Rating System (CRS), a special program that rewards
communities that implement more activities than the minimum requirements for participation
in the flood insurance program. CRS works by awarding points for implementing certain
activities. In 1995, FEMA's consultant verified the activities, which resulted in 1,112 points. The
points were then related to a class rating which allows a reduction in flood insurance
premiums. As of September 21, 2011 the City's current CRS rating of Class 7 was reviewed and
recertified for an additional year. The City continued participation in the CRS allows property
owners in the 100 year flood zones (AE, A, V, and VE) a 15% reduction in flood insurance
premium. A 5% reduction is the maximum available to property owners outside the 500 year
flood zone (X). The FEMA Digital FIRM map shown in Exhibit 3.3-7, at the end of this section, shows
City of Huntington Beach 72
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
special flood hazard areas in the City of Huntington Beach. These FEMA special flood hazard areas
are defined in the table 3.3-13, FEMA Flood Zones.
Table 3.3-13, FEMA Flood Zones
Annual P obability of Flooding of 1%or greater
A Subject to 100-year flood. Base flood elevation undetermined.
AE or Both AE and Al-A30 represent areas subject to 100-year flood with base flood
Al-A30 elevation determined.
AH Subject to 100-year shallow flooding (usually areas of ponding) with average
depth of 1-3 feet. Base flood elevation determined.
A0 Subject to 100-year shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) with
average depth of 1-3 feet. Base flood elevation undetermined.
V Subject to 100-year flood and additional velocity hazard (wave action). Base flood
elevation undetermined.
VE or
V1-V30 Both VE and V1-V30 represent areas subject to 100-year flood and additional
velocity hazard (wave action). Base flood elevation determined.
Annual P obabilitV of Flooding of 0.2%to 1%
Both B and X500 represent areas between the limits of the 100-year and 500-year
B or flood; or certain areas subject to 100-year flood with average depths less than 1
X500 foot or where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile; or areas
protected by levees from the 100-year flood.
Annual Probability of Flooding of Less than 0.2%
C or
X Both C and X represent areas outside the 500-year flood plain with less than 0.2%
annual probability of flooding.
Annual P obabilitv of Flooding of Less than 1%
Areas outside a "Special Flood Hazard Area" (or 100-year flood plain). Can include
areas inundated by 0.2% annual chance flooding; areas inundated by 1% annual
No SFHA chance flooding with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas
less than 1 square mile; areas protected by levees from 1% annual chance
flooding; or areas outside the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains.
In 1999, the City of Huntington Beach was notified by FEMA that 15 properties had received
flood insurance benefits two or more times within a ten year period and as part of the CRS
program, the City was required to prepare and adopt a Flood Management Plan (FMP) by
City of Huntington Beach 73
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
October 1, 2000. Failure to adopt a FMP would jeopardize the CRS rating and insurance rate
reduction.
During the FMP process, FEMA advised the City that the plan did not need to comply with the
mandatory completion time because 8 of the 15 properties would benefit from recent
improvements to County flood control channels. However, City staff believed that the FMP was
important to the community and continued the process. The FMP was approved by the City
Council on September 5, 2000, by the adoption of Resolution No. 2000-85 following approval by
the City's Planning Commission in August 2000.
Section 9 (Implementation) of the FMP mandates that an annual review of the FMP's
recommended activities must be presented to the City's Planning Commission and City Council
as required by FEMA to demonstrate that the City is actively pursuing implementation to the
FMP. Following the City Council's review of the annual report, it must be submitted to FEMA by
October 1 of each year as part of the annual re-certification. Failure to adhere to this deadline
may jeopardize the City's participation in the flood insurance program.
Based on the City's Community Rating Systems Recertification that occurred in 2010, the City
currently has 9 repetitive loss properties, most of which qualify for City and/or County
improvements that may prevent future losses. These properties are identified in Table 3.3-14,
Repetitive Flood Loss Properties.
Table 3.3-14, Repetitive Flood Loss Properties
Subject Subject
Property Year Flood to City to OCFCD
RLN Address of Loss Zone Comments Imprv.' Imprv.Z
Sump - Possible local deficiency.
Gravity to OCFCD EGGWC which
needs to be improved to take area
28443 Confidential 78,'78 A out of flood zone Yes Yes
Local System adequate for 100-Yr
Storm. Gravity to Shields PS
upgraded in 2002. OCFCD EGGWC
O1,'95, needs to be improved to take area
71256 Confidential '92 A out of flood zone. No Yes
Local System adequate for 100-Yr
Storm. Gravity to Shields PS
upgraded in 2002. OCFCD EGGWC
needs to be improved to take area
72513 1 Confidential 95,'83 A out of flood zone. No Yes
Local System adequate for 100-Yr
Storm. Gravity to City of
Westminster and OCFCD
72515 Confidential 95,'92 Westminster Channel needs to be No Yes
City of Huntington Beach 74
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-14, Repetitive Flood Loss Properties
Subject Subject
Property Year Flood to City to OCFCD
RLN Address of Loss Zone Comments Imprv.1 Imprv.2
improved to take area out of flood
zone.
Upstream improvements since
last claim (Walmart and
Cemetary) have reduced flows.
Partial improvements made
downstream to City Channel
(Michaels Storm Drain Project) in
2006. Downstream City Channel
500 and OCFCD Oceanview Channels
95700 Confidential 97,'92 yr. Deficient for 300-yr Storm. Yes Yes
Local system adequate for 100-Yr
Storm. Gravity to Slater Channel
&Slater PS to OCFCD EGGWC
which needs to be improved to
take area out of flood zone. Slater
98,'98, Channel improved in 2001 to
95701 Confidential '95 A store local 100-yr storm. No Yes
Local System adequate for 100-Yr
Storm. Gravity to Shields PS
upgraded in 2002. OCFCD EGGWC
needs to be improved to take area
111658 Confidential 01,'95 A out of flood zone. No Yes
Sump - Possible local deficiency.
Gravity to Meredith PS. Recent
improvements to local
infrastructure as part of Meredith
500 Storm Drain Project. Needs
133502 Confidential 04,'97 yr. further evaluation of claim. ? No
Sump - Possible local deficiency.
500 Gravity to Flounder PS. Need
135742 Confidential 04,'97 yr. further evaluation of claim ? No
1 Identifies properties that are subject to City initiated improvements that would potentially affect Repetitive Loss status.
z Identifies properties that are subject to Orange County Flood Control District initiated improvements that would potentially affect
Repetitive Loss status.
Past Occurrences
Most of Orange County, as well as Huntington Beach, are located in a flood plain. Measurement
of stream flow in Southern California began in the period of 1893-1895, but it was not until
City of Huntington Beach 75
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
after 1906 that a large number of southern California streams were regularly measured.
Previous to that time, only rainfall records were available. (LA Times 3/4/38)
Since only general deductions about floods can be made from rainfall records alone, accurate
information about large floods in the recent past is impossible to obtain. For still earlier
information, it is necessary to look at old books, records of the missions, and the writings of
early day travelers. This information is of minimal value except as an indication that floods have
occurred. (LA Times 3/4/38)
1825:
The historical record of flooding in Huntington Beach dates back to the flood of 1825,
which changed the course of the Santa Ana River. Previous to that year, the Santa Ana
River entered the ocean several miles to the northwest of its present channel.
(http://www.hbsurfcity.com/history/floodhis.htm)
1861-62:
The flood of 1861-62 has been called the "great Flood" and the "Noachian deluge of
California Floods." Beginning December 24, 1861, it rained for almost four weeks but for
two brief interruptions. In San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties, the Santa
Ana River became a raging torrent during the flood of 1862. The prosperous colonies
along the banks of the river were completely inundated, and vineyards, orchards, and
grain fields became a barren waste. (http://www.hbsurfcity.com/history/floodhis.htm)
Storms in 1862 accounted for a peak flow of 320,000 cubic feet per second in the upper
river and created an inland sea in Orange County. Lasting about three weeks with water
standing four feet deep up to four miles from the river, this disaster almost equaled a
200 year or worst possible flood. (City of Huntington Beach Flood Study, 1974).
1884:
There were two floods in 1884, the first in the latter part of February. This flood did little
damage but the large quantity of water that fell apparently used much of the absorptive
capacity of the ground. The second flood came six or eight days later and did a great
deal of damage. Beginning at a point below where Santiago Creek enters the Santa Ana
River, the river cut through the fertile lands east of the old channel and discharged into
the ocean about three miles southeast of its former outlet. With 32.65 inches of rain,
this became the County's wettest year on record. It was noted that after one storm, it
was possible to row a boat from Newport Beach to Santa Ana. (OC Register, 1/13/95)
2916:
The estimated average rainfall in January and February of this year was it inches. After
three days of rain, the Santa Ana River overflowed, sending a wall of mud through
farmland and streets. Four lives were lost and property damage was estimated to be
$520,500. (http://www.hbsurfcity.com/history/floodhis.htm)
City of Huntington Beach 76
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
1938:
A series of heavy rainstorms in the coastal area, extending from San Diego on the south
to San Luis Obispo on the north and inland to parts of the Mojave Desert, produced
extreme floods, the greatest within the last 70 years
(http://www.hbsurfcity.com/history/floodhis.htm). At the peak of the flood an eight
foot high wall of water swept out of the Santa Ana Canyon. (City of Huntington Beach
Flood Study, 1974) Just after midnight on March 3, the roaring waters of the Santa Ana
River issued from Santa Ana Canyon at an estimated rate of 100,000 cubic feet per
second. The Great Flood of 1938 was the most destructive in Orange County's history.
The swirling waters claimed 19 lives, left 2,000 homeless and deposited a thick layer of
alkaline silt and debris on thousands of acres of farmland. (OC Register, 1/13/95) Hours
after waters subsided in other districts, flood perils struck the area between Santa Ana
and Huntington Beach. An area fifteen miles long and seven miles wide was inundated
as the Santa Ana River overflowed its banks near the ocean. Only the roofs showed on
many of the houses surrounding Talbert, where a relief station was established. (LA
Times, 3/4/38)
1939:
Following a heat wave record temperature of 119 degrees September 21, a tropical
rainstorm with heavy winds walloped the coast, drowning dozens of people, sinking
boats and flooding homes. (OC Register, 1/13/95) In Huntington Beach, a 300 foot
section of the pier was torn out.
1969:
On February 24, almost six inches of rain fell, overflowing dams and flooding parks and
nearby canyons. In Huntington Beach, the storm drains and flood control channels were
unable to handle the extreme water flow and nearly all the lowlands were covered by
water. (OC Register, 1/13/95) The twin floods of 1969 resulted in $21 million damages
and five deaths. Peak velocities above Prado Dam reached 77,000 cubic feet per second
and 6,000 cubic feet per second below the dam. Only emergency sandbagging efforts
kept the river in its channel as it approached the City and the ocean. (City of Huntington
Beach Flood Study, 1974)
1983.
A series of storms lashed the County's coast, causing heavy damage to the Huntington
Beach pier and flooding many homes. (OC Register, 1/13/95). As a result, 780 homes in
Huntington Beach were damaged, 200 of which suffered major damage. (CERT
Newsletter, February 1995)
1988:
In January, a powerful storm whipped up 10 foot waves and dropped 250 feet of the
Huntington Beach pier into the ocean (OC Register 1/13/95).
City of Huntington Beach 77
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
1995:
On January 4, Huntington Beach received 4.5 inches of water causing flooding in
different areas of the City. Streets were flooded, cars were stalled and the water
surrounding their homes stranded people. Marine Safety was called to evacuate eight
neighborhoods where people could not safely leave their homes due to waist-high
water. (CERT Newsletter, February 1995) The City was declared a disaster site on
January 5. A$2.1 million claim was submitted by the Office of Emergency Services to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency to recover the expenses incurred from the
flood disaster.
1999:
On April 11, heavy rain caused flooding of low lying areas and streets in the north and
west portions of Orange County. The Pacific Coast Highway was closed for six and a half
hours between Warner Avenue and Seapoint Street.
2001:
Rainfall for fiscal year 2000/2001, measured 15.8 inches, which is above the mean
average of 12 inches. Almost five inches of rain occurred during January and February
2001. During this period, Pacific Coast Highway was closed periodically due to flooding
coupled with high tides.
2004:
On February 2, a flash flood event occurred in Huntington Beach. A winter storm
brought heavy precipitation and thunderstorms as it moved onshore through Southwest
California. Heavy rain showers over the valleys and along the coastal plain flooded many
roadways.
Probability of Future Occurrences
Based on history, a flood is the most common type of disaster, either natural or man caused.
Flooding situations have occurred in all 50 states. Land along rivers and streams, lakeshores,
and coastlines are particularly susceptible to flooding. Each year, many low-lying areas of
Huntington Beach experience flooding issues.
Some flooding occurs on an average of every other year in the Orange County area with severe
floods occurring approximately every ten (10) years. Floods resulting from heavy rains and
coastal storms are the most common disaster affecting Huntington Beach, which is why extra
effort has been made to prepare for flood emergencies.
FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are maps on which the 100- and 500-year
floodplains, base flood elevations, and risk premium zones are delineated to enable insurance
agents to issue accurate flood insurance policies to homeowners in communities participating
in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The designated zones represent varying levels
City of Huntington Beach 78
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
of flood risk. The FEMA Digital FIRM map shown in Exhibit 3.3-7 shows special flood hazard
areas in the City of Huntington Beach.
Vulnerability/ Risk Assessment
Flooding has the potential to damage or destroy buildings and infrastructure and lead to injury
and/or loss of life. In addition to the depth of floodwater, the velocity of floodwater flow also
plays a significant role in determining the potential for damage. Floodwaters can carry
chemicals, sewage and other toxins from roads, businesses and agricultural areas threatening
water supply and water quality. Economic losses due to floods can range from a few thousand
dollars for minor events to millions of dollars for more severe or widespread events.
Based on GIS analysis, approximately 5.31 square miles of the City are located within the 1%
annual chance (100-year) FEMA floodplain. Approximately 9.02 square miles of the City (33%
of the total City land area) is within the 0.2% annual chance (500-year) floodplain (0.2%
floodplain includes 1% annual chance floodplain). In terms of population potentially at risk of
flooding, approximately 12,781 people reside within the 1% annual chance floodplain and
18,105 within the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. (Table 3.2-1)
Analysis was also undertaken for determining vulnerability and risk for flooding by intersecting
the critical facilities database with the 1% annual chance and 0.2% annual chance floodplains.
Table 3.3-15 shows that eight critical facilities are located in the 1% annual chance floodplain
and six critical facilities are within the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. At least two schools or
school EOCs and one fire station are located within the 1% annual chance floodplain. Exhibit
3.3-7 depicts graphically the location of critical facilities in relation to the 1% and 0.2% annual
chance floodplains. FEMA suggests that if a critical facility must be located in a floodplain, it
should be provided a higher level of protection so that it might continue to function and
provide services after a flooding event.
City of Huntington Beach 79
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three - Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-15, Critical Facilities Flood Risk
Id Name Hazard Information
14 Helen Murphy Library Branch 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
20 Marina High School (Shelter) 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
22 Murdy Community Center 1% Annual Chance Flood
26 Ocean View High School (Shelter) 1%Annual Chance Flood
27 Ocean View School District EOC 1% Annual Chance Flood
29 Peck & Springdale Reservoir Complex 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
31 Public Works Park, Tree and Landscape Yard 1% Annual Chance Flood
32 Public Works, Don Kiser Corporate Yard 1%Annual Chance Flood
36 Stacey Intermediate School 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
37 State Parks Headquarters 1% Annual Chance Flood
39 Station 2 - Murdy Fire Station 1%Annual Chance Flood
44 Station 7 - Warner Fire Station 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
45 Station 8 - Heil Fire Station 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
49 US Post Office (Main Office) 1%Annual Chance Flood
City of Huntington Beach 80
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Exhibit 3.3-7, FEMA Flood Zones
29
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500 Year Flood Zone �co 28
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City of Huntington Beach 81
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City of Huntington Beach 82
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
The City of Huntington Beach analyzed other critical public facilities located in the 1% annual
chance and .2% annual chance flood plains, however, for security reasons, the location of these
facilities were not disclosed. These facilities are listed by facility name under Table 3.3-16.
Table 3.3-16, Additional Critical Facilities Flood Risk
Facility Category Facility Name Hazard Information
Well#1 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Well #3a 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Well#4 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Well #5 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Well #6 1%Annual Chance Flood
Well#7 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
Well #9 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Well #10 1%Annual Chance Flood
Well #12 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
Water Well Sites Well #13 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Reservoir/Booster Station Peck 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
Adams 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
Atlanta 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Banning 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Bolsa Chica 1%Annual Chance Flood
Flounder 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Hamilton 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Heil 1%Annual Chance Flood
Flood Control Stations Indianapolis 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Marilyn 1%Annual Chance Flood
Meridith 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Newland 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Scenario 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Shields 1%Annual Chance Flood
Slater 1%Annual Chance Flood
Yorktown 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Imported Water Connections OC-35 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
City of Huntington Beach 83
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three - Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-16, Additional Critical Facilities Flood Risk
Facility Category Facility Name Hazard Information
OC-9 1%Annual Chance Flood
OC-44 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
"D" Station 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Slater 1%Annual Chance Flood
Edwards 1%Annual Chance Flood
Brighton 1%Annual Chance Flood
"C" Station 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Saybrook 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Graham 1%Annual Chance Flood
Adams 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
"B"Station 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Edinger 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Trinidad 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
McFadden 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Davenport 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Humbolt 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Edgewater 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Lark 1%Annual Chance Flood
Bushard 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Coral Cay 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
"E" Station 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
New Britain 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Sewer Lift Stations Atlanta 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
Brookhurst 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
"A" Station 0.2%Annual Chance Flood
City of Huntington Beach 84
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three-Hazards Assessment
3.3.3 Windstorm
General Description
Santa Ana Winds (sometimes referred to as "Santa Ana's") are warm, dry, gusty offshore winds
that blow from the east or northeast and occur below the passes and canyons of the coastal
ranges of Southern California, sweeping across the Los Angeles Basin. Based on local history,
most incidents of high wind in the City of Huntington Beach are the result of the Santa Ana
Wind conditions. While high impact wind incidents are not common to the area, significant
Santa Ana Wind events have been known to negatively impact the local community.
Location and Extent
The entire City of Huntington Beach is affected by Santa Ana Winds. According to the National
Weather Service, winds must blow at speeds greater than 25 knots to be called Santa Ana
Winds. These winds accelerate to speeds of 35 knots as they move through canyons and passes,
with gusts to 50 or even 60 knots. Table 3.3-17 describes what effects can be observed when
winds speeds reach these levels.
Table 3.3-17, Beaufort Scale
Wind WMO
Force On the Water On Land
(Knots) Classification
Less Sea surface smooth and
0 Calm mirror-like Calm, smoke rises vertically
than 1
1 1-2 Light Air Scaly ripples, no foam crests Smoke drift indicates wind
direction, still wind vanes
2 3-6 Light Breeze Small wavelets, crests Wind felt on face, leaves rustle,
glassy, no breaking vanes begin to move
Gentle Large wavelets, crests begin Leaves and small twigs
3 7-10 Breeze to break, scattered constantly moving, light flags
whitecaps extended
Moderate Small waves 1-4 ft. Dust, leaves, and loose paper
4 11-16 Breeze becoming longer, numerous lifted, small tree branches
whitecaps move
Moderate waves 4-8 ft Small trees in leaf begin to
5 17-21 Fresh Breeze taking longer form, many
sway
whitecaps, some spray
Larger waves 8-13 ft,
6 22 27 Strong whitecaps common, more Larger tree branches moving,
Breeze whistling in wires
spray
City of Huntington Beach 85
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three - Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-17, Beaufort Scale
Wind WMO
Force On the Water On land
(Knots) Classification
Sea heaps up, waves 13-20 Whole trees moving, resistance
7 28-33 Near Gale ft, white foam streaks off
felt walking against wind
breakers
Moderately high (13-20 ft)
waves of greater length, Whole trees in motion,
8 34-40 Gale edges of crests begin to resistance felt walking against
break into spindrift, foam wind
blown in streaks
High waves (20 ft), sea
9 41-47 Strong Gale begins to roll, dense streaks Slight structural damage
of foam, spray may reduce occurs, slate blows off roofs
visibility
Very high waves (20-30 ft) Seldom experienced on land,
with overhanging crests, sea trees broken or uprooted,
10 48-55 Storm white with densely blown
"considerable structural
foam, heavy rolling, lowered
visibility damage"
Violent Exceptionally high (30-45 ft)
11 56-63 Storm `Naves, foam patches cover
sea, visibility more reduced
Air filled with foam, waves
12 64+ Hurricane over 45 ft, sea completely
white with driving spray,
visibility greatly reduced
City of Huntington Beach 86
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Several meteorological conditions contribute to the phenomenon. The Bernoulli Effect accounts
for increased speeds when the desert wind is pushed through narrow canyons. Bernoulli's Law
mathematically describes the relationship between pressure and velocity in the horizontal flow
of fluids. Although different scenarios may contribute to a Santa Ana Wind, the most common
pattern involves a high-pressure region sitting over the Great Basin (the high plateau west of
the Rockies and east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains).
6resl
.,� Basin These regional winds typically occur from October to
March; and, according to most accounts, are named
either for the Santa Ana River Valley where they
originate or for the Santa Ana Canyon, southeast of
{
Los Angeles, where they pick up speed.
Gov,
.
1.. Nngeles as The map shows clearly the direction of the Santa Ana
B.rwordia Winds as they travel from the stable, high-pressure
Son Diego weather system called the Great Basin through the
canyons and towards the low-pressure system off the
Pacific. The City of Huntington Beach is in the direct path of the ocean-bound Santa Ana Winds.
Past Occurrences
While the effects of Santa Ana Winds are often overlooked, it should be noted that in 2003, two
deaths in Southern California were directly related to the fierce condition. A falling tree struck
one woman in San Diego. The second death occurred when a passenger in a vehicle was hit by a
flying pickup truck cover launched by the Santa Ana Winds. Table 3.3-18, Major
Windstorm/Santa Ana Wind Events, contains a list of major windstorm events and the damages
they caused.
Table 3.3-18, Major Windstorm /Santa Ana Wind Events
Date Location Damage
November 5-6, 1961 Santa Ana Winds Fire in Topanga Canyon
February 10-11, 1973 Strong storm winds, 46 mph Some 200 trees uprooted in
in Newport Beach Pacific Beach alone
October 26-27, 1993 Santa Ana Winds Fire in Laguna Hills
October 14, 1997 Santa Ana Winds: gusts 87 Large fire in Orange County
mph in central Orange County
City of Huntington Beach 87
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-18, Major Windstorm /Santa Ana Wind Events
Date Location Damage
December 29, 1997 Gusts 60+ mph at Santa Ana
March 28-29, 1998 Strong storm winds in Orange Trees down, power out,
County, gusts 60 mph in damage across Orange and
Huntington Beach San Diego Counties
September 2, 1998 Strong winds from Large fires in Orange County
thunderstorms in Orange
County, gusts 40 mph
December 6, 1998 Thunderstorm in Los Alamitos
and Garden Grove, gust 50-60
mph
December 21-22, 1999 Santa Ana Winds, gusts 53 House and tree damage in
mph in Huntington Beach Hemet.
March 5-6, 2000 Strong thunderstorm winds at Property damage and trees
the coast, gusts 60 mph in downed along the coast
Huntington Beach
April 1, 2000 Santa Ana Winds, gusts 93
mph in Mission Viejo
December 25-26,2000 Santa Ana Winds, gusts 87 Damage and injuries in Mira
mph in Fremont Canyon Loma, Orange and Riverside
Counties
February 13, 2001 Thunderstorm, gusts 89 mph
in East Orange
December 27, 2006 Strong storm winds, with Numerous downed trees,
gusts up to 49 mph in damaging several vehicles
Huntington Beach
Information depicted in this table was taken from htto://www.wrh.noaa.aov/sandiego/research/Guide/weatherhistory.odf and
http://www.wrh.noaa.govlsgx/document/weatherhistory.pdf
City of Huntington Beach 88
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Santa Ana Wind events featured in news resources during 2003:
January 6, 2003: OC Register
"One of the strongest Santa Ana windstorms in a decade toppled 26 power poles in
Orange early today, blew over a mobile derrick in Placentia, crushing two vehicles, and
delayed Metrolink rail service." This windstorm also knocked out power to thousands of
people in northeastern Orange County.
January 8, 2003: CBSNEWS.com
"Santa Ana's roared into Southern California late Sunday, blowing over trees, trucks and
power poles. Thousands of people lost power."
March 16, 2003: Doilybulletin.com
Fire Officials Brace for Santa Ana Winds
"The forest is now so dry and so many trees have died that fires, during relatively calm
conditions, are running as fast and as far as they might during Santa Ana Winds. Now
the Santa Ana season is here. Combine the literally tinder dry conditions with humidity
in the single digits and 60-80 mph winds, and fire officials shudder."
