1.0 jurisdiction executive summary€¦ · o the towns of jarratt, stony creek, wakefield, and...

Sussex County

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1.0 Jurisdiction Executive Summary Jurisdiction executive summaries highlight some of the background data gathered and analysis completed for the 2011 Richmond-Crater Multi-Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update with emphasis on the results from the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA). Additional details on the region, specifics on analysis methodologies and mitigation action details can be found in the Hazard Mitigation Plan. 1.1 Hazards The information below summarizes the effects of the region’s 10 top hazards on Sussex County. (1) Flooding (Significant Threat)

• Repetitive Loss Structures = 1; Severe Repetitive Loss Structures = 0; Number of Claims = 2; Total Building and Contents Payment on RL and SRL Properties = $21,877 (as of 3/22/2011)

• NFIP Flood Policies = 26; Insurance In-Force = $4,147,100; Number of Claims = 12; Total Building and Contents Payment on Claims = $47,630 (as of 2/28/2011)

• There are eight critical facilities located in the floodplain. • High Prone Flood Areas =

o All of Sussex County falls within the $0-$10,000 annualized flood damages category, with the worst damages occurring in the center of the county along the Nottoway River and Rowanty Creek.

o Blackwater River along the northeast boundary and Three Creek along the southwest boundary also contribute to annual flood damages;

o The towns of Jarratt, Stony Creek, Wakefield, and Waverly all suffer minimal flood damages well below $10,000.

Critical Facilities: Eight critical facilities are located within mapped floodplains. For this analysis, critical facilities are defined as a facility in either the public or private sector that provides essential products and services to the general public, is otherwise necessary to preserve the welfare and quality of life in the County, or fulfills important public safety, emergency response, and/or disaster recovery functions. Critical facilities examined for Sussex County fall into ten categories including; Medical Facilities/Hospitals, Police Stations, Airports, VDOT Fuel Tanks, VDOT Facilities, E911 Centers, Fire/EMS Stations, Cell/Radio Towers, Utilities, and Public Schools.

Richmond-Crater Multi-Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

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Significant Historical Events: Several severe flooding events have had a widespread impact in Sussex County; these include: • September 2003: Hurricane Isabel: During the storm event 1,000 residents

sought shelter. Route 460 was closed. Waverly lost power for several weeks. • November 1985: Significant rainfall in western Virginia produced landslides

and flooding, and both the James and Appomattox Rivers swelled from the runoff. The James River was 24 feet above flood level and the Appomattox River had crested at 10 feet. Flooding closed Halifax Road and Cedar Road in Stony Creek and Rt. 40; as well as destroying several fields and caused numerous potholes.

Additional information on flooding can be found in Section 5.6, starting on page 5-9.

(2) Wind (Moderate Threat) This category includes hurricane, thunderstorm

and tornado winds. • Total tornado touchdowns reported at 5 for past 60 years; 1-F3, 1-F2, 2-F1 and

1-F0 • Annualized losses from tornado wind events = $38,289 • Annualized losses from hurricane wind events = $57,071 • Annualized losses from thunderstorm and other wind events (excluding

tornadoes and hurricanes) = $446. Significant Historical Events: Wind events have had a widespread impact in Sussex County; these include: • September 1999: Hurricane Floyd: Wakefield received 12.73 inches of rain.

This event caused the greatest flooding in 60 years. 200 people were evacuated from Stony Creek where homes and businesses were partially submerged by the rising Nottoway River. Portions of Waverly and Wakefield were completely flooded. US Route 460 had a massive sinkhole and other portions were flooded. Roads were washed out on Harrell’s Mill Road and Brittle’s Mill Road. I-95 was closed. Crop damages estimated at $1 million in Sussex County.

• September 1996: A severe storm entered Virginia, producing heaving winds gusting between 40 and 50 mph. Damages were not as large as expected and were caused mostly from high winds, uprooting trees which fell onto homes, trailers, roads and disrupting power and telephone service. 300 acres of crops were damaged from flooded fields.

