HAZARD 

MITIGATION 

PLAN

CONTENTS:

Introduction: ………………………………………………………………	1

	Natural Hazards in Alamance County ………………………………….5
		
		Thunderstorm Wind and Lightning
		Tornado
		Severe Winter Storm
		Hurricane
		Hurricane/Flooding
		Wildfire
		Earthquake
		Drought

Hazard Mitigation Objectives and Implementation Strategy ……….. 12
	
	Future Vulnerability Analysis ……………………………………………14

	Capability Analysis ……………………………………………………….14

	Mitigation Strategy - Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction ……….	16
	      Sect. A: General Standards ………………….…………………….	16
	      Sect. B: Specific Standards ………………………………………...	17
                 Sect. C: Standards for Streams, Without Established Base  
                     Flood  Elevations and/or Floodways ………………..….	21
                 Sect. D: Standards for Subdivision Proposals ………………..….	21
                 Sect. E: Standards for Areas of Shallow Flooding AO Zones ….	22
                 Sect. F: Capability Assessments ………………………………….	23

	Mitigating Natural Hazards in Alamance County ……………………..	28

	Alamance County Emergency Operations 
Communications/Notification and Warning ……..…………………..…29
 
Individuals and Organizations Involved in Developing 
Alamance County 's Mitigation Plan ……………………………………31

Proclamations of a State of Emergency ……………………………….	32
										
	Termination of State of Emergency ……………………………………	34

INTRODUCTION

Background and Planning Process

Alamance County is located in the central part of the state and is situated close to several large metro areas.   Alamance County was largely rural until the last few years, when the county started to become a very urban community.   Farming is still playing a part of the county economic welfare.   The main farming operation in the county is tobacco.   Our communities have experienced a large economic growth in housing.  We are having more multi-family dwellings built in our towns/city, with mostly single family dwellings in the rural areas of the county.   With this large growth in population/multi-family dwellings, the risk of a natural hazard affecting a large number of people is increased.    

Alamance County is divided north and south by Interstate 85/40, and east and west by the Haw River.   We have several small mill villages located on the rivers that were used for powering the mills before electrical service was available to the rural sections of the county.   These houses in the mill villages are still being used, though most of the old mills are no longer in operation.  Since the Haw River runs through our county north to south and all streams feed into it, a big concern is contamination of this river.   Our municipalities and county have adopted building restrictions for the watershed areas to protect our water supplies.   Our municipalities have been very pro-active in planning for future growth by building two additional lakes in the last few years for water supplies.   These lakes should take Alamance County well into the middle of the twenty-first century.   There are 19 businesses/industries, 98 homes located in the 100-year flood plain, see the charts in the Hurricane/Flood section of this plan.  These totals are excluding the Cities of Burlington and Graham and their properties located in the county.  The remainder of the 100-year flood plain covers  open/wooded land. 

Alamance County has experienced power outages, due to natural hazards for several days in the past years.   The main reason for these power outages came from high winds.   The last major windstorm was in May of 2000.   This storm caused over $4,000,000 worth of damage and several businesses to be closed for a few days.   Most of the major damage was to single family dwellings. 

This plan is written to cover the county,  and several of the towns/cities in the county.   Two of the cities elected to write their own plan Burlington and Graham.  The following towns/cities are part of the this plan:  Elon, Alamance, Haw River, Ossipee, Swepsonville, Green Level, and Mebane.   Each jurisdiction will be addressed as to the 100 year flood plain for their area and other natural hazards.   We have met with each jurisdiction discuss with them their problems with natural hazards in the past and to get input for this plan.   (See the attached roster sheet for the meetings.)  
The main difference with each jurisdiction is the impact of floods.  Some of our jurisdictions will not be greatly impacted with the projected 100 year flood information    We will address  each jurisdiction and the how the flood plain effects each jurisdiction.     

Purpose

The goal of our plan is to take steps to protect the citizens of Alamance County from a disaster before it happens.   Preparing a plan to lessen the impact of a disaster before it happens will provide the following benefits to the County:

•	to protect human life and health;

•	to minimize expenditure of pubic money for costly  recovery actions;

•	to minimize prolonged business interruptions;

•	to minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets, and bridges;

•	to help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood prone areas in such a manner as to minimize flood blight areas; and, 

•	to insure that potential home buyers are notified that property is in a flood area.