Probability of Future Occurrences
Due to its location in Southern California, Huntington Beach is subject to Santa Ana Winds on a
regular and reoccurring basis. Santa Ana Winds typically occur every year between October and
March.
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
Windstorms are capable of damaging buildings, infrastructure, and power and communication
lines. Wind-blown debris, including fallen trees, can cause injuries and/or fatalities and obstruct
roadways. A disruption of power and communications as well as roadway obstructions can
have significant economic impacts. Losses associated with windstorms can range from a few
thousand dollars to millions of dollars in more intense and/or longer-lasting events. Strong
winds combined with low humidity that often accompanies Santa Ana wind events can also
produce ideal conditions for wildfires leadingto multiple hazards occurring simultaneously.
No one area of the City is generally more at risk than any other in terms of windstorms. All
critical facilities in the City are vulnerable to windstorms. A complete list of critical facilities in
Huntington Beach can be found in Table 3.2-2
A structure's windstorm vulnerability is based in large part on building construction and
standards. In general, mobile homes and wood-framed structures are more vulnerable to
damage than steel framed structures. Other factors, such as location, condition and
maintenance of trees also plays a significant role in determining vulnerability.
City of Huntington Beach 89
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
3.3.4 Tsunami
General Description
A tsunami is a series of traveling ocean waves of extremely long length generated primarily by
earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean floor. Underwater volcanic eruptions and
landslides can also generate tsunamis. Tsunami waves propagate across the deep ocean with a
speed exceeding 500 miles per hour and a wave height of only one foot or less. Tsunami waves
are distinguished from ordinary ocean waves by their great length between wave crests, often
exceeding 60 miles or more in the deep ocean, and by the time between these crests, ranging
from ten minutes to an hour.
As tsunamis reach the shallow waters of the coast, the waves slow down and the water can pile
up into a wall of destruction 30 feet or more in height. The effect can be amplified where a bay,
harbor or lagoon is present, funneling the wave as it moves inland. Large tsunamis have been
known to rise over 100 feet. Even a tsunami 10 to 20 feet high can be very destructive and
cause many deaths and injuries.
Tsunamis can be categorized as Pacific-wide and "local". Typically, a Pacific-wide tsunami is
generated by major vertical ocean bottom movement in offshore deep trenches. Various
sources associated with a Pacific-wide tsunami are illustrated on Exhibit 3.3-8, Distant Source
Tsunami Scenarios. The sources depicted in this exhibit were used to prepare the CalEMA
Tsunami Inundation Mapping prepared for the coastal areas of California. A "local" tsunami can
be a component of the Pacific-wide tsunami in the area of the earthquake or a wave that is
confined to the area of generation within a bay or harbor and caused by movement of the bay
itself or landslides. The local tsunami may be the most serious threat as it strikes suddenly,
sometimes before the earthquake shaking stops. Exhibit 3.3-9, Local Source Tsunami Scenarios
identifies the active and potentially active faults in the vicinity of Orange County that could
generate seismic events capable of creating a tsunami. In addition, this exhibit identifies two
potential landslides that could generate a significant tsunami that could impact the Orange
County coastline.
Location and Extent
The City of Huntington Beach, including the Sunset Beach area, is susceptible to tsunami.
According to the CalEMA Tsunami Inundation Map of the Newport Beach Quadrangle, prepared
on March 15, 2009, the entire 8.5 miles of the Huntington Beach coastline could be impacted
by maximum onshore run up as high as 16 feet above mean sea level.
City of Huntington Beach 90
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three - Hazards Assessment
Exhibit 3.3-8, Distant Source Tsunami Scenarios
1904
60" —
i
ch tkatiat► slat►
bd e 4 - C
1
'' l�u��l+c �)2 t•Cl�1
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span
300 Columbia-Ecuador an
Iru-Bonin Mariana Chilean SonrceS
150" 180' 210' 240'
lee
001 o� w� ego°gym e� g�
Son Padm/L^Harbor 16 e 41 3 13 3 4 4 2 2 2 2
Seel Beach 14 10 51 3 12 4 10 10 3 2 2 3
Seal Beach Newel Harbor 10 6 51 3 9 4 6 5 3 3 3 3
Sunset Beach 16 6 4 3 8 3 7 5 3 2 2 2
Huntington Beach 16 6 4 3 8 3 8 S 2 2 2 2
Newport Beach 16 3 S 4 3
Crystal Cove 12 4 S 4 3
Laguna Beach 18 4 S 4 3
Allso Beach 20 4 3 3 6 3 4 3 3 2 2 2 2
Done Point 20 6 4 3 7 3 4 4 3 3 3 3
San Clemente 17 5 4 3 6 3 4 4 3 2 2 2 2
City of Huntington Beach 91
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City of Huntington Beach 92
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three - Hazards Assessment
Exhibit 3.3-9, Local Source Tsunami Scenarios
Fault Activity Local Tsunami Source Scenarios for Orange County
- Historical
Active `
.\ • • • • -
Potentially \ • - a - \ - • � „
Miw� active to not
active \` •l\ _Y.
AID
Ih
•
I,
ys
San Pedro/tA Harbor 16 5 4 6 2
Seal Beach 14 • 5 5 2 \ �`
Seal Beach Naval Harbor 10 e 5 5 3 , \
Sunset Beach 16 7 10 13 3 1 ,-
\ t
HuntingitonBeach 16 10 12 16 2 \\\\ \\
Cr Beach 16 13 3 3 2
Cry \ \
stal Cove 12 11 3 3 2 \ \\ \ \\\\
Laguna Beach 13 10 3 \
All"Beach 10 7 3 7 6
Dana Point 20 7 13 4 y 1 I �,"`w : • . : c!w1� L . r r
San Clemente 17 7 16
City of Huntington Beach 93
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City of Huntington Beach 94
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Past Occurrences
Tsunamis have been reported since
ancient times. They have been
documented extensively in California Jr ws
since 1806. Table 3.3-19, Tsunami
Events in California 1930-2011, —
contains a list of tsunamis that have OV01
impacted California. Although the
majority of tsunamis have occurred in -
Northern California, Southern
California has been affected as well. In
the 1930s, four tsunamis struck the
Los Angeles, Orange County, and San
Diego coastal areas. In Orange County,
the tsunami wave reached heights of
20 feet or more above sea level. In
1964, following the Alaska 8.2
Earthquake, tidal surges of Tsunamiflooding in Sunset Beach, February 29, 2010.
approximately 4 to 5 feet hit the
Huntington Harbour area causing moderate damage.
Table 3.3-19,Tsunami Events in California 1930-2011
Tsunami MaximumEarthquake
Date Location Water Magnitude Tsunami Source Location
Height (m)
08/31/1930 Santa Monica 3.05 5.2 California
08/31/1930 Venice 3.05 5.2 California
03/02/1933 Long Beach .10 8.4 Sanriku,Japan
03/11/1933 Long Beach 10 6.3 California
08/21/1934 Newport Beach 12.0 Unknown California
02/09/1941 San Diego Unknown 6.6 California
03/28/1964 Newport Beach .30 9.8 Prince William Sound, AK
10/18/1989 Santa Cruz .20 6.9 California
04/25/1992 Crescent City .55 7.2 Cape Mendocino, CA
09/O1/1994 Crescent City .07 7.1 California
10/04/1994 Crescent City .50 8.3 Kuril Islands, Russia
10/04/1994 Santa Monica .09 8.3 Kuril Islands, Russia
City of Huntington Beach 95
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three- Hazards Assessment
Table 3.3-19,Tsunami Events in California 1930-2011
Tsunami MaximumEarthquake
Date Location Water Magnitude Tsunami Source Location
Height*(m)
07/30/1995 Crescent City .11 8.0 Chile
07/30/1995 Santa Monica .13 8.0 Chile
12/03/1995 Crescent City .14 7.9 Kuril Islands, Russia
12/03/1995 Santa Monica .1 7.9 Kuril Islands, Russia
06/10/1996 Crescent City .14 7.9 Andreanof Islands, AK
11/26/1999 Port San Luis .05 7.5 Vanuatu
11/04/2000 Port Arguello 7.0 Unknown Port Arguello
06/23/2001 Crescent City .2 8.4 Peru
06/23/2001 Santa Monica .10 8.4 Peru
09/25/2003 Crescent City .18 8.3 Hokkaido Island, Japan
12/26/2004 Crescent City .31 9.1 Indonesia
12/26/2004 Santa Monica .19 9.1 Indonesia
06/15/2005 Crescent City .10 7.2 California
05/03/2006 Crescent City .27 8.0 Tonga
05/03/2006 Santa Monica .10 8.0 Tonga
11/15/2006 Crescent City .88 8.3 Kuril Islands, Russia
11/15/2006 La Jolla .10 8.1 Kuril Islands, Russia
01/13/2007 Crescent City .23 8.1 Kuril Islands, Russia
01/13/2007 Santa Barbara .10 8.1 Kuril Islands, Russia
04/01/2007 Port San Luis .09 8.1 Solomon Islands
04/01/2007 Santa Monica .11 8.1 Solomon Islands
08/15/2007 Crescent City .16 8.0 Peru
08/15/2007 Santa Monica .07 8.0 Peru
09/29/2009 Crescent City .33 8.0 Samoa Islands
09/29/2009 Santa Monica .15 8.0 Samoa Islands
10/07/2009 Point Reyes .06 7.6 Vanuatu Islands
10/07/2009 Santa Monica .05 7.6 Vanuatu Islands
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Table 3.3-19,Tsunami Events in California 1930-2011
Tsunami MaximumEarthquake
Date Location Water Magnitude Tsunami Source Location
Height*(m)
02/27/2010 Crescent City .64 8.8 Chile
02/27/2010 Santa Monica .66 8.8 Chile
03/11/2011 Crescent City 2.47 9 Honshu Island, Japan
03/11/2011 Santa Monica .84 9 Honshu Island, Japan
'The maximum water height above sea level in meters
NDAA/WDC Tsunami Runup Database http://www.ngdc.noaa.Qov/nndc/struts/form7t=101650&s=167&d=166
Personal Interview
Name: Bill Richardson, Title: Huntington Beach Lifeguard
Year: 1964 — Alaska Good Friday Earthquake and Tsunami (paraphrased by Glorria
Morrison)
I was the lifeguard working in the tower on the pier. We received warning by phone
from the Fire Department who had received information from the National Weather
Service. We were told to tell folks on the pier and beach that if the situation escalated
they would be advised to evacuate the area and that they should be prepared to move
quickly.
I witnessed heavy tidal surges on the beaches. The tide changed in 10 minutes from
what it normally was to a very different tide. Normally it takes six hours to change and
in 10 minutes it sucked water out and when it came in, it went over the berm, three
quarters of the way across the beach. The accelerated tide came within one hour and
went twice. The highs were extreme and the lows were extreme, very like our
astronomical tides. I monitored the radio and heard of all the docks breaking loose in
the harbor. The current was so strong and movement of water that the radio was being
overwhelmed with calls for response. Only the two islands of Admiralty and Gilbert
existed at the time.
Bill Richardson referred me to Walt Sawyer a Lifeguard Lieutenant at the time. Walt was
in Huntington Harbour during this event.
Personal Interview
Name: Walt Sawyer,Title: Huntington Beach City Lifeguard Lieutenant in the Harbor
Year: 1964 — Alaska Good Friday Earthquake and Tsunami (paraphrased by Glorria
Morrison)
I was called out at daybreak due to the tidal surges in the Huntington Harbour. I got in
the City's only rescue boat. The tidal surges were huge and making whirlpools. They
were moving at a much faster and higher rate than normal tide. When the surges would
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come in, they would tear the boats away from their moorings. Then when the surges
would go out, they would take the boats through the bridge at Pacific Coast Highway to
the Seal Beach (Anaheim Landing Bridge) and when they hit the pilings it would tear the
boats apart. The high tides were carrying the boats into the weapons station. When
surges retreated the boats would end up on dry land at the weapons station high and
dry and broken up.
In 1964, there were only about 200-300 boats in the harbor and today Walt estimated
there are 3,500 plus boats. There were only 300-400 homes then and now he estimates
an excess of 5,000. This occurred during a low tide. The sea wall in Huntington Harbour
is 9 feet. Had this occurred during a high tide, Walt stated the surges would have easily
gone over the sea walls and damaged many homes.
Probability of Future Occurrences
Since scientists cannot predict when earthquakes will occur, they cannot determine exactly
when a tsunami will be generated. Tsunamis are caused by large offshore earthquakes and
ocean landslides. Dangerous tsunamis would most likely originate in the Aleutian and Chilean
trenches, or the eastern coast of Japan or the Pacific Islands.
Predicted wave heights, exclusive of tide and storm generated wave heights are:
For a 100 year occurrence For a 500 year occurrence
4.0 feet minimum 6.8 feet minimum
6.6 feet average 11.4 feet average
9.2 feet maximum 16.0 feet maximum
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
A tsunami has the potential to have a devastating impact on the City of Huntington Beach.
Low-lying coastal areas are most at risk. Human vulnerability is based on the availability,
reception and understanding of early warnings of tsunamis and the ability to evacuate tsunami
inundation zones. In some cases, despite having access to technology (computer, radio,
television, outdoor sirens, etc.) that allows for the reception of a warning, language differences
are sometimes a barrier to full understanding of the risk. Once warned of an impending
tsunami, immediately seeking shelter inland on higher ground away from tsunami inundation
zones is recommended as the best protection against bodily harm.
A tsunami could produce damage to buildings and infrastructure and cause injury and/or loss of
life. Forty-five percent of the City's residents would have to be evacuated. The impact could
cause loss of life, destroy thousands of high priced homes and greatly affect the City's
downtown and coastal businesses, and impact tourism. Even if all residents and visitors were
safely evacuated, the damage to property in this densely populated, high property value area
could range from the millions into the single-digit billions of dollars.
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For this analysis, the critical facility database was intersected with the tsunami inundation zone
(tsunami run-up area) to determine facilities at risk. This inundation zone depicts the areas of
the City most likely to be impacted by a tsunami. There are 18,530 residential dwelling units
and 799 commercial uses ranging from large resort hotels to small retail establishments, in the
potential inundation zone. As shown in Table 3.2-1: Huntington Beach Population
(approximate) in Defined Hazard Areas, it is estimated that up to 80,000 individuals could be in
the zone. Furthermore, this does not take into consideration peak tourist season which could
add an additional 150,000 visitors to the beach.
As shown in Table 3.3-20, ten critical facilities are located within the tsunami inundation zone,
with the greatest concentration of facilities found in the southern portions of the City. Out of
these ten facilities, two schools and two fire stations are on the list of facilities at risk. Exhibit
3.3-10 shows the location of critical facilities in relation to the tsunami inundation zone.
Table 3.3-20,Tsunami Impacts to Critical Facilities
Id Name Hazard Information
1 Banning Library Branch Tsunami Inundation Zone
2 Beach Maintenance Yard Tsunami Inundation Zone
9 Edison Community Center Tsunami Inundation Zone
30 Edison High School (Shelter) Tsunami Inundation Zone
28 Orange County Sanitation District, Plant No. 2 Tsunami Inundation Zone
35 Sowers School (Shelter) Tsunami Inundation Zone
37 State Parks Headquarters Tsunami Inundation Zone
41 Station 4- Magnolia Fire Station Tsunami Inundation Zone
44 Station 7 - Warner Fire Station Tsunami Inundation Zone
48 US Post Office (Ida Jean Haxton Station) Tsunami Inundation Zone
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Exhibit 3.3-10,Tsunami Impacts to Critical Facilities
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City of Huntington Beach 101
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City of Huntington Beach 102
I
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The City of Huntington Beach analyzed other critical public facilities located in the tsunami run-
up area, however, for security reasons, the location of these facilities were not disclosed. These
facilities are listed by facility name under Table 3.3-21.
Table 3.3-21,Tsunami Impacts to Additional Critical
Facilities
Facility Category Facility Name
Adams
Atlanta
Flood Control Stations Banning
Bolsa Chica
Hamilton
Indianapolis
Flood Control Stations Newland
Slater
Slater
Edwards
Brighton
"C" Station
Graham
"B" Station
Edinger
Trinidad
Sewer Lift Stations Davenport
Humbolt
Edgewater
Lark
Coral Cay
"E" Station
Atlanta
Brookhurst
"A" Station
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3.3.5 Dam Failure
General Description
Dam failures can result from a number of natural causes such as earthquakes, erosion of the
face or foundation of the dam, improper sitting of the dam, and rapidly rising floodwaters, or
from manmade causes including structural/design flaws. Dam failure can result in severe flood
events to lower-lying areas.
A dam failure will cause loss of life, damage to property, and other ensuing hazards, as well as
the displacement of persons residing in the inundation path. Damage to electric generating
facilities and transmission lines could also impact life support systems in communities outside
the immediate hazard areas. A catastrophic dam failure, depending on the size of the dam and
the population downstream, could exceed the response capability of local communities
especially overtaxing the public safety personnel and resources. Damage control and disaster
relief support would be required from other local government agencies, private organizations,
the State of California, and possibly the Federal government.
The City of Huntington Beach is subject to potential flooding from two dams, Prado and Seven
Oaks. These two dams are located to the northeast of Orange County in San Bernardino County
and feed directly into the Santa Ana River. These are the only two dam facilities that could fail
and potentially impact the Huntington Beach area. The impact could cause loss of life, destroy
thousands of properties and greatly affect residential, businesses, and tourism to the area.
Location and Extent
Huntington Beach lies within the Santa Ana River floodplain. The Santa Ana River begins near
the Mt. San Gorgonio summit in the San Bernardino Mountains at an elevation of over 8,000
feet. The river's course drains over 90 miles through both the San Bernardino and Santa Ana
ranges, with27 miles of the river flowing through Orange County to the Pacific Ocean. The Santa
Ana River drainage basin covers 2,450 square miles and is the largest basin in southern
California.
Prado Dam
The Prado Dam was completed in April 1941. It is located at the upper end of the Lower
Santa Ana River Canyon, which is a natural constriction controlling 2,255 square miles
(5,840 square kilometers) of the 2,450 square mile (6,345 square kilometer) Santa Ana
River watershed. Authorization for the project is contained in the Flood Control Act of
June 22, 1936 (PL 74-738). Modifications to the dam affect the basin below 566 feet
elevation. The basin comprises more than 11,500 acres, 4,100 acres of which are
riparian habitat (mostly willow woodland), a 4,823-acre recreation area (1,041
developed, 3,782 undeveloped) and 2,400 acres owned by the Orange County Water
District.
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The Prado Dam provides flood control and water conservation storage for Orange
County. It is the downstream element of the Santa Ana River flood control system. The
purpose of the project is to collect runoff from the uncontrolled drainage areas
upstream along with releases from other storage facilities. Generally, when the water
surface elevation in the reservoir pool is below the top of the buffer pool elevation
(494.0 feet above mean sea level (MSL) during the flood season, and 505.0 feet above
MSL during the non-flood season), water conservation releases are made. These
releases are coordinated with the Orange County Water District and are based upon the
capacity of their groundwater recharge facilities and agreements with other agencies. If
the water surface in the reservoir exceeds the top of the buffer pool, flood control
releases commence. The objective of the flood control operation is to drain the
reservoir back to the top of the buffer pool as quickly as possible without exceeding the
capacity of the channel downstream. In current practice, when the water surface in the
reservoir exceeds the top of the buffer pool, releases are increased to match inflow up
to 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). When inflows exceed 5,000 cfs, the excess water is
stored in the reservoir.
When the water surface elevation in the reservoir reaches 543.0 feet above MSL,
uncontrolled releases from the spillway will commence. The 5000 cfs limit on controlled
releases from Prado Dam is based upon the old non-damaging capacity of the
downstream channel. The physical characteristics of Prado Dam are listed in Table 3.3-
22.
Table 3.3-22, Prado Dam Physical Data
Embankment
Type Earth Fill
Crest Elevation 594.4 feet above MSL 181.2 meters above MSL
Maximum height above streambed 124.4 feet 37.9 meters
Crest Length 2,280 feet 695 meters
Spillway
Type Concrete Ogee Crest with Converging Chute
Spillway Crest 543.0 feet above MSL 165.5 meters above MSL
Crest Length 1000 feet 305 meters
Outlet Works
Number of Passages 6
Gate Type Vertical Lift
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Table 3.3-22, Prado Dam Physical Data
Height x Width (each) 14.75 x 9.75 feet 4.5 x 2.9 meters
Entrance Invert Elevation 470.0 feet above MSL 143.2 meters above MSL
Maximum Capacity 30,000 cfs 849 cubic meters per
second (cros)
Reservoir
Debris Pool
Elevation of top of Pool 490.0 feet above MSL 149.4 meters above MSL
Area at top of Pool 768 Acres 311 hectare (ha)
Gross Storage at top of Pool 4,689 Acre-feet 5.8 million cubic meters
(MCM)
Flood Season Buffer Pool
Elevation of top of Pool 498.0 feet above MSL 151.8 meters above MSL
Area at top of Pool 1,433 Acres 580 ha
Gross Storage at top of Pool 13,460 Acre-feet 12.8 MCM
Non-Flood Season Buffer Pool
Elevation of top of Pool 505.0 feet above MSL 153.9 meters above MSL
Area at top of Pool 2,123 Acres 859 ha
Gross Storage at top of Pool 25,760 Acre-feet 31.8 MCM
Top of Dam
Elevation of top of Pool 543.0 feet above MSL 165.5 meters above MSL
Area at top of Pool 6,566 Acres 2,657 ha
Gross Storage at top of Pool 187,600 Acre-feet 231.3 MCM
Historic Maximum Water Surface
Date 22 February 1980
Maximum Elevation 528.0 feet above MSL 160.9 meters above MSL
Historic Maximum Release
Date 131anuary 2005
Maximum Release 10,100 cfs 286 cros
htto://www.spl.usace.armv.mil/resreg/htdocs/prdo 2.html
City of Huntington Beach 106
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In the event of Prado Dam failure, approximately 8.4 billion gallons of waters (25,760
Acre-feet), if the dam was at full capacity, would flow through the Santa Ana Canyon on
its way to the Pacific Ocean. The flood would range from about 3,000 feet wide in the
canyon to over 15 miles wide downstream at the Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5). The
flooding would impact over one million people and 110,000 acres. Within 8-10 hours,
the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Edinger Avenue in Huntington Beach would
experience severe flooding. The peak elevation would be 32 feet with 7 feet average
over the river's bank depth. The greatest flooding would occur in the area between the
Bolsa Chica Mesa and the Newport Beach Mesa where flood depths can vary from one
to nine feet.
Seven Oaks Dam
Seven Oaks Dam is a single-purpose flood control project constructed by the US Army
Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. The project is located on the Santa Ana River in
the upper Santa Ana Canyon about eight miles (13 km) northeast of the city of Redlands,
in San Bernardino County. Authorization for the project is contained in the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986. Construction was completed on November 15,
1999.
The project is planned to operate in tandem with Prado Dam, also located on the Santa
Ana River 40.3 miles (64.9 km) downstream, to provide flood protection to Orange
County. During the early part of each flood season, runoff is stored behind the dam in
order to build a debris pool to protect the outlet works. Small releases will be made on a
continual basis in order to maintain the downstream water supply. During a flood, Seven
Oaks Dam will store water destined for Prado Dam for as long as the reservoir pool at
Prado Dam is rising. When the flood threat at Prado Dam has passed, Seven Oaks will
begin to release its stored floodwater at a rate which does not exceed the downstream
channel capacity. At the end of each flood season, the reservoir at Seven Oaks will be
gradually drained and the Santa Ana River will flow through the project unhindered. The
physical characteristics of Seven Oaks Dam are listed in Table 3.3-23.