Sussex County

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• August 1993: In Sussex County, a tornado in Waverly snapped and uprooted trees, damaged homes and buildings from one end of town to the other. A peanut warehouse on Route 460 was destroyed. Power was disrupted in Stony Creek and Waverly.

• August 1933: High winds from a tropical storm blew off several roofs. One-fourth of the trees were uprooted in Stony Creek.

Additional information on wind can be found in Sections 5.7, 5.8 and 5.9, starting on pages 5-9, 5-50, and 5-91, respectively.

(3) Winter Weather (Moderate Threat)

• 18 National Weather Service Alerts during past 5 years for winter weather • Annualized all winter weather losses = $40,656.

Significant Historical Events • January 1996: From January 6 through January 15, two snow storms, striking

first from the south and then from the north produced large and prolonged snowfall. More than 14 inches of snow fell in the County.

• January 1977: Several weeks of ice, snow (11.1 inches) and record low temperatures produced one of the coldest winter seasons. This event caused numerous accidents, with several pedestrian injuries and several drowning deaths.

Additional information on winter weather can be found in Section 5.10, starting on page 5-95.

(4) Thunderstorm (Moderate Threat)

• Annualized losses from thunderstorms including hail and lightning = $446 • The NCDC database shows that at least two people in the region have been

killed and three others injured as a result of lightning since 1993. None of these people were in Sussex County.

Significant Historical Events • May 2003: Hail larger than softballs (approx. 4.25 inches) caused an estimated

$15,000 in damage near Jarratt.

Additional information on thunderstorms can be found in Section 5.9, starting on page 5-91.


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(5) Drought (Moderate Threat) • Annualized losses from drought = $452 • An extended period of abnormally dry weather occurred over a period of four

years, from 1998 to 2002. • This period saw rainfall levels well below normal and caused many

communities throughout the state to institute water restrictions. • Value of agricultural products sold (in $1,000) in Sussex County are $16,947.

Significant Major Events: • 2007: Unusually dry conditions persisted through a significant portion of the

year through much of southern and central Virginia. Virginia as a whole experienced its tenth driest year on record.

• December 2001 – November 2004: Beginning in the winter of 2001, the mid-Atlantic began to show long-term drought conditions. The National Weather Service made reports of moisture starved cold fronts that would continue throughout the winter. Stream levels were below normal with record lows observed at gages for the York, James, and Roanoke River Basins. By November 2002, the US Secretary of Agriculture had approved 45 counties for primary disaster designation, while 36 requests remained pending.

• June – November 1998: A heat wave over the southeast produced warm and dry conditions over much of Virginia. Unusually dry conditions persisted through much of the fall. The drought produced approximately $38.8 million in crop damages over portions of central and south-central Virginia.

• November 1976 – September 1977: Ten months of below average precipitation. The drought began in November of 1976 when rainfall totaled to only 50 to 75% of normal amounts. During the rest of the winter, storms that normally would bring moisture to the area tracked across the gulf. During the spring and summer, the storms tracked across the Great Lakes. These weather patterns created significant drought throughout most of Virginia.

Additional information on drought can be found in Section 5.11, starting on page 5-109.

(6) Wildfire (Limited Threat)

• Annualized losses from wildfire = $8,003 • Total acres burned in Sussex County (1995-2008) = 1,175.1 • Total dollar damage in Sussex County (1995-2008) = $104,040 • Annualized number of events = 11.85 • 1 woodland community in high fire rank • 43 homes in woodland communities in high fire rank

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Critical Facilities: Eight critical facilities are located within high potential wildfire areas. For this analysis, critical facilities are defined as a facility in either the public or private sector that provides essential products and services to the general public, is otherwise necessary to preserve the welfare and quality of life in the County, or fulfills important public safety, emergency response, and/or disaster recovery functions. Critical facilities examined for Sussex County fall into ten categories including; Medical Facilities/Hospitals, Police Stations, Airports, VDOT Fuel Tanks, VDOT Facilities, E911 Centers, Fire/EMS Stations, Cell/Radio Towers, Utilities, and Public Schools. Significant Major Events: Within Sussex County, wildfires have been experienced every year; counts are provided by year below. • 2008 – 8 • 2007 – 13 • 2006 – 10 • 2005 – 13 • 2004 – 7

• 2003 – 4 • 2002 – 9 • 2001 – 21 • 2000 – 2 • 1999 – 12

• 1998 – 13 • 1997 – 11 • 1996 – 9 • 1995 – 22

Additional information on wildfire can be found in Section 5.13, starting on page 5-117.

