1 - Hocking County, Ohio
I. Documentation of the Planning Process
The four phases of Emergency Management are: (1) Mitigation: Any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property from a hazard event. Mitigation, also known as prevention, encourages long-term reduction of hazard vulnerability. The goal of mitigation is to save lives and reduce property damage. Mitigation can accomplish this, and should be cost effective and environmentally sound. This, in turn, can reduce the enormous cost of disasters to property owners and all levels of government. In addition, mitigation can protect critical community facilities, reduce exposure to liability, and minimize community disruption. (2) Preparedness: Plans and preparations made to save lives and property and to facilitate response operations. (3) Response: Actions taken to provide emergency assistance, save lives, minimize property damage, and speed recovery immediately following a disaster. (4) Recovery: Actions taken to return to a normal or improved operating condition following a disaster.(FEMA) These are the basic building blocks that the Hocking County Emergency Management Agency (HCEMA) follows to protect lives and property, and to reduce economic loss and any future damages that the county may endure. HCEMA has taken on the task of participating in the Fiscal Year 2003 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Planning Initiative. A plan will be developed to address mitigation for natural hazards in Hocking County. This document will identify natural hazard risks in Hocking County, along with possible mitigation activities in order to eliminate and/or lessen damages associated with these disasters.
This plan was established by following the rules and regulations of the Federal Register under 201.6 Local Mitigation Plans. The plan was then revised following suggested guidelines in the Ohio planning guidebook interim guidance document, prepared by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA). The CORE group members were active in developing this plan. The most current information available was used and dates are noted with the statistics. Information in this document is subject to change (new buildings/structures, updated statistics etc.) and will be implemented into the plan when available.
Hocking County was awarded a grant in the amount of $19,471.00 to develop a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan for natural hazards. A local match of $6,490.00 is required. The plan must be completed prior to November, 2004, to maintain eligibility for Stafford Act disaster assistance.
Various agencies and departments contributed information to the Plan. Some of the agencies include but are not limited to: Hocking County Regional Planning Office, Hocking County Auditors’ Office, Hocking County Mapping and Drafting Department, Hocking County Engineer, Hocking County EMA, Hocking County Sewer Department, ODNR-Division of Forestry, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Hocking County Commissioners, Township Trustees and Clerks, Logan Mayor, Logan City Water and Sewer Departments, Logan-Hocking School District, Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District, Hocking County Health Department, Ohio EPA, The Ohio State University Extension, Fire Departments, Hocking County Firefighters Association, Logan Hocking Chamber of Commerce/Hocking County Community Improvement Corporation, Hocking Hills Tourism Association, Murray City Mayor, and Laurelville Village Council.
A. CORE GROUP
Bob Burris, Hocking County Regional Planner, Barbara Bunthoff, Hocking County EMA Director, Gary Starner, Hocking County Commissioner, and Debbie Later, Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District Program Administrator, met and selected a list of CORE committee members to be included in the development of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP). The group was formed based upon the information and knowledge that was needed to develop the NHMP. The following individuals are experts in their fields with the knowledge and leadership needed to help organize the plan. These committee members will offer insight into the problems and concerns that Hocking County is faced with. The CORE Group included the following members:
Barbara Bunthoff …………………………………............Hocking County EMA Director Robert Burris, P.E…..…………..……………..Hocking County Regional Planning Office
Audie Wykle………...Appalachia Ohio Alliance Advisory Committee Technical Advisor
Gary Starner………...…………………………………….Hocking County Commissioner
Allan Johnson………...…………...Hocking Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Debbie Later………………………………………………………………Hocking SWCD
Clark Sheets, Jr.………………………………Hocking SWCD/Marion Township Trustee
Bob West……….............................………………….………..Laurelville Village Council
Roger Shaw………….….…..…………………………………………………...Developer
Don Davis…….……….…………………..…...……The Ohio State University Extension Steve Williams………………..…………………………………………………Ohio EPA
Mark Samuels…….…….…………..…………………………..…The Logan Daily News Sharon Koon……..……………………………………………Murray City Village Mayor Steve Stirn……………….……………….Logan-Hocking School District Superintendent Bill Rinehart……...Logan-Hocking Chamber of Commerce/Hocking County Community
Improvement Corporation
Ray Dennis…..…………….……………………..…..Hocking County Health Department Mike Walsh…………….…..…………………………….……….Mayor of City of Logan Dave Glass…………………………………………………Hocking State Forest Manager
In addition to the Core Group listed above, Trustees or Clerks from nine of the eleven townships participated in one or more of the Core Group meetings. The jurisdictions’ information was provided through their representatives on the Core Group. All Township Trustees and Clerks were invited to all Core Group Meetings by individual personal letters sent to their homes.
Bob Miller, President of the Hocking County Fire Fighters’ Association, which represents all fire departments in Hocking County (including volunteer fire departments) was invited to the meetings and attended or had a representative attend the meetings and gave input into the plan on behalf of all the fire departments.
Local businesses and companies were represented through the Logan-Hocking Chamber of Commerce/Hocking County Community Improvement Corporation representative. Educators were represented through the Logan-Hocking School District Superintendent or his representative. The Appalachia Ohio Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to the stewardship of Appalachia Ohio and the cultural heritage of its people, was represented on the Core Group by Audie Wykle, their Advisory Committee Technical Advisor. The Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District, whose staff worked on the research and writing of this plan and was represented by two Board Members on the Core Group, is a non-profit government agency with a Board of Supervisors who are elected by the public to represent them in charting the course for soil and water conservation and natural resources management. The representatives mentioned in this paragraph were invited to all Core Group Meetings, by personal letter.
We held four Core Group Meetings during the development of the Draft Plan and all jurisdictions were invited. The local newspaper was invited to all meetings and all meetings were open to the public. A representative of the newspaper attended some of the meetings.
Representatives of the Hocking SWCD and Hocking County Regional Planning Office met with Dave Glass, ODNR-Division of Forestry, Hocking State Forest Manager, on May 26, 2004, and discussed in detail the wildfire strategies for both hazards and training for the County.
A public review of the proposed plan was held on December 15, 2004, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Hocking County Emergency Operations Center, 52 East Second Street, Logan, Ohio. All Core Group Members, Township Trustees and Clerks, Logan City Mayor, Murray City Village Mayor, Laurelville Village Mayor, and surrounding jurisdictions through the Athens, Fairfield, Perry, Pickaway, Ross and Vinton County Emergency Management Agencies were invited by personal letters. The public was notified by a public meeting notice in the Logan Daily News, as well as a personal invitation to Mark Samuels, Editor/Publisher of the Logan Daily News. These letters were mailed November 24, 2004. A request for the public notice to be published was e-mailed to Mark Samuels, Editor/Publisher of the Logan Daily News on November 24, 2004, and again on December 9, 2004. The public review meeting was also discussed with Logan Daily News reporter Jeremy Hauck on December 13, 2004, and an article was on the front page of the Logan Daily News on December 14, 2004. Notice of the public review was posted on the bulletin boards at the Hocking County Courthouse, Hocking County Emergency Operations Center and Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District.
Hocking County Regional Planners Robert Burris and Audie Wykle, attended the Hocking County Township Trustees Association Meeting on December 20, 2004. They reviewed and discussed the Hocking County Natural Hazards Mitigation Draft Plan. They passed out resolution forms to the townships present and requested that they adopt the plan for their townships and return the resolution to the Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District so it could be included in the plan.
Timeline for Preparing the Plan
The PDM Planning timeline was used in preparing the Hocking County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan.
8/8/03 – 12/1/03 2/1/05 - 5/1/05
Implementation Meetings Public Meeting
Start Planning Process FEMA Review Draft
Form Core Group Write and Adopt Final Plan
12/1/03 – 8/1/04 5/1/05 thru 8/8/05
Hazard Identification OEMA Review/Final FEMA
Hazard Profile Approval/Closeout
Risk Assessment
Vulnerability/Loss Estimate
Start Draft Plan
8/1/04 – 2/1/05 8/8/05
Setting Goals Grant Closed
Identifying Activities
Developing Action Plans
FEMA Review HA
Finish Draft Plan
Core Group Meetings
Grant Implementation Meeting–October 10, 2003, Hocking County Natural Hazard Mitigation Planning
The Grant Implementation meeting was held October 10, 2003. The Hocking County Emergency Management Agency will contract with the Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Hocking County Regional Planning Office for support on preparing the Mitigation Plan. The Hocking County Regional Planning Office will oversee the project and the Hocking SWCD will conduct the research. Brigitte Bouska, State Pre-Disaster Mitigation Coordinator for Ohio EMA, provided a detailed description of the planning and grant process, presented the guidebook and the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP). Barb Bunthoff, Hocking County EMA Director, Robert Burris, Hocking County Regional Planner, and Debbie Later, Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Program Administrator attended. It was agreed Barb Bunthoff would complete the W9 forms and submit a resolution to the Commissioners for Approval. A Mitigation Planning Workshop was scheduled for November 13, 2003.