Table 3.3-23, Seven Oaks Physical Data
Embankment
Type Earth and Rock Fill
Embankment Volume 37,626,983 cubic yard (CY) 28,767,893 cubic meters (CM)
Crest Elevation 2610 feet above MSL 795.5 meters above MSL
Stream-bed elevation at dam
2060 feet above MSL 627.9 meters above MSL
centerline
Maximum height above stream-
550 feet 167.6 meters
bed
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Table 3.3-23, Seven Oaks Physical Data
Crest Length 2980 feet 908.3 meters
Freeboard 5.6 feet 1.7 meters
Spillway
Type Rock Cut with Flush Concrete Crest
Crest Elevation 2580 feet above MSL 786.4 meters above MSL
Crest Length 500 feet 152.4 meters
Elevation of Maximum Water Surface 2604.4 feet above MSL 793.8 meters above MSL
Main Outlet Works
Intake Tower
Elevation of Tower Deck 2302.0 feet above MSL 701.7 meters above MSL
High-level Intake Elevation 2265 feet above MSL 690.4 meters above MSL
Height of Tower 225.5 feet 68.7 meters
Diameter of Main Wet Well 36 feet 11 meters
Upstream Conduit
Flow Regime Pressure Flow
Diameter of Conduit 18 feet 5.5 meters
Length of Conduit 1009 feet 307.5 meters
Elevation of Conduit Invert at Intake 2100 feet above MSL 640.1 meters above MSL
Gate Chamber
Length 69 feet 21 meters
Number of Main Gate Passages 2
Height x Width of Main Gates 8.5 x 5 feet 2.59 x 1.52 meters
Number of Low Flow Gate Passages 1
Height x Width of Low Flow Gate 3.5 x 2 feet 1.07 x 0.61 meters
Downstream Conduit
Flow Regime Open Channel Flow
Length of Conduit 578 feet 176.2 meters
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Table 3.3-23, Seven Oaks Physical Data
Height x Width of Conduit 9 x 18 feet 2.74 x 5.49 meters
Exit Channel
Flow Regime Open Channel Flow
Length of Channel 280 feet 85.3 meters
Height x Width of Channel 14 x 18 feet 4.27 x 5.49 meters
Elevation of End of Exit Channel 2050.3 feet above MSL 624.9 meters above MSL
Multilevel Withdrawal Structure
Elevation of top of structure 2275.4 feet above MSL 693.5 meters above MSL
Elevation of invert of wet well 2100 feet above MSL 640.1 meters above MSL
Diameter of Minimum Discharge Line 3.0 feet 0.91 meters
Minimum Discharge Fixed Cone Valve 14 inches 0.36 meters
Water Supply Fixed Cone Valve 8 inches 0.20 meters
Reservoir
Area at Spillway Crest 780 Acres 315 ha
Gross Storage at Spillway Crest 145,600 Acre-feet 179.6 MCM
Flood Control Allocation 113,600 Acre-feet 140.1 MCM
Sedimentation Allocation 32,000 Acre-feet 39.5 MCM
Reservoir Design Flood
Total Volume (4-day) 115,000 Acre-feet 141.8 MCM
Peak Inflow 85,000 cfs 2406.9 cros
Peak Outflow 7,000 cfs 198.2 cros
Recurrence Interval 350 years (based on volume)
Spillway Design Flood
Total Volume 356,000 Acre-feet 439.1 MCM
Peak Inflow 180,000 cfs 5097.0 cros
Peak Outflow 174,000 cfs 4927.1 cros
The Seven Oaks Dam was built in 1999 to control flood flows to Prado Dam, located 40
miles downstream. The Seven Oaks Dam helps limit the amount of water in the Prado
Dam reservoir during flood season, insuring that the dam will have sufficient capacity
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during large storm events. If the Seven Oaks Dam were to fail, water would rush down
the Santa Ana River until it reached the Prado Dam.
Past Occurrences
The Huntington Beach area has never been impacted by a dam failure. However, on January 14,
2005 workers spotted a small leak on the Prado Dam. The dam had been under construction as
part of an expansion project, and growing damp spots were found on the front of the dam in an
area where new outlet gates were being built.
The leak occurred because of near record-high water levels in the reservoir behind the dam.
The water spilled over a temporary construction dam built behind the permanent dam, and
filled the construction site. Officials released water at a rate of 10,000 cubic feet per second, up
from the normal 200-500 cubic feet per second, in an effort to lower water levels in the
reservoir. Corona city officials evacuated over 800 homes below the dam while the U.S. Corp of
Engineers inspected the dam and repaired the damage.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=5195
There have been a total of 45 dam failures in California. Table 3.3-24 contains a list of 14 of
these dam failures and their causes. Failures have occurred for a variety of reasons, the most
common failure being overtopping. Other Dams have failed due to specific shortcomings in the
dam itself or an inadequate assessment of the surrounding geomorphologic characteristics.
The first notable dam failure occurred in 1883 in Sierra County, while the most recent failure
occurred in 1965. The greatest catastrophe relating to California dam failures was William
Mulholland's infamous St. Francis Dam, which failed in 1928 and resulted in a major disaster.
Because of this failure and the exposure to potential risk to the general populace from a
number of water storage dams in California, the Legislature in 1929 enacted legislation
providing for supervision over non-federal dams in the State. Before the enactment of this
legislation, either the State Engineer or the State Railroad Commission exercised State
supervision over dams. This supervision was limited in scope and extended to less than half of
the dams in the State. The statute enacted in 1929 provided for (1) examination and approval
or repair of dams completed prior to the effective date of the statute, August 14, 1929; (2)
approval of plans and specifications, and supervision of construction of new dams, and of the
enlargement, alteration, repair, or removal of existing dams; and (3) supervision over
maintenance and operation of all dams of jurisdictional size. Overall, there have been at least
460 deaths from dam failures in California.
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Table 3.3-24, Dam Failure Events In California
Year Failed Dam Location Cause of Failure/Deaths
1883 English Sierra County Timber used in dam foundation
decayed
1892 Long Valley Heavy rains, dam carried away by
Creek San Jacinto flood
1895 The Angels Calaveras County Undetermined during flood, poor
foundation/ 1 death reported
1896 Vernon Heights Oakland Shallow foundation
1898 Snake Ravine Stanislaus County Poor compaction
1905 Piedmont No.1 Oakland Outlet pipe sheared off at core wall
1906 San Andreas San Mateo County Crack along axis
1912 Morena San Diego Overtopping
1916 Lower Otay San Diego Leakage and overtopping due to
inadequate spillway
1918 Lake Hodges San Diego Cracks in pier
1928 St. Francis Santa Clarita Geological instability and poor
construction/500 Deaths
1963 Baldwin Hills Los Angeles Leak through embankment turned
into washout/3 Deaths
1964 Hell Hole Rubicon River Failed during construction due to
unprecedented rains
1965 Matilija Ventura Bad foundation and concrete
disintegrating
UC Davis Civil&Environmental Engineering http://cee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lund/dams/dam history Page/failures.htm
Probability of Future Occurrences
Recent modifications made to Prado Dam have upgraded the facility to ensure that it will
withstand a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Based on the proximity to active earthquake faults
within southern California, the San Andreas fault would be the most likely cause of an
earthquake of that magnitude. However the location of the dam in relation to the anticipated
source is not anticipated to generate seismic shaking of that magnitude at the dam location.
For this reason failure of the Prado Dam and resulting downstream inundation is considered
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unlikely. In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers has established strict protocols and
procedures for assessing the dam facility after a strong seismic event, which will provide
downstream communities with up to date information regarding damage that may have
occurred. For these reasons, failure of the Prado Dam is considered to have a low probability.
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
A dam failure could have catastrophic consequences for Huntington Beach. In addition to
potentially inundating thousands of structures and other infrastructure with water, the force of
the flood water would have the power to wash away both structures and individuals caught in
its path. A breach in the dam could produce a rapidly moving wall of water with little or no
advanced warning. Potential losses from a dam failure would likely range from the high
millions to single digit billions of dollars, based on estimated building exposure values.
For this dam failure analysis, Prado Dam inundation zone data was examined. The inundation
zone is an area most likely to be inundated with water by a failure of Prado Dam. This
inundation zone covers approximately 19.69 square miles of the City or roughly 72% of the
City's total land area. Approximately 130,506 people in the City reside within the inundation
zone. (Table 3.2-1)
The critical facility database was intersected with the Prado Dam inundation zone to determine
the number and types of facilities potentially at risk. Table 3.3-25 shows that thirty critical
facilities have been determined to be within the Prado Dam inundation zone. Of these
facilities, nine are schools or school EOCs (count does not include colleges), five are fire stations
and one is a police substation. Exhibit 3.3-11 shows the location of critical facilities in relation
to the Prado Dam inundation zone.
Table 3.3-25, Critical Facilities Impacted by Dam Failure
Id Name Hazard Information
1 Banning Library Branch Dam Inundation Zone
2 Beach Maintenance Yard Dam Inundation Zone
9 Edison Community Center Dam Inundation Zone
10 Edison High School (Shelter) Dam Inundation Zone
12 Golden West College Dam Inundation Zone
14 Helen Murphy Library Branch Dam Inundation Zone
Huntington Beach Elementary School District Dam Inundation Zone
15 EOC
17 Huntington Beach High School District EOC Dam Inundation Zone
20 Marina High School (Shelter) Dam Inundation Zone
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Table 3.3-25, Critical Facilities Impacted by Dam Failure
Id Name Hazard Information
22 Murdy Community Center Dam Inundation Zone
23 Oakview Center Dam Inundation Zone
24 Oakview Library Branch Dam Inundation Zone
25 Oakview Police Substation Dam Inundation Zone
26 Ocean View High School (Shelter) Dam Inundation Zone
27 Ocean View School District EOC Dam Inundation Zone
28 Orange County Sanitation District, Plant No. 2 Dam Inundation Zone
29 Peck&Springdale Reservoir Complex Dam Inundation Zone
31 Public Works Park, Tree and Landscape Yard Dam Inundation Zone
32 Public Works, Don Kiser Corporate Yard Dam Inundation Zone
35 Sowers School (Shelter) Dam Inundation Zone
36 Stacey Intermediate School Dam Inundation Zone
37 State Parks Headquarters Dam Inundation Zone
39 Station 2- Murdy Fire Station Dam Inundation Zone
40 Station 3 - Bushard Fire Station Dam Inundation Zone
41 Station 4- Magnolia Fire Station Dam Inundation Zone
44 Station 7 - Warner Fire Station Dam Inundation Zone
45 Station 8- Heil Fire Station Dam Inundation Zone
46 Talbert Middle School Dam Inundation Zone
48 US Post Office (Ida Jean Haxton Station) Dam Inundation Zone
49 US Post Office (Main Office) Dam Inundation Zone
City of Huntington Beach 113
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City of Huntington Beach 114
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Exhibit 3.3-11, Prado Dam Inundation Zone
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The City of Huntington Beach analyzed other critical public facilities located in the Prado Dam
inundation zone, however, for security reasons, the location of these facilities were not
disclosed. These facilities are listed by facility name under Table 3.3-26.
Table 3.3-26, Additional Critical Facilities Impacted by Dam Failure
Facility Category Facility Name
Well #1
Well #3a
Well #4
Well #5
Well #6
Water Well Sites
Well #7
Well #9
Well #10
Well #12
Well #13
Reservoir/Booster Station Peck
Adams
Atlanta
Banning
Bolsa Chica
Flounder
Hamilton
Heil
Flood Control Stations
Indianapolis
Marilyn
Meridith
Newland
Scenario
Shields
Slater
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Table 3.3-26, Additional Critical Facilities Impacted by Dam Failure
Facility Category Facility Name
Yorktown
OC-35
Imported Water Connections OC-9
OC-44
"D" Station
Slater
Edwards
Sewer Lift Stations Brighton
"C" Station
Saybrook
Graham
Adams
"B" Station
Edinger
Trinidad
McFadden
Davenport
Humbolt
Edgewater
Sewer Lift Stations Lark
Oceanhill
Bushard
Coral Cay
"E" Station
New Britain
Atlanta
Brookhurst
"A" Station
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3.3.6 Tornado/Water Spouts
General Description
Tornado
Tornadoes are produced when there is warm, moist air near the ground, cool air aloft, and
winds that speed up and change direction with height (wind shear) in the atmosphere. An
obstruction, such as a house, in the path of the wind causes it to change direction. This change
increases pressure on parts of the house, and the combination of increased pressures and
fluctuating wind speeds creates stresses that frequently cause structural failures.
In order to measure the intensity and wind strength of a tornado, Dr. T. Theodore Fujita
developed the Fujita Tornado Damage Scale. This scale compares the estimated wind velocity
with the corresponding amount of suspected damage. The scale, measuring six classifications of
tornadoes with increasing magnitude from an "FO" tornado to a "F6+" tornado, is listed in Table
3.3-27. Tornados in the City of Huntington Beach have been between FO and Fl.
Table 3.3-27, Fujita Tornado Scale
F-Scale Intensity Wind Speed Type of Damage Done
Number Phrase
FO Gale tornado 40-72 mph Some damage to chimneys; breaks branches off trees; pushes
over shallow-rooted trees;damages sign boards.
The lower limit is the beginning of hurricane wind speed; peels
Moderate 73-112 m surface off roofs; mobile homes pushed off foundations or
Fl tornado ph overturned; moving autos pushed off the roads;attached
garages may be destroyed.
Significant Considerable damage. Roofs torn off frame houses; mobile
F2 tornado 113-157 mph homes demolished; boxcars pushed over; large trees snapped
or uprooted; light object missiles generated.
F3 Severe 158-206 mph Roof and some walls torn off well constructed houses;trains
tornado overturned; most trees in forest uprooted
Devastating Well-constructed houses leveled;structures with weak
F4 tornado 207-260 mph foundations blown off some distance;cars thrown and large
missiles generated.
Strong frame houses lifted off foundations and carried
Incredible considerable distances to disintegrate;automobile sized
FS tornado 261-318 mph missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 meters;trees
debarked;steel re-inforced concrete structures badly
damaged.
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These winds are very unlikely.The small area of damage they
might produce would probably not be recognizable along with
the mess produced by F4 and F5 wind that would surround the
F6 Inconceivable 319-379 mph F6 winds. Missiles, such as cars and refrigerators would do
tornado serious secondary damage that could not be directly identified
as F6 damage. If this level is ever achieved, evidence for it
might only be found in some manner of ground swirl pattern,
for it may never be identifiable through engineering studies
Waterspouts
A waterspout is a tornado that occurs
over water. A waterspout appears during ti
the same atmospheric conditions as a
tornado. When a waterspout reaches
land, it is then termed a "tornado."
Waterspouts are common occurrences
off the Coast of Orange County. They are
typically spotted off the coasts of Seal
Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport
Beach coasts during winter and summer
storms and occasionally make landfall.
Location and Extent
Based on the history of Orange County, a
tornado can impact widespread areas of the County, which includes the entire City of
Huntington Beach. Both residential and commercial structures with weak reinforcement are
susceptible to damage. Tornados can damage buildings, power lines, and other property,
creating forces that pull building components and surfaces outward. Debris carried along by
extreme winds can directly contribute to loss of life and indirectly to the failure of protective
building envelopes, siding, or walls. When severe windstorms strike a community, downed
trees, power lines, and damaged property can become major hindrances to emergency
response and disaster recovery. As stated above, tornados in the City of Huntington Beach
have been between FO and Fl.
Past Occurrences
Tables 3.3-28 and 3.3-29 identify past tornado/water spout events in Orange County from 1930
through 2011. Ten events took place specifically in Huntington Beach.
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Table 3.3-28,Tornado Events Reported in Orange County, California 1930-2011
Date Location Magnitude Property Damage
11/7/1966 Newport Beach/Costa Mesa F2 $3,000
3/16/1977 Fullerton/Brea F1 $2.5 Million
2/9/1978 Irvine F3 $2.5 Million
1/31/1979 Santa Ana F1 $ 0
11/9/1982 Garden Grove/Mission Viejo F1 $3,000
1/13/1984 Huntington Beach FO $3,000
3/16/1986 Anaheim F3 $2.5 Million
1/18/1988 Mission Viejo/San Clemente FO $25,000
3/27/1991 Huntington Beach F1 $ 0
12/7/1992 Anaheim/Westminster F1 $253,000
12/29/1992 Orange County FO $3,000
1/17/1993 Lake Forest FO $5.0 Million
1/18/1993 Orange County FO $50,000
11/11/1993 Portola Hills FO $1,000
2/7/1994 Newport Beach FO $500,000
11/11/1997 Irvine F1 $ 0
12/21/1997 Huntington Beach F1 $15,000
2/24/1998 Huntington Beach FO $20,000
2/24/2001 Orange FO $50,000
2/19/2005 Huntington Beach FO $15,000
9/22/2007 Newport Beach FO $ 0
1/19/2010 Seal Beach (Huntington/Sunset F1 $500,000
Beach)
National Climatic Data Center htto://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cai-win/wwcai.dll?wwevent-storms
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Table 3.3-29, Waterspout Events Reported in Orange County, California
1930-2011
Date Location Property Damage
2/22/1987 Huntington Beach $ 0
12/13/1994 Newport Beach $ 0
11/10/1997 Newport Beach $ 0
11/30/1997 Newport Beach $ 0
1/9/1998 Laguna Beach $ 0
3/13/1998 Huntington Beach $ 0
3/31/1998 Huntington Beach $ 0
4/1/1998 Laguna Beach $ 0
4/1/1999 Newport Beach $ 0
6/3/1999 Laguna Beach $ 0
12/31/1999 Costa Mesa $ 0
3/7/2000 San Clemente $ 0
2/11/2001 Laguna Beach $ 0
5/28/2001 Laguna Beach $ 0
2/24/2005 Huntington Beach $0
National Climatic Data Centerhttp://www4.ncdc.noaa.aov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent—stofms
Probability of Future Occurrences
Due to its location in Southern California, Huntington Beach is subject to tornados and
waterspouts. Huntington Beach has been subject to six tornados in the past 44 years, resulting
in a 14% chance of occurrence in any given year. In addition, Huntington Beach has been
subject to 4 waterspout events over 23 years, resulting in a 17 % chance of occurrence in any
given year.
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
Tornadoes are considered low probability, high impact events. Although historical data appears
to indicate that coastal areas might be slightly more susceptible to waterspouts coming ashore
as weak tornadoes, all areas of the City are at risk of experiencing tornadoes. With this being
the case, all critical facilities in the City are equally at risk of being impacted by a tornado. A list
of all critical facilities in Huntington Beach can be found in Table 3.2-2 above.
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Tornadoes are capable of damaging buildings, infrastructure, and power and communication
lines. Wind-blown debris, including fallen trees, can cause injuries and/or fatalities and obstruct
roadways. A disruption of power and communications as well as roadway obstructions can
have significant economic impacts. Losses associated with tornadoes can range from a few
thousand dollars to millions of dollars depending on the intensity, the path and the length of
time the tornado is on the ground. Although loss data from previous events is incomplete,
NCDC data indicates that tornadoes that impacted Huntington Beach in 1997, 1998 and 2005
resulted in approximately$50,000 in losses (not adjusted to 2011 dollars).
A structure's tornado vulnerability is based in large part on building construction and standards.
In general, mobile homes and wood-framed structures are more vulnerable to damage in a
tornado than steel framed structures. Other factors, such as location, condition and
maintenance of trees also plays a significant role in determining vulnerability.
Human vulnerability is based on the availability, reception and understanding of early warnings
of tornadoes (i.e. tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service) and access to
substantial shelter. In some cases, despite having access to technology (computer, radio,
television, outdoor sirens, etc.) that allows for the reception of a warning, language differences
are sometimes a barrier for people to fully understand the risk. Once warned of an impending
tornado hazard, seeking shelter indoors on the lowest floor of a substantial building away from
windows is recommended as the best protection against bodily harm.
3.3.7 Subsidence (Sinking)
General Description
According to the United States Geological Survey, subsidence is "the loss of surface elevation
due to removal of subsurface support." This geologic hazard occurs when loosely associated
materials such as surface silt, sand, and gravel, transition from a state of loose compaction to a
condition of tight compaction. When these materials below the surface compact, the surface
elevation drops taking with it any structure resting on the surface. This process can happen
slowly over a long period of time or rapidly after an earthquake or other sudden land
intervention. In the United States, subsidence has directly affected 45 states (including
California) and more than 17,000 square miles. The total annual cost due to subsidence is
roughly $125 million. This rough estimate does not take into account areas that are difficult for
scientists to map and the cost of destroying the natural environment.
The primary cause of subsidence in the southwestern United States is overdrafting of aquifers.
An aquifer is a below surface layer of earth that contains water. When groundwater is pumped
out for community usage, construction projects, or other industrial projects, the beds of clay
and weak soil lose their support and compact, lowering the surface of the ground.
The three categories of ground subsidence can be summarized as follows:
• Groundwater withdrawal —as water is removed from an area, the soils compact and the
surface sinks
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• Tectonic subsidence—faulting and folding of the group surface causes a drop
• Earthquake-induced — shaking from an earthquake causes sediment liquefaction which
then leads to subsidence
Additional causes of subsidence are drainage of organic and peat soils, underground mining
(mine-related subsidence), hydrocompaction (first-time wetting of moisture-deficient low-
density soils), natural compaction, crustal deformation, sinkholes, thawing of permafrost, and
withdrawal of other fluids such as petroleum. While subsidence can occur naturally, it is usually
the result of man's geologic intervention.
Location and Extent
Exhibit 3.3-12, Subsidence Impacts to Critical Facilities, shows that nearly half of the City of
Huntington Beach susceptible to a subsidence rate greater than .1 foot per year. Subsidence
has occurred along Gothard Street impacting Murdy Fire Station and the Corporate Yard.
Subsidence can result in the following impacts:
1) Changes in elevation and slope of streams, canals, and drains.
2) Damage to bridges, roads, railroads, storm drains, sanitary sewers, canals, and
levees. Subsidence passing under railroad tracks caused a sinking of the tracks,
making passing dangerous.
3) Damage to private and public buildings.
4) Failure of well casings from forces generated by compaction of fine-grained
materials in aquifer system. Additionally, after an area has been impacted by
subsidence, high tides can gather in an area previously unreachable by tidal
patterns. This occurs due to the lowering in elevation of coastal land.
Past Occurrences
Murdy Fire Station, Huntington Beach
Murdy Fire Station, also called Fire Station 2, opened in 1971 at 16221 Gothard Street in
the City of Huntington Beach. The Station is located in the northeast area of the City and
serves the public around the Bella Terra, Golden West College, and the San Diego
Freeway.
The fire station
was built on a
3 '/: to 4 inch r
asphalt r'
concrete
surface layer.
Beneath this "l
layer was a 5
to 6 foot thick
layer of loose
Silty Sand.
Source:City of Huntington Beach
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Below the Silty Sand was an 18 to 20 foot thick layer of soft dark gray to black silt to
organic clay interbedded with peat. The deeper layers of soft dark silt, organic clay, and
peat are highly compressible and very weak based on testing performed by GeoPentech
in 2001. Furthermore, the Fire Station is located in a region highly susceptible to
liquefaction.
When initial observations were made of the interior and exterior damage, the following
observations were made by GeoPentech:
Interior
• Partition wall separation from ceiling
• Slab cracking and differential movement noted through the floor carpet
• Numerous floor slabs sagging with low points at the middle of the bay between
pile caps
• Jamming of doors at several locations and evidence of trimmed top of doors and
variable space at the base of doors
Exterior
• Concrete walkways, patios, driveways have experienced settlement and
cracking. At certain areas, settlement on the order of 2 to 3 inches and
separation from the perimeter walls as much as 1 inch was noted
• Tilting and separation of the masonry wall (fence) from the building at the south
side of the building
• Titling and separation of an attached storage area from the building
• Asphalt concrete pavement is in poor condition with severe alligator cracking
• Vertical crack in stucco on northern side of the hose tower
In their report dated July 11, 2001, GeoPentech concluded that the damage noted
above was caused by low compaction of the upper soils below the floor slabs,
compression of the peat layer and the soft silt and organic clay layer and compression
induced by groundwater variation.
It was determined that the total construction cost to make proper permanent
renovations of the facility would cost approximately $2.5 million. Due to the excessive
cost of rebuilding, the City collaborated with the Public Works and the Fire Department
to implement a cost-effective interim plan to make repairs and prevent further damage.
City of Huntington Beach Corporate yard
According to a report prepared by Integrated Design Services, Inc. dated June 9, 2003,
two of the City of Huntington Beach Corporate Yard facilities (Building C & E) are in need
of repair due to damage from subsidence. Both buildings are located at 17371 Gothard
Street, Huntington Beach.
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Built in 1973, Building C is approximately 19,200 square feet and consists of a single-
story maintenance shop with two partial mezzanine areas with offices. Building E, built
in 1988, is a single-story warehouse with a partial mezzanine for storage and covers a
total area of 14,650 square feet. A loading dock is connected to the west side of the
building housing over 7,000 square feet of additional storage.
According to the report, the buildings were constructed above a peat deposit that has
compressed and resulted in large differential settlements of the buildings. Due to a lack
of available funds, two areas of temporary repairs were recommended to ensure an
adequate work and storage environment.
The total cost for the temporary repairs to Building C is $40,000. The total cost for
repairs to Building E was $196,000. Currently Building E remains vacant due to structural
instability.
Probability of Future Occurrences
Subsidence has long been a problem in the City of Huntington Beach. The Hazard Mitigation
Planning Team determined that approximately 47% of the City of Huntington Beach is in an
area susceptible to subsidence greater than .1 foot per year. The probability of land subsidence
cannot be expressed in terms of specific return periods or recurrence intervals as easily as it can
be for other hazards. As a result, the probability analysis consists of delineating those regions
that experience relatively more incidences. Exhibit 3.3-12, Subsidence Impacts to Critical
Facilities, shows that the City of Huntington Beach is located in an area that is prone to land
subsidence and liquefaction and, therefore, the probability that an event will occur in the
future is considered moderate to high.