Implementation Strategies:

1.	The Alamance County Emergency Management Office will handle implementing the plan.  Alamance County will continue to support and participate in the directives of the County's Emergency Operations Plan.  This plan includes evacuation procedures and response to hazards not addressed in this plan such as hazardous materials, petroleum products, hazardous waste, nuclear threat/attack, and civil disorder.

2.	Alamance County should consider expanding its Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capabilities to include maintaining elevation certificates in a computer database.   The present GIS system can be assessed by anyone through the County WEB Page at www.alamance-nc.com.  From this site anyone from a private citizen, builder, insurance company, etc. can see if any property is located in the 100 year flood plain.

3.	Ensure that the local libraries maintain documents about flood insurance, flood protection, floodplain management, and natural and beneficial functions of floodplains.  Many documents are available free of charge from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The plan and the flood plain information will be on the County website (www.alamance-nc.com).
	
4.	Encourage builders, developers, and architects to become familiar with the NFIP land use and building standards by attending annual workshops presented by the NC Division of Emergency Management (DEM).   This can be accomplished by creating a mailing list and providing it to DEM to use for its announcements.  This task can be further supported by distributing copies of DEM's announcement from the county's Inspections Department when builders and developers apply for permits.

5.	Provide local real estate agents with handouts that will advise potential buyers to investigate the flood hazard for the property they are considering purchasing.   

6.	Alamance County should develop specific regulations that prohibit dumping in the County's watersheds.   
	
7.	Consider adopting a policy prohibiting the development of critical public facilities in the 100-year flood plain in cases where viable alternatives exist.   Presently most of the critical facilities located in the flood plain are waste pump stations.   These stations must be located close to a stream because they handle gravity flowing sewage.   We also have some recreational facilities located in the flood plain.  (See Attached Map).  

8.	Review the subdivision regulations and make appropriate changes to encourage alternatives to placing lots in flood prone areas and to    minimize imperious surface coverings, if necessary.
	
9.	Consider directing each county office or agency to assess how it can better incorporate hazard mitigation goals into its planning and implementation of its duties.
	
10.	Review methods of school construction to ensure that all new schools   are constructed to the maximum cost feasible standards of wind resistance, flood resistance, and access so that they can be used as shelters for evacuees during and after natural hazard events.

11.	The county/cities/towns should coordinate with NCDOT to ensure that   there is adequate capacity for snow and ice removal in the event of a major snow storm.  "Adequate" means that all major thoroughfares are cleared and remain clear within 12 hours of last snowfall.
	
12.	Review all fire districts coverage to ensure that there are adequate 
      quantities of water for firefighting purposes and that all water points are maintained on a regular basis.
	
13.	Work with NCDOT and the local law enforcement officials to ensure that traffic is diverted from high hazard roadways during flooding  events.

Monitoring and Evaluation

After the local hazard mitigation plan has been developed and adopted, it is important to evaluate how the implementation strategies in the plan work in practice.  
Alamance County Emergency Management will coordinate with all cities/towns to implement the plan and evaluate its effectiveness.   This needs to be done to recommend additional mitigation actions and make periodic revisions to the plan.
Changes in land use and development affect a variety of infrastructure issues such as potable water, sewer, roads, storm water facilities, and ecological considerations such as water quality.   Strong policies and programs should help achieve some of a community's mitigation objectives.

Update

Revisions to the hazard mitigation plan are necessary to correct flaws that are discovered in the plan.  There are always some contingencies that cannot be foreseen, or events which cannot be predicted.   Revision incorporates those changes necessary to better fit the plan to real-life situations.  Periodic revision of the mitigation plan will also help to ensure that local mitigation efforts include the latest and most effective mitigation techniques.  Periodic revision of the mitigation plan will also keep it in compliance with state and local statutes and regulations.

The county plan should always be evaluated following a significant natural hazard event by all cities/towns, etc.  In the absence of significant natural hazard events, this plan should be updated at least every five years or whenever the need for updating is determined by county, city, town officials, or the planning boards.

NATURAL HAZARDS IN ALAMANCE COUNTY

There are eight different natural hazards that we feel could effect Alamance County communities.  We have listed these in the order we feel will be the most likely to occur.  In the following appendixes we will discuss in detail each hazard and how in the past they have affected our communities.     
The natural hazards outside of flooding will effect all of our county and the communities about the same, but we will be addressing each community in the Hurricanes/Floods part of our plan.  