(7) Earthquake (Limited Threat)

• Annualized losses from earthquake = $15,079 • Significant earthquakes were first recorded in Virginia in 1774. Virginia has

had over 160 earthquakes since 1977, of which 16% were felt. This averages to approximately one earthquake every month, with two felt each year.

• There have been five significant earthquakes centered in the region.

Additional information on earthquake can be found in Section 5.16, starting on page 5-141.

(8) Landslide and Shoreline/Coastal Erosion (Limited Threat)

• The greatest landslide hazards are found in the higher elevations of western and southwestern Virginia. Analysis of the hazard here is limited by the availability of data. There is no comprehensive database documenting all landslide occurrences within the Commonwealth.

Additional information on landslide and shoreline/coastal erosion can be found in Section 5.14, starting on page 5-132.


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(9) Land Subsidence/Karst/Sinkholes (Limited Threat) • According to the Virginia State Hazard Mitigation Plan, there have been no

Federal Declared Disasters or NCDC recorded events for karst related events in the Commonwealth. Land subsidence is very site-specific. There is no comprehensive long-term record of past events in Virginia.

Additional information on land subsidence/karst/sinkholes can be found in Section 5.15, starting on page 5-138.

(10) Mass Evacuation (Moderate Threat)

• Mass evacuations from urban areas can strain a community’s resources and cause gridlock on major transportation routes, overcrowding of hospitals and shelters, and increased load on local utility infrastructures leading to potential failure.

Additional information on mass evacuation can be found in Section 5.12, starting on page 5-115.

1.2 Demographic Characteristics1

• Population (2010): 12,087 • Land Area (2010): 490.22 sq. miles • Density (2010): 24.7 persons per sq. mile • Median household income (2009): $37,684 • Percent below poverty level (2009): 18.4% • Race characteristics (2010):

o White: 39.3% o Black: 58.1% o American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.2% o Asian: 0.4% o Persons reporting two or more races: 0.8%

(of the abovementioned races, 2.2% are of Hispanic or Latin origin)

1 Source U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts.

Sussex County

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1.3 Sussex County Mitigation Actions Number in 2011 Plan Strategy Addresses

Goals? Hazards

Addressed Responsible Department Resources Timeframe Priority

Sussex-1

Add staff to Emergency Management Office, Building Inspections Office and/or Zoning Office.

4 All hazards Public Safety Department budget Long-term Medium

Sussex-2 Continue to enforce zoning and building codes to prevent/control construction within the floodplain.

1, 2, 4

Flood, wind, earthquake,

land subsidence,

winter weather

Building Inspections;

Department of Planning and

Zoning

Staff time Ongoing High

Sussex-3

Continue to evaluate the floodplain manager’s roles and responsibilities in each local jurisdiction.

1, 2, 4 Flood Department of Planning and

Zoning Staff time Ongoing High

Sussex-4

Continue to identify funding opportunities to replace vulnerable or undersized culvert stream crossings with bridges or larger culverts to reduce flood hazards.

2 Flood Public Safety Staff time Ongoing Medium

Sussex-5 Continue to pursue a federal/state project to elevate I-95 bridge and widen channel at Stony Creek.

2 Flood Public Safety Staff time Ongoing Medium

Sussex-6 Develop GIS capabilities. 4 All hazards Public Safety Staff Time Long-term Medium

Sussex-7 Increase capacity of stormwater system in conjunction with towns of Wakefield and Waverly.

2 Flood Public Safety Staff time Long-term Medium


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Number in 2011 Plan Strategy Addresses

Goals? Hazards


Sussex-8

Investigate using non-conforming or substantial damage provisions to require hazard retrofitting of existing development.