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
Subsidence has the potential to cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure,
making them uninhabitable in the most extreme cases. For this analysis, the land subsidence
hazard areas were intersected with the City critical facility database to determine vulnerability
and risk. The central portion of the City's coast and adjacent inland areas are located in a bulls-
eye of sorts in terms of subsidence. This area may experience subsidence rates of as much as -
0.8 feet or greater. Table 3.3-30 indicates how much of the City's land area falls within each
subsidence rate category. Table 3.2-1 in Section 3.2 lists the approximate number of the City's
population that resides within each subsidence rate category.
Table 3.3-31 indicates the rate of subsidence at the location for each of the City's critical
facilities. Of all of the facilities, Huntington Beach High School is in a location experiencing the
greatest rate of subsidence at -0.4 to -0.5 feet annually. The City EOC, City Hall, City Pool and
Gym, Dwyer Middle School, and H.B.P.D. Main Police Station are experiencing subsidence rates
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of -0.3 to -0.4 feet annually. Exhibit 3.3-12 shows the location of critical facilities relative to
areas of subsidence.
Table 3.3-30, Huntington Beach Land Subsidence
City Land Area in Percentage of Total
Subsidence Rate(ft/yr) Hazard Area (sq. mi) City Land Area
0 to-0.1 14.31 52.57
-0.1 to-0.2 7.55 27.75
-0.2 to-0.3 2.86 10.52
-0.3 to-0.4 0.89 3.28
-0.4 to-0.5 0.72 2.66
-0.5 to-0.6 0.24 0.89
-0.6 to-0.7 0.21 0.76
-0.7 to-0.8 0.19 0.68
-0.8+ 0.12 0.43
Table 3.3-31, Subsidence Impacts to Critical Facilities
Id Name Hazard Information(in feet)
1 Banning Library Branch 0 to-0.1
2 Beach Maintenance Yard 0 to-0.1
3 Central Library -0.1 to-0.2
4 City EOC -0.3 to-0.4
5 City Hall -0.3 to-0.4
6 City Pool and Gym -0.3 to-0.4
7 Downtown Police Substation -0.1 to-0.2
8 Dwyer Middle School (Shelter) -0.3 to-0.4
9 Edison Community Center 0 to-0.1
30 Edison High School(Shelter) 0 to-0.1
11 Fire Training Center -0.2 to-0.3
12 Golden West College 0 to-0.1
13 H.B.P.D.Main Police Station -0.3 to-0.4
14 Helen Murphy Library Branch 0 to-0.1
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Table 3.3-31, Subsidence Impacts to Critical Facilities
Id Name Hazard Information(in feet)
15 Huntington Beach Elementary School District EOC 0 to-0.2
16 Huntington Beach High School (Shelter) -0.4 to-0.5
17 Huntington Beach High School District EOC 0 to-0.1
18 Huntington Beach Medical Center 0 to-0.1
19 Main Street Library Branch -0.1 to-0.2
20 Marina High School(Shelter) 0 to-0.1
21 Marine Safety Headquarters -0.1 to-0.2
22 Murdy Community Center 0 to-0.1
23 Oakview Center -0.1 to-0.2
24 Oakview Library Branch -0.1 to-0.2
25 Oakview Police Substation 0 to-0.1
26 Ocean View High School (Shelter) -0.1 to-0.2
27 Ocean View School District EOC -0.1 to-0.2
28 Orange County Sanitation District, Plant No.2 0 to-0.1
29 Peck&Springdale Reservoir Complex 0 to-0.1
30 Police Heliport -0.2 to-0.3
31 Public Works Park,Tree and Landscape Yard -0.1 to-0.2
32 Public Works, Don Kiser Corporate Yard -0.1 to-0.2
33 Rogers'Senior Center -0.2 to-0.3
34 Social Security Office -0.3 to-0.4
35 Sowers School (Shelter) 0 to-0.1
36 Stacey Intermediate School 0 to-0.1
37 State Parks Headquarters 0 to-0.1
38 Station 1-Gothard Fire Station -0.2 to-0.3
39 Station 2-Murdy Fire Station 0 to-0.1
40 Station 3-Bushard Fire Station 0 to-0.1
41 Station 4-Magnolia Fire Station 0 to-0.1
42 Station 5-Lake Fire Station -0.1 to-0.2
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Table 3.3-31, Subsidence Impacts to Critical Facilities
Id Name Hazard Information(in feet)
43 Station 6-Edwards Fire Station -0.3 to-0.4
44 Station 7-Warner Fire Station 0 to-0.1
45 Station 8-Heil Fire Station -0.1 to-0.2
46 Talbert Middle School -0.1 to-0.2
47 US Post Office(Beach Center Station) -0.1 to-0.2
48 US Post Office(Ida Jean Haxton Station) 0 to-0.1
49 US Post Office(Main Office) -0.1 to-0.2
50 Water Operations -0.2 to-0.3
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Exhibit 3.3-12, Subsidence Impacts to Critical Facilities
ze
12
14
49
0
0 IJ
0
3
0
Legend 0
Critical Facilities
0 39,
Subsidence fin feet) 46 ..
0 ri
oto-0.1
13
-0.1 to-0.2
6 8
-0.2 to-0.3 .3300
0
-0.3 to-0.4 1 1,2'
/466
-0.4 to-0.5 00-17
21
-O.S to-0.6 0
BN
-0.6 to-0.7 2
-0.7 to-0.9
0 0.5 1 2 MIN
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The City of Huntington Beach analyzed other critical public facilities impacted by subsidence,
however, for security reasons, the location of these facilities were not disclosed. These facilities
are listed by facility name under Table 3.3-32.
Table 3.3-32,Subsidence Impacts to Critical Facilities
Facility Category Facility Name
Well#1
Well#3a
Well#4
Well#5
Well#6
Water Well Sites
Well#7
Well#9
Well#10
Well#12
Well#13
Reservoir/Booster Station Overymyer
Adams
Atlanta
Banning
Flood Control Stations Bolsa Chica
Flounder
Hamilton
Heil
Indianapolis
Marilyn
Meridith
Newland
Flood Control Stations
Scenario
Shields
Slater
Yorktown
OC-35
Imported Water Connections
roc-9
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Table 3.3-32,Subsidence Impacts to Critical Facilities
Facility Category Facility Name
OC-44
"D"Station
Slater
Edwards
Brighton
"C"Station
Saybrook
Graham
Adams
"B" Station
Edinger
Algonquin
Trinidad
McFadden
Sewer Lift Stations Davenport
Humbolt
Edgewater
Lark
Oceanhill
Bushard
Coral Cay
"E" Station
Speer
New Britain
Atlanta
Ellis
Brookhurst
"A"Station
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3.3.8 Hazardous Materials Release
General Description
Hazardous Materials
According to Huntington Beach Municipal Code Section 17.58.010, hazardous materials are
substances that are flammable, combustible, explosive, toxic, noxious, and/or corrosive, an
oxidizer, an irritant, or radioactive. This also includes sanitary sewer overflow. A hazardous
material spill or release can pose a risk to life, health, or property. In addition to the immediate
risk to life safety, public health, and air quality, the potential for water source contamination
and the potential environmental impacts of accidental hazardous materials releases and toxic
substances, there is also concern over the long-term public health and environmental impacts
that may result from the sustained use of or exposure to certain substances. An incident could
result in the evacuation of a few people, a section of a facility, or an entire neighborhood.
Oil Spill
An oil spill is a release of liquid petroleum into the environment due to human activity that
results in pollution of land, water, and air. Oil releases also occur naturally through oil seeps
either on land or under water. Oil spills can result from the release of crude oil from offshore oil
platforms, drilling rigs, wells, pipelines, storage tanks, tank trucks, and marine tank vessels
(tankers). Refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and heavier fuels such as bunker
fuel used by cargo ships are also sources of potential petroleum product spill releases.
Location and Extent
The northern portion of Huntington Beach, as well as the Gothard Street Corridor, contains a
large percentage of the City of Huntington Beach's industries with quantities of hazardous
chemicals. Exhibit 3.3-13 shows the location of known facilities storing hazardous materials.
The extent of a hazardous material spill may vary from significant impacts causing injuries and
evacuation to minor impacts requiring minimal cleanup.
Depending on the origin, size, and duration of the release, an oil spill can have serious impacts
on air and water quality, public health, plant and animal habitat, and biological resources. Spill
clean-up and remediation activities may cost millions of dollars and impacts can last for years.
The environmental impacts contribute to short- and long-term impacts on economic activities
in areas affected by oil spills.
Past Occurrences
On February 7, 1990, a tanker named American Trader spilled approximately 400,000 gallons of
Alaska North Slope crude oil into the Pacific Ocean off of Huntington Beach, California. The oil
spill affected 60 square miles of ocean and washed ashore approximately 14 miles of beaches,
affecting sea life and recreational use of beaches.
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On March 17, 2004, the Krik 80 Oil Well, located near Magnolia Street and Banning Avenue,
ruptured. The oil spray impacted 360 homes in the surrounding neighborhoods. The oil well,
owned and operated by Gregory Miral, was abandoned by the California Department of
Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources on March 27, 2004. The cleanup was
completed on July 17, 2004.
Table 3.3-33, RIMS Spill Database for Huntington Beach, CA contains a list of spills documented
on the California Emergency Management Agency's (CalEMA) Regional Information
Management System (RIMS) between 2010 and the beginning of 2011. These spills include
minor hazardous materials spills and oil pipeline breaks.
Table 3.3-33, RIMS Spill Database for Huntington Beach, CA
Date Spill Site Substance
1/5/2010 Residence Mineral Oil
1/21/2010 Huntington Beach Channel Oil seepage
1/22/2010 Flood Control Channel Dark black sheen
1/22/2010 Unknown Crude Oil
2/26/2010 Residence Mineral Oil (Unk. PCB)
3/3/2010 storm drain Resin Dust
3/5/2010 Merchant/Business Raw Sewage
3/23/2010 Wetland Bolsa Chica weathered crude oil
4/2/2010 San Pedro Channel Other Oil, Condensate
5/1/2010 Huntington Harbor/ Pacific Ocean Diesel
5/31/2010 Pacific Ocean Tar wash
6/4/2010 Unknown Sewage
6/4/2010 Pacific Ocean Tar Balls
6/16/2010 storm drain Sewage
7/24/2010 Pacific Ocean Unknown Substance
7/30/2010 Service Station Diesel
8/1/2010 Pacific Ocean Orphan Sheen
8/9/2010 Road Sewage
8/15/2010 Storm Drain Sewage
8/20/2010 Pipe Line, Merchant/Business Raw Sewage
9/7/2010 San Pedro Channel Hydraulic Fluid
9/24/2010 Merchant/Business Sewage
9/24/2010 Storm drain leading to Huntington Harbor Sewage
10/4/2010 Road Unknown Oil
10/12/2010 Pacific Ocean Oil
10/23/2010 Merchant/Business Paint- mixed with water
10/28/2010 Unknown Sewage
11/5/2010 San Pedro Channel Sheen 200 feet by 50 feet
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Table 3.3-33, RIMS Spill Database for Huntington Beach, CA
Date Spill Site Substance
11/23/2010 Residence Raw Sewage
12/19/2010 Industrial Plant Hydrocarbon
12/19/2010 Oil Field Hydraulic Oil
12/22/2010 Sunset Harbor Fuel - Unleaded
12/27/2010 Residence Sewage
1/11/2011 Oil Field Emulsified Hydraulic Fluid
2/16/2011 Merchant/Business Sewage
2/20/2011 Merchant/Business Sewage
3/28/2011 Road Raw Sewage
3/31/2011 Road Sewage
4/2/2011 Huntington Harbor Unknown
Hazardous Materials Spill Report http://www.oes.ca.gov/operational/malhaz.nsf
Probability of Future Occurrences
Between time periods of January 2006-August 2009 and January 2010- March 2011, 259 spills
were documented by CalEMA within Huntington Beach. Based on this data, it is estimated that
approximately 4.3 spills per month occur within Huntington Beach (on average) equaling
approximately 53 spills per year.
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
A hazardous material spill can occur at any time and in any portion of the city. Determining
which areas are more likely to experience such a spill is virtually impossible. However, priority
attention should be given to the identified critical facilities within proximity to known facilities
storing hazardous materials as shown in Exhibit 3.3-13.
Hazardous materials are also stored at various sites in the City. A spill or leak from one of these
sites could have significant health and other environmental impacts. Exhibit 3.3-13 indicates
the location of known hazardous materials storage sites. The concentration of these sites is
greatest in northern portions of the City. Table 3.3-34 lists the names of each site and provides
a number labeling key for those sites appearing on Exhibit 3.3-13.
Human vulnerability is based on the availability, reception and understanding of warnings of
hazardous materials spills and the ability to evacuate spill areas. In some cases, despite having
access to technology (computer, radio, television, outdoor sirens, etc.) that allows for the
reception of a warning, language differences are sometimes a barrier to full understanding of
the risk. Once warned of a hazardous materials spill, evacuating from the spill area is
recommended as the best protection against bodily harm.
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Exhibit 3.3-13, Hazardous Materials Impacts to Critical Facilities
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Table 3.3-34, HazMat Storage Locations
LABEL Business
1 AAE Aerospace
2 AERA Energy- Main Facility
3 AES Hunt Bch - Power Plant
4 Air Products & Chemicals Inc
5 Airtech International
6 Bent Mfg. Co.
7 Boeing Co. - Integrated Defense Systems
8 Boeing Co. -Graham St Bldg.
9 Cal-Aurum Industries
10 California Faucets
11 Cambro Mfg Company
12 Cambro Manufacturing Company
13 Chevron Texaco Products
14 Dos Cuadros Offshore Resources
15 DW Kiser Municipal Corp Yard
16 Fibreform Machining
17 Fox Hills Industries
18 Utilities Facility
19 Utilities Facility
20 Utilities Facility
21 Utilities Facility
22 Utilities Facility
23 Hyper-Therm Composites Inc
24 Laird Coatings
25 Lightning Diversion Systems
26 Logi Graphics Inc.
27 M. S. Bellows
28 Marble Magic Inc
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Table 3.3-34, HazMat Storage Locations
LABEL Business
29 Modular Wind Energy
30 O.0 Household HazWaste Center
31 OCSD Plant# 2
32 Pacific Terminals
33 Precision Ferrites & Ceramics
34 Precision Resource
35 Rainbow Disposal Co Inc
36 Sancon Engineering Inc
37 Speedy Circuits#1
38 Tiodize Co. - Metal Finishing Shop
39 Tiodize Co. - Spray Coating Shop
40 Ultra Tool International
41 Verizon CA/Bushard CO
42 Verizon CA/HB COC/Main
43 Verizon CA/Slater CO
44 Verizon CA/Slater Plant Yd
45 Verizon CA/Warner CO
3.3.9 Coastal Erosion
General Description
Beach/Bluff Erosion
Beach and bluff erosion is a result of the high tides and high surf. Continual erosion could
impact highway and beach access and possible bluff failure. The principal natural causes of
erosion are wave action, wind action, sea level rise and overland runoff. Erosion can be
exacerbated by man-made influences, such shoreline hardening, seawalls, groins, jetties,
navigation inlets, boat wakes, dredging and other interruptions of physical coastal processes
which reduce or interrupt longshore sediment transport.
Location and Extent
As a coastal community in California, the City of Huntington Beach is constantly susceptible to
coastal erosion. The coast of southern California, where Huntington Beach resides, is markedly
different from the rest of the state. Coastal cliffs and marine terraces are widespread and are
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typically fronted by narrow beaches. This section is the most urbanized and developed stretch
of coast in California and is also the most intensively populated. (USGS,
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1219/of2006-1219.pdf)
The magnitude of coastal erosion can be reduced by the presence of a protective beach
(http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/waves/coastal-erosion.pdf). A protective beach can partly
absorb wave energy, instead of allowing coastal bluffs to take the direct impact. As stated
above, the coast of southern California is mostly fronted by narrow beaches, which do not help
protect coastal bluffs. The coastline of Huntington Beach, particularly Surfside/Sunset Beach,
has undergone numerous beach nourishment projects in an effort to restore the beach and
reduce the impact of coastal bluff erosion. The earliest recorded nourishment project began in
1945. Since then limited beach nourishment activities have occurred, usually associated with
dredging of river/ bay inlets within the vicinity. A majority of these activities were conducted
by State and County agencies that had jurisdiction over the affected inlets.
According to the California State Hazard Mitigation Plan, coastal erosion can be accelerated or
exacerbated to the level of emergency or disaster through a combination of factors, including
winter storms, tidal action, wind-generated high surf, wave action, and rising sea levels. Sea
levels have risen by as much as seven inches along the California coast over the last century,
increasing erosion and pressure on the state's infrastructure, water supplies, and natural
resources. (State of California Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2010. P.103)
Property damage from coastal erosion to residences in the City of Huntington Beach have
required repair in recent years. One such project includes restoring the foundation of
bulkheads and providing toe protection to 30 residential homes in Huntington Harbour in an
effort to inhibit any future scouring or erosion, which may jeopardize the bulkhead's structural
integrity. As stated on the City's website, over the years, erosion due to localized tidal currents,
recreational boat use, and periodic maintenance dredging activities in the area have
undermined the bulkhead, damaged the support piles, and threatened overall structural
integrity. Properties located on the main channel in the harbor show the greatest erosion
levels. For more information on this project, please visit http://www.ci.huntington-
beach.ca.us/Government/Departments/ Planning/PJB/eac/HuntingtonHarbour.cfm.
Other areas that have reported coastal erosion issues are along the Pacific Coast Highway north
of Goldenwest Avenue. This area is known as Bluff Top Park, located along a series of bluffs
along the coastline, which experience erosion due to tidal wave action. In 1995 this area
experienced significant erosion, which caused damage to adjacent structures, roadways, and
underground utilities and increases the potential for damage to Pacific Coast Highway.
Past Occurrences
The shoreline of Huntington Beach is consistently undergoing coastal erosion. Although there
are many contributing factors to coastal erosion, the historical occurrence of coastal storms has
been a major factor. The NCDC database includes ocean surf events, which includes high tides
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and surf, rip currents, and storm surge, for Orange County and Huntington Beach. The events
that may have contributed to coastal erosion in Huntington Beach are described below:
January 28, 1998 to February 26, 1998: A series of powerful storms, lined up across the
Pacific, generated periods of towering surf and swell that battered beach-front
properties and piers, hammered crumbling sea cliffs, and swamped low-lying coastal
roads along the coast in both Orange and San Diego counties. Ten to fifteen foot waves
were common, with a few sets reaching twenty feet in certain coastal locations.
June 23, 1999: Choppy seas and large swells were observed in Huntington Beach, CA. A
34 foot fishing boat was capsized.
August 1, 2000: A moderate south swell during a period of spring tides produced surf
between 7 and 12 feet and strong rip currents. Minor coastal flooding occurred in Seal
Beach, but sand bagging and sand berm construction kept sea water from washing over
and around most sea walls.
December 15, 2002: Surf breaking between 10 and 15 feet caused strong rip currents
and about three feet of beach erosion along Orange and San Diego County Beaches.
Sand berms constructed to block wave run up were overtopped and eroded during the
high tides.
September 5, 2004 to September 6, 2004: Powerful surf ranging in size from 6 to 12
feet generated by Hurricane Howard affected the coast of both Orange and San Diego
counties.
January 8, 2005: Large waves in conjunction with high tides in excess of 7 feet caused
areas of coastal flooding in coastal areas of both Orange and San Diego counties. Severe
beach erosion was also reported in many areas.
December 21, 2005: A powerful storm in the East Pacific generated very large swells
that later impacted the Southern California coastline (Orange and San Diego County
coastal areas) for two days. The high surf (reaching 20 feet high) resulted in coastal
flooding and beach erosion. Nearly every pier from Imperial Beach to Huntington Beach
was closed as waves crashed into and over them. Sand berms were erected in
preparation for this event; however, a few were still overtopped.
In addition, in a 2004 report, the California Coastal Sediment Management Workgroup
determined Huntington Cliffs in the City of Huntington Beach as a "Selected Site of
Important Coastal Erosion in California" due to the lack of adequate beach resulting in
bluff erosion.
(http://www.dbw.ca.gov/csmw/PDF/LiteratureSearchReport.pd
Although there are other contributing factors to coastal erosion, as discussed in the sections
above, the NCDC data is the best form of recorded historical data that is available.
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Probability of Future Occurrences
The City of Huntington Beach is exposed to the Pacific Ocean; therefore, long-term and short-
term erosion is an ongoing process for most areas along the coast and will continue into the
future.
Coastal erosion may be a result of multi-year impacts and long-term climatic change such as sea
level rise, or long-term human factors such as the construction of shore protection structures.
Studies suggest that sea levels are predicted to continue rising in the future. California's
interagency Climate Action Team issued a report in March 2009 that hundreds of thousands of
people and billions of dollars of infrastructure and property would be at risk if ocean levels rose
55 inches by the end of the century, as computer models suggest. The study further states that
effects along the state's shoreline would be acute, particularly in San Mateo and Orange
counties, where water could cover large areas of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, forcing
roads, schools, hospitals, sewage plants, and power plants to be relocated. (Source:
http://www.beachapedia.org/State of the Beach/State Reports/CA/Erosion Response)
Coastal erosion can also occur from rapid, short-term daily, seasonal, or annual natural events
such as waves, storm surge, wind, coastal storms, and flooding or from human activities
including boat wakes and dredging. Since it is difficult to predict future storms and human
activity along the coast of Huntington Beach, it is also difficult to predict the rate at which these
events may cause coastal erosion in the future.
Mitigation Efforts
Due to the assurance that future coastal erosion will take place, mitigation efforts have been
implemented in Huntington Beach to reduce this damage.
To enforce the State of California's Coastal Act, all development within the coastal zone in
Huntington Beach requires a coastal development permit. The permit will be issued only if the
development assures stability and structural integrity and neither creates nor contributes
significantly to erosion, instability, or destruction of the site or surrounding area or in any way
requires construction of protective devices that would substantially alter natural landforms
along bluffs or cliffs. For more information, please refer to http://www.ci.huntington-
beach.ca.us/files/users/city clerk/chp245.pdf
The City's Zoning Code currently prohibits/ restricts development along the shoreline through
the following regulations:
Coastal Zone Overlay District (Chapter 221 of the Zoning Code) —The purpose of this district is
to provide supplementary provisions and specify permitted uses within the City's Coastal Zone,
consistent with the California Coastal Act of 1976, the General Plan, and the Local Coastal
Program Land Use Plan. Development proposed within this District requires a Coastal
Development Permit as codified in Chapter 245 of the Zoning Code.
Open Space — Shoreline/ Beach Open Space Zoning Districts — Shoreline areas of the City are
currently zoned for open space use associated with shoreline/ beach environments. These
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districts identify the permitted/ non-permitted uses and development standards for these
districts, which determine what type and intensity of development allowed within these parts
of the City.
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
Huntington Beach's coastline is vulnerable to coastal erosion, with unprotected areas most
susceptible. Buildings and other infrastructure along the immediate coastline are especially
vulnerable. Although the rates of erosion vary, bluff erosion rates have been estimated at 0.5
to 1.0 feet per year along Huntington Cliffs (Source: Coastal Sediment Management Workgroup,
California Beach Erosion Assessment Survey 2010, October 2010). Sea level rise could
potentially lead to accelerated rates of coastal erosion putting more structures and
infrastructure, including critical facilities, at risk.
3.3.10 Terrorism
General Description
Terrorism, is defined in Title 28 of the Codes of Federal Regulation (Section 0.85), as "the
unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a
government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social
objectives."
In addition to direct life loss and property damage that may result from terrorist acts, there is
potential for widespread disruption of infrastructure including transportation networks, power
supply, and water supply. These disruptions could have long-term impacts on the public health
and environment.
Location and Extent
The entire City of Huntington Beach is subject to terrorist acts; however, high-profile assets
such as military, research and transportation facilities in the region may be specific targets of
terrorism. These facilities include:
• Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station: This is a high profile asset due to the military
forces and the materials and work conducted there. The types of assets at this
location make it a potential site for attack.
• Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base: This is a strategic asset located in a key
area on the West Coast of the United States and a vital spot in Southern
California. With dwindling military presence in California, this airfield's
significance is greatly increased and is considered one of the most active
Department of Defense aviation operations in the continental US. This base has
also been designated a disaster support area for southern California.
• San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station: This facility is Southern California's most
reliable source of electricity. (Source: http://www.sce.com/Powerand
Environment/PowerGeneration/SanOnofreNuclearGenerating5tation/default.ht
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m) An attack on this facility has the potential to cause significant impacts to the
area such as widespread power outages and/or contamination through exposure
to nuclear materials.