Core Group Members were discussed among the group and with input from Hocking County Commissioner Gary Starner. The Core Group members were selected as listed later in this document. It was agreed to invite all Township Trustees and Clerks as well as Village and City Mayors to all meetings. The first Core Group Meeting was scheduled for October 23, 2003, at 3 p.m. at the EOC Conference Room at 52 East Second Street in Logan. The Hocking SWCD sent out a letter to all Core Group Members, Township Trustees and Clerks, and Village Mayors notifying them that we are in the process of writing a Mitigation Plan for Hocking County and asking them to become involved and help with the project.
Meeting 1 – October 23, 2003 – Initial Core Group/Hazard Identification Meeting
The purpose for this meeting was to meet and familiarize the Core Group with the purpose, process and objectives for writing the plan and to begin to identify hazards in the county. Eighteen Core Group Members, etc. attended the meeting.
Barb Bunthoff, Hocking County EMA Director, explained that we can do absolutely no mitigation in the County if we do not get this plan completed. She explained that if an entity does not want to participate, they will have to pass a resolution that they don’t want to participate and then that entity will have to write their own plan in order to get mitigation funding.
Robert Burris explained the steps of the hazard identification process are: identify, profile, inventory assets, estimate of losses, and prioritize things we can do to minimize loss.
Robert Burris led the group in Identifying the Hazards by using Worksheet #1. Task A - The following hazards were identified as hazards that may occur in Hocking County:
Dam Failure
Drought
Earthquake
Expansive Soils
Extreme Heat
Flood
Hail Storm
Land Subsidence
Landslide
Severe Winter Storm
Tornado
Wildfire
Wind Storm
Insect Damage
Thunder Storm.
Work Sheet #1 Task B - The most prevalent hazards in our county were identified as follows:
Dam Failure
Drought
Extreme Heat
Flood
Land Subsidence
Severe Winter Storm
Wildfire
Wind Storm
Thunder Storm.
The group discussed past hazards that have occurred in the county and identified possible sources of information on these occurrences.
The next meeting scheduled is the Mitigation Planning Workshop on November 13, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center in Logan.
Meeting 2 – November 13, 2003 – Mitigation Planning Workshop
The Mitigation Planning Workshop was held at the Emergency Operations Center Conference Room with 20 Core Group Members, Township Trustees and Clerks, etc. attending. Rick Warren gave the presentation.
Meeting 3 – February26, 2004 – Core Group Meeting
This meeting was held at the Keynes Building Conference Room located at 88 South Market Street in Logan. It was originally scheduled for the EOC Conference Room but had to be moved at the scheduled meeting time due to a scheduling conflict with the room. Attendees were notified as they entered the EOC that the meeting had been moved to the Keynes Building just across the alley. Fifteen Core Group Members, Township Trustees and Clerks, etc. attended. Robert Burris conducted the meeting.
The purpose of this meeting was to select the most prevalent natural hazards, look at damage factors associated with these hazards, and discuss possible mitigation projects.
The group discussed principal areas where the damages occur and estimated dollar values for property in these areas. This information was further discussed at the April 21 Core Group Meeting and the information gathered as these two meetings will be addressed later in this plan.
Meeting 4 – April 21, 2004 – Core Group Meeting
This meeting was held at the EOC Conference Room in Logan with 12 Core Group Members, Township Trustees and Clerks, etc. attending. The meeting was conducted by Robert Burris.
The purpose of this meeting was to further discuss principal areas where damages occur, estimated dollar value and to begin discussing and selecting possible projects for the major hazards.
Meeting 5 – December 15, 2004 – Public Review Meeting
This meeting was held at the EOC Conference Room in Logan with 13 Core Group Members, Township Trustees and Clerks, etc. attending. The meeting was conducted by Robert Burris.
The purpose of this meeting was to give the core group, townships, and jurisdictions, as well as the public, a chance to review the second draft of the Hocking County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and give their input. Robert Burris explained the purpose of the plan and the process of the development of the plan. He also explained that it had been submitted to the state for review and we received their comments on November 5, 2004. Robert Burris and Audie Wykle reviewed the plan’s contents and discussed the mitigation strategies.
Barbara Bunthoff noted that mitigation buyouts can only be done immediately after an emergency declaration. Barbara Bunthoff, Hocking County EMA Director, noted that Salt Creek Township should be mentioned in the plan because they have had more declarations for flooding than any other township, and the roads need elevated and culverts need resized. She also requested that information be added concerning the snow in 1993 and 1994. She has a list of emergency declarations for Hocking County that she will provide so they can be added to the plan.
Don Davis, of The Ohio State University Extension, suggested reconsidering including insect damage in the plan due to the threat of Gypsy Moth, Emerald Ash Borer and the new problems with oak trees and the affect these could have on tourism in the county. Don Davis also suggested encouraging the Ohio Department of Transportation to elevate low places in the state highways to increase access for emergency vehicles during flooding. Two areas where this is an issue during flooding is State Route 93 South and North.
Eugene Taulbee, Falls Township Trustee, reported that they are having problems with beaver dams causing flooding and damage to some of their roads and requested that they be added to Mitigation Strategy number 10.
D. Jurisdictions
The Jurisdictions that participated in the NHMP were:
Hocking County
Village of Laurelville
Village of Murray City
City of Logan
Benton Township
Falls Township (includes Falls Gore Township)
Good Hope Township
Green Township
Laurel Township
Marion Township
Perry Township
Salt Creek Township
Starr Township
Ward Township
Washington Township
Village Mayors agreed to participate in the planning process. A letter was sent out stating the following:
We are in the process of writing a Mitigation Plan for Hocking County. The Hocking County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has received a grant to write the plan. The Hocking County EMA has contracted with Bob Burris and Audie Wykle of the Hocking County Regional Planning Office to oversee the project and the Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District to do the research and write the plan. We are asking you to become involved and help with this project by sitting on the Core Group. It is important to have a wide variety of participation in the group.
This project is very crucial for the county because after 2005, if we do not have a Mitigation Plan in place, all entities in the county will not be eligible for FEMA funding or any mitigation work. This would also include funding for any disasters (natural or manmade) such as flooding, tornadoes, etc.
We have scheduled the first meeting for the Core Group for Thursday, October 23, 2003, at 3 p.m. in the Emergency Operations Center Conference Room located at 52 East Second Street, Logan. Please plan to attend.
Each township, village or city will need to come up with a project for their jurisdiction, so if funding becomes available, the project is planned and ready to be implemented. (Robert Burris, Hocking County Regional Planner)
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
A. Community Profile
Hocking County Ohio, was formed from parts of Athens, Fairfield and Ross Counties by an act of the Ohio Legislature on March 1, 1818. As new counties were formed, the boundaries of Hocking County changed until 1850, when the current boundaries were established.
Hocking County is located in the southeastern part of Ohio. It is bounded on the north by Perry and Fairfield Counties, on the west by Pickaway and Ross Counties, on the south by Vinton County, and on the east and southeast by Athens County. Hocking County has an area of 269,440 acres, or 421 square miles. The population in 2000 was 28,241. The County Seat of Hocking County is Logan.
The primary land use in Hocking County is woodland. Forest land comprises approximately 198,854 acres, or about 74 percent of the total land in the county. Recreation and tourism are also very important land uses in the county. The Hocking Hills had 2,021,126 people visit in 2003 (Logan Daily News 2/27/04). The county has Hocking Hills State Park (which contains many different parks), Hocking Hills State Forest, Tar Hollow State Park, Wayne National Forest, and Clear Creek Metro Park. These parks and forests cover approximately 39,617 acres (ODNR brochures, US Forest Service, and Hocking County Plat Book). U.S. Route 33 and State Routes 56, 78, 93, 180, 216, 278, 312, 327, 328, 374, 595, 664, 668, and 678 along with the Hocking River run through the county. With the scheduled opening of the U.S. Route 33/Lancaster By-Pass, the County has and will continue to see major population growth and development. Residential growth will likely occur along the U.S. Route 33 corridor. Flood Plain regulations will prohibit development in any flood prone areas. Based on census data, the population of Hocking County is growing at less than 1 percent. Probably no more than 1 (20 to 30 lot) subdivision will be approved per year. Subdivisions are regulated by the City and County Planning Commissions. (See Exhibit H for a table of existing land use densities in the identified hazard areas.)