1 All hazards Department of Planning and

Zoning Staff time Long-term Medium

Sussex-9 Target FEMA’s Repetitive Loss Properties for specialized outreach and mitigation activities.

1 Flood Public Safety Staff time Ongoing Low

Sussex-10

Work with the National Weather Service to promote the “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” public education campaign.

3 Flood Public Safety Staff time and

NWS publications

Ongoing Medium

Sussex-11 Work with VDOT to address at-risk roads as funding is available. 2 All hazards Public Safety Staff Time and

other agencies Ongoing Medium

Sussex-12

Support mitigation of priority structures through promotion of acquisition/demolition, elevation, flood proofing and other mitigation projects where feasible using FEMA HMA programs where appropriate.

1, 2 All hazards Public Safety Staff time Short-term Medium

Sussex-13

Review locality’s compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program with an annual review of the Floodplain Ordinances and any newly permitted activities in the 100-year floodplain.

4 Flood Department of Planning and

Zoning Staff time Ongoing Medium

Sussex County

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Number in 2011 Plan Strategy Addresses

Goals? Hazards


Sussex-14

Distribute brochures and use other means to educate the public regarding preparedness and mitigation. Conduct annual preparedness days for hazards to include flood, wind, and earthquake.

3 All hazards Public Safety

Staff time, free FEMA and

other agency publications

Ongoing Medium

Sussex-15

Request list from VDEM/DCR and conduct annual review of repetitive loss and severe repetitive loss property list to ensure accuracy. Review will include verification of the geographic location of each repetitive loss property and determination if mitigated and by what means. Provide corrections if needed by filing form FEMA AW-501.

1 Flood Department of Planning and

Zoning Staff time Ongoing Low


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1.4 Town of Stony Creek Mitigation Actions Number in 2011 Plan Strategy

Addresses Goals?

Hazards Addressed

Responsible Department Resources Timeframe Priority

Stony Creek-1

Review potential grant options to reduce repetitive and general flood damages to homes in Town.

1, 2 Flood Mayor Staff time Short-term Medium

Stony Creek-2

Work with the VDOT/VDEM/Army Corp to identify funding sources to improve the channel or bridge at I95 and US 301

2 Flood Mayor Staff time and other agencies Long-term Medium

Stony Creek-4


4 Flood Mayor Staff time Ongoing Medium

Stony Creek-5


3 All hazards Mayor



Ongoing Medium

Stony Creek-6


1 Flood Mayor Staff time Ongoing Low

Sussex County

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Number in 2011 Plan Strategy

Addresses Goals?

Hazards Addressed


Stony Creek-7


1, 2 All hazards Mayor Staff time Short-term Medium


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1.5 Town of Wakefield Mitigation Actions Number in 2011 Plan Strategy

Addresses Goals?

Hazards Addressed


Wakefield-1 Review storm drainage system and identify funding opportunities for improvements

2 Flood Mayor Staff Time Long-term High

Wakefield-2 Review quick connection options for Town Hall and local 1st responders 2,4 All hazards Mayor Staff Time Short-term Medium

Wakefield-3 Work with the NOAA on a possible Turn-Around, Don't Drown Campaign for streets (also include VDOT)

3 Flood Mayor Staff time and

NWS publicaitons

Ongoing Medium

Wakefield-4



Wakefield-5


3 All hazards Mayor



Ongoing Medium

Wakefield-6



Sussex County

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Addresses Goals?

Hazards Addressed


Wakefield-7


1,2 All hazards Mayor Staff time Short-term Medium


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1.6 Town of Waverly Mitigation Actions Number in 2011 Plan Strategy

Addresses Goals?

Hazards Addressed


Waverly-1

Review storm drainage system and identify funding opportunities for improvements

2 Flood Mayor Staff Time Long-term High

Waverly-2

Review quick connection options for Town Hall and local 1st responders 2,4 All hazards Mayor Staff Time Short-term Medium

Waverly-3

Work with Sussex Sewer Authority to ensure continual operations and identify funding opportunities for grants to help ensure CO (quick connects, raised systems, etc.)