Other facilities of concern include critical facilities such as water/sewer infrastructure facilities,
Downtown Huntington Beach, shoreline beaches, Huntington Beach Pier, Large Shopping
Centers, and large events that take place within these parts of the City.
Past Occurrences
The following terrorist attacks occurred in close proximity to Huntington Beach:
10/11/1985: Santa Ana, CA- Bombing, Jewish Defense League
8/28-29/1999: Orange, CA-Malicious Destruction and Theft,Animal Liberation Front
Probability of Future Occurrences
California provides a target-rich environment for terrorists, with many facilities and venues and
California's diverse population makes it an easy place to hide. Effective hazard mitigation that
reduces risk to terrorism must be based upon technical expert information and analysis of
actual terrorist events.
It is difficult to predict future terrorist incidents in the City of Huntington Beach. Since it is
unclear when a terrorist attack will occur, it is important for the City to be prepared at all times.
The City of Huntington Beach and Orange County have taken extensive efforts to prepare for
terrorism.
Based on the City's Emergency Operations Plan, the City of Huntington Beach has implemented
mitigation actions that would aid the City if a terrorist incident were to occur in the future. The
City of Huntington Beach has participated in the following:
• Multiple Regional Terrorism Related Working Groups
• Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS),
• Training, Exercise, and Equipment Committees
Every first responder in the City of Huntington Beach was outfitted with personal protective
equipment (PPE) by the end of 2004. Every firefighter has been trained in weapons of mass
destruction (WMD) Awareness and Operations. Every police officer has received WMD Basic
Awareness training and 16 hours of specialized training by 2005. Several fire service and law
enforcement agencies in Orange County have created a new agency, a Joint Hazardous
Assessment Team (JHAT) that combines fire, police, and bomb squad personnel into one team.
The team has worked together successfully to coordinate planning, training, and the purchase
of:
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• PPE for every public safety officer (Police, Fire, and Marine Safety Officer);
higher level equipment has been purchased for the hazardous materials team
and SWAT
• Chemical, biological, and nuclear detection equipment for the hazardous
materials team and personal radiation detectors for the hazardous materials
team, fire, police, and marine safety personnel
• Decontamination equipment for the hazardous materials team and Huntington
Beach Hospital
• Pharmaceuticals which are carried on paramedic engine companies and
stockpiled for delivery to an incident
• Satellite phones for police, fire, and EOC
• A video system capable of being decontaminated for real-time viewing of the hot
zone of an incident
Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
A quantitative determination of vulnerability and risk associated with terrorism was not
possible for this plan update. However, the City can attract tens of thousands of beach visitors
on an average warm day and hundreds of thousands during special events (e.g. US Open of
Surfing, ABP Pro Beach Volleyball, and Fourth of July Parade), which are highly publicized and
could be targets for terrorism. In addition, the City has key infrastructure that may be
vulnerable to terrorist attack. Losses associated with terrorist acts can run into the millions or
billions of dollars. Human causalities can be significant, depending on the type and scale of an
attack.
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Chapter Four - Mitigation Actions
Hazard mitigation strategies are used to reduce the hazard impacts on large employment and
industrial centers, public infrastructure, and critical facilities. This section of the Huntington
Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan is derived from an in-depth review of the vulnerabilities and
capabilities described in this Plan. It represents Huntington Beach's risk-based approach for
reducing and/or eliminating the potential losses identified in the Hazards Identification and Risk
Assessment section.
The main revision to this section of the Plan for the 2011 update is a comprehensive review of
the previous mitigation actions (including progress made since 2004). The mitigation actions
included in the 2011 Update are based on discussion and consensus by the Hazard Mitigation
Planning Team. As part of this discussion, the Team omitted certain actions previously included
in the 2004 Plan that either did not require further implementation or was no longer a priority
for the community.
4.1 Hazard Mitigation Overview
4.1.1 FEMA'S National Flood Insurance Program
In 1968, the US Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Community
participation is voluntary; however, in order to receive funding from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), it is a requirement for all communities to participate in the
program. The City of Huntington Beach joined the FEMA flood insurance program on
September 5, 1983 by adoption of Floodplain Regulations. Following City Council direction in
1994, the Planning Department submitted an application to FEMA for participation in the
Community Rating System (CRS), a special program that rewards communities that implement
more activities than the minimum requirements for participation in the flood insurance
program. CRS works by awarding points for implementing certain activities. In 1995, FEMA's
consultant verified the City's activities, which resulted in 1,112 points. The points are then
related to a class rating which allows a reduction in flood insurance premiums. Following a re-
verification visit by a FEMA consultant, the City earned 1,551 points and became a class 7
community effective October 1999. This allows property owners in the 100 year flood zones
(AE, A, V, and VE) a 15% reduction in flood insurance premium. A 5% reduction is the maximum
available to property owners outside the 500 year flood zone (X). Refer to Exhibit 3.3-7, FEMA
Flood Zones for the current location of these flood zones within Huntington Beach. Additional
information regarding floodplain management and development policies can be obtained from
the Huntington Beach Planning Department.
In 1999, the City of Huntington Beach was notified by FEMA that 15 properties had received
flood insurance benefits two or more times within a ten year period and as part of the CRS
program, the City must prepare and adopt a Flood Management Plan (FMP) by October 1, 2000.
Failure to adopt a FMP would jeopardize the CRS rating and insurance rate reduction.
During the FMP process, FEMA advised the City that the plan did not need to comply with the
mandatory completion time because 8 of the 15 properties would benefit from recent
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improvements to County flood control channels. However, City staff believed that the FMP was
important to the community and continued the process. The FMP was approved by the City
Council on September 5, 2000, by the adoption of Resolution No. 2000-85 following approval by
the City's Planning Commission in August 2000.
Section 9 (Implementation) of the FMP mandates that an annual review of the FMP's
recommended activities must be presented to the City's Planning Commission and City Council
as required by FEMA to demonstrate that the City is actively pursuing implementation to the
FMP. Following the City Council's review of the annual report, it must be submitted to FEMA by
October 1 of each year as part of the annual re-certification. Failure to adhere to this deadline
may jeopardize the City's participation in the flood insurance program.
It is the City's priority to create or continue hazard mitigation actions that are designed to
maintain the City's participation in the NFIP and CRS.
4.1.2 Hazard Mitigation Goals
The plan goals, presented in Section 1.4 Mitigation Priorities/Goals, serve as stepping-stones
between the broad direction of the Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan's mission to
promote sound public policy designed to protect citizens, critical facilities, infrastructure,
private property, and the environment from hazards and the specific recommendations
outlined in Section 4.3 Hazard Mitigation Actions. The Plan goals help to guide the direction of
future activities aimed at reducing risk and preventing loss from natural hazards. The goals
serve as checkpoints as agencies and organizations begin implementing mitigation action items.
The hazard mitigation actions in Section 4.3 are a listing of activities which the City of
Huntington Beach can utilize to reduce risk. The Plan identifies mitigation action items
developed through data collection and research, and the public participation process.
Mitigation plan activities may be considered for funding through Federal and State grant
programs, and when other funds are made available to the city. Mitigation action items address
multi-hazard (MH) and hazard specific issues.
4.1.3 Hazard Mitigation Prioritization
The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team agreed it would be ideal to review each identified action
and assign a score for each STAPLE/E criteria (Social, Technical, Administrative, Political, Legal,
Economic, Environmental) using the following scale and add the scores to rank the projects.
STAPLE/E Scoring Scale
0 = Poor (negative impacts)
1 = Fair (neutral or no impacts)
2 = Good (positive impacts)
3 = Excellent (very favorable impacts)
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However, due to time constraints during the Final Hazard Mitigation Planning Team meeting,
the team did not complete the formal prioritization process. Instead the Hazard Mitigation
Planning Team verified the prioritization collaboratively as a follow up item to this meeting.
The prioritized actions are identified in Section 4.3 Hazard Mitigation Actions. Each
representative reviewed the Actions and concurred with the priority designation provided
based on a review of the STAPLE/E criteria. The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team may use the
STAPLE/E Scoring Scale for future prioritization efforts.
4.1.4 Hazard Mitigation Benefit-Cost Review
FEMA requires local governments to analyze the benefits and costs of a range of mitigation
actions that can reduce the effects of each hazard within their community. Benefit-cost analysis
is used in hazard mitigation to show if the benefits to life and property protected through
mitigation efforts exceed the cost of the mitigation activity. Conducting benefit/cost analysis for
a mitigation activity can assist communities in determining whether a project is worth
undertaking now, in order to avoid disaster related damages later. The analysis is based on
calculating the frequency and severity of a hazard, avoided future damages, and risk.
A hazard mitigation plan must demonstrate that a process was employed that emphasized a
review of benefits and costs when prioritizing the mitigation actions. The benefit-cost review
must be comprehensive to the extent that it can evaluate the monetary as well as the non-
monetary benefits and costs associated with each action. The benefit-cost review should at
least consider the following questions:
• How many people will benefit from the action?
• How large an area is impacted?
• How critical are the facilities that benefit from the action (which is more beneficial to
protect, the fire station or the administrative building)?
• Environmentally, does it make sense to do this project for the overall community?
For the Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan 2011 Update, the Hazard Mitigation Planning
Team used these questions to determine the appropriateness of mitigation actions. Those
actions that did not have adequate benefits were not included in the proposed mitigation
actions tables in Section 4.3, Hazard Mitigation Actions.
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4.2 Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions
Many of the hazard mitigation actions listed in the 2004 Plan have been completed, deleted, or
deferred due to various reasons. These projects and their status are listed in Table 4.2: Previous
Hazard Mitigation Actions.
Table 4.2: Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions
Earthquake Mitigation
Priority Mitigation Name Mitigation Action Description Status
from Previous Plan
1 Earthquake Seismic Retrofit of HB City Hall Completed
Strategy#6A
Earthquake Integrate new EQ Hazard Mapping
2 and improve technical analysis of Ongoing
Strategy#6C earthquake hazards (HAZUS)
Earthquake Encourage Seismic Strength
3 Strategy#6E Evaluation of Critical Facilities Ongoing
4 Earthquake Continue Damage Assessment Completed
Strategy#6H Training for Building Inspectors p
Earthquake Encourage Reduction of Non
5 Strategy#6F Structural EQ Hazards Ongoing
Earthquake Encourage Purchase of EQ Hazard
6 Strategy#6D Insurance Ongoing
Flooding Mitigation
Priority Mitigation Name Mitigation Action Description Status
from Previous Plan
1 Flood Strategy#5A Upgrade HB Flood Pump Stations Ongoing
2 Flood Strategy#56 Upgrade HB Storm Drain Ongoing
3 Flood Strategy#5E Support the County of Orange 7 Ongoing
Year Flood Control Project
4 Flood Strategy#5C Identify potential Retention Basins Deleted due to lack of
at Schools and Parks interest from schools.
5 Flood Strategy#5F Train RACES as Weather Spotters & Completed
Flood Channel Observers
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Table 4.2: Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions
Windstorm Mitigation
Priority Mitigation Name Mitigation Action Description Status
from Previous Plan
1 Windstorm Hazard Awareness of Tree Pruning and Completed
Strategy#1B Wind Resistant Utility Operations p
Windstorm Hazard Conduct a Windstorm Education Deleted due multi-hazard
2 Strategy#IA Campaign mitigation education
campaign
3 Windstorm Hazard Track Generators in Public Facilities Ongoing
Strategy#1C
Tsunami Mitigation
Mitigation Name
Priority from Previous Plan Mitigation Action Description Status
1 Tsunami Strategy Edwards Fire Station Warning Siren Completed
#2A Purchase and installation p
2 Tsunami Strategy Conduct a Tsunami Public Ongoing
#2B Education Campaign g g
Dam Failure Mitigation
Priority Mitigation Name Mitigation Action Description Status
from Previous Plan
Dam Failure Support Completion of Santa Ana
1 Strategy#4B River Mainstem Project Ongoing
Dam Failure Conduct a Dam Failure Education
2 Strategy#4A Campaign Ongoing
Subsidence Mitigation
Priority Mitigation Name Mitigation Action Description Status
from Previous Plan
1 Subsidence Hazard Murdy Fire Station Repairs Funding Ongoing
Strategy#3D Acquisition g g
2 Subsidence Hazard HB Corporate Yard Repairs Funding Ongoing
Strategy#3C Acquisition g g
Subsidence Hazard Conduct a Subsidence Education
Deleted due multi-hazard
3 Strategy#3A Campaign mitigation education
campaign
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Table 4.2: Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions
Multi-Hazard Mitigation
Priority Mitigation Name Mitigation Action Description Status
from Previous Plan
1 Multi-Hazard Conduct a HAZUS Study Ongoing
Strategy MH#1
Multi-Hazard HB Warning Siren System Public
2 Strategy MH#3 Education Campaign Ongoing
Multi-Hazard SEMS & EOC Training for HB
3 Strategy MH#8 personnel Ongoing
4 Multi-Hazard Installation of a radio system in the Deleted due to lack of
Strategy MH#4 EOC for School use funding from School Districts
Multi-Hazard Conduct Tabletop & Full Scale
S Strategy MH#9 Disaster Exercises for City Ongoing
personnel
Deleted due to lack of
6 Multi-Hazard Conduct a School District Training funding from School Districts
Strategy MH#7 Program for school personnel and lower prioritization by
School Districts
4.3 Hazard Mitigation Actions
The process used by the Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan Team to identify hazard
mitigation actions for the 2011 Plan update included the following:
• Review of the 2004 Plan hazard mitigation actions;
• Identification of the status of each action and need to delete, revise, and/or continue
these actions into the next plan update;
• Review of the 2011 Risk Assessment presented in Chapter 3 of this plan.
• Team discussion of new concerns/ issues that need to be addressed to reduce hazards
to critical facilities
• Team discussion of new mitigation actions pertaining to new hazards identified within
2011 Plan update.
Based on this discussion the following mitigation actions for the City of Huntington Beach were
developed and agreed upon by the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team. The following tables
identify the proposed action, City Department responsible for implementation, the anticipated
funding source(s), and Target Completion Date.
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4.3.1 Earthquake Mitigation
These earthquake mitigation actions provide direction or specific activities that organizations
and residents in Huntington Beach can undertake to reduce risk and prevent loss from
earthquake events.
Priority Mitigation Action Responsible Funding Target
Department Source(s) Completion Date
Promote non-structural Emergency PDM1, Ongoing
1 mitigation in the community Management and HMGPZ,
Homeland EMPGa
Security
Adopt the most current Building and General Ongoing
2 California Building Code Safety Fund
(CBC)
Conduct seismic evaluations Building and PDM, June 2014
3 of City Owned critical Safety HMGP,
facilities EMPG
4.3.2 Flood Mitigation
These flood mitigation actions provide direction or specific activities that organizations and
residents in Huntington Beach can undertake to reduce risk and prevent loss from flood events.
Priority Mitigation Action Responsible Funding Target
Department Source(s) Completion Date
Provide a flood control system Public Works General Ongoing
which is able to support the Fund,
1 permitted land uses while PDM,
preserving public safety HMGP
Work internally and with Public Works General Ongoing
Regional Partners to upgrade and Emergency Fund,
2 existing deficient flood control Management PDM,
systems: and Homeland HMGP
• Upgrade pump stations Security
• Upgrade storm drains
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
2 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
3 Emergency Management Performance Grant Program
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Priority Mitigation Action Responsible Funding Target
Department Source (s) Completion Date
• Encourage OC 05
Wintersburg Channel
flood control project
Continue to monitor Planning General Ongoing
Repetitive Loss Properties and Fund,
3 PDM,
identify potential projects to
mitigate flood losses HMGP
Train RACES° as weather Emergency General Ongoing
4 spotters and flood channel Management Fund,
observers and Homeland PDM,
Security HMGP
Review of NFIPs requirements Planning General Ongoing
and update City's Flood Fund,
5 PDM,
Management Regulations to
ensure continued compliance HMGP
4.3.3 Windstorm Mitigation
Mitigation Actions pertaining to Windstorm Mitigation can be found in Section 4.3.11 Multi-
Hazard Mitigation.
4.3.4 Tsunami Mitigation
These tsunami mitigation actions provide direction on specific activities that organizations and
residents in Huntington Beach can undertake to reduce risk and prevent loss from tsunami
events.
Priority Mitigation Action
Responsible Funding Target
Department Source Completion Date
Update the City's Tsunami Emergency General August 2012
1 Annex to the Emergency Management and Fund
Operations Plan (Last Homeland
Updated in 2006) Security
2 Continue pursuing Tsunami Emergency General 2013
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services
5 National Flood Insurance Program
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Priority Mitigation Action Responsible Funding Target
Department Source Completion Date
Ready Certification Management and Fund
Homeland
Security
Participate in State Working Planning General Ongoing
3 Group for Tsunami Zone Fund
Planning.
Install Tsunami public Emergency General Based on funding
address system on the Management and Fund, availability
4 beach north and south of Homeland PDM,
the Pier to integrate with All Security, Marine HMGP,
Hazards warning system Safety HSGP6
4.3.5 Dam Failure Mitigation
Mitigation Actions pertaining to Dam Failure Mitigation can be found in Section 4.3.11 Multi-
Hazard Mitigation.
4.3.6 Tornado/Water Spout Mitigation
Mitigation Actions pertaining to Tornado/ Water Spout Mitigation can be found in Section
4.3.11 Multi-Hazard Mitigation.
4.3.7 Subsidence(Sinking) Mitigation
These subsidence mitigation actions provide direction or specific activities that organizations
and residents in Huntington Beach can undertake to reduce risk and prevent loss from
subsidence events.
Priority Mitigation Action Responsible Funding Target
Department Source Completion Date
Fire Department General Ongoing
1 Fund,
Pursue Murdy Fire Station PDM,
Repairs Funding Acquisition HMGP
Public Works General Ongoing
2 Fund,
Pursue HB Corporate Yard PDM,
Repairs Funding Acquisition HMGP
e Homeland Security Grant Program
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4.3.8 Hazardous Materials Release Mitigation
The hazardous materials release mitigation strategies provide direction or specific activities that
organizations and residents in Huntington Beach can undertake to reduce risk and prevent loss
from a hazardous materials release.
Priority Mitigation Action Responsible Funding Target
Department Source Completion Date
Continue training and Fire Department General Ongoing
education courses for first Fund,
responders to deal with HSGP
1
transportation-based
hazardous materials
releases.
Continue training for the Public Works General Ongoing
2 Huntington Beach Fund,
Hazardous Materials Clean HSGP
Up Team
Participate in the Emergency General Mid 2013
Operational Area Hazardous Management and Fund
3 Petroleum Products Spill Homeland
Annex and incorporate into Security
EOP
4.3.9 Coastal Erosion Mitigation
These coastal erosion mitigation actions provide direction or specific activities that
organizations and residents in Huntington Beach can undertake to reduce risk and prevent loss
from coastal erosion events.
Priority Mitigation Action Responsible Funding Target
Department Source Completion Date
Continue beach Public Works General Ongoing
replenishment in low lying Fund
1 areas to reduce damage
associated with storm
events.
Reduce bluff top erosion Public Works General Ongoing
2 impacts to prevent potential Fund,
closure of Pacific Coast PDM,
Highway. HMGP
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4.3.10 Terrorism Mitigation
These terrorism mitigation actions provide direction or specific activities that organizations and
residents in Huntington Beach can undertake to reduce risk and prevent loss from a hazardous
materials release.
Priority Mitigation Action Responsible Funding Target
Department Source Completion Date
Engage in a public private Fire Department, General Ongoing
partnership to encourage Police Fund,
people to report suspicious Department, PDM,
1 activity "See something, say Emergency HMGP,
Management HSGP
something." and Homeland
Security
Continue to plan and Fire Department, General Ongoing
exercise C.B.R.N.E.' related Police Fund,
events. Department, PDM,
Z Emergency HMGP,
Management HSGP
and Homeland
Security
Coordinate with Huntington Fire Department, General Ongoing
Beach Hazardous Materials Police Fund,
companies to improve on- Department, PDM,
3 site security. Emergency HMGP,
Management HSGP
and Homeland
Security
Upgrade critical Fire Department, General Ongoing
infrastructure facilities Police Fund,
security systems. Department, PDM,
4 Emergency HMGP,
Management HSGP
and Homeland
Security
7 Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear,and Explosive
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4.3.11 Multi-Hazard Mitigation
These Multi-Hazard Mitigation actions provide direction and/or specific activities that
organizations and residents in Huntington Beach can undertake to reduce risk and prevent loss
from a multitude of hazards. Often times these actions translate into educational campaigns on
disaster preparedness, which covers many different types of issues.
Lead Agency Hazards Target
Funding
Priority Mitigation Action Department Mitigated Completion
Organization Source Date
Continue outreach Emergency All General Ongoing
programs to the public, Management Fund, PDM,
schools, businesses, and and HMGP,
City employees to teach Homeland HSGP
and reinforce Security
preparedness
strategies. Potential
1 venues may include:
• CERT
• Safety Officers
• HOAs
• Businesses
• Multi-Agency
Workshops
Participate in the Emergency All General Ongoing
preparation of the Management Fund, PDM,
2 Operational Area and HMGP,
Evacuation Plan Homeland HSGP
Security
Explore the feasibility of Emergency All General Ongoing
integrating Emergency Management Fund, PDM,
3 Alert Systems along the and HMGP,
Orange County Homeland HSGP
Coastline Security
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Chapter Five - Plan Maintenance/Capabilities
The Plan Maintenance Chapter of this document details the formal process that will ensure the
Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan remains an active and relevant document. The Plan
maintenance process is based upon annual review and complete plan revisions produced every
five years. This chapter describes how Huntington Beach will maintain the Plan and integrate
public participation throughout the plan maintenance process. This section will also provide
information on plan implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and the capabilities of the City to
achieve the proposed mitigation actions.
5.1 Changes from the Previous Plan
As part of the 2011 update, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team reviewed the 2004 plan
maintenance approach and revised it as appropriate. Major revisions to this Chapter include
the process by which the City will monitor and update the Plan and the addition of the
Capabilities Assessment Matrix into this Chapter.
5.2 Reviewing the Plan
5.2.1 Coordinating Body
The Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Planning Team will be responsible for the
maintenance of this Plan. The City of Huntington Beach Emergency Management and
Homeland Security Office will take the lead in Plan maintenance issues, by coordinating
maintenance of this Plan and undertaking the formal review process and the rewrite of the
Plan.
5.2.2 Convener
The City of Huntington Beach Emergency Management and Homeland Security Office will
facilitate the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team meetings, and will assign tasks such as updating
and presenting the Plan to other Departments, Stakeholder Groups, and/or elected officials.
Plan implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all of the Hazard
Planning Task Force Members.
5.3 Monitoring, Updating, and Adopting the Plan
5.3.1 Monitoring
The Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan will be monitored and evaluated on an annual
basis to determine the effectiveness of goals and strategies and to reflect changes in programs
that may affect mitigation priorities. Monitoring and evaluation will occur at an annual meeting
of the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team. The Emergency Services Coordinator will coordinate
the meeting and contact Team members. Meetings should be scheduled in the first half of the
year (no later than May), so the team can prepare for the upcoming grant funding cycles, which
usually occur in the second half of the year. Hazard Mitigation Planning Team members will be
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Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Five- Plan Maintenance/ Capabilities
responsible for monitoring and evaluating the progress for the mitigation actions in the Plan.
The coordinating organizations responsible for implementing strategies will report on the status
of their projects, the success of various implementation processes, difficulties encountered,
success of coordination efforts, and strategy revisions. This information can be summarized in
progress reports submitted to the team during this annual review.
Further, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team members will review the hazards, goals, and
action items to determine their relevance to changing situations in City, County, State, and
Federal policies to ensure they are addressing current and expected conditions.
5.3.2 Plan Update
Every five years Team members will update the Plan incorporating new hazard information and
suggestions received from the public and relevant stakeholders. The City of Huntington Beach
Emergency Management and Homeland Security Office will be responsible for notifying all
Team members that the plan is being updated. The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team members
will convene six months prior to the Plan rewrite date in preparation of this update. The
updated plan will be submitted to CalEMA and FEMA for review to ensure compliance with the
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 is maintained.
5.3.3 Adopting
The Huntington Beach City Council is responsible for adopting the Hazard Mitigation Plan. This
formal adoption should take place every five years. Once the Plan has been adopted, the City of
Huntington Beach Emergency Management and Homeland Security Office will be responsible
for final submission to the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA). CalEMA will
then submit the Plan to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for final review
and approval.
5.4 Assets and Capabilities
As part of the 2011 Update, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team assessed human, technical,
and financial resources that could be utilized to support mitigation implementation. Table 5.2:
Capability Assessment provides a summary of the various City departments and capabilities
available to support this plan.