Hocking County has a continental climate characterized by wide annual and daily ranges in temperatures. Winters are cold and snowy. Summers are warm and humid and are occasionally marked by very hot days. Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year. The normal annual precipitation is adequate for all the crops commonly grown in the county. The growing season in the valleys differs slightly from that on the ridgetops. In the winter, the average temperature is 32 degrees F, and the average daily minimum temperature is 21 degrees. The lowest temperature on record, which occurred on January 28, 1963, is -27 degrees. In the Summer the average temperature is 71 degrees, and the average daily maximum temperature is 85 degrees. The highest recorded temperature, which occurred on July 14, 1954, is 104 degrees. The average annual rainfall is about 40 inches. Heavy rains, which occur at any time of the year, and severe thunderstorms in summer cause flash flooding, particularly in narrow valleys. Thunderstorms occur on about 45 days each year. The average seasonal snowfall is about 30 inches. The prevailing wind is from the northwest. Average wind speed is highest, 8 miles per hour, in spring.
(Soil Survey of Hocking County, Ohio, USDA Soil Conservation Service, Sept. 1989; Ohio Department of Transportation; and World )
Roads – Total 794.38 miles
State Roads …………………………………………………………………164.81 miles
County Roads…………………………………………………………….....213.70 miles
Township Roads…………………………………………………………….415.87 miles
Infrastructure/Bridges/Roads:
Bridges
Total number of bridges within the county……………………………………………..272
2003 Replacement Cost……………………………………….…...………$18,842,400.00
(Hocking County Engineers Office)
Water Supply Systems and Water Distribution Lines
Subdivision: Hocking County Engineer
|Infrastructure |Replacement Cost |Total (Units) |
|Water Supply Systems |N/A |0 |
|Water Distribution |$207,000 |1 Thousand Linear Feet |
Subdivision: Village of Laurelville
|Infrastructure |Replacement Cost |Total (Units) |
|Water Supply Systems |$ 600,000 |1 |
|Water Distribution |$1,260,000 |18 Thousand Linear Feet |
Subdivision: City of Logan
|Infrastructure |Replacement Cost |Total (Units) |
|Water Supply Systems |$10,000,000 |13 |
|Water Distribution |$ 8,000,000 |158 Thousand Linear Feet |
Subdivision: Village of Murray City
|Infrastructure |Replacement Cost |Total (Units) |
|Water Supply Systems |$ 208,000 |1 |
|Water Distribution |$1,015,000 |21 Thousand Linear Feet |
(Ohio Public Works Commission Capital Improvement Reports)
LE-AX Water District has approximately 60 miles of water distribution lines and Old Straitsville Water Association, Inc. has approximately 75 miles of water distribution lines in Hocking County. These companies supply water to rural areas in the County.
Wastewater Systems and Collection
Subdivision: Hocking County
|Infrastructure |Replacement Cost |Total (Units) |
|Wastewater Systems |$864,000 |3 |
|Wastewater Collection |$797,600 |25 Thousand Linear Feet |
Subdivision: Village of Laurelville
|Infrastructure |Replacement Cost |Total (Units) |
|Wastewater Systems |$403,500 |23.35 |
|Wastewater Collection |$700,000 |6.93 Thousand Linear Feet |
Subdivision: City of Logan
|Infrastructure |Replacement Cost |Total (Units) |
|Wastewater Systems |$20,000,000 |10 |
|Wastewater Collection |$ 9,000,000 |90 Thousand Linear Feet |
Subdivision: Village of Murray City
|Infrastructure |Replacement Cost |Total (Units) |
|Wastewater Systems |N/A |0 |
|Wastewater Collection |N/A |0 |
(Ohio Public Works Commission Capital Improvement Reports)
Public Utilities
The Public Utility Value of the utilities in Hocking County is approximately $144,446,371.
Telephone Lines
The following telephone companies own lines in Hocking County:
| |Approximate Public Utility |Approximate Real Estate |Approximate Total |
|Telephone Company |Value |Value |Value |
|Verizon North |$11,574,886 |0 |$11,574,886 |
|Ohio Bell Telephone |$ 1,133,600 |$38,314 |$ 1,171,914 |
|Chillicothe Telephone Co. |$ 52,000 |0 |$ 52,000 |
|TOTALS |$12,760,486 |$38,314 |$12,798,800 |
(Hocking County Auditor 6/14/04)
There are also numerous cell phone companies that serve the county and own towers, etc.
Public Utilities Other Than Telephone
Below is a summary of taxable property owned by the top ten public utilities in the County (other than telephone companies):
| |Public Utility Value |Real Estate |Total |
|Public Utility | |Value |Value |
|Columbia Gas Transmission |$ 84,801,257 |$ 828,114 |$85,629,371 |
|Ohio Power |$ 16,670,428 |$ 92,229 |$16,762,657 |
|South Central Power |$ 8,106,171 |$ 12,000 |$ 8,118,171 |
|Columbus Southern Power |$ 7,875,542 |0 |$ 7,875,542 |
|Columbia Gas of Ohio |$ 6,145,114 |0 |$ 6,145,114 |
|Vectren Energy Delivery |$ 4,730,828 |0 |$ 4,730,828 |
|Cincinnati Gas & Electric |$ 984,543 |0 |$ 984,543 |
|Indiana & Ohio Central RR |$ 713,343 |$ 189,000 |$ 902,343 |
|Cincinnati SMSA LTD |$ 254,143 |0 |$ 254,143 |
|TOTALS |$130,281,369 |$1,121,343 |$131,402,712 |
(Hocking County Auditor 6/14/04)
Critical Facilities
A list of Critical Facilities is located in Exhibit A. See Exhibit R for a map of locations of Critical Facilities.
Two new Critical Facilities (Washington Township and Marion Township Volunteer Fire Departments) are in the planning and building process. Neither facility is located in an area vulnerable to any natural hazards.
The only critical facilities vulnerable to any type of natural hazard are: Good Hope Volunteer Fire Department, Laurelville Fire Department, Murray City Fire Department, and the Laurelville Marshall’s office. These facilities can be subject to flooding but otherwise are not vulnerable to any other natural hazards of Hocking County.
Population
Hocking County….28,241
Incorporated………………………………………………………………………......7,700
Logan…………….……………….6,704
Falls Township…6,399
Green Township….305
Laurelville.......…….……………..…533
Perry Township…..533
Murray City…………..……………..452
Ward Township…..452
Buchtel (part)………….……..............11
Ward Township……11
Unincorporated Balance of Hocking County………………………………………..20,541
Benton Township.…….…………..814
Falls Township.……………...….5,010
Good Hope Township….……….1,444
Green Township……..………….2,280
Laurel Township……..………....1,190
Marion Township……………….2,411
Perry Township…………………2,021
Salt Creek Township……………1,260
Starr Township………………….1,477
Ward Township…………………1,474
Washington Township………….1,160
(2000 U.S. Census)
Approximate Values
Number of Parcels Land Buildings Total
Residential: 15,655 $219,939,371 $589,944,714 $ 809,884,085
Commercial: 612 $ 12,719,580 $ 22,048,486 $ 34,768,066
Industrial: 48 $ 3,463,171 $ 18,110,800 $ 21,573,971
Agricultural: 1,540 $ 46,260,600 $ 49,607,114 $ 95,867,714
Other: 1,522 $ 45,357,371 $ 94,832,829 $ 143,190,200
TOTALS 19,377 $327,740,093 $777,543,943 $1,105,284,036
(Hocking County Auditor)
*Exhibit B has additional statistics for Hocking County including: Education, Manufacturing, Transportation and Housing, Population by Government Units, Commuting, Economic Structure, and Census of Agriculture.
Information provided in this section was gathered through the sources mentioned above as well as from the National Flood Insurance Plan, the Hocking County Comprehensive Plan (which is currently being updated), the Hocking County Emergency Operations Plan, and information gathered from the Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism Advisory Team, etc.
Natural Hazards in Hocking County
Hocking County is susceptible to a variety of natural hazards, which include: dam failure, drought, earthquakes, expansive soils, extreme heat, floods, hailstorms, land subsidence, landslides, severe winter storms, tornadoes, wildfires, windstorms, insect damage, and thunder storms. On page 5 of this document, you will note that the Core Group reduced the list from Task A to the list in Task B. The natural hazards listed in Task A but not included in Task B (earthquake, hail storm, land slide, tornado and insect damage) were eliminated by the group due to limited or no occurrence in Hocking County in recorded history and will not be discussed further in this document. The following items identified in Task B will be discussed further: dam failure, drought, extreme heat, flood, land subsidence, severe winter storm, wildfire, wind storm, and thunder storm.
