Hazard identification study is a toll used for hazard analysis where risks are assessed. Identification of these unacceptable risks leads to selection of various means of controlling or mitigating them. Hazard is defined as an event, condition or circumstance that could contribute to unplanned or undesirable effects whether at home or in the workplace. Since a single hazard seldom creates a safety risk, the mitigation process will involve consideration of the while system to determine the sequence of events that lead to the occurrence of that hazard (Alexander, 2005). By understanding that some of the risks are either natural or man-made, mitigation process can be handled well.
Risk is defined as the likelihood that the identified hazard will actually cause an injury or disease. This is measured in terms of consequences and likelihood. Risk assessment determines the qualitative and quantitative value of the risk related to a concrete situation and a recognized threat. This implies that there must be calculations on the magnitude of the loss and the actual probability that the loss will occur (Bahr, 2007). Thus, management of these risks is required at all levels of administration. This implies the identification, assessment and prioritization of the risks. This will then be followed by the coordination and economic application of available resources to monitor, minimize and control the probability and the impact of the unfortunate events. Management of risks may involve transferring the risk to another party, reducing the negative effects of the risk, avoiding the risk altogether, and accepting some or all the consequences of a certain risk.
Due to the natural weather events that take place every day in the world, federal governments have had to create disaster management authorities that will ensure the safety of the citizens. Events such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires and thunderstorms are a common interaction between man and nature and have become vital for day to day living (Bahr, 2007). Continued population increase leads to the rise in the likelihood of further interaction between man and the natural hazards making it more fatal and costly annually. An organization like Federal Emergency Management Agency was established with the aim of providing emergency assistance to states and local governments to assist in mitigation, response, preparation and recovery from all possible hazards. However, a federal agency is not the only way out. The different states and local governments ought to have their own emergency policies that will enhance disaster preparedness as well as assistance when such occurrences appear (Bahr, 2007). Wayne County in North Carolina is one such local government that has created its own hazard mitigation plan to help decrease the effects of risks from natural disasters. Having been affected severely by the 1999’s Hurricane Floyd, a localized approach to hazard management was long overdue.
Wayne County faces a great deal of natural hazards annually. Its proximity to the ocean creates an immense attraction to some of the natural disasters. Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, thunderstorms, severe winter storms, failures of dams and levees and drought are some of the experienced calamities in this locality. The plan initiated by the local government aims at assessing the likelihood of their occurrence, the impact they can cause and the mitigation processes that should be adopted and adapted to control its effects (Alexander, 2005). Occurrence of floods is deemed as being likely though flash floods have in the past decade caused very minimal number of deaths and property damage. However, in areas where population is high, the likelihood of lethal effects is likely. Hurricanes on the other hand were observed a record seven times during the 1996-2006 decade. Property damaged was in millions of shillings with deaths being reported in several occasions. The likelihood of its occurrence is likely by the virtue of Wayne’s position along the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the edge of the Gulf Stream in North Carolina (Wayne county, 2006). Thunderstorms and hailstorms are also a common occurrence with property worth millions of dollars being destroyed after each occurrence. Tornados are another hazard that has caused great concerns in the area. Though they occur rarely, they caused a great deal of damage when they occur. Winter storms have been experienced a total of eleven times since 1996 with a large impact being reported on the damage caused.
These hazards cause great damage to the way of life of the communities affected. Economically, the challenges are even greater for low income earners whose only source of livelihood has been destroyed. The economy of the county also gets affected since the infrastructure present has been reduced to ground level. That implies that they have to start from scratch which could weigh heavily on the county leaders. Infrastructure, for instance takes along period of time to complete (Wayne County, 2006). Once destroyed, the heavy task of remaking it is costly. The political landscape is affected by the social impact of the hazard on the people. Once the natural calamities occur, the political elite have to sit down and come up with better ways of mitigating further occurrence of the risks posed.
Other social effects include deaths, illnesses caused by flooding which may include waterborne diseases due to contamination of drinking water, long term risks on the increase morbidity and mortality, break down in food supply and security in the county, population displacement, high levels of psychosocial stress and diversion of vital resources such as food, water and housing facilities (Alexander, 2005). Destruction of physical assets will lead to a break down in communication, loss of shelter and destruction of food reserves, destruction of social amenities and public facilities detrimental public cohesion and displacement of the population. Economic assets create the wealth of a government, whether local or federal or state. Destruction of such pivotal axis of a state could lead to the increase in developmental challenges of the state. This implies that already established counties have to become dependent of federal assistance to sustain its population (Alexander, 2005). The implication will be heavy on the local/state government to fully provide for their citizens and offer opportunities of growth without having to rely on the federal government for assistance. However hard this may turn out to be, the economic status of the state must regain its stature soonest possible to allow the citizens to feel autonomous and in control of their economy. Creation of hazard preparation plans will help eradicate such forms of dependency and lead to the mitigation of future risks.