We will address the mitigation efforts in place and the future plans for handling each of these hazards.   The prioritized list is as follows:

a.	Thunderstorm Wind and Lightning
b.	Tornado
c.	Severe Winter Storm
d.	Hurricane
e.	Hurricane/Flooding
f.	Wildfire
g.	Earthquake
h.	Drought

Tornadoes

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending to the ground.  The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more.   Damage paths can be in excess of 1 mile wide and 50 miles long.  Tornadoes can cause large amounts of property damage, injury, and death. The majority of tornadoes (71%) reported in North Carolina have been classified as weak, 28% as strong, and approximately 1% as violent.  Weak tornadoes have caused 3% of North Carolina tornado deaths, similar to the national figure.   Strong tornadoes were responsible for 49% of North Carolina deaths compared to 70% for the nation.   Based on state tornado statistics (SERCC, 1996), North Carolina ranks 22nd in total number of tornadoes and 18th in tornado deaths for the period 1953-1995.  From the "Design Wind Speed" map, Alamance County is located in Zone III, so we can expect wind speeds from tornadoes to be as much as 200 miles per hour.  

Tornadoes are ranked in six categories.   Of those six categories, based on the figures from 2001, more people are killed and injured from category FI and FII tornadoes than all the others.   Alamance County has had four tornadoes in the last 26 years, three of those were category FI tornadoes. Most tornadoes occurred in the spring, with 13% in March, 11% in April, 22% in May and 14% in June.   The tornadoes that have hit our County have occurred in the months of March (2), July, and May.  Usually the tornadoes occur in the afternoon, though the tornado that hit our county in 1975 was at 6:50 a.m.   

Where the tornadoes touched down were mostly in residential areas.   The homes that were damaged the most were the mobile homes.  Our Inspections Departments are trying to make certain that all mobile homes are tied down properly.  If these homes are secured properly, they can withstand tornado winds as well as stick built homes.  

When the wind speeds reach the upper end of a category FII tornado, no home is going to withstand a direct hit.  Power outages have resulted in the most damage in the county from tornadoes.  The tornadoes have cut a path through the county close to the same place each time (see the attached map).

Thunderstorm Wind and Lightning

A typical thunderstorm may be three miles wide at its base, rise to between 40,000 to 60,000 feet in the troposphere, and contain half a million tons of condensed water.   Conglomerations of thunderstorms along cold fronts (with squall lines) can extend for hundreds of miles.  Thunderstorms contain tremendous amounts of energy derived from condensation of water.  The half million tons of condensed water release 300 trillion calories of energy, equivalent of about 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, or several Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs.

According to the National Weather service, a severe thunderstorm is one that produces tornadoes, hail 0.75 inches or more in diameter, or winds of  58 mph or more.  Structural wind damage may imply the occurrence of a severe thunderstorm.  Hail, formed by the accretion of super cooled liquid water on ice particles in thunderstorm updraft, can pose a serious threat to agriculture and exposed objects.  Likewise, strong winds can potentially wreak havoc on fragile or flimsy structures, or yield secondary damage through the downing of trees.  Lightning associated with thunderstorms poses a threat to people and animals in unsheltered areas.  The tornado, however, is by far the greatest natural hazard threat from severe thunderstorm.

Each year lightning kills about 50-100 people, mostly during the spring/summer seasons.   Most lighting strikes occur in the afternoon.  

Damage to property in our communities has increased in the past few years.   This most likely can be attributed to our increased population.    Thunderstorm "straight line" winds occur when rain-cooled air descends with accompanying precipitation.  

In the last few years high winds have caused more damage in our community than any other natural disaster.   Deaths and injuries related to thunderstorms peak in July and August.  These have occurred in the spring each time with the last occurring in May.   
These storms have caused a lot of property damage and major power outages.   Each storm has basically followed the Haw River with hardly any damage north of the river.    Only minor damage was north of the river.     This storm followed a path that was almost like the storm we had in 1989 (see the attached map).  These windstorms have resembled a tornado by cutting a narrow path of destruction in the county.   

These straight winds have caused major damage to single family homes, businesses and utilities, with the most destructive damage occurring to mobile homes and power lines.   