Estimation of losses was based on the fact that contents are normally rated at 50 percent of the value of a structure. Flooding on the first floor damages are estimated at 10 percent of the content value from experience in evaluating flood damages in Ohio. For estimating purposes, flooding damages to yards and outdoor equipment are less than one percent of the structure value. Therefore for wind damage, general flooding and other storm related damages a one percent of structure value gives a reasonable estimate of potential losses.
Since January 1, 1964, excluding insurance, federally declared disasters in Ohio have cost more than $433 million dollars. Hocking County has been declared a disaster seven times during the time period from 1964 to June 3, 2004. (See Exhibit C for map)
|Declared |Disaster |Total Cost |
|March 14, 2003 |Snow and Ice Storm |40.9 Million (Total for 30 Counties |
| | |impacted) |
|March 4, 1997 |Flash Flooding, Ohio River Flooding |68.2 Million (Total for 16 Counties |
| | |impacted) |
|June 24, 1996 |Severe storms and flooding |14.7 Million (Total for 15 Counties |
| | |impacted) |
|June 6, 1990 |Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |$20.1 Million (Total for 25 Counties |
| | |impacted) |
|January 26, 1978 |Blizzard |$3.5 Million (Total for 88 Counties |
| | |impacted (entire state)) |
|June 5, 1968 |Flooding |$600,000 (Total for 30 Counties impacted) |
|March 24, 1964 |Flooding |$571,000 (Total for 47 Counties impacted) |
(Ohio Emergency Management Agency)
NCDC-NOAA records show there have been 139 weather related events reported in Hocking County from January 1, 1950 through February 29, 2004. (See Exhibit D for a list.)
This Hazard Assessment will be identifying the natural hazards present in Hocking County including a profile of hazard events, and vulnerability and estimated losses. Refer to the Exhibits as needed for maps, hazard events, and statistical information about the county. The hazards that are listed in this document are listed in alphabetical order however, it does not reflect the order of importance the hazard presents.
While most risks are common to the entire county, some risks are unique to certain areas.
The chart below will identify risks for each jurisdiction and whether they are common to the entire county or unique to certain areas.
| |
|Location or County |Date |Time |Type |Mag |Dth |Inj |PrD |CrD |
|1 Hocking County |07/01/1999 |12:00 AM |Drought |N/A |0 |0 |0 |N/A |
|2 Hocking County |08/01/1999 |11:59 PM |Drought |N/A |0 |0 |0 |N/A |
|TOTALS: |0 |0 |0 |N/A |
July 1, 1999 – Dry conditions that began in the spring and early summer continued into July. Excessive heat contributed to substantial crop loss across much of the Buckeye State. Rainfall was widely scattered and did little to help farmers. Crop damage amounts were not available at this time.
August 1, 1999 – Drought conditions continued across the Ohio Valley through August with most areas receiving well below normal rainfall for the month. In some areas about 50% of crops and 75% of hay and pastureland were considered total losses. Most counties in southwest Ohio were declared Federal Disaster Areas by the US Department of Agriculture. At the time of this writing, no monetary estimates were available concerning crop loss. In September, 1999, Ohio Governor Bob Taft initiated a $5 million program for emergency hay/forage assistance and development of water sources for drought-stricken livestock producers in Ohio. Hocking County producers received $16,357 in assistance.
In 2002, the state’s forests were affected by drought and other weather conditions. For the 12-month period, precipitation was near normal. However, a severe drought affected Ohio during the 2002-growing season. Many places in central and southern Ohio received less than 50% of normal precipitation amounts during June, July and August. The drought opened the door to secondary insects, which have already caused tree mortality and will likely continue to affect trees for a few more years. Recently planted trees and trees in Ohio’s urban forests were the most likely to be severely affected. Precipitation is critical to the growth and health of trees and forests. Both quantity and timing of precipitation is important. As an example, receiving a “normal” amount of rainfall in a given year may be of little value if it occurs in a few very heavy storm events compared to a number of smaller rainfall events through the growing season. (ODNR-Division of Forestry)
The U.S. Drought Monitor (See Exhibit F) shows that Hocking County is not currently at risk for a drought, nor is it expected to be at a great risk of a drought during the next year, due to the area currently having extremely moist conditions (see Exhibit G for Palmer Drought Index Forecast). The last two years in Hocking County have been extremely unusual with well above average rainfalls in the spring.
Vulnerability and Estimated Losses
According to the 2000 Census, there are 560 farms in Hocking County covering 64,000 acres with total cash receipts of $4,130,000. Drought can have a major impact on these farms and the income they provide.
According to the 2000 Census, 198,855 acres of Hocking County is forested. This is almost 74 percent of the land in the county. The forests provide a major part of the county’s income through tourism. According to an article in the Logan Daily News on February 27, 2004, traveler expenditures in 2001 totaled $153.6 million. Hocking County is the home of the Hocking State Forest, Hocking Hills State Parks and portions of the Wayne National Forest and Clear Creek Metro Park. These forests and parks cover approximately 39,617 acres. Drought can have a severe affect on the forests thus impacting the tourism industry of the county and the income it provides. Drought also greatly increases the risk of wildfire, which is the County’s number 1 hazard. See Section 2.8 for further information on wildfire. It can also have an impact on the county through water shortages which could affect supplies needed for industry, fire protection, residential use, and recreational use.
Losses during a drought would include loss of crops, forestry resources and income from tourism. The estimated loss due to drought (not including wildfire losses) at 2 percent would be $8,005,150.
Extreme Heat
Profile of Hazard Events
Hocking County has had one Excessive Heat event recorded in the NCDC-NOAA records since 1950.
Extreme Heat: Temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region and lasts for several weeks. Humid or muggy conditions, which add to the discomfort of high temperatures, occur when a “dome” of high atmospheric pressure traps hazy, damp air near the ground. Exceedingly great or severe state of being hot in which the temperature is raised. A heat wave combined with drought conditions is a very dangerous situation. (FEMA)
|Ohio |
|Location or County |Date |Time |Type |Mag |Dth |Inj |PrD |CrD |
|Hocking County |07/20/1999 |12:00 AM |Excessive Heat |N/A |0 |0 |0 |0 |
|TOTALS: | |0 |0 |0 |
The last part of July, 1999, was very hot and humid across the state with temperatures reaching into the 90s most days and above 100 for a few days. The dew points and overnight lows were in the 70s through much of the period. The excessive heat contributed to 10 deaths in the Cincinnati metro area and 3 in the Dayton metro area (ncdc.).
Vulnerability and Estimated Losses
Based on past history and facts gathered, the probability of an extreme heat event in Hocking County is low. Extreme heat can affect the majority of the states throughout the United States, and Hocking County is no exception. Being a countywide hazard, the main concern is how the public will react/respond to the hazard, as well as their awareness of what to do if extreme heat plagues the county. Extreme heat can cause increased demand for water and electricity that may result in shortages of resources. Extreme heat across the southern part of Ohio has claimed 13 lives. With a 1% loss to the county loss estimate value would be $32,774,000.
Flood
Profile of Hazard Events
(See Exhibit D for NCDC flood history) (See Exhibits I, J and K for flood plain maps of high potential loss areas.)
Flood: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land or of two or more properties from: overflow of inland or tidal waves, unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source, or a mudflow. (FEMA)
Flash Flood: A flood event (caused by heavy rainfall) occurring with little or no warning where water levels rise at an extremely fast rate.
July 25, 1994 – Flash Flood - Several thunderstorms, one after another, brought heavy rains and flooding of streets, small streams, and poor drainage areas.
March 2, 1997 – Flooding - Heavy rainfall on the 1st and 2nd caused the Hocking River at Enterprise to rise out of its banks. U.S. Route 33 and State Route 93 were flooded as well as numerous low lying roads in Sugar Grove. Rockbridge Elementary School and several nearby homes were flooded. The river reached a crest of 15.1 feet – flood stage is 12 feet. Property damage was estimated at $1 million. (NCDC) The Logan Daily News reported that the Governor declared Hocking County a disaster area due to heavy flooding. Rain on March 1 and 2 dumped up to 10 inches of rain on a 14 county area in Southern Ohio. One house was raised off it’s foundation on State Route 328. There were numerous county roads considered unusable due to the heavy rain. Chestnut Grove Road in Benton Township was washed clear out up to the bridge. The Southeast part of the county was hit the hardest. Several residents were forced out of their homes in South Bloomingville. Railroad and Columbus Streets in Murray City were damaged. Wagner Road in Perry Township was closed due to damage on a bridge. President Clinton officially declared Hocking County and 15 other Southern Ohio Counties as federal disaster areas on March 6. Preliminary road damage estimates from the Hocking County Engineer’s Office were $400,000.