2 Flood Mayor Staff Time Short-Term High

Waverly-4



Waverly-5


3 All hazards Mayor



Ongoing Medium

Sussex County

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Addresses Goals?

Hazards Addressed


Waverly-6



Waverly-7


1,2 All hazards Mayor Staff time Short-term Medium

/

£¤58

£¤301

£¤301

£¤58§̈¦95

£¤58§̈¦95

Greensville

Dinwiddie

Isle ofWight

Town ofWaverly

Southampton

Town ofSurry

Town ofDendron

Town ofWakefield

Town ofStony Creek

Prince George Surry

Town ofCapron

Town ofCourtland

Franklin0 2.5 5 7.51.25

Miles

Figure . Sussex County and Associated Towns: Land Coverage and FEMA M

apped Floodplains Prepared: June, 2011

Land Coverage CategoriesDeveloped Open Space

Low Intensity Development

Medium Intensity Development

High Intensity Development

Barren Land

Deciduous/Mixed Forest

Evergreen Forest

Grassland/Pasture

Agriculture

JurisdictionalBoundary

Stream

Waterbody

Swamp/Marsh

FEMA Floodplain

Interstate

US Highway

Primary Highway

Railroad

£¤460

ÍÎ40

UV617

UV603

UV628UV620

£¤460

£¤460 ÍÎ31

UV669

UV670

§̈¦95

Town of Waverly

Town of Wakefield

Town of Stony Creek

/

0 1 20.5Miles

0 0.5 10.25Miles

0 1 20.5Miles

Source: USGS - NCLD, 2011 FEMA - NFHL, 2010 VGIN, 2010 VDEM, 2010 RRPDC, 2010 USGS - NHD, 2009

/

£¤58

£¤301

£¤301

£¤58

§̈¦95

§̈¦95

£¤58§̈¦95

Greensville

Dinwiddie

Petersburg

Isle ofWight

Town ofWaverly Town of

Smithfield

Southampton

NewportNewsTown of

Surry

Town ofDendron

Town ofWakefield

Town ofStony Creek

Prince George Surry

Town ofCapron

Town ofCourtland

Franklin0 2.5 5 7.51.25

Miles

Figure . Sussex County and Associated Towns: Land Coverage and FEMA M

apped Floodplains Prepared: July, 2011

_̀ Critical Facility Stream

Waterbody

Swamp/Marsh

FEMA Floodplain


Interstate

US Highway

Primary Highway

Railroad

£¤460

ÍÎ40

UV617

UV603

UV628UV620

£¤460

£¤460 ÍÎ31

UV669

UV670

§̈¦95

Town of Waverly

Town of Wakefield

Town of Stony Creek

/

0 1 20.5Miles

0 0.5 10.25Miles

0 1 20.5Miles

Source: FCC, 2010 FEMA - NFHL, 2010 VGIN, 2010 VDEM, 2010 RRPDC, 2010 USGS - NHD, 2009

/

£¤58

£¤301

£¤301

£¤58§̈¦95

£¤58§̈¦95

Greensville

Dinwiddie

Isle ofWight

Town ofWaverly

Southampton

Town ofSurry

Town ofDendron

Town ofWakefield

Town ofStony Creek

Prince George Surry

Town ofCapron

Town ofCourtland

Franklin0 2.5 5 7.51.25

Miles

Figure . Sussex County and Associated Towns: Annualized Flood Loss Damage and FEM

