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Executive Summary
In the last several years, increased attention and concern have been focused on the impacts of disasters. This is particularly true at the state and local level, where disasters have devastated communities, caused millions of dollars worth or damages, and impacted the economic viability of communities and regions for years after the event occurred (Florida Department of Community Affairs, 1998).
There are proven techniques available to communities that can reduce or eliminate the long-term impacts of natural hazards. These techniques (within Florida) -- known as Hazard Mitigation -- when undertaken before the next flood or hurricane strikes, will lessen the likelihood that potential hazards will become disasters. Understanding hazard mitigation at the local level will enable our community to lessen vulnerability to various hazards, which in turn, better supports the economic and social development goals. Through hazard-mitigation processes there will be less business disruption, and less government financial outlay required in assisting businesses and citizens recover, repair public facilities and return the community to normal after a catastrophic event.
In the implementation stage of the strategic planning process an analysis of hazards present in the community are reviewed so that cost-effective mitigation can become a part of community plans. This process places community governments in the position to influence the manner in which both new development and redevelopment is undertaken by incorporating appropriate mitigation techniques.
The purpose of this report is to identify the potential hazards that may strike Hillsborough County and the Cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. Additionally, the report is to provide an assessment of the areas vulnerable to various hazards and identify possible actions that can mitigate potential damage in the future. Through such proactive planning, in advance of a disaster, the communities within Hillsborough County will minimize property loss, disruption of the local economy and maintain essential services to its population following natural or man-made disasters.
This report has seven sections and 14 appendices, which include information on Hillsborough County encompassing the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City.
The first section provides an Introduction to the Local Mitigation Strategy, its goals and objectives and a description of the planning process.
The second section provides a profile of the county and its growth patterns. It includes general population, housing, employment, land use and economic characteristics. The profile provides a frame of reference in evaluating the risks that are associated with various hazards including a discussion on future land use and corresponding community maps.
Section III is the hazards analysis which provides a history of damages from natural hazards such as coastal and riverine erosion, hurricanes, floods, droughts, sinkholes, wild fires, etc. Also included in this section is a discussion of technological hazards such as hazardous materials incidents, spills, terrorism and utility failure. The analysis attempts to define the probability of a particular hazard occurring in the county and quantify the risk to the population, housing and employment centers. This analysis provides a basis on which to prioritize areas within the county for targeted hazard mitigation planning. Section III also includes Hazard Vulnerability Maps illustrating the potential threat to the county and its jurisdictions.
Section IV provides a more detailed risk analysis based on the TAOS model. This recently-updated model provided the county with a loss assessment based on the county’s risk from hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, sinkholes, severe winds, 500+ year tsunami, and seismic activity. The TAOS model, using the 2004 Property Appraiser data quantifies the number and value of properties at risk, potential losses and annualized losses from each of these hazards. Online, the model can provide this information by zip code. This section also presents the vulnerability assessment of the County's Critical Facilities. These facilities have been determined to warrant priority in mitigation planning, as many are essential to the public health, safety and welfare of our citizens. Nearly 2,300 such facilities have been identified in the county (includes all cities and unincorporated county).
Section V presents the LMS Blueprint, an overview of the guiding principals and evaluation of existing authorities, policies, programs and resources.
Section VI describes potential mitigation initiatives as determined by the Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group. It briefly describes subject level solutions, such as wind protection, and then goes on to show specific solutions and estimated costs that can be implemented by the County and the three municipalities. Also included in this section is a discussion on techniques used by the Working Group when evaluating potential mitigation initiatives.
Section VII details the LMS Plan maintenance and the process the County and cities will use to monitor, evaluate and update the LMS.
In addition to these seven sections, there are 14 appendices attached that provide background information on topics such as:
• Conflict Resolution
• Evaluation Of Existing Programs, Policies And Ordinances
• County And Municipal Departments And Their Mitigation Functions
• Public And Private Sector Participation Progress Report (Updated Annually)
• TAOS Report Findings
• Criteria To Prioritize Mitigation Projects
• Mitigation Initiatives (Updated Annually)
• Mitigation Accomplishments (Updated Annually)
• Potential Funding Sources
• City Of Tampa Floodplain Management Plan
• Critical Facilities Inventory
• Repetitive Loss Properties
• Planning Process (Meeting Notices, Agendas, Etc.)
• Resolutions Adopting The Unified Local Mitigation Strategy 2004
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