August 18, 1997 – Flooding – Over 6 inches of rain fell across parts of central Ohio on August 17. The Hocking River at Enterprise was estimated to crest at 14.5 feet (flood stage is 12 feet). Numerous area roads were flooded and several evacuations occurred. (NCDC) The Logan Daily News reported that the Hocking County Commissioners declared Hocking County a disaster on August 18. Hardest hit areas included: the Dicken Addition, the Murray City area, and the unincorporated area of Greendale. The County Highway Department had 2 feet of water in their building damaging furniture, computers and equipment. Businesses in Logan affected included: Selkirk Metalbestos which had to close, and the businesses along Radio Lane including WLGN radio station. Several people had to leave their homes in Logan and Murray City and 14 people had to be evacuated in the Greendale and Murray City areas. The Logan Police Department reported they had 24 residents and businesses file reports with various levels of damage. The Governor declared a State of Emergency on August 20. Preliminary assessments conducted by state and local personnel indicated 124 homes were damaged and indicated 44 homes sustained major damage or were destroyed. The flooding was wide-spread with damage reports from Murray City, Rockbridge, South Bloomingville and Logan (Dicken Addition hardest hit in Logan).
January 7-8, 1998 – Flooding - 7th - Several hours of heavy rainfall caused water to flood across county roads. Six roads were closed and several cars were trapped in over 3 feet of water. 8th - From 2 to locally 4 inches of rain fell across Central Ohio causing the Hocking River at Enterprise to rise out of its banks. The river crested around 13.5 feet on the 9th causing water to spill onto State Route 93 near Logan. Flood stage is 12 feet.
April 11, 2001 – Flood – Heavy rainfall caused the Hocking River at Enterprise to overflow its banks. The river crested at 15.3 feet – flood stage is 12.0 feet. U.S. Highway 33 and some homes in Rockbridge were flooded. (NCDC) The Logan Daily News reported that the torrential rains left 5 feet of water at some points for authorities and residents to clean up. Some major roads in the area were closed. Several residents at Greendale had to be evacuated by boat. Several hours of heavy rainfall caused water to flood across county roads. Six roads were closed and several cars were trapped in over 3 feet of water. Old Town Creek flooded the Hocking County Engineer’s Office and Maintenance Garage. Parts of Rockbridge were still covered with water on the 9th. The storms removed a total of 6 bridges in the Old Man’s Cave State Park Gorge and caused major erosion along the creek banks that will have to be filled in before the bridges can be reconstructed. The ramps that lead to the newly constructed steel bridge at the entrance to Conkle’s Hollow were declared unsafe – the ramps were moved 5 feet from their original location.
April, 2000 – Salt Creek Township experienced flooding. Conrad and Sam’s Creek Roads were closed for a few days. Heavy damage was done to many roads, especially Lively, Deihl, Sam’s Creek, Crawford, Coldbranch, Election Roads and more. Drainage culverts were washed out or badly damaged.
May, 2001 – The Laurelville and Salt Creek area was again flooded. Seven private bridges were destroyed. These residents were not eligible for any disaster funds. These bridges were all located on Sam’s Creek Road. Many of the same roads, as in April, 2000, were heavily damaged. The main trunk of the Laurelville sewer line was jeopardized due to the flood waters of Salt Creek cutting a new channel very close to the sewer line. The Corp. of Engineers and the Hocking County Engineer both worked and repaired this damage.
July, 2002 – Salt Creek Township, Laurelville, and Perry Township were declared disaster areas. Laurelville had extensive damage to the levee. Village Park was filled with debris and was closed. Homes and businesses were damaged. Perry Township had several roads closed due to the flooding. Berms and culverts were damaged on several roads. Salt Creek had roads temporarily closed due to debris and washout. Culverts were damaged and destroyed. Homes were damaged. Sections of roads became sink holes.
State Route 56 was closed near Haynes because of high water. Several homes were evacuated in Laurelville, with many vehicles in the area under three to four feet of water.
May 12, 2003 – Culvert and road damage to many of the same roads as in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Conrad, East Fork, Blue Creek Roads, etc.
May, 2004 – Flooding in Green, Marion and Ward Townships. Approximately 20 homes with water damage, most in Murray City. Numerous private bridges were damaged. Severe damage to culverts and road surfaces. Most homes on State Route 595 in Greendale had severe water damage – approximately 10 homes.
January, 2005 – Severe flooding from the Hocking River – worst flooding since 1964. Roads were closed county wide. Families were evacuated in Rockbridge and West Logan. The Red Cross opened a shelter. Over 60 residents suffered water damage. There was road damage in Ward Township and the area was closed for days. Road damage was reported by four townships. The County Engineer and Mayor of Logan responded to damages to Mingo Park and the water plant. Murray City had minor road and home damage. The Hocking County Commissioners reported damage to the lift stations in Haydenville and Rockbridge.
The Flood Insurance Study put out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shows the lower reaches of the Hocking River have very broad, nearly level floodplains adjacent to nearly level glacial outwash terraces. These low-lying areas are subject to frequent flood damage. The wide flat floodplain of the Snow Fork Creek and Salt Creek constitute a large area of flood-prone land.
The most frequent flooding occurs in Hocking County during the winter and early spring. Areas that flood most frequently are the Laurelville, Murray City, Rockbridge, Enterprise and Carbon Hill areas.
In the Hocking River watershed, flooding equivalent to the 10-year rainfall occurred on March 4, 1963, and May 27, 1968. The floods that occurred on January 21, 1959; April 2, 1970; February 23, 1975; and July 23, 1976 are comparable to the 2-year recurrence interval. The storm on June 19, 1978, passed to the north around most of the watershed. The rain that fell in the watershed caused considerable flooding along the Ohio Canal at Hooker. Flooding in this area was comparable to the 10-year recurrence interval. Flooding from the above storms caused damage to agricultural field, roads, and lawns.
Flooding has historically been a major water resource problem in the Rush Creek watershed. Periodic flooding damages crops, pastures, urban areas, and transportation systems. Floods causing serious, widespread damage have occurred in March 1907, March 1913, August 1935, January 1937, April 1940, June 1950, March 1963, and March 1964. In recent years, major floods of somewhat lesser magnitude were experienced in June 1958, January 1959, May 1961, and February 1965.
The storms of March 1963 and March 1964 resulted in the highest stages ever recorded in the Bremen area. The Magnitude of the 1963 flood in terms of precipitation was equivalent to a 30-year frequency storm; however, the discharges approached the equivalent of a 100-year frequency. Damage in Bremen in 1963 was estimated at $500,000. About 170 head of livestock drowned on farms located south of town. In addition, it was estimated that damages to roads, railroads, and bridges amounted to $120,000.
Vulnerability and Estimated Losses
Flooding is the biggest hazard for the entire state of Ohio. Hocking County has seen its share of flooding in many areas which include but are not limited to: Logan, Laurelville, Murray City, Rockbridge, Enterprise, and Carbon Hill, with some areas being declared Federal Disaster areas. As of February, 2004, there has been one death associated with flooding. Flooding is a countywide hazard and Hocking County is vulnerable in all areas and locations. Neighborhoods with repetitive loss from flooding include: the Village of Laurelville, the Village of Murray City, Rockbridge (located in Good Hope Township), and areas in Salt Creek Township. Based on past history, National Flood Insurance Plan and Flood Plain Maps, the probability of damage from flooding in Hocking County is medium to high. Below is a list of structures and their values located in the Floodway and Floodplains. (Floodplain maps are available at the Hocking County Regional Planning Office.)
Summary of Properties Located in the Flood Plain
(All numbers and values are approximate)
| |Number of |Value of | | | |
| |Commercial/Industria|Commercial/Industria|Number of |Value of |Total Value of |
| |l |l |Residential |Residential |Structures |
|Area |Structures |Structures |Structures |Structures | |
|Village of Laurelville | | | | | |
| |17 |$ 255,000 |110 |$ 660,000 |$ 915,000 |
|City of | | | | | |
|Logan |56 |$1,700,000 |320 |$3,250,000 |$4,950,000 |
|Village of Murray City | | | | | |
| |6 |$ 90,000 |90 |$ 540,000 |$ 630,000 |
|Other (unincorporated) | | | | | |
| |20 |$ 285,000 |209 |$1,200,200 |$1,485,200 |
|TOTAL |99 |$2,330,000 |729 |$5,650,200 |$7,980,200 |
(Hocking County Regional Planning Office)
With a total of 99 structures sitting inside the floodplain/floodway there is an estimated loss of $1,596,040 if 20% of structures were affected.