A M

apped Floodplains

Prepared: July, 2011

Damage Loss by Census BlockNo Loss

< $20,000

$20,000.00 - $40,000

$40,000.00 - $60,000

$60,000.00 - $80,000

> $80,000

Stream

Waterbody

Swamp/Marsh

FEMA Floodplain


Interstate

US Highway

Primary Highway

Railroad

£¤460

ÍÎ40

UV617

UV603

UV628UV620

£¤460

£¤460 ÍÎ31

UV669

UV670

§̈¦95

Town of Waverly

Town of Wakefield

Town of Stony Creek

/

0 1 20.5Miles

0 0.5 10.25Miles

0 1 20.5Miles

Source: USGS - NCLD, 2011 FEMA - NFHL, 2010 VGIN, 2010 VDEM, 2010 RRPDC, 2010 USGS - NHD, 2009

/

£¤58

£¤301

£¤301

£¤58§̈¦95

£¤58§̈¦95

Greensville

Dinwiddie

Isle ofWight

Town ofWaverly

Southampton

Town ofSurry

Town ofDendron

Town ofWakefield

Town ofStony Creek

Prince George Surry

Town ofCapron

Town ofCourtland

Franklin0 2.5 5 7.51.25

Miles

Figure . Sussex County and Associated Towns: Annualized Loss Due to Wind Dam

age

Prepared: June, 2011

Less than $10,000

$10,000 to < $20,000

$20,000 to <$40,000

Greater than $40,000

Stream

Waterbody

Swamp/Marsh


Interstate

US Highway

Primary Highway

Railroad

£¤460

ÍÎ40

UV617

UV603

UV628UV620

£¤460

£¤460 ÍÎ31

UV669

UV670

§̈¦95

Town of Waverly

Town of Wakefield

Town of Stony Creek

/

0 1 20.5Miles

0 0.5 10.25Miles

0 1 20.5Miles

Source: HAZUS, 2010 NOAA, 2010 VGIN, 2010 VDEM, 2010 RRPDC, 2010 USGS - NHD, 2009

/

£¤58

£¤301

£¤301

£¤58

§̈¦95

§̈¦95

£¤58§̈¦95

Greensville

Dinwiddie

Petersburg

Isle ofWight

Town ofWaverly Town of

Smithfield

Southampton

NewportNewsTown of

Surry

Town ofDendron

Town ofWakefield

Town ofStony Creek

Prince George Surry

Town ofCapron

Town ofCourtland

Franklin

Source: VDOF, 2003, 2007, 2008 FCC, 2010 VGIN, 2010 VDEM, 2010 RRPDC, 2010 USGS - NHD, 2009

0 2.5 5 7.51.25Miles

Figure . Sussex County and Associated Towns: Critical Facilities and Wildfire Risk Areas

Prepared: July, 2011

_̀ Critical Facility Low Risk of Fire

Moderate Risk of Fire

High Risk of Fire

Stream

Waterbody

Swamp/Marsh


Interstate

US Highway

Primary Highway

Railroad

£¤460

ÍÎ40

UV617

UV603

UV628UV620

£¤460

£¤460 ÍÎ31

UV669

UV670

§̈¦95

Town of Waverly

Town of Wakefield

Town of Stony Creek

/

0 1 20.5Miles

0 0.5 10.25Miles

0 1 20.5Miles

58

301

301

58

95

95

58

95

Greensville

Dinwiddie

Isle ofWight

Town ofWaverly

Southampton

Town ofSurry

Town ofDendron

Town ofWakefield

Town ofStony Creek

Prince George Surry

Town ofCapron

Town ofCourtland

Franklin

Source: VDOF, 2003, 2007, 2008 FCC, 2010 VGIN, 2010 VDEM, 2010 RRPDC, 2010 USGS - NHD, 2009

0 2.5 5 7.51.25Miles

Figure . Sussex County and Associated Towns: Woodland Hom

e Comm

unities and W

ildfire Risk Areas

Prepared: June, 2011

Woodland HomeCommunitiesIncidents of WildfiresYears 2007 - 2008

Low Risk of Fire

Moderate Risk of Fire

High Risk of Fire

Stream

Waterbody

Swamp/Marsh


Interstate

US Highway

Primary Highway

Railroad

460

40

617

603

628620

460

460 31

669

670

95

Town of Waverly

Town of Wakefield

Town of Stony Creek

0 1 20.5Miles

0 0.5 10.25Miles

0 1 20.5Miles


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1.0 jurisdiction executive summary€¦ · o the towns of jarratt, stony creek, wakefield, and...

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