Table 5.1: Capability Assessment
City Department Position/Plan/Policy Ability to Support Mitigation
Fire Department, Emergency Emergency Services Coordinator Tracks and maintains hazard
Management and Homeland mitigation plan
Security Program Provide Windstorm, Dam Failure,
Tsunami, Subsidence,
Earthquake and Flood and
Damage Assessment Public
Education as part of EOP
training.
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Table 5.1: Capability Assessment
City Department Position/Plan/Policy Ability to Support Mitigation
Public Works Department, City Engineer Typical projects include arterial
Engineering and Construction highway rehabilitation and
reconstruction, drainage, sewer,
and water improvement, as well
as parks, sports complexes and
coastal restoration and
rehabilitation projects.
Fire Department Fire Chief Fire protection, rescue,
emergency medical, hazardous
materials control and response,
fire safety education and
emergency preparedness
Police Department Police Chief Emergency response and
preparedness
Planning and Building City of Huntington Beach Flood The purpose of this plan is to
Department, Planning Division Management Plan control development in
designated flood hazard areas.
Policies and guidelines within
this plan will support
implementation of mitigation
strategies designed to reduce
flood risk.
Planning and Building City of Huntington Beach Master The projects identified in the
Department and Public Works Plan of Drainage Storm Drain Master Plan should
Department, Utilities Division be cross referenced with the
Mitigation Strategies to identify
synergies and funding
mechanisms that could serve
both interests.
Fire Department, Emergency City of Huntington Beach Several of the hazards identified
Management and Homeland Emergency Operations Plan in the Emergency Operations
Security Program Plan are also addressed in this
mitigation plan.The Emergency
Operations Plan should be
referenced as needed to support
implementation of mitigation
strategies.
Public Works Department, City of Huntington Beach Capital The CIP is one mechanism for
Planning and Building Improvement Program funding mitigation strategies.
Department The projects outlined in this plan
should be cross-referenced with
or used to inform the
development of the Capital
Improvement Program.
Planning and Building City of Huntington Beach The Environmental Hazards
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Table 5.1: Capability Assessment
City Department Position/Plan/Policy Ability to Support Mitigation
Department General Plan Element and Hazardous
Materials Element specifically
support implementation of
mitigation strategies designed to
reduce the risk of damage from
environmental or hazardous
materials events.
Planning and Building Development Ordinance Overlay Districts and Base
Department Districts define land use controls
and development standards in
those districts. Building and
construction codes also define
building development.
Information Services GIS Manager Update and maintain City's
geographical data, provide maps
including Public Safety response
maps
Incorporating Mitigation into Existing Planning Mechanisms:
Using the table above for reference, the City of Huntington Beach will revise existing
regulations and update existing documents where necessary. If existing documents are not
available or applicable to the mitigation strategy outlined in this plan, the Hazard Mitigation
Planning Team will investigate the need to create new plans and regulations to address these
actions.
Table 5.2: Hazard Mitigation Resource Directory provides contact information for Local,
Regional, State, and Federal programs that are currently involved in hazard mitigation activities.
The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team members may look to the organizations on the following
pages for resources and technical assistance.
Table 5.2: Hazard Mitigation Resource Directory
American Public Works Association
Level: National Hazard: Multi http://www.apwa.net
2345 Grand Boulevard Suite 700
Kansas City, MO 64108-2641 Ph: 816-472-6100 Fax: 816-472-1610
Notes:The American Public Works Association is an international educational and professional
association of public agencies, private sector companies, and individuals dedicated to providing high
quality public works goods and services.
Association of State Floodplain Managers
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Level: Federal Hazard: Flood www.floods.ora
2809 Fish Hatchery Road Suite 204
Madison, WI 53713 Ph: 608-274-0123 Fax: 608-274-0123
Notes:The Association of State Floodplain Managers is an organization of professionals involved in
floodplain management,flood hazard mitigation,the National Flood Insurance Program,and flood
preparedness, warning and recovery
Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC)
Level: National Hazard: Earthquake www.nibs.org/index.php/bssc
1090 Vermont Avenue, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005 Ph: 202-289-7800 Fax: 202-289-1092
Notes:The Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) develops and promotes building earthquake risk
mitigation regulatory provisions for the nation.
California Department of Transportation (CalTrans)
Level: State Hazard: Multi http://www.dot.ca.gov/
1120 N Street(Headquarters)
Sacramento, CA 90012 Ph:916-654-5266 Fax:
Notes: CalTrans is responsible for the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the
California State Highway System, as well as that portion of the Interstate Highway System within the
State's boundaries. Alone and in partnership with Amtrak,Caltrans is also involved in the support of
intercity passenger rail service in California.
California Resources Agency
Level: State Hazard: Multi http://resources.ca.gov/
1416 Ninth Street Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph:916-653-5656 Fax: 916-653-8102
Notes:The California Resources Agency restores, protects and manages the State's natural, historical
and cultural resources for current and future generations using solutions based on science,
collaboration and respect for all the communities and interests involved.
California Division of Forestry(CDF)
Level: State Hazard: Multi http://www.fire.ca.gov/
1416 9t"Street(Headquarters)
Sacramento, CA 94244 Ph:916-653-5123 Fax:
Notes:The California Department of Forestry(CDF) and Fire Protection protects over 31 million acres
of California's privately-owned wildlands. CDF emphasizes the management and protection of
California's natural resources.
California Division of Mines and Geology (DMG)
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Level: State Hazard: Multi www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/Pages/index.aspx
801 K Street (Headquarters) MS 12-30
Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph:916-445-1825 Fax: 916-445-5718
Notes:The California Geological Survey develops and disseminates technical information and advice
on California's geology,geologic hazards, and mineral resources.
California Environmental Resources Evaluation System(CERES)
Level:State Hazard: Multi http://ceres.ca.gov/
900 North Street Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph:916-653-2238 Fax:
Notes:California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES) is an information system
developed by the California Natural Resources Agency to facilitate access to a variety of electronic
data describing California's environment and natural and cultural resources.
California Department of Water Resources(DWR)
Level:State Hazard: Flood http://www.water.ca.gov/
1416 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph:916-653-5791 Fax:
Notes:The Department of Water Resources (DWR) manages the water resources of California in
cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the State's people, and to protect, restore, and enhance
the natural and human environments.
California Department of Conservation
Level:State Hazard: Multi www.conservation.ca.gov/Index/Pages/Index.asp
x
801 K Street(Headquarters) MS 24-01
Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph: 916-322-1080 Fax: 916-445-0732
Notes:The Department of Conservation provides services and information that promote
environmental health, economic vitality, informed land-use decisions, and sound management of our
State's natural resources.
Environmental Protection Agency(EPA),Region 9
Level: Regional Hazard: Multi http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region9.html
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105 Ph:415-947-8000 Fax: 415-947-3553
Notes:The mission of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and
to safeguard the natural environment through the themes of air and global climate change, water,
land, communities and ecosystems, and compliance and environmental stewardship.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), Region IX
Level: Regional Hazard: Multi www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionix/
1111 Broadway Suite 1200
Oakland, CA 94607 Ph: 510-627-7100 Fax: 510-627-7112
Notes:The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the direction of the Department
of Homeland Security is tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from, and mitigating
against disasters.
Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), Mitigation Division
Level: Federal Hazard: Multi www.fema.gov/about/divisions/mitigation.shtm
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472 Ph: 202-646-2500 Fax:
Notes:The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (under the direction of the Department
of Homeland Security) Mitigation Division manages the National Flood Insurance Program and
oversees FEMA's mitigation programs. It has a number of programs and activities which provide
citizens' Protection, with flood insurance; Prevention, with mitigation measures, and Partnerships,
with communities throughout the country.
Floodplain Management Association
Level: Federal Hazard: Flood www.floodplain.org
P.O. Box 712080
Santee, CA 92072 Ph: 619-507-0653 Fax:
Notes:The Floodplain Management Association is a nonprofit educational association. It was
established in 1990 to promote the reduction of flood losses and to encourage the protection and
enhancement of natural floodplain values. Members include representatives of Federal, State, and
Local government agencies as well as private firms.
California Emergency Management Agency(CaIEMA)
Level: State Hazard: Multi www.calema.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx
3650 Schriever Ave
Mather, CA 95655 Ph:916-845-8510 Fax: 916-845-8511
Notes:The California Emergency Management Agency(CaIEMA) coordinates overall State agency
response to major disasters in support of Local government.The Agency is responsible for assuring
the State's readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade, and war-caused
emergencies, and for assisting Local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, and
recovery efforts.
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National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Level: Federal Hazard: Multi http://www.nres.usda.gov/
14th & Independence Avenue, SW Room 5105-A
Washington, DC 20250 Ph: 202-720-7246 Fax: 202-720-7690
Notes: National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) assists owners of America's private land with
conserving their soil, water, and other natural resources, by delivering technical assistance based on
sound science and suited to a customer's specific needs.Cost sharing and financial incentives are
available in some cases.
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
Level: Federal Hazard: Wildfire www.nifc.gov
3833 South Development Avenue
Boise, ID 83705-5354 Ph: 208-387-5512 Fax:
Notes:The National Interagency Fire Center(NIFC) in Boise, Idaho is the nation's support center for
wildland firefighting. Eight different agencies and organizations work together to coordinate and
support wildland fire and disaster operations.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Level: National Hazard: Wildfire http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/home/index.asp
1 Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02169-7471 Ph:617-770-3000 Fax: 617-770-0700
Notes:The mission of the international nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is to
reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and
advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research,training, and education.
National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) Mitigation Division
Level: Federal Hazard: Flood www.fema.gov/nfip/
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472 Ph: 202-646-2500 Fax:
Notes:The Mitigation Division manages the National Flood Insurance Program and oversees FEMA's
mitigation programs. It has a number of programs and activities which provide citizens Protection,
with flood insurance; Prevention,with mitigation measures, and Partnerships,with communities
throughout the country.
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National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
Level: Federal Hazard: Multi www.noaa.gov
1401 Constitution Ave, NW Room 5128
Washington, DC 20230 Ph: 202-482-6090 Fax: 202-482-3154
Notes:The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA's) historical role has been to
predict environmental changes, protect life and property, provide decision-makers with reliable
scientific information, and foster global environmental stewardship.
NOAA National Weather Service(NWS)
Level: Federal Hazard: Multi http://weather.gov
1325 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910 Ph: 301-713-1658 Fax:
Notes:The National Weather Service (NWS) is responsible for providing weather service to the nation.
It is charged with the responsibility of observing and reporting the weather and with issuing forecasts
and warnings of weather and floods in the interest of national safety and economy. Briefly, the
priorities for service to the nation are: (1) protection of life, (2) protection of property, and (3)
promotion of the nation's welfare and economy.
NOAA National Weather Service(NWS),Office of Hydrologic Development(OHD)
Level: Federal Hazard: Flood http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/
1325 East West Highway SSMC2
Silver Spring, MD 20910 Ph: 301-713-1658 Fax: 301-713-0963
Notes:The National Weather Service (NWS)Office of Hydrologic Development (OHD)enhances
National Weather Service products by: infusing new hydrologic science, developing hydrologic
techniques for operational use, managing hydrologic development by NWS field office, providing
advanced hydrologic products to meet needs identified by NWS customers.
Orange County Sheriff Department(OCSD)—Emergency Management
Level: County Hazard: Multi http://egov.ocgov.com/ocgov/Sheriff-
Coron a r%20-%20Sa n d ra%20H utchens
2644 Santiago Canyon Road
Silverado, CA 92672 Ph: 714-628-7158 Fax:
Notes:The Orange County Board of Supervisors has designated the Sheriff-Coroner Department as
the lead agency in matters of emergency preparedness and disaster response. In emergencies
involving earthquakes, tsunamis, civil disturbances, energy crises, nuclear power emergencies,
terrorism and acts of war, the Sheriff-Coroner is designated as the Director of Emergency Services.
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Orange County Public Works Flood Control Division
Level: County Hazard: Flood and Dam www.ocflood.com
Failure
300 North Flower Street 7`h Floor
Santa Ana, CA 97203 Ph:714-647-3999 Fax: 714-834-4572
Notes:The Orange County Public Works Flood Control Division provides flood channels and
maintenance information, Prado Dam oversight, and flood and dam failure plans.
South Coast Air Quality Management District(AQMD)
Level: Regional Hazard: Multi www.agmd.gov
21865 East Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Ph: 909-396-2000 Fax:
Notes:AQMD is a Regional government agency that seeks to achieve and maintain healthful air
quality through a comprehensive program of research, regulations, enforcement, and communication.
The AQMD covers Los Angeles and Orange Counties and parts of Riverside and San Bernardino
Counties.
Southern California Earthquake Center(SCEC)
Level: Regional Hazard: Earthquake www.scec.org
3651 Trousdale Parkway Suite 169
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0742 Ph: 213-740-5843 Fax: 213-740-0011
Notes:The Southern California Earthquake Center(SCEC)gathers new information about earthquakes
in Southern California, integrates this information into a comprehensive and predictive understanding
of earthquake phenomena, and communicates this understanding to end users and the general public
in order to increase earthquake awareness, reduce economic losses, and save lives.
Southern California Association of Governments (SLAG)
Level: Regional Hazard: Multi www.scag.ca.gov
818 West Seventh Street 12th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017 Ph: 213-236-1800 Fax: 213-236-1825
Notes:The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)functions as the Metropolitan
Planning Organization for six counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, and
Imperial. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, the SCAG is mandated by the
Federal government to research and draw up plans for transportation, growth management,
hazardous waste management, and air quality.
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State Fire Marshal (SFM)
Level: State Hazard: Wildfire http://osfm.fire.ca.gov
1131 "S" Street
Sacramento, CA 95811 Ph: 916-445-8200 Fax: 916-445-8509
Notes:The Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM)supports the mission of CAL FIRE by focusing on fire
prevention. SFM regulates buildings in which people live, controls substances which may cause
injuries, death and destruction by fire; provides Statewide direction for fire prevention within wildland
areas; regulates hazardous liquid pipelines; reviews regulations and building standards; and trains and
educates in fire protection methods and responsibilities.
The Community Rating System (CRS)
Level: Federal Hazard: Flood http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472 Ph: 202-646-2500 Fax:
Notes:The Community Rating System (CRS) recognizes community floodplain management efforts
that go beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP. Property owners within the County would
receive reduced NFIP flood insurance premiums if the County implements floodplain management
practices that qualify it for a CRS rating. For further information on the CRS,visit FEMA's website.
United States Geological Survey(USGS)
Level: Federal Hazard: Multi http://www.usgs.gov/
345 Middlefield Road (California Office)
Menlo Park, CA 94025 Ph: 650-853-8300 Fax:
Notes:The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides reliable scientific information to describe
and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water,
biological, energy, and mineral resources;and enhance and protect our quality of life.
United States Geological Survey(USGS)Water Resources
Level: Federal Hazard: Multi www.water.usgs.gov
6000 J Street(USGS Water Science Center) Placer Hall
Sacramento, CA 95819-6129 Ph: 916-278-3000 Fax: 916-278-3070
Notes:The United States Geological Survey (USGS)Water Resources mission is to provide water
information that benefits the Nation's citizens: publications, data, maps, and applications software.
City of Huntington Beach 171
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Five—Plan Maintenance/ Capabilities
US Army Corps of Engineers
Level: Federal Hazard: Multi http://www.usace.army.mil
915 Wilshire Blvd (Los Angeles District) Suite 1101
Los Angeles, CA 90017 Ph: 213-452-3333 Fax:
Notes:The United States Army Corps of Engineers work in engineering and environmental matters.A
workforce of biologists, engineers, geologists, hydrologists, natural resource managers, and other
professionals provide engineering services to the nation including planning, designing, building, and
operating water resources and other civil works projects.
United States Department of Agriculture(USDA)Forest Service
Level: Federal Hazard: Wildfire http://www.fs.fed.us
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250-0002 Ph:800-832-1355 Fax:
Notes:The Forest Service is an agency of the US Department of Agriculture.The Forest Service
manages public lands in national forests and grasslands.
Western States Seismic Policy Council(WSSPC)
Level: Regional Hazard: Earthquake www.wsspc.org/home.html
801 K Street Suite 1436
Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph: 916-444-6816 Fax: 916-444-8077
Notes:WSSPC is a Regional earthquake consortium funded mainly by FEMA and the USGS. The
mission of the WSSPC is to develop seismic policies and share information to promote programs
intended to reduce earthquake related losses. Its website is a great resource, with information clearly
categorized -from policy to engineering to education.
Westside Economic Collaborative c/o Pacific Western Bank
Level: Regional Hazard: Multi http://www.westside-la.org
10736 Jefferson Blvd Suite 732
Culver City, CA 90230 Ph: 310-398-0953 Fax: 310-398-2383
Notes:The Westside Economic Development Collaborative is the first Westside Regional economic
development corporation. The Westside EDC functions as an information gatherer and resource
center, as well as a forum, through bringing business,government, and residents together to address
issues affecting the region: Economic Diversity,Transportation, Housing, Workforce Training and
Retraining, Lifelong Learning,Tourism, and Embracing Diversity.
City of Huntington Beach 172
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Five-Plan Maintenance/ Capabilities
5.5 Continued Public Involvement
The City of Huntington Beach is committed to involve and notify the public of updates and
revisions to the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The public will have access and ample opportunity to
suggest Plan revisions. Copies of the plan will be placed at the City of Huntington Beach City
Clerk's Office at City Hall, 2000 Main Street.
During each revision of the plan, public comments will be reviewed and documented
throughout the planning process. This information will be incorporated into City public
education efforts and used to apply for grants to mitigate the hazards identified in the plan.
Huntington Beach will also utilize this information in its Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) training classes and when training their employees on emergency preparedness and
disaster management. Each year, Huntington Beach sets up "Disaster Alley" for the public to
tour the City's EOC and to view photos and maps of the hazards that face the community. The
maps and photos from this Plan will be used for this purpose.
5.6 Point of Contact
Brevyn Mettler
Emergency Services Coordinator
2000 N. Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA
5.7 Appendices
The following appendices are provided within this plan:
A. Public Outreach Survey Questionnaire and Summary Document
B. Hazard Mitigation Planning Team Meeting Summaries
City of Huntington Beach 173
Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Five- Plan Maintenance/ Capabilities
This page was intentionally left blank.
City of Huntington Beach 174
Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix A
Appendix A
Public Outreach Survey Questionnaire and Summary Document
Website Link to Online Hazard Mitigation Survey
Online Hazard Mitigation Survey
Online Hazard Mitigation Survey Summary
The Online Hazard Mitigation Survey Summary within this Appendix includes input submitted by
survey respondents. To ensure accuracy and provide unbiased feedback,spelling and grammar
errors were not corrected when this information was compiled for the Huntington Beach Hazard
Mitigation Plan.
Q,
HB News Archive
Please take time to complete a survey regarding Emergency Services
Is your home or office building susceptible to
damage from earthquakes,floods or strong winds?
r Do you want to recover more quickly from disasters
and prevent future damage from them and other
�- natural hazards? Your participation can make our
City of Huntington Beach more resilient. A few
C e
- moments completing the survey can make the ,
-'� difference in the emergency services in our
Chat From to Enage community.
The City of Huntington Beach is conducting a local effort to updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The plan identifies natural hazards throughout the City and presents an assessment of critical !
facilities vulnerable to those hazards. The plan lists potential actions needed to reduce risk and
future damage.
Although the plan enables City eligibility for various assistance grants.the plan's real value really
lies in the identification of hazards and helps emergency managers and residents better prepare
for disasters.
Your responses to this survey will help complete the plan update. Thank you for your time and
cooperation.
••• ; To take the survey. click on this link:http-1/www.surv'eymonkey-com/s/HB_LHMP
^erne •e=�oerc I vl3aom I e�siress I government I services I site map I K^ns of usefprivery stntemert I contact us I directions to city hall 1
2000 Main street,Huntington Beady.California 926Q
O Copytight 2002-11 City of Huntington Beech.All rights reserved.
Surf City USA Is a pg4Lnd trademark of the sfundrpton Beach Ma hating and Visitor Bureau.
2011 Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey
1. Huntington Beach - Hazard Mitigation Survey
Dear Community Member,
Is your home or office building susceptible to damage from earthquakes,goods,or strong winds?Do you want to recover more quickly from
disasters and prevent future damage from these and other natural hazards?Your participation can make our City of Huntington Beach more
resilient.We know you are busy and respectfully request a few moments of your time to respond to the brief survey below.
The City of Huntington Beach is conducting a local effort to update the City's Hazard Mitigation Plan.This plan identifies natural hazards
throughout the City and presents an assessment of critical facilities vulnerable to these hazards.The plan lists potential actions needed to
reduce risk and future damage.
Although the plan enables the City to be eligible for various assistance grants,the plan's value really lies in the identification of hazards and
helps emergency managers and residents better prepare for disasters.
Your responses to this survey will inform the plan update.Thank you for your time and cooperation.
2. Hazard Awareness
1. Please indicate whether you live or work in the City of Huntington Beach. If both
apply, please choose both.
1-1 1 live in the City of Huntington Beach.
I work in the City of Huntington Beach.
Neither apply to me,but I am interested in the City's resiliency.
* 2. What is the ZIP code of your home?
3. How likely is your neighborhood or home to be impacted by a disaster?
ONot very likely
OSomewhat likely
OVery likely
4. Have you been impacted by a disaster in your current residence?
O Yes
0 No
2011 Huntington Beach • Mitigation
S. If you answered yes to the previous question, please select the type of disaster that
you have been impacted by (select all that apply).
Coastal Erosion Subsidence
1-1 Dam Failure El Terrorism
1-1 Earthquake El Tornado
1-1 Flood Tsunami
❑ Hazardous Materials Spill 1-1 Windstorm
Please list any additional hazards that previously impacted your neighborhood or home.
6. The City's Planning Team identified the following hazards as having a potential to
impact the City. Please mark the THREE(3) hazards that are of most concern to your
neighborhood or home.
1-1 Coastal Erosion Subsidence
1-1 Dam Failure Terrorism
ElEarthquake Tornado
Flood Tsunami
Hazardous Materials Spill Windstorm
Please list any additional hazards that present a threat to your neighborhood or home.
7. Please describe as specifically as possible (include address, intersections, building
names, etc.) areas within the City of Huntington Beach that are particularly prone to the
hazards listed above.
8. If you are a homeowner, do you have adequate basic homeowners insurance to cover
the hazards that could impact your home?
OYes,my insurance coverage should be adequate
ONo,I don't believe my insurance coverage would be adequate for a major disaster
OUnsure
O1 do not have an insurance policy
0 Not applicable, I rent my current residence
2011 Huntington Beach • Mitigation
9. If you rent your residence, do you have renter's insurance?
OYes
ONo
ONot Applicable, I own my residence.
10. Do you have flood insurance for your home?
OYes, I own my home and have flood insurance.
OYes, I rent my home and have flood insurance.
ONo, but I am interested in reviewing flood insurance options(http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmartt).
ONo, I do not need flood insurance.
11. Please note any additional insurance you have for your home or property.
12.What are you doing on your property or within your home to reduce future damage
from the identified hazards? (choose all that apply)
Earthquake retrofit
House elevation or first floor modification to prevent flood damage
Installed backflow prevention device(s)
1-1 Strengthened openings(Doors,windows,and/or garage door to reduce high-hazard wind risk)
Constructed a tornado safe room
Other(please specify)
Page 3
2011 Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation
13. If a severe hazard event occurred today such that all services were cut off from your
home (power, gas, water, sewer) and you were unable to leave or access a store for 72
hours, which of these items do you have readily available?
ElPotable Water(3 gallons per person)
ElCooking and eating utensils
Can Opener
Canned/Non-perishable Foods(ready to eat)
Gas grill/Camping stove
Extra Medications
ElFirst Aid Kit/Supplies
Portable AM/FM Radio(solar powered,hand crank,or batteries)
ElHandheld"Walkie-Talkie"Radios(with batteries)
Important Family Photos/Documentation in a water and fire proof container
Extra Clothes and Shoes
Blanket(s)/Sleeping Sag(s)
Cash
ElFlashlight(with batteries)
Gasoline
Telephone(with batteries)
Pet Supplies
1-1 Secondary Source of Heat
What else do you have in your emergency kit?
For more information on preparing an emergency kit, please visit:http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html
14. Are you familiar with the special needs of your neighbors in the event of a disaster
situation (special needs may include limited mobility, severe medical conditions,
memory impairments, etc)?
O Yes
0 No
2011 Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey
15. Are you a trained member of your Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)?
(Note: your community may use a different name than CERT)
O Yes
ONo, I would like to learn more about CERT.
ONo, I am not Interested in being a trained CERT member.
For more information about CERT,please visit:www.citizencorps.gov/cert.Please share with us why you are a trained CERT member or
why you are not yet part of CERT.