Hurricanes/Floods

Hurricane season starts in June and runs through Mid November.   Alamance County has been affected by hurricanes occurring as late as October.   The most damage occurring from hurricanes is flooding. Most of our flooding problems come from over bank and ponding.  Our areas bordering the Haw River, Stoney Creek, Back Creek, and Great Alamance Creek have been the largest areas affected by flooding from hurricanes.  Heavy rainfall in the northern counties surrounding Alamance County can cause major flooding of these  streams.  Locally heavy  rainfall may produce flooding in areas other than mapped floodplains.  If local drainage conditions are inadequate to accommodate rainfall through a combination of infiltration into the ground and surface runoff, accumulation of water in certain areas may cause flooding problems.  Flooding problems resulting from runoff of surface water generally increase as areas become more urbanized.  

Greater population density generally increases the amount of impervious area, e.g., pavement and buildings.   This reduction in the amount of natural ground that can absorb rainfall results in an increase in the amount of surface runoff generated.   Uncontrolled, this runoff may be channeled to areas that cause flooding of structures and roadways.  This may be especially true where the predevelopment land surface had a gently sloping surface with no defined channels. 

A second major change that occurs as a result of urbanization is the development of a drainage network to control the increased runoff.  The straightening and lining of channels, and the construction of sewers, culverts, and other means of controlling runoff, result in improved "hydraulic efficiency" of the local drainage network.  In other words, the time required for surface runoff to reach a stream channel is reduced.  Unless the drainage network is specifically designed to counteract this increase in rate of runoff from the watershed, the result is likely to be an increase in flood peaks.  Thus flooding will happen more quickly and usually to greater depths than before urban development occurred.

Urban areas are particularly susceptible to flash floods.   Alamance County most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, repeated thunderstorms in local areas, or heavy rains from hurricanes and tropical storms.  Areas subject to rapid floodwater inundation pose special threats to life and property because there is insufficient time for warning, evacuation, emergency flood proofing, or other protective measures. 

Large amounts of impervious surfaces in urban areas increase runoff amounts and decrease the lag time between the onset of rainfall and stream flooding.  Man-made channels may also constrict stream flow and increase flow velocities.  

(See attached maps of the 100 year flood plain for each town/city covered in this plan.)

Population Chart
Name of Town/City	Number of Residents	
Alamance	425	
Ossipee	440	
Elon	                6,969 (see note)	
Haw River	                          1,926	
Green Level	                          2,064	
Swepsonville	                             986	
Mebane	                          7,800	
Alamance County	                      135,000	
*The total residents for the Town of Elon includes Elon University.

Chart for Towns/Cities
Town/City	# Homes
(# Residents)	Value Property	# Business and/or Industry	Property Value	
Alamance	0		0		
Ossipee	0		3	481,174	
Elon	       20 (50)	2,576,424	1	310,520	
Haw River	        9 (22)	307,187	0		
Green Level	0		0		
Swepsonville	0		0		
Mebane	       5 (12)	536,653	0		
Total	        34	3,420,264	4	620,694	

We have divided our county by fire districts for all types of emergency planning and response.  The following chart lists the homes, business, and industries located in the flood plain for each fire district.   This is excluding the towns/cities.

Chart for Homes & Mobile Home Parks

Fire District	
# of Homes	Property Value	# of Mobile Home Parks	# of Mobile Home Lots	
					
A. O.	     11  (27)	1,062,267	2		
Swepsonville	     24  (60)	3,008,383	1		
Mebane	4   (10)	407,539	0		
Haw River	       5  (12)	943,655	1		
Eli Whitney	       1    (3)	177,196	0		
Snow Camp	6   (15)	479,892	0		
Faucette	     11  (27)	1,118,051	0		
Elon	       0		0		
E.M. Holt	       2    (5)	252,286	0		
North Central	       0		0		
North Eastern	       0		0		
					
Total	     64	7,449,269	4		

Chart for Industry & Business
Fire District	# Industries	Property Value	# Businesses	Property Value	
Swepsonville	0		0		
A. O.	2	481,174	0		
Mebane	0		0		
Haw River	0		3	64,938	
Eli Whitney	0		0		
Snow Camp	0		1	152,634	
Faucette	1	2,158,346	3	169,809	
Elon	0		0		
E. M. Holt	0		0		
North Central	0		0		
North Eastern	0		0		
Total	3	2,639,520	7	387,381	

Chart for Churches & Government Facilities