Critical facilities that are located within the local precincts should be overly protected by the government to ease their vulnerability to these hazards. Thus, they should regularly be updated to ensure that their location and type are known for future protection. If they are disrupted due to a hazard event, they may drastically hinder daily operations. Such areas are detrimental to the survival of a county, state, or even nation (Alexander, 2005). They include fire facilities which range to 34 of them. There are schools and shelters which range to 28 of them. Destruction of this would bring learning to a stand still in the local government. Water treatment plants are the other areas which are very important for the health of the locals. These plants are three in the county. Intensive livestock operations are the most important part of livelihood for the local population. They range up to 178 of them spread out within the county. There are three airports in the area which increase the imports and the exports which lead to more wealth for the county. Destruction of these facilities could affect the wealth and the economic status of the county. There are two major hospitals which are the core health facilities in the area. If affected, the whole county could suffer from implicit health conditions which could turn out to be severe. There is a military installation in the county which helps in maintaining the security of region. Destruction of this important feature could lead to breakdown of security which increases vulnerability (Wayne County, 2006).
The damages that may result due to the natural hazards are many. Destruction of social amenities could lead to severe consequences on the lives of the inhabitants of the county. Lack of proper waste disposal could lead to an outbreak of diseases. Destruction of hospitals could lead to deaths due to lack of vital medication needed for treatment. Destruction of crops could lead to famine and starvation which would eventually result to death. Destruction of property, both real and private could have severe effects on the economy. In 1999 for instance, the Wayne County Tax Office approximated $15 million worth of real property was destroyed while$145,000 dollars worth of private property was destroyed due to storm related damages. Presently total property value that is vulnerable to flooding is $1,258,964,400, for both real and private property (Wayne County, 2006).
Of all the important comprehensive emergency management elements, mitigation is the most important of them. This is because it includes the reduction of damages from hazardous events. No matter where the activities occur, their importance is seen as being of importance if they achieve what they are meant to. If they lessen the loss of property or life before a disaster strikes, then those activities should be encouraged and emphasized on. For Wayne County, a wide range of policies and ordinances have been implemented and others formulated to reduce potential loss of life and property damage from natural hazards. Several of these ordinances have been adopted by the various municipalities. Some of them include:
Subdivision ordinance which was set up to establish procedures and standards of development of land and subdivisions of land within Wayne County’s jurisdiction. This ordinance was created to set out design standards within 100-year flood plain. This required coordination between the departments of transportation, utility providers, surveyors, resource conservation and so on (Wayne County, 2006).
Mobile home park ordinance was established to regulate the placement of and establishment of mobile home parks to promote public health, safety, and general citizen welfare. It set out to provide policies that will ensure that all mobile homes are anchored well enough to bear shifting events of storms or strong winds.
Storm water ordinance was designate to the Wayne county government as a requirement for Neuse River Nutrient Waters management strategy. The main aim is to regulate and maintain nitrogen loading to 30% and below in comparison to the 1995 levels. This is aimed at reducing the velocity and to control the volume of storm water run off within the river basin.
Flood damage prevention ordinance was initiated in line with the national flood insurance program to minimize the damages of caused by flooding. It was to be developed where the base flood information was available and incase f absence, the lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above adjacent grade (Wayne County, 2006).
Thus, mitigation is an important step that should be put into consideration by all governments so as to cater for the welfare of its citizens. Management must be preceded by identification then implementation to follow the management stage.
References:
Alexander, Carol (2005). A Comprehensive Guide to Current Theory and Best Practices: The Professional Risk Managers’ Handbook:London: PRMIA Publications.
Bahr, Nicholas J. (2007). System Safety Engineering and Risk Assessment: A Practical Approach. Michigan: Taylor & Francis Group.
Wayne County (2006), draft hazards plan. Retrieved 06 November, 2010 HYPERLINK “http://waynegov.schoolwires.net/1658106615422447/lib/1658106615422447/hazard_mitigation_plan.pdf” http://waynegov.schoolwires.net/1658106615422447/lib/1658106615422447/hazard_mitigation_plan.pdf