16. What are the most important things the City can do to help residents be more
prepared for a disaster? (choose all that apply)
1-1 Disseminate effective emergency notifications and communication
Provide training and education to residents and business owners on how they can reduce future damage
❑ Community outreach regarding emergency preparedness
Being aware of special needs and vulnerable populations
Make a plan to use volunteer residents to help in a disaster
Other(please specify)
If you do NOT work in the City of Huntington Beach,please skip to the next page(question 20).
17. What is the ZIP code of your workplace?
18. Does your employer have a plan for disaster recovery in place?
O Yes
O No
O1 don't know
19. Does your employer have a workforce communications plan to implement following
a disaster so they may contact you?
OYes
O No
0 1 don't know
2011 Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey
3. Recommendations and Future Participation
20. Please list any studies you are aware of conducted within the City of Huntington
Beach or the region regarding the risk to future hazard events (i.e. mining impact
studies, dam inundation analyses, etc.)
21. What recommendations do you have for the City to improve identification,
prioritization, and implementation of actions intended to reduce future damage and
increase resiliency(i.e., retrofit infrastructure, upgrade building codes)?
Perform outreach to ensure people are aware of their environment and the inherent risks
Provide training and materials on how residents can be prepared for the identified risks
Enforce/update building codes
Other(please specify)
22. Would you like to review and comment on the draft of the 2011 Huntington Beach
Hazard Mitigation Plan?
OYes, Please notify me using my contact information in the next question.
O No
23. Please provide your name and email address in order to be notified of future
opportunities to participate in hazard mitigation and resiliency planning. If you do not
have an email address, please provide your mailing address.
Full Name:
E-Mail Address:
Street Address:
City, State,Zip:
Pane 6
2011 Huntington Beach Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey
24. Please provide us with any additional comments/suggestions/questions that you
have regarding your risk to future hazard events.
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.If you have any questions regarding this survey,or if you are aware of someone else or an
organization that should be involved,you may contact XXXX
Page 7
Huntineton Beach Survey Summary
1. The survey had 145 respondents. Of these, 138 live in the City,36 respondents work in the City,
and one person does not live or work in the City, but is interested in the City's resiliency.
2. 121 respondents have not been impacted by a disaster in their current residents,while 24 have.
Respondents answered how likely it was for their home or neighborhood to be impacted by a
disaster; see the table below for results.
In your opinion,how likely is your neighborhood or hometo be impacted by a
disaster?
13Responses
9.00.
46 Responses oNot very likely
31.7°0
■S omewhat likely
o Very likety
3. Respondents were asked to select which type of disaster they had been impacted by. Below are
responses(in order of most responses):
Number of
Hazard Responses
Flood 14
Earthquake 11
Windstorm 8
Hazardous Materials Spill 7
Please list any additional hazards that previously impacted your 4
neighborhood or home.
Subsidence 3
Tsunami 3
Dam Failure 1
Tornado 1
Coastal Erosion D
Terrorism 0
* Respondents noted the following additional hazards: Small tornado,oil spill, pollution, power outage,
pine trees falling during events.
4. Respondents were asked which three hazards, out of the hazards the MAC identified, are of
most concern to the City. Below are responses (in order of most responses):
Number of
Hazard Responses
Earthquake 138
Flood 84
Tsunami 67
Hazardous Materials Spill 42
Windstorm 33
Please list any additional hazards that present a threat to your neighborhood 21
or home.
Coastal Erosion 13
Terrorism 13
Dam Failure 12
Subsidence 11
Tornado 5
* Respondents noted the following additional hazards: High pressure gas line rupture, Winter storms,
Fire, Chevron Gas Storage Tanks next to Youth Shelter, Gas/Oil facility that is located between Palm and
PCH east of Seapoint, Low flying aircraft, Power outages when sub-station crashes (has occurred several
times),Toxic waste from nearby toxic waste site, Weapons accidents
5. Respondents who are homeowners were asked if they have adequate homeowners insurance to
cover the hazards that could impact their home. Below is a summary of responses:
Answer Responses
Yes, my insurance coverage should be adequate 78
No, I don't believe my insurance coverage would be adequate for a major disaster 43
Unsure 9
1 do not have an insurance policy 1
Not applicable, I rent my current residence 11
3 respondents skipped this question.
6. Respondents who are renters were asked if they have renter's insurance. Below is a summary
of responses:
Answer Responses
Yes 7
No 6
Not applicable, I own my residence. 91
41 respondents skipped this question.
7. Respondents were asked if they have flood insurance. Below is a summary of responses:
Answer Responses
Yes, 1 own my home and have flood insurance. 48
Yes, I rent my home and have flood insurance. 1
No, but I am interested in reviewing flood insurance options. 21
No, I do not need flood insurance 71
4 respondents skipped this question.
8. Respondents were asked if they have earthquake insurance. Below is a summary of responses:
Answer Responses
Yes, I own my home and have earthquake insurance. 55
Yes, I rent my home and have earthquake insurance. 2
No, but I am interested in reviewing earthquake insurance options. 33
No, I do not need earthquake insurance. 50
5 respondents skipped this question.
9. Respondents were asked what they have done to prepare themselves for a disaster. Below is a
summary of responses:
Answer Responses
Prepared a 72 hour kit 86
Prepared a Grab and Go Kit for each person in your family 70
Have a portable AM/FM radio (battery powered) 104
Have a family disaster plan 63
Store important documents in a waterproof/fire proof container 65
Store extra medications 50
Taken disaster training 85
16 respondents skipped this question.
10. Respondents were asked if they are familiar with the special needs of their neighbors in the
event of a disaster situation. Below is a summary of responses:
• 56,or 38.9%of respondents, indicated that they are familiar with the special needs of
their neighbors.
• 88,or 61.1%of respondents, indicated that they are not familiar with the special needs
of their neighbors.
• 1 respondent skipped this question.
11. Respondents were asked if they are a trained member of their Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT). Below is a summary of responses:
• 60, or 43.2%of respondents, indicated that they are part of CERT.
• 33, or 23.7%of respondents, indicated that they are not a part of CERT, but would like
to learn more about CERT.
• 46,or 33.1%of respondents, indicated that they are not interested in being a trained
CERT.
0 6 respondents skipped this question.
Respondents were asked share why h are CERT member, or why the are not art of
p e to a yt they eay y p
CERT. The received responses are listed below:
• I attended 2 hour training course.
• Someday when I have time...
• 1 did not know that there was a program like CERT.
• I'm 60 with several medical conditions that would limit my ability to help in an
emergency.The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
• 1 want to be prepared for likely emergencies.
• Caregiver for Mother(on oxygen 24/7 in wheelchair) until her death in 2005.
• Try to attend classes but something always comes up
• Be self sufficient for me and my neighbors until help arrives
• Saturday training sessions are a conflict with my work schedule. I would attend if you
have training sessions in the evenings, during the week.
• Couldn't attend the classes due to work
• We started the CERT program but did not complete because of schedule conflicts.
• 1 missed class three due to illness will try again next year when you have the classes
• Age.Also,evacuation would be futile.
• On my list of things to do.
• 1 am a former Orange County Fire Volunteer Firefighter. EMT-I with disaster and WMD
training.
• 1 am just completely the class
• I'm not but my husband is.
• 1 have physical disabilities that limit me. I am new to California and I need to learn more
of what I should do.
• I am a trained member because I want to be prepared to help my neighbors in case of
an emergency.
• 1 did take CERT training years ago and earned my shortwave radio license, but have not
practiced any of the training in a long time; I don't consider myself as well trained
anymore.
• 1 don't remember to check when training is offered
12. Respondents were asked what the most important thing the City can do to help residents be
more prepared for a disaster. Below is a summary of responses:
Things Local Government can do to help prepare Number of Responses
Disseminate effective emergency notifications and communication 120
Provide training and education to residents and business owners on how 109
they can reduce future damage
Community outreach regarding emergency preparedness 100
Being aware of special needs and vulnerable populations 80
Make a plan to use volunteer residents to help in a disaster 87
Other* 15
The responses to "Other" were:
• The city needs to keep investing in training their neighborhoods, churches, businesses
and schools in disaster mitigation and recovery
• The city should have water and minimal food reserves for a %of the HB resident
population in case of an emergency. Database of phone numbers or email address
should not be sold or maintained by a 3rd party that can sell it.
• Better notification of the disaster exhibit day at the library. We missed it this year.
• Communicate what possible disasters are at a fairly small regional level (smaller than
zip). Also provide historical evidence of the disaster(1933 Long Beach Earthquake) and
probability in the next 30 years for the event to occur again.
• Perform annual community-wide and joint-city drills.
• Spend more on storm drainage infrastructure improvements.
• TRAIN ALL CITY STAFF THRU CERT PROGRAM.
• Educate the children more
• Have CERT and RACES members post some kind of sign in their windows to indicate to
their neighbors who they can come to for communications or to request help
• Develop and implement a plan to educate the elementary, middle and high school
students of Huntington Beach. Educated children will most often lead to prepared
citizens.
• Think beyond the simple 72 hour"Box" and engage the CEC's Energy Assurance Demo
programs and get serious funding money to continue CERT programs.
• 1 believe all the items about would be excellent things for the city to do and I look
forward to assisting in helping get the work out.
• Publicize possible evacuation routes.
• Identify locations in city for residents to move to in event of disasters
13. Respondents were asked what their employer does to prepare for disasters. Below is a summary
of responses:
Answer Responses
Conduct evacuation drills 28
Training on how to respond to disasters in the workplace 29
Provides disaster supplies 26
Other* 12
*The responses to "Other"were:
• I work for myself/at home
• At our Bus Yard, Maintenance site and Electronic Shop, we do not drill nor are we
prepared for disasters. But all of our High Schools are prepared and do conduit drills.
• There is usually 1 to 2 employees working at one time.
• They do a fire drill once a year,that is it no matter how many times I offer to teach them
how to prepare.
14. Respondents were asked if their employer has a plan for disaster recovery in place.
• 32, or 58.2%of respondents, indicated that their employer does have a disaster
recovery plan in place.
• 12,or 21.8%of respondents, indicated that their employer does not have a disaster
recovery plan in place.
• 11 respondents were unsure if their employer has a disaster recovery plan in place.
0 90 respondents skipped this question.
15. Respondents were asked what recommendations they have for the City to improve
identification, prioritization, and implementation of actions intended to reduce future damage
and increase resiliency. The following recommendations were received:
Recommendations for Huntington Beach Number of Responses
Perform outreach to ensure people are aware of their environment and 78
the inherent risks
Provide training and materials on how residents can be prepared for the 78
identified risks
Enforce/update building codes 50
Other* 10
The responses to "Other"were:
• The City needs to have its own preparations in order, and its employees properly trained
and aware so that they can provide effective "first response" assistance to the
community. I don't believe that they have this in place.
• Train volunteers to work alongside and support the professionals during and after
disasters
• MAINTAIN CANALS AND WATERSHED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY
OVERGROWN BY PLANTS AND TRASH. THERE IS WILDLIFE BUT THAT IS WHAT
WETLANDS ARE FOR.
• 1 am sure the city enforces the building codes and updates them as needed.
• Will clean drinking water be available and at what cost by the Poseidon Resources Desal
Plant? What will be the costs to the taxpaying neighbors to obtain water?
• Increase the city's ability to provide water for 200,000 people for three days.
• Our townhouses have no earthquake insurance because it is too costly--affordable
insurance should be a priority for rebuilding the community in case of an earthquake. I
can insure contents--but the big expense will be rebuilding.
• Hold neighborhood CERT&Sustainability sessions jointly with Red Cross and City's
Environmental Board guidance
• Enroll community members and get the word out.
• Also, zoning codes
16. Respondents were asked to provide any additional comments/suggestions/questions. The
responses are summarized below:
• The City needs to support public forums for disaster preparedness,e.g. classes(CERT),
neighborhoods, expos, along with their community partners such as churches and other
nonprofit/volunteer organizations
• We have tried to start a CERT program here at Skandia. Most residents including the
management do not take it seriously. There are a few of us here that are trying to be
trained and ready. However we feel that when something does happen we will be
overrun with people who what help and are not prepared. How can that be changed?
• 1 am concerned that Insurance Companies will not have the funds available for the
Personal Home Owners Property after they have finished first paying for all the
Commercial Claims prior to paying the Individual Home Owners, who in fact will be the
last to be paid if at all.This opinion is from a qualified Insurance Employee who did
Statistical Research and deduced this would be a true evaluation given a Major
Catastrophic Disaster impacting a large area.
* 1 appreciate the city sharing its planning with me and seeking my input.
* 1 have a drainage hazard in front of my house that has been reported three times and
has not been fixed
* 1 live in a HOA and am in the process of setting up a disaster plan for my community.
Need all the help I can get. I do have a committee of 5 w/some of those having
experience in this.
* Most significant exposure is from earthquake. I'm significantly concerned about
earthquakes that effect large regional areas well beyond just Huntington Beach.
* Out of State relatives are the best sources during an emergency.
* 1. Provide identified helicopter landing and evacuation sites at various city locations.
2. Install a marine hover craft dock at the Huntington harbour fire station.
3. Upgrade the simplex two way radio ability of the RACES and the 800 mz
communication systems.
4.San Onofre nuclear power plant evacuation plan to include cruise ship departure from
the pier.
5. Mandatory CERT training for all city personnel.
6. Plan to evacuate folks by train using the rail line ending at Ellis.
* Thank you for your dedication to our great city.
* How do we get information on the preparedness kits mentioned on the previous page of
the survey?
* My wife and children work and go to school in HB. I know the schools have a disaster
plan but I don't have any info on it.
* You are doing a great job. We are fortunate to be living in this city
* I am concerned because those in coastal areas like I am are subject to flooding,
tsunamis,and soil liquefaction--I have seen no maps identifying vulnerable areas nor
evacuation routes nor anything showing where exactly the Newport-Inglewood fault
runs through Huntington Beach or along our coast. I personally would like to be better
informed as to those issues, especially regarding Huntington Harbor and all our coastal
areas.
* I have been working with the White House Disaster Preparation team on improving the
flows of knowledge from FEMA-DHS to State and City operations. Some of these issues
have also been discussed at length at NIST(National Institute of Standards and
Technology) and the programs implemented by Carnegie Mellon University-Silicon
Valley with State Office of Emergency participation.The City of San Mateo is currently
implementing a project with my associates,and there is interest in beginning
conversations with HB, if interested.Grant funds may be available under several
agencies.
* Require landlords to make sure tenets are up to date on things and fine them if they
don't. I have not the foggiest idea of what to expect?
* 1 am just completing the CERT training and I look forward to assisting the city in getting
the word out. I have been a local realtor for over 35 years I believe we as an industry
could assist the city greatly in getting the word out to residences.
* "Brevyn Mettler is an amazing leader. I am currently participating in the CERT program,
and have the opportunity to observe Brevyn in action. He is thorough, confident and
passionate about the safety of HB. I have a lot to do and learn regarding future hazard
events, but with Brevyn's CERT program*, I am a couple of steps closer to being
prepared!
*1 have a number of colleagues who have participated in CERT programs in LA, Culver
City and Santa Barbara. They received the FEMA CERT materials, however, they did not
get the passionate, 'it's going to be bad; but we can prevent it from being worse...be
proactive vs. reactive"" message."
• 1 live in the flight path of Long Beach Airport. Is there information about disaster in to
regard?
• The city needs to begin projected inundation mapping and related planning for sea level
rise.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix B
Appendix B
Hazard Mitigation Planning Team Meeting Summaries
February 17, 2011 Meeting Record
May 19, 2011 Meeting Record
June 28, 2011 Meeting Record
October 13, 2011 Meeting Record
Meeting Agenda
Subject: Hazard Mitigation Plan Date&Time: 2:00—4:00 PM
Update
February 17, 2011
Kick Off Meeting
Leader: Brevyn Mettler Location: City Hall
2000 Main Street,
Huntington Beach, CA
Purpose: Confirm scope of work, Identify planning timeline
Attendees: Refer to Sign-In Sheet
Primary POC Aaron Pfannenstiel, 909-974-4917, aip@rbf.com
DescriptionItem
1 Welcome and Introductions Brevyn 5-10 Minutes
2 Plan Update Process RBF Team 15-25 minutes
3 Discuss Data Needs RBF Team 10-15 minutes
4 Discuss Planning Timeline RBF Team 30-15 minutes
Review& Prioritize Hazards/Discuss recent
5 natural hazard events since 2004 RBF Team/all 20-30 minutes
Review Goals,Objectives&Previously
6 Identified Mitigation Actions RBF Team/all 5-10 minutes
7 Action Items/Closing RBF Team 5-10 minutes
Responsibility/Action Item Date
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team PF
Kick-Off Meeting COMMULTiNG
February 17, 2011 It Dewbany
Sign-In Sheet
Name Organization/ Title Mail address Desk/Cell/Fax Email address
Dept.
Aaron RBF Consulting Project Manager 3300 E. Guasti Road,Suite 100 909.974.4917 aio(@rbf.com
Pfannenstiel Ontario,CA 91761 909.374.4828
909.974.4004
Corinne Dewberry Deputy Project 1410 Rocky Ridge Drive,Suite 305 415.295.7116 cbartshire@dewberry.com
Bartshire Manager Roseville,CA 95661 805.441.5591
916.380.3750
Hope Seligson MMI Engineering Risk 2100 Main Street,Suite 150 714.465.1390 hseligson@mmiengineering.com
Assessment/GIS Huntington Beach,CA 92648
714.969.0820
Kevin lusten Fire Department Senior 2000 Main Street 714.536.5235 Kiusten@surfcity-hb.or9
Administrative Huntington Beach,CA 92646
Analyst
Lisa Kennedy Fire Department Administrative Same as above 714.536.5937 Ikennedy@surfcity-hb.org
Aide
Ken Dills Public Works Project Manager Same as above 714.375.5055 kdills@surfcity-hb.org
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting PF
February 17, 2011 CONSUL1NG
Dewberry
Name Organization/ Title Mail address Desk/Cell/Fax Email address
Dept.
Brevyn Mettler Fire Department Emergency Same as above 714.374.1565 bmettler@surfcity-hb.ore
Services
Coordinator
(City POC)
Daniel Richards IS Operations GIS Same as above 714.374.5354 drichards@surfcity-hb.org
Manager
Andrew Planning Division Associate Same as above 714.374.1547 agonzales@surfcity-hb.org
Gonzales Planner/
Floodplain
Administrator
Gloria Morrison Fire Department 714.955.2504 glorria@verizon.net
(Retired)
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting
February 17, 2011 CONSULTING
• Dewberry
Plan Update Requirements per the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
Adoption
— Each participating jurisdiction must provide resolution of adoption
Planning Process
— Describe the process
— Describe opportunities for public involvement (draft & prior to approval)
— Describe opportunities for neighboring communities, agencies, businesses,
academia, non-profits, etc (extended stakeholders)
— Describe review of existing plans, studies, & reports as relevant for
incorporation/reference in the LHMP (included in Capabilities Assessment)
— OPTIONAL: Capabilities Assessment
Risk Assessment
— Description of all hazards that affect the planning area & rationale for omitting
recognized hazards from analysis
• Must include variation of risk for each participating jurisdiction
— Hazard Profiles
• Location
• Extent
• Previous occurrences
• Probability of future events
— Vulnerability Assessment
• Summary of vulnerability to each hazard
• Summary of anticipated impact of each hazard
OPTIONAL: types and numbers of existing/future buildings,
infrastructure, and critical facilities in identified hazard areas
• OPTIONAL: estimate of potential dollar losses to vulnerable structures &
methodology
• OPTIONAL: land use development trends
Mitigation Strategy
— Mitigation Goals
• Long term desires based on risk assessment findings
— Identification &Analysis of Mitigation Actions
• Comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects for each
hazard
• Projects must address reducing the effects of hazards on New/ Existing
buildings and infrastructure
— Implementation of Mitigation Actions
• Prioritization of actions
• How the actions will be implemented and administered
• Cost-benefit review
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting WF
February 17, 2011 CONSULTING
Dewberry
Plan Maintenance Process
— Monitoring, Evaluating, and Updating the Plan
• Method and schedule for monitoring, evaluating, and updating the plan
— Incorporation into Existing Planning Mechanisms
• Identification of local planning mechanisms available for incorporating
LHMP requirements (ie. safety element, land use element, flood
mitigation plan)
• Process by which the local gov't will incorporate the LHMP requirements
into other plans, when appropriate.
— Continued Public Involvement
• How continued public participation will be obtained
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting PF
February 17, 2011 CONSULTING
It Dewba y
HMP Update Data Needs List
1. Hazard Ranking:to be facilitated by the RBF Team using an excel tool
2. Mitigation Action Status: For each previously identified mitigation action please note three
things:
a. Whether it is "in progress, completed, deferred, or should be deleted".
b. Completion date (or estimated completion date)
c. Comments (reason for deleted or deferred status, discussion of progress, or
comments regarding success of the completion)
3. Critical Facilities: Review/Revise list of"critical facilities"for consideration in the risk
assessment. The RBF Team will lead the Mitigation Planning Team in a discussion of what
constitutes a critical facility and develop consensus on the most effective means for updating
the critical facilities list. (See Critical Facilities list attached)
Preferred Format.GIS Shapefile or excel spreadsheet with addresses and/or location
coordinates.
Preferred Information: Replacement value(or insured value)for each facility, contents value,
facility name, facility function,facility construction type, information regarding recent
improvements or structural issues. (The RBF Team can provide a template if a critical facilities
database is not already developed.)
4. GIS Data: Follow up action item with City GIS contact. Preferably we would like to get the
following layers:
• GIS Layers from the Previous HMP Update
• GIS Layers from the General Plan and Sunset Beach Annexation
S. National Flood Insurance Program & Repetitive Loss Properties: Please provide information
regarding the City's participation in the NFIP, commitment to continue compliance with the
NFIP, and status of repetitive flood loss properties within the City. (The RBF Team can provide
examples and a template of what information is required to include in the plan update)
6. Documentation: Please provide the following requested documents and any other local
planning materials that show capabilities to protect development from natural hazards.
Hazard/Disaster Documentation
a. Documentation associated with recent disaster events(since 2003)
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting PF
February 17, 2011 CONSULTING
• Dewberry
1. Description of events
2. Sustained damage and costs for repair
3. Requests for recovery assistance
b. Emergency Operations Plan
c. Community Wildfire Protection Plan(s)
Planning Documentation
d. General Plan
e. Zoning Code
f. Plan of Services for Sunset Annexation Area
g. Development Trends(large planned projects or neighborhoods with
currently/anticipated high rates of development)
h. Redevelopment or Economic Strategic Plan
Public Works/Building
i. Capital Improvements Plan
j. Other Ordinances/Codes
1. Building Code
2. Floodplain Management Ordinance
3. Development Ordinances
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting
February 17, 2011 CONOULTINd
• Dewberry
Review and Prioritize Hazards
Identified in Prioritization(After
Hazard 2004 Plan Preliminary Disposition Ranking)
Agricultural Pests N/A
Avalanche N/A
Coastal Erosion Bluff erosion Limited (12.00)
Coastal Storm Combined with flood
Dam Failure Yes Moderate (24.00)
Drought Covered by UWMP
Earthquake Yes Add fire to this hazard Significant(64.00)
Expansive soils N/A
Extreme Heat N/A
Flood Yes Significant(48.00)
Geological Hazards N/A
Hailstorm N/A
400 businesses in town/
Hazardous Materials Asscon site Moderate (18.40)
Hurricane N/A
Land Subsidence Yes Murdy Fire Station Moderate (22.40)
Landslide and
Mudflow N/A
Man Caused Hazards Terrorism Limited (11.80)
Severe Winter Storm N/A
Tornado Add water spouts Moderate (23.40)
Tsunami Yes Moderate(24.00)
Volcano N/A
Wildfire N/A
Wind See below
Windstorm Yes Combine wind and windstorm Moderate(35.40)
Hazard Ranking Exercise
Refer to Handout
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting
February 17, 2011 GUNBULrine
Dewberry
HAZARD RANKING WORKSHEET - City of Huntington Beach
Impact Total Hazard
Hazard Type Probability Affected Primary Secondary Planning
Area Impact Impacts Score Consideration
Windstorm 4 4 1 1 35.20 Moderate
Tsunami 2 3 3 3 24.00 Moderate
Subsidence 4 2 1 1 22.40 Moderate
Dam Failure 2 3 3 3 24.00 Moderate
Flood 4 3 3 3 48.00 Significant
Earthquake 4 4 1 4 4 64.00 1 Si nificant
Coastal Erosion 3 1 1 1 12.00 Limited
Hazardous Materials 2 1 4 2 18.40 Moderate
Terrorism 1 2 4 3 11.80 Limited
Tornado 3 1 3 2 23.40 Moderate
0.00 Limited
Probability Importance 2.0 Secondary Impacts Importancel 0.5
Based on estimated likelihood of occurrence from historical data Based on estimated secondary impacts to community at large
Probability Score Impact Score
Unlikely 1 Negligible-no loss of function, downtime,and/c 1
Somewhat Likely 2 Limited-minimal loss of function,downtime,an 2
Likely 3 Moderate-some loss of function, downtime,an 3
Highly Likely 4 High-major loss of function, downtime,and/or, 4
Affected Area Importance 0.8 Total Score=Probability x Impact,where:
Based on size of geographical area of community affected by hazard Probability= (Probability Score x Importance)
Affected Area Score Impact=(Affected Area+ Primary Impact+Secondary Impacts),where:
Isolated 1 Affected Area=Affected Area Score x Importance
Small 2 Primary Impact= Primary Impact Score x Importance
Medium 3 Secondary Impacts= Secondary Impacts Score x Importance
Large 4
Primary Impact Importance 0.7 Hazard Planning Consideration
Based on percentage of damage to typical facility in community Total Score (Range) Distribution Hazard Level
Impact Score 0.0 20.0 3 Limited
Negligible-less than 10%damage 1 12.1 42.0 6 Moderate
Limited-between 10%and 25%damage 2 42.1 64.0 2 Significant
Critical-between 25%and 50%damage 3
Catastrophic-more than 50%damage 4
The probability of each hazard is determined by assigning a level,from unlikely to highly likely, based on the likelihood of occurrence from historical data. The total impact value
includes the affected area, primary impact and secondary impact levels of each hazard. Each level's score is reflected in the matrix. The total score for each hazard is the
probability score multiplied by it's importance factor times the sum of the impact level scores multiplied by their importance factors . Based on this total score,the hazards are
separated into four categories based on the hazard level they pose to the communities: Significant, Moderate, Limited, None.