Land Subsidence (Mine Subsidence)
Profile of Hazard Events
Abandoned underground mines are found in 44 counties in Ohio. When buildings are constructed above mines, major damage to walls and foundations can occur if the mine shaft collapses. Most insurance policies do not automatically cover damage to your home due to mine subsidence. The Ohio Legislature enacted a law in October, 1987 that established the Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund. The Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund provides low cost insurance coverage in 37 Ohio counties for homes damaged due to mine subsidence. Insurance coverage is mandatory in 27 of the 37 counties. Hocking County is one of the counties in which mine subsidence insurance coverage is mandatory. (See Exhibit L for map)
The Hocking County Regional Planning Office is aware of a mine subsidence incident which occurred at the General Clay Plant at Diamond in Starr Township. General Clay experienced the loss of a D9 dozer in a collapse of an underground mine cavity.
The Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District has received several calls from county residents concerning sink holes in yards and fields surrounding home sites.
Mine Subsidence: The lowering of the earth’s surface due to the deterioration and collapse of rock into underground mines.
Vulnerability and Estimate of Losses
Land subsidence does not pose a big threat to the entire county, but is a serious threat in Falls Gore Township, Green Township, Starr Township and especially Ward Township where there has been heavy mining activity and there are a large number of abandoned underground mines. The entire Village of Murray City with potentially 200 structures is at high risk of damage from land subsidence. (See Exhibit M for map. It is noted that not all mines are mapped, particularly old mines dating to pre-1874.) This part of the county is considered high risk and the risk will only get greater as time passes. Subsidence seems to be increasing owing to the age of underground mines. The ultimate extent of mine-subsidence in Ohio is uncertain. Due to the complexity of the variables which contribute to mine-related subsidence, no acceptable system exists which is capable of accurately predicting the time or amount of subsidence in a variety of geological settings, especially for mines that have an irregular pattern of room-and-pillar mining. Mine subsidence can strike with little or no warning and can result in very costly damage. Hocking County has seen an increasing number of people starting to develop abandoned mineland. As these areas are developed, the risk of damage will increase. With a 1% damage estimate, Hocking County could see a loss of $2,710,000. (ODNR and Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance Underwriting Association/Ohio Insurance Institute)
Detailed maps are being incorporated into the updated Hocking County Comprehensive Plan for affected townships and a detailed discussion on risks and vulnerability are being included in the comprehensive plan.
Severe Winter Storm
Profile of Hazard Events
(see Exhibit D for NCDC severe winter storm history)
January, 1978 – Hocking County: An inch of rain followed by 6 inches of snow, with blinding winds and temperatures tumbled all the way from a balmy 52 degrees on January 8 to an overnight low of 8 degrees. Driving conditions were described as nightmarish. Area highways were reduced to one lane tracks, and in some places roadways were obliterated altogether by snow drifts. By noon on the 9th all state routes were reported as “bad” ice and snow covered, with drifting snow and temperatures were only 10 degrees by 11 a.m. January 10 saw sub-zero temperatures overnight. Roads were still blocked by drifting snow and high winds caused power outages. January 11-Temperatures fell to an overnight low of 3 degrees below zero and all highways in the area were still reporting slippery conditions with road surfaces ice covered. January 12-temperatures reached a season low of 10 degrees below zero overnight. January 13-Two inches of snow fell overnight. Primary roads reported to be in fair condition, with secondary roads reported to be partly snow-covered. January 14-Three inches of fresh snow fell overnight. There is a total of 9 inches on the ground now. All roads are reported as snow covered, although road crews continued their efforts to keep highways passable. January 17-Six inches of snow fell today on top of an earlier accumulation of 6 inches. State road crews reported they were making little headway in clearing snow covered state routes and County crews said they are “not gaining a thing” as they continue to plow roadways. January 18-The snow finally stopped falling and the Hocking Valley was digging out from under a 16 inch blanket built up over the last nine days. January 20-Over 6 inches of new snow fell, making a total accumulation of 22 plus inches on the ground in less than 2 weeks. All roads were considered extremely hazardous with motorists being warned to travel at their own risk. January 21-The total snowfall for the month in Hocking County is 26 inches. The County Highway Department reported that crews are running out of room to push snow aside resulting in the roads becoming narrower. An additional 2 inches of new snow fell. January 23-The season’s low temperature of 12 degrees below zero was recorded early today. January 24-A fierce blizzard powered by winds up to 80 mph hammered the Hocking Valley. The area was punished by a wild variety of weather ranging from a 46 degree high at noon on January 23 to 2 inches of snow and near zero temperatures by noon today. The 1.1 inches of rain plus snow brought flooding and road closings in some areas. A number of families were without heat due to power outages and high winds. Blowing and drifting snow made travel extremely difficult due to limited visibility and drifting. It was 10 degrees at 7:30 p.m. and had fallen further to 7 degrees by 11:30 p.m. with a wind chill factor of 44 degrees below zero. The State Highway Garage reported that several roads were closed because of high water and that downed trees were blocking traffic in other locations. January 25-Freezing rain and fog. January 26-State Route 56 between Coonville and Starr was closed because of high water, trees were down on State Routes 374 and 664 blocking traffic, and high water was causing problems on State Routes 56, 595, 93 South and 93 North. County Roads closed due to high water, drifting snow and fallen trees included: Maysville-Williams Road, Voris Road, Logan-Horn’s Mill Road, and Zwickle Road. Power and telephone service has been out in Laurelville since early this morning. January 27-The Hocking Valley and all of Ohio were virtually paralyzed this morning in the wake of what has been called the state’s worst blizzard as high winds produced severe drifting. Two more inches of snow fell overnight contributing to the heavy drifting that isolated many rural residents in their homes. State and County crews battling to reopen roadways throughout Hocking County reported drifts well over 7 feet deep in some places. It was 6 degrees above zero overnight and 14 degrees at 11 a.m. Several roads were closed due to snow drifts. January 28-County road crews reported some drifts as high as 15 feet. Approximately 90 percent of Perry Township is still without electricity for the third day and 75 percent of Perry Township’s roads are still closed. January 30-The Logan National Guard Unit answered almost 400 calls for assistance spending most of their time transporting residents to the homes of neighbors and friends. The Red Cross has helped over 450 people since the blizzard began on Thursday. Medicine, food and fuel oil have been purchased by the Red Cross and delivered by the National Guard. (The Logan Daily News)
January 6, 1996 – A severe winter storm hit Ohio. The ODOT at Logan reported there was a total of 14” of snow over the weekend in Hocking County (The Logan Daily News). The Blizzard of '96 developed near the Gulf Coast and moved up the East Coast. This massive system produced the greatest total and 24 hour snowfall at Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport. This one storm brought 14.3 inches of snowfall to the airport, which normally receives 23 inches for an entire season. The heaviest snow fell near the Ohio River in the extreme south. The worst blizzard conditions occurred over West Central areas as dry and powdery snow was blown around by high winds causing whiteouts. Some areas had more than 30 continuous hours of snowfall, and many people in Southern Ohio felt this was the worst winter storm since the Blizzard of '78. In Fayette County, the airport reported a wind gust to 56 mph during the height of the storm. By the end of the storm many homes and businesses had their roof collapse or partially collapse from the weight of the new snow, and snow from a storm earlier in the week. By late in the day on the 7th arctic air was pouring into the region. A 47 year old man died of exposure under an overpass in Miami County. A 76 year old man died of exposure on his front porch in Montgomery County. (NCDC)
February, 2003 A level 3 snow emergency was declared by the sheriff. Over 18 inches of snow fell in a 3 day period-February 14-17. Rescue for 20 special need campers from Camp Buckeye was necessary. Fire personnel transported medical personnel to and from the hospital. Most political jurisdictions applied for public assistance grants.
Severe Winter Storms can consist of ice, snow, and freezing rain.
Ice: to cover or surround with frozen water.
Snow Storm: A storm with the fall of abundant snow.
Freezing rain: Extremely cold precipitation usually in the form of rain that has the potential of the formation of ice.
Vulnerability and Estimate Losses
Since 1950, severe winter storms have caused major problems for Hocking County. An estimated $19.961 million dollars has been spent on response and recovery efforts. With high winds, ice, accumulating snow, freezing rain and other hazards (such as downed trees and power lines) associated with this weather; the county is extremely vulnerable to these events. Based on past history, the probability of such an event is medium. Severe winter storms are a countywide issue. At 11% of Hocking County being affected by a severe winter storm, damages could reach $8,547,000.