S Dewberry
2004 Hazard Mitigation Plan Goals and Objectives
Protect Life and Property
Implement activities that assist in protecting lives by making homes, businesses, infrastructure,
critical facilities, and other property more resistant to losses from natural hazards.
Reduce losses and repetitive damages from chronic hazard events while promoting insurance
coverage for catastrophic hazards. Improve hazard assessment information to make
recommendations for discouraging new development in high hazard areas and encouraging
preventative measures for existing development in areas vulnerable to natural hazards.
Public Awareness
Develop and implement education and outreach programs to increase public awareness of the
risks associated with natural hazards. Provide information on tools, partnership opportunities,
and funding resources to assist in implementing mitigation activities.
Natural Systems
Balance natural resource management and land use planning with natural hazard mitigation to
protect life, property, and the environment. Preserve, rehabilitate, and enhance natural
systems to serve natural hazard mitigation functions.
Partnerships and Implementation
Strengthen communication and coordinate participation among and within public agencies,
citizens, nonprofit organizations, business, and industry to gain a vested interest in
implementation. Encourage leadership within public and private sector organizations to
prioritize and implement local and regional hazard mitigation activities.
Emergency Services
Establish policy to ensure mitigation projects for critical facilities, services, and infrastructure.
Strengthen emergency operations by increasing collaboration and coordination among public
agencies, nonprofit organizations, business, and industry. Coordinate and integrate natural
hazard mitigation activities, where appropriate, with emergency operations plans and
procedures.
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting WF
February 17, 2011 CONSULTING
• Dewberry
Hazard Specific Goals and Objectives
Windstorm
Goals
• Determine who the stakeholders are in windstorm damage
• Determine how communications between stakeholders can be established to
coordinate windstorm prevention
• Decide how the public can participate in windstorm prevention
Objectives
• Provide a forum for communication between stakeholders
• Work together with stakeholders to educate the public on proper tree pruning to
reduce windstorm related power outages
• Establish a list of critical facilities within the two-city area to determine if they have
backup power to be able to continue operations should a commercial power failure
occur
Tsunami and Dam Failure
Goals
• Identify tsunami and dam failure prone areas within the communities
• Enhance warning systems to provide quick and effective notifications of an impending
tsunami or dam failure
• Ensure tsunami and dam failure preparedness education remains a priority
Objectives
• Review all warning systems to ensure that adequate coverage exists for the coastal
community
• Upgrade warning systems to add/improve coverage in the Edwards Fire Station area
Subsidence
Goals
• Identify subsidence prone areas
• Identify public structures that have been impacted by subsidence
• Educate the public on subsidence and its impact
Objectives
• Work with State and Federal resources to determine subsidence impact areas
• List and prioritize public facilities impacted by subsidence
• Include subsidence in all disaster preparedness education
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting PF
February 17, 2011 CONSULnno
Dewberry
Flood
Goals
• Eliminate to the greatest degree possible, the risk from flood hazards to life, property,
public investment, and social order
• Provide a flood control system which is able to support the permitted land uses while
preserving the public safety
• Upgrade existing deficient flood control systems
• Pursue funding sources to reduce the costs of flood control
• Minimize losses to critical facilities from flooding
• Minimize losses to existing and future structures within the flood zone
• Minimize economic loss to the six public agencies, the public, and recovery costs to
FEMA and State OES from floods
Objectives
• Upgrade pump stations
• Upgrade storm drains
• Educate City personnel, School District personnel, and residents on emergency flood
protection measures
• Work closely with other levels of government to ensure flood control systems are being
upgraded
Earthquake
Goals
• Identify at-risk structures and promote seismic retrofitting of any pre-1933 buildings
• Minimize losses to critical facilities from earthquakes by seismically retrofitting unstable
structures
• Promote non-structural hazard mitigation throughout the community
• Ensure earthquake preparedness education remains a priority
Objectives
• Provide public educational materials on seismic retrofitting to the public
• Provide education on non-structural hazard mitigation to the community
• Continue to educate employees and the public through programs like the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) program on earthquake preparedness
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting
February 17, 2011 con•uLnna
Dewberry
Mitigation Planning Meeting
February 17, 2011 1400 hours— 1600 hours
City Attendees: Brevyn Mettler, Ken Dills, Glorria Morrison, Andrew Gonzales, Kevin Justen
Missing: Todd Broussard, Laurie Payne
Consultants: Aaron Pfannenstiel, Corinne Bartshire, Hope Seligson
Point of contacts: City contact: Brevyn Metter
Consultant: Aaron Pfannenstiel
Welcome and introduction of city staff to consultants.
Current mitigation plan expired March 2010. Our agency is unable to qualify for reimbursements from
FEMA while no current plan is in place.
Agenda for meeting was available in binders supplied to all and was reviewed. Brevyn will be
supplying timecards for everyone to fill out each time they work on this project. Please do not wait
until the end of each month to fill it out. Fill it out every time you work with the project. Be sure to
use your full burdened pay rate (with benefits) on your time sheet.
The project will be finale in August 2011 when a draft resolution will be produced. It is hoped that
the final Mitigation Plan will be submitted to CALEMA (first) and FEMA (second) for approval with
adoption by city council in Spring 2012. If the crosswalk supplied by the consultants is followed we
should have no issues for FEMA approval. FEMA will be making changes, but they hopefully will be
minimized by the crosswalk.
Steps:
• Risk Assessment
o Hazard profiling
o Vulnerability Assessments
• Mitigation Strategy
o Goals
o Identify&Analyze
o Implementation
• Maintenance
o Updating
o Incorporating
o Public Involvement
Public Works projects will need to be started as soon as possible as they will have the bulk of
required information for the mitigation plan. Discussion on how confidential information was to be
handled was initiated. Where possible all public documentation will be made available but those
items deemed confidential will be withheld and secured elsewhere in a separate file.
Milestone 1 March 151
Milestone 2 May 30`h
Milestone 3 August in
Milestone 4 September 30`"
We have to give the Public informational access prior to finalization twice. This access can be in the
form of meetings, website availability, online surveys or Channel 3 broadcasts. The meetings do not
have to be stand alone meetings they can be combined with Planning Commission or other
appropriate meeting. One day time meeting for affected city staff was suggested for one of the
public meetings.
It was decided that Sunset Beach should be included in the plan, as annexing will be eventually and
re-doing the plan and going through the approval processes a second time would be time-
consuming and cumbersome. Sunset Beach not being part of the National Flood Program will be an
issue. They will be required to join.
Documentation will be needed showing all claims and public assistances we have needed since the
last plan was adopted in 2004. There is no such thing as too much documentation. In 2004 we only
had 6 areas listed for mitigation. The new rule is that you have to justify why an area is NOT listed
now.
Review old list and discussed areas to be added or deleted. Some of the suggested areas to be
added include: liquefaction, oil/methane issues, terrorism, and tornados. The following list was
established but will be discussed and modified.
Hazard ranking (preliminary):
❖ Earthquake 64
❖ Flooding 48
❖ Windstorm 35.2
Tsunami 24
❖ Dam failure 24
❖ Tornado/water spouts 23.4
❖ Subsidence (sinking) 22.4
❖ Hazardous 18.4
Coastal erosion 12
Terrorism 11.8
The 2004 goals need to be reviewed and decided on what still applies, what needs to continue,
what needs to be deleted, and what needs to be added.
The next meeting will be scheduled for May.
/Ik
0 Meeting Agenda
Subject: Hazard Mitigation Plan Date &Time: 10:00—12:00 PM
Update
May 19, 2011
Meeting No. 2
Leader: Brevyn Mettler Location: City Hall
2000 Main Street,
Huntington Beach, CA
Purpose: Review Hazard Profiles, Mitigation Project Status Update, Public Input
Attendees: Refer to Sign-In Sheet
Primary POC Aaron Pfannenstiel, 909-974-4917, amp@rbf.com
DescriptionItem
Review Hazard Profiles/Vulnerability
1 Assessment Methodology RBF Team 30-45 minutes
2 Goals and Objectives RBF Team 10-15 minutes
3 Public Input Survey RBF Team 10-15 minutes
4 Mitigation Actions Spreadsheet RBF Team 20-30 minutes
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team FBF
Planning Team Meeting CONSULTING
May 19, 2011
• Dewberry
Sign-In Sheet
Name Organization/ Title Mail address Desk/Cell/Fax Email address Initials
Dept.
Aaron RBF Consulting Project Manager 3300 E.Guasti Road,Suite 100 909.974.4917 aia@rbf.com
Pfannenstiel Ontario,CA 91761 909.374.4828
909.974.4004
Corinne Dewberry Deputy Project 1410 Rocky Ridge Drive,Suite 305 415.295.7116 cbartshire@dewberry.com
Bartshire Manager Roseville,CA 95661 805.441.5591
916.380.3750
Hope Seligson MMI Engineering Risk Assessment/ 2100 Main Street,Suite 150 714.465.1390 hselieson@mmieneineering.c
GIS Huntington Beach, CA 92648 om
714.969.0820
Kevin Justen Fire Department Senior 2000 Main Street 714.536.5235 Kiusten@surfcity-hb.ora
Administrative Huntington Beach,CA 92646
Analyst
Lisa Kennedy Fire Department Administrative Same as above 714.536.5937 Ikennedv@surfcity-hb.orp
Aide
Ken Dills Public Works Project Manager Same as above 714.375.5055 kdills@surfcity-hb.or¢
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team WF
Planning Team Meeting
May 19, 2011 `O"a""'"G
Dewberry
Name Organization/ Title Mail address Desk/Cell/Fax Email address Initials
Dept.
Brevyn Mettler Fire Department Emergency Same as above 714.374.1565 bmettler@surfcity-hb.ora
Services
Coordinator
(City POC)
Daniel Richards IS Operations GIS Same as above 714.374.5354 drichards@surfcity-hb.ore
Manager
Andrew Planning Division Associate Same as above 714.374.1547 azonzales@surfcity-hb.or¢
Gonzales Planner/
Floodplain
Administrator
Gloria Morrison Fire Department 714.955.2504 glorria@verizon.net
(Retired)
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team WF
Planning Team Meeting
May 19, 2011 C.NS LTING
® Dewberry
2004 Hazard Mitigation Plan Goals and Objectives
Protect life and Property
Implement activities that assist in protecting lives by making homes, businesses, infrastructure,
critical facilities, and other property more resistant to losses from natural hazards.
Reduce losses and repetitive damages from chronic hazard events while promoting insurance
coverage for catastrophic hazards. Improve hazard assessment information to make
recommendations for discouraging new development in high hazard areas and encouraging
preventative measures for existing development in areas vulnerable to natural hazards.
Public Awareness
Develop and implement education and outreach programs to increase public awareness of the
risks associated with natural hazards. Provide information on tools, partnership opportunities,
and funding resources to assist in implementing mitigation activities.
Natural Systems
Balance natural resource management and land use planning with natural hazard mitigation to
protect life, property, and the environment. Preserve, rehabilitate, and enhance natural
systems to serve natural hazard mitigation functions.
Partnerships and Implementation
Strengthen communication and coordinate participation among and within public agencies,
citizens, nonprofit organizations, business, and industry to gain a vested interest in
implementation. Encourage leadership within public and private sector organizations to
prioritize and implement local and regional hazard mitigation activities.
Emergency Services
Establish policy to ensure mitigation projects for critical facilities, services, and infrastructure.
Strengthen emergency operations by increasing collaboration and coordination among public
agencies, nonprofit organizations, business, and industry. Coordinate and integrate natural
hazard mitigation activities, where appropriate, with emergency operations plans and
procedures.
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Planning Team Meeting PF
May 19, 2011
Dewberry
Hazard Specific Goals and Objectives
Windstorm
Goals
• Determine who the stakeholders are in windstorm damage
• Determine how communications between stakeholders can be established to
coordinate windstorm prevention
• Decide how the public can participate in windstorm prevention
Objectives
• Provide a forum for communication between stakeholders
• Work together with stakeholders to educate the public on proper tree pruning to
reduce windstorm related power outages
• Establish a list of critical facilities within the two-city area to determine if they have
backup power to be able to continue operations should a commercial power failure
occur
Tsunami and Dam Failure
Goals
• Identify tsunami and dam failure prone areas within the communities
• Enhance warning systems to provide quick and effective notifications of an impending
tsunami or dam failure
• Ensure tsunami and dam failure preparedness education remains a priority
Objectives
• Review all warning systems to ensure that adequate coverage exists for the coastal
community
• Upgrade warning systems to add/improve coverage in the Edwards Fire Station area
Subsidence
Goals
• Identify subsidence prone areas
• Identify public structures that have been impacted by subsidence
• Educate the public on subsidence and its impact
Objectives
• Work with State and Federal resources to determine subsidence impact areas
• List and prioritize public facilities impacted by subsidence
• Include subsidence in all disaster preparedness education
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Planning Team Meeting WF
May 19, 2011 CGN9 LTING
Dewberry
Flood
Goals
• Eliminate to the greatest degree possible,the risk from flood hazards to life, property,
public investment, and social order
• Provide a flood control system which is able to support the permitted land uses while
preserving the public safety
• Upgrade existing deficient flood control systems
• Pursue funding sources to reduce the costs of flood control
• Minimize losses to critical facilities from flooding
• Minimize losses to existing and future structures within the flood zone
• Minimize economic loss to the six public agencies, the public, and recovery costs to
FEMA and State OES from floods
Objectives
• Upgrade pump stations
• Upgrade storm drains
• Educate City personnel, School District personnel, and residents on emergency flood
protection measures
• Work closely with other levels of government to ensure flood control systems are being
upgraded
Earthquake
Goals
• Identify at-risk structures and promote seismic retrofitting of any pre-1933 buildings
• Minimize losses to critical facilities from earthquakes by seismically retrofitting unstable
structures
• Promote non-structural hazard mitigation throughout the community
• Ensure earthquake preparedness education remains a priority
Objectives
• Provide public educational materials on seismic retrofitting to the public
• Provide education on non-structural hazard mitigation to the community
• Continue to educate employees and the public through programs like the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) program on earthquake preparedness
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Planning Team Meeting
May 19, 2011 CON 9lJ lTINp
Dewberry
Mitigation Planning Meeting
May 19, 2011 1000 hours— 1200 hours
City Attendees: Brevyn Mettler, Ken Dills, Glorria Morrison, Andrew Gonzales, Kevin lusten, Todd
Broussard, Andrew Gonzales
Missing: Laurie Payne
Consultants: Aaron Pfannenstiel, Corinne Bartshire, Hope Seligson
Point of contacts: City contact: Brevyn Metter
Consultant: Aaron Pfannenstiel
Welcome and review of previous work conducted since last meeting.
Agenda for meeting was available and supplied to all for review and use.
Hazard Profiles
HMP Team reviewed the Hazard Profiles provided a week prior to the meeting and discussed the
information contained within the document. General consensus was reached that the profiles
discussed were appropriate for the City's plan and met the community's needs.
Vulnerability/ Risk Assessment
Based on the discussion regarding Hazard Profiles, the City's consultant discussed the methodology
that would be used to prepare the Vulnerability/ Risk assessment portion of the plan. The
methodology is similar to that used in the 2004 plan, however more up to date information will be
utilized and and updated HAZUS analysis will be conducted as part of the plan based on the Orange
County study prepared a few years ago.
Mitigation Actions
The HMP Team also discussed the mitigation actions status and were provided with a table outlining
the 2004 HMP Mitigation Actions and several columns that could be filled in regarding the status of
these actions and anticipated need for them in the future. This table was provided at this time to
get the HMP Team thinking about the progress made on their current actions in preparation for the
creation of the new/ revised actions within the 2011 Update.
Public Outreach
The HMP Team discussed the upcoming public outreach effort for the HMP document. This process
includes a public opinion survey that will be sent out to various stakeholders/interest groups/and
residents within the City to gauge their concern regarding potential hazards to the City as well as
their level of interest/knowledge in this topic.
Goals/Objectives
Based on the HMP Team's review of the previous goals/objectives from the 2004 Plan, consensus
was reached that the Update should include similar goals/objectives, however they need to be
revised so that they are more comprehensive and focus on a more holistic approach to hazard
mitigation.
The next meeting will be scheduled for October.
City of Huntington Beach
Progress Report and Discussion of Next Steps
Meeting Record
Date: June 28, 2011
Attendees: Corinne Bartshire, Aaron Pfannenstiel, Hope Seligson, Brevyn Mettler
Discussion Topics:
A. Critical Facilities—confirmation of points, overlay w/ hazard areas
B. Tsunami Inundation Mapping
C. Mitigation Strategies
D. HAZUS Risk Assessment
E. Public Survey—revisions, dissemination
Meeting Outcomes:
A. Brevyn responded to critical facilities mapping questions:
1. Three locations that we could not capture due to the nature of the given address
(CA State Dept of Parks and Recreation, Huntington State Beach, and Verizon
Company Facilities). City indicated that these facilities do not need to be part of
the critical facilities list.
2. The Public Works Utilities and Utilities Division/Warehouse and Overmyer Reservoir
address are really close to each other and there is a polygon from the county saying
"Water Warehouse and Operations". City requested that these facilities be
identified as Water Operations and the address for these facilities is 19001
Huntington Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
3. Clarification on addresses for the Oakview Police Substation and State Parks
Headquarters.
• Oakview Police Substation 17483 Beach Blvd, Unit B, Huntington Beach, CA
92647
• State Park Headquarters—21601 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA
92646
4. Replacement values—The Team requested replacement values for the Critical
Facilities list. Brevyn will check with Risk Management on whether that
information is available and will be incorporated into the HMP document.
5. Sunset Annexation Facilities—Brevyn indicated that afire station is located within
the Sunset annexation area and he is waiting to hear back from the County
regarding the status of that facility once the annexation is complete. The facility
may be converted to another use (community center, etc...)
B. Brevyn wants to include a paragraph about the tsunami scenarios from statewide
inundation mapping. There are 8 or 9 scenarios...provide a paragraph synopsis of how
these affect Huntington Beach. Hope provided a link to the mapping methodology
prepared by the State, which identifies the various scenarios and modeled wave heights
for the reference locations along the coast (Table 1). Brevyn will provide scenarios and
data to the Team, once it is received from the State.
C. HAZUS Risk Assessment—Hope reviewed the highlights of the completed HAZUS
scenario runs with the Team.
D. Mitigation Strategies—Brevyn indicated that the Mitigation Strategies worksheet is
completed and transmitted to Aaron on 6/27/11.
E. Public Survey—City has changes/ revisions to the survey that will be sent by next week.
Brevyn to meet with PIO on how the distribution of the information will occur.
PAGE 2 OF 2
Meeting Agenda
g g
Subject: Hazard Mitigation Plan Date&Time: 9:00—11:00 PM
Update
October 13, 2011
Meeting No.4
Leader: Brevyn Mettler Location: City Hall
2000 Main Street,
Huntington Beach, CA
Purpose: Discuss Mitigation Actions
Attendees: Refer to Sign-In Sheet
Primary POC Aaron Pfannenstiel, 909-974-4917, aip@rbf.com
Item Description Lead Est. Time
1 Opening Questions/Comments from Team RBF Team 10-15 minutes
2 Discuss Proposed Mitigation Actions RBF Team 25-30 minutes
3 Consensus Exercise on Action Priorities RBF Team 25-30 minutes
4 Consensus on Plan Maintenance Activities RBF Team 10-15 minutes
5 Outstanding issues/concerns RBF Team 10-15 minutes
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team FBF
Planning Team Meeting CONSULTING
October 13, 2011
� Dewberry
Sign-In Sheet
Name Organization/ Title Mail address Desk/Cell/Fax Email address Initials
Dept.
Aaron RBF Consulting Project Manager 3300 E.Guasti Road,Suite 100 909.974.4917 aio@rbf.com
Pfannenstiel Ontario,CA 91761 909.374.4828
909.974.4004
Corinne Dewberry Deputy Project 1410 Rocky Ridge Drive,Suite 305 415.295.7116 cbartshire@dewberry.com
Bartshire Manager Roseville,CA 95661 805.441.5591
916.380.3750
Brevyn Mettler Fire Department Emergency 2000 Main Street 714.374.1565 bmettler@surfcity-hb.ore
Services Huntington Beach,CA 92646
Coordinator
(City POC)
Kevin Justen Fire Department Senior Same as above 714.536.5235 Kiusten@surfcity-hb.ore
Administrative
Analyst
Lisa Kennedy Fire Department Administrative Same as above 714.536.5937 Ikennedv@surfcity-hb.ore
Aide
Ken Dills Public Works Project Manager Same as above 714.375.5055 kdills@surfcity-hb.or¢
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team
Kick-Off Meeting WF
October 13, 2011 CONSULTING
Dewberry
Name Organization/ Title Mail address Desk/Cell/Fax Email address Initials
Dept.
Daniel Richards IS Operations GIS Same as above 714.374.5354 drichards@surfcity-hb.orz
Manager
Andrew Planning Division Associate Same as above 714.374.1547 aeonzales@surfcity-hb.org
Gonzales Planner/
Floodplain
Administrator
Glorria Fire Department 714.955.2504 glorria@verizon.net
Morrison (Retired)
Todd Broussard Public Works Principal Civil Same as above 714.536.5247 tbroussard@surfcity-hb.org
Engineer
Eric G.Engberg
Laurie Frymire
Brian Ragland
Huntington Beach Mitigation Planning Team WF
Kick-Off Meeting
October 13, 2011 `°"S""'"°
Dewberry
Mitigation Planning Meeting
October 13, 20110900 hours— 1100 hours
City Attendees: Brevyn Mettler, Ken Dills, Glorria Morrison, Andrew Gonzales, Kevin Justen, Todd
Broussard, Andrew Gonzales, Laurie Payne
Consultants: Aaron Pfannenstiel, Corinne Bartshire (via conference call)
Point of contacts: City contact: Brevyn Metter
Consultant: Aaron Pfannenstiel
Welcome and review of previous work conducted since last meeting.
Agenda for meeting was available and supplied to all for review and use.
Discussion focused on Mitigation Actions for the 2011 Update:
Since the last meeting in May, the City's Consultant completed the Risk Assessment and prepared
an administrative draft of the Hazard Mitigation Plan document. This document was distributed to
the HMP Team for review, with particular focus on Chapter 4, Mitigation Actions.
The primary topic of discussion for this meeting was the proposed mitigation actions developed by
the Team during this meeting. To assist the Team, the Consultant prepared a set of draft actions
based on the previous actions in the 2004 Plan, the information provided regarding the status of
these actions, and the identified goals and objectives developed by the HMP Team.
During this meeting a discussion of these 2004 actions, status of any new projects/issues that are
being contemplated by the City and the anticipated need for new improvements was conducted.
The outcome of this discussion assisted in the final development of the mitigation actions outlined
in the 2011 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
The final component of this discussion was a review of the Staple E criteria, which was used to assist
in the development of action priorities. However, due to time constraints a formal prioritization
process was not conducted at the meeting. Instead the HMP Team verified the prioritization
collaboratively as a follow up item to this meeting.
This meeting was concluded with the City's consultant indicating that the final draft of the plan
would be completed by end of the year and submitted for final review prior to public distribution.