2.7 Thunderstorms/Windstorms
Profile of Hazard Events
(see Exhibit D for NCDC thunderstorm/windstorm history)
Thunderstorms and Windstorms are common and very destructive hazards in Hocking County with 66 reported incidents since 1950 with major destruction being associated with them. (See Exhibit N for Wind Zones map)
Wind Storm: A violent wind usually with little or no precipitation.
Thunderstorm: A thunderstorm that produces a tornado, winds of at least 58 mph and/or hail at least 3/4” in diameter. Structural wind damage may imply the occurrence of a severe thunderstorm. A thunderstorm wind equal or greater than 40 mph and/or hail of at least 1/2” is defined as approaching severe. (National Weather Service)
July 8, 2003 – Numerous trees and powerlines were knocked down.
May 31, 2002 –Several trees and power poles were downed. A tree fell on a house on Burns Road causing minor damage. Property damage estimate was $20,000 for the event.
July 26, 1997 – Hundreds of trees were downed of which many fell across power lines. Sixteen telephone poles were broken during the storm. A warm front which was across central Ohio at peak heating on the 26th, became the focus for a Mesoscale Convective System that lasted well into the early morning hours on the 27th. Severe thunderstorms moved repeatedly over the same areas causing substantial damage. The continuous rainfall also caused flash flooding in Licking County. Over 400 homes received damage from the combined severe thunderstorm and flooding event.
Vulnerability and Estimate Losses
Thunderstorms/Windstorms have been linked to two deaths and 2.773 million dollars in damage. The entire county is at risk where people and structures are very vulnerable. Windstorms and thunderstorms lead to fallen trees and downed lines, flooding, lightning fire as well a variety of other hazards. Hocking County is located in Wind Zone IV where winds can exceed 250mph. There are five mobile home parks with a total of approximately 200 mobile homes and randomly scattered mobile homes throughout the county for a total of approximately 2500 mobile homes in the county. With an 8% estimated loss to this hazard, costs would be around $62,160,000.
2.8 Wildfire
Profile of Hazard Events
Hocking County has a low observed fire danger classification at the current time due to the above average rainfalls during the last several springs. (See Exhibit O for Observed Fire Danger Class Map and Exhibit P for Forecast Experimental Fire Potential Map.) Each year an average of 1,000 wildfires burn 4,000 to 6,000 acres of forest and grassland within Ohio’s forest fire protection district, which corresponds mostly to the state’s unglaciated hill country (which includes Hocking County). In a typical year it is estimated that more than 15,000 wildfire and natural fuel fire occurrences are encountered statewide. These wildfires are attributed primarily to the careless burning of debris and household litter and arson and result in untold damage to trees and landscape, water quality, improvements such as fences and outbuildings, and place people and their homes at significant risk. Ohio’s fire/wildfire seasons occur primarily in the spring (March, April and May) before vegetation has “greened-up”, and the fall (October and November) when leaf drop occurs. During these times and especially when weather conditions are warm, windy and with low humidity, cured vegetation is particularly susceptible to burning. Fuel (vegetation, woody debris), weather (wind, temperature, humidity) and topography (hills and valleys) when combined present an unpredictable danger to unwary civilians and firefighters in the path of a wildfire. Hocking County has a huge amount of fuel and the topography of the county is very hilly. There are no NCDC records of wildfires in Hocking County from 1/1/1950 through 6/30/2003; however, from 1974 through 2003, Hocking State Forest records show there were 486 fire reports.
Wild Fire: An uncontrolled fire spreading through vegetative fuels, exposing and possibly consuming structures.
Vulnerability and Estimate Losses
Wildfires pose a significant risk to Hocking County. Most areas where fires would occur are in the areas where there are numerous rental cabins, bed and breakfasts, inns, etc. as well as the State Parks and Forests and National Forest. There are approximately 165 cabin operators in the County with more than 500 cabins. This greatly increases the risk of loss of life due to the large number of tourists who visit these areas each year. The majority of the rental cabins, state parks, etc. are located in very heavily forested, vulnerable, isolated areas. The tourists are not familiar with the area and a large number of the rental cabins, etc. are located on small county and township roads (many that are dead end) surrounded by forest. The biggest threats would be the loss of life and property damage at the time of the fire. The average value of the structures is $50,000 each. With a loss of 2 percent of the structures in the area due to wildfire, property damages would be near $500,000. After the fire, with a 2 percent loss of the income from the tourism in the area (destroyed businesses, as well as the loss of tourists visiting the area due to the destruction of the scenic area), the damages would be estimated at $15,360,000. (See Exhibit Q for the locations of cabins, etc. and locations of existing dry fire hydrants)
Mitigation Strategy
This section of the plan will list the mitigation goals, activities and action plans for the NHMP for Hocking County. The CORE Group discussed and unanimously agreed on the different activities.
A. Core Group Activities
The activities are based upon the CORE group’s input and decisions. The following criterion was used to rate the action plans: Cost effective, technically feasible, environmentally sound, social impacts, activity addresses the problem, politically acceptable, and activity reduces the risk.
After discussion, research, etc., the Core Group, in meeting 3, recommended that the group concentrate on the three most prevalent natural hazards in Hocking County. They selected the following from Task B that was discussed in Section II B:
Wildfire
Flooding
Winter Storms/Thunderstorms/Windstorms.
Wildfire was chosen as the number 1 hazard, even though it is infrequent, it has the highest potential for loss of life and the loss of structures if it should occur. Flooding and Winter Storms/Thunderstorms/Windstorms are more chronic events. Flooding is more frequent than Winter Storms/Thunderstorms/Windstorms. Thus they were ranked as 2 and 3 respectively.
B. Action Plans
The action plans are listed in the order of priority and implementation.
1.) Wildfire
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Protect the residents, visitors and firefighters of the county and protect and reduce the damage to property through better fire protection.
Activity: Provide the local fire departments with the brush fire equipment and training necessary for them to fight wildfire and meet their requirements.
Lead: Hocking County Firefighters Association
Project Time Frame: As soon as possible
Task 1: Identify the equipment and training needed by each fire department in the county
Task 2: Prioritize equipment and training needs
Task 3: Identify local match
Task 4: Purchase equipment
Task 5: Set up and provide training for fire department personnel on the use of the equipment and techniques for fighting wildfires
2.) Wildfire
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Protect the residents and visitors of the county through education, preparedness and sufficient warning systems.
Activity: Hold workshops for local residents and cabin rental businesses to educate them on fire safety, evacuation, and ways to protect their property; prepare brochures for distribution to residents and tourists on fire safety and awareness; and publish news articles on appropriate topics.
Lead: Hocking Hills Tourism Association and Hocking State Forest
Project Time Frame: One Year
Task 1: Identify at risk areas and the residents and business owners in these areas
Task 2: Plan topics for workshops and develop materials
Task 3: Develop a brochure on fire safety and awareness
Task 4: Print brochure and distribute to Welcome Center, cabin rental businesses, restaurants, and other local businesses
Task 5: Schedule workshops, secure location and speakers
Task 6: Publish notice of the workshop in the local newspaper and Hocking SWCD, Hocking County Tourism, OSU Extension, etc. newsletters
Task 7: Hold the workshop
3.) Wildfire
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Protect the residents and visitors of the county and protect and reduce the damage to property through better fire protection.
Activity: Expand the number of dry hydrants in the County.
Lead: Hocking Soil and Water Conservation District and Hocking County Regional Planning Office
Project Time Frame: One Year
Task 1: Identify areas where water sources are needed for fire protection and ponds that meet the requirements for dry hydrant installation
Task 2: Prioritize dry hydrant sites
Task 3: Secure pond owner’s agreement for installation of hydrant
Task 4: Identify local match (design)
Task 5: Purchase dry hydrant kits and hire contractors
Task 6: Install dry hydrants
Task 7: Provide fire departments with information and maps of locations of dry hydrants and rental cabins, etc.
4.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Improve the detailed information for flood plain identification.
Activity: Schedule detailed studies for flood plain delineation in certain areas and update County Flood Hazard Maps in urbanizing areas.
Lead: Hocking County Regional Planning Office
Project Time Frame: One Year
Task 1: Identify locations – Logan, Laurelville, Murray City, Rockbridge, Enterprise, Carbon Hill and Haydenville
Task 2: Request funding and coordination by FEMA, ODNR
Task 3: Conduct studies
Task 4: Update maps
5.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Eliminate repetitive loss and claims for flood damage by returning land to green space.
Activity: Buyout repetitive loss structures located in Murray City, Rockbridge, and other areas of the County. These projects would include the demolition of existing structures, grading of the land and replacement of grass. The property could then be used as a park or green space depending on which use would best serve the community where the property is located.
Lead: Hocking County Commissioners and Hocking County Emergency Management Agency
Project Time Frame: Two Years
Task 1: Identify areas that flood and have repetitive loss structures which meet the requirements for buyout
Task 2: Prioritize areas with repetitive loss
Task 3: Purchase property
Task 4: Evaluate property and decide whether it would best serve the community as a park or as green space
Task 5: Advertise and accept bids for the demolition, removal and regrading of property.
Task 6: Hire Contractor
Task 7: Conduct work
6.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Decrease storm water runoff and erosion thus reducing flooding.
Activity: Re-size culverts/bridges that are undersized.
Lead: Township Trustees and County Engineer
Project Time Frame: ongoing
Task 1: Identify culverts/bridges that are undersized.
Task 2: Prioritize culverts/bridges that are undersized.
Task 3: Identify local match (design).
Task 4: Upgrade culverts/bridges
7.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County-Rockbridge
Goal: Provide safe water supplies for the residents of Rockbridge
Activity: Extend well casings above the flood level or install a public water system for the residents of Rockbridge.
Lead: Hocking County Commissioners and Hocking County Health Department
Project Time Frame: Two Years
Task 1: Identify water supplies that are contaminated during flooding
Task 2: Evaluate the problem and decide best plan of action, i.e. extend well casings or install public water system
Task 3: Identify local match
Task 4: Proceed with necessary steps to plan extension of well casings or installation of public water system
Task 5: Design the projects and prepare necessary documents
Task 6: Advertise and accept bids from contractors
Task 7: Hire Contractor
Task 8: Conduct work
8.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County- Good Hope Township-Rockbridge
Goal: Reduce the amount of damage to structures in Rockbridge
Activity: Flood-proof existing structures
Lead: Hocking County Emergency Management Agency
Project Time Frame: One Year
Task 1: Identify structures that flood on a repetitive basis
Task 2: Prioritize structures
Task 3: Flood proof structures
9.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Decrease storm water runoff and erosion thus reducing flooding.
Activity: Install Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCOBS), ponds and wetlands with ample free board to increase storage capacity.
Lead: Township Trustees and County Engineer
Project Time Frame: Two Years
Task 1: Identify areas that flood and receive damage for possible sites
Task 2: Prioritize areas with damage
Task 3: Identify local match (design).
Task 4: Secure land to install projects on
Task 5: Design the projects and prepare necessary documents
Task 6: Advertise and accept bids from contractors
Task 7: Hire contractor
Task 8: Conduct work
10.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County-Perry Township and Falls Township
Goal: Decrease flooding caused by beaver dams obstructing the creek and culverts
Activity: Hire a nuisance trapper to remove the beaver from the creeks where they have built dams and caused flooding and then remove the beaver dams.
Lead: Perry Township Trustees and Falls Township Trustees
Project Time Frame: Six Months
Task 1: Identify areas that flood due to beaver dams in the creek or blocking culverts
Task 2: Prioritize areas with damage
Task 3: Secure the necessary permits from the wildlife officer and hire a nuisance trapper
Task 4: Trap and remove the beaver.
Task 5: Remove the beaver dams from the creeks and culverts
Task 6: Monitor these areas to make sure more beaver do not move into the area
11.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Starr Township
Goal: Keep Wolet Road accessible for traffic during heavy rains.
Activity: Raise approximately 100 yards of the road near the river. A portion of this road is next to the Hocking River and it floods whenever there are heavy rains – long before other areas in the county flood. This road is a dead-end road and is the only access to one residence and a cell tower. Every time the power goes out, the cell tower maintenance crew must get to the tower for repairs.
Lead: Starr Township Trustees
Project Time Frame: undetermined
Task 1: Determine how much of road needs to be raised.
Task 2: Determine best way to raise the road to the correct elevation
Task 3: Conduct the project
12.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Protect the lives of citizens in flood prone areas by providing equipment for emergency evacuation.
Activity: Purchase boats for use to evacuate victims of floods.
Lead: Hocking County Emergency Management Agency
Project Time Frame: Six Months
Task 1: Identify areas that have a history of flooding and the need to evacuate residents
Task 2: Prioritize areas needing equipment
Task 3: Identify local match.
Task 4: Look at equipment available and get price quotes
Task 5: Purchase boats
13.) Flooding
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County-Green Township-Haydenville
Goal: Reduce flooding of basements and yards for 20 residences in Northern Haydenville along Haydenville Road.
Activity: Evaluate and design a storm sewer system for Haydenville
Lead: Hocking County Commissioners and Green Township Trustees
Project Time Frame: 2 years
Task 1: Identify problem areas through field surveys.
Task 2: Design satisfactory storm sewer
Task 3: Request funding (possible community block grant funds)
Task 4: Implement project.
14.) Flooding, Winter Storms/Thunderstorms/Windstorms.
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Minimize the impact that severe weather and other hazards have on Hocking County through education, preparedness and sufficient warning systems.
Activity: Install 12 Severe Weather Warning Sirens
Lead: Hocking County Emergency Management Agency and 911
Project Time Frame: ongoing
Task 1: Identify areas where sirens are needed and will warn the most people
Task 2: Prioritize areas where sirens are needed
Task 3: Identify local match
Task 4: Purchase and install 12 Severe Weather Warning Sirens
Task 5: Educate the public through newspaper articles, brochures, etc.
15.) Flooding, Wildfire, Winter Storms/Thunderstorms/Windstorms Etc.
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Minimize the impact that severe weather and other hazards have on Hocking County and protect the residents through education, preparedness and sufficient warning systems.
Activity: County-Wide Reverse 911 System
Lead: Hocking County 911
Project Time Frame: ongoing
Task 1: Gather necessary data for project
Task 2: Identify local match
Task 3: Purchase and install Reverse 911 System
Task 4: Educate the public on the system through newspaper articles, brochures, etc.
16.) Insect/Pest Damage
Applicable Jurisdictions: Hocking County, Laurelville, Logan, Murray City
Goal: Minimize the impact of insect damage and pests on our forests and protect our tourism and forestry industries through education.
Activity: Hold workshops for local residents and landowners on the insects and pests (such as Gypsy Moth, Emerald Ash Borer, and Sudden Oak Death) that can adversely affect the forests of Hocking County.
Lead: The Ohio State University Extension and Hocking State Forest
Project Time Frame: ongoing
Task 1: Plan topics for workshops and develop materials
Task 2: Schedule workshops, secure location and speakers
Task 3: Publish notice of the workshop in the local newspaper and Hocking SWCD, Hocking County Tourism, OSU Extension, etc. newsletters
Task 4: Hold the workshop
Implementation, Monitoring and Updating Policies
A. Plan Incorporation/Existence
The Hocking County Pre-Disaster Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan will be kept as a separate document but will be used along with all other plans, studies, reports and technical information of the County.
B. Mitigation Strategy
A mitigation strategy that provides the jurisdictions a blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs and resources, and its ability to expand on and improve these existing tools.
C. Implementation Through Existing Programs
Plan Maintenance Procedures:
Currently there are no such plans to address this issue, however any planning efforts in the future we would encourage.
The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) administers Subdivision Regulations and Floodplain Regulations for the unincorporated areas of the County. Currently there is no zoning in the unincorporated areas of the County.
D. Monitoring and Updating Policies
The Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan will be distributed to different county agencies on an as needed basis. Mitigation recommendations will be given to local officials and county planning departments and they will be strongly encouraged to address the NHMP activities in the following: comprehensive plans, capital improvement plans, zoning and building codes, site reviews, permitting, and other planning tools. Notices and articles containing NHMP information will be published in the Logan Daily News informing the public of NHMP opportunities, updates and activities etc.
The NHMP will be reviewed on an annual basis. The Hocking County Emergency Management Agency along with CORE Group members will make recommendations, adjustments etc. to the plan as needed. Information that becomes available or changes relevant to areas of the plan will be added. At the time of the evaluation, the following items will be assessed:
Do the goals and objectives address current and expected conditions?
Has the nature or magnitude of risks changed?
Are the current recourses appropriate for implementing the plan?
Are there implementation problems, such as technical, political, legal or coordination issues with other agencies?
Have outcomes occurred as expected?
These adjustments will take place during the annual review. The NHMP will be addressed as mitigation funds become available to Hocking County. When applying for a mitigation project, the NHMP will be used as a guide for possible activities.
The public will have the opportunity to view the document and make suggestions, comments etc. at the HCEMA per request. The person(s) wanting to review the NHMP will be scheduled to do so by appointment. There will be a meeting held once a year with the CORE Group members and public involved. Postings on the web and local paper will give the date and time of the meeting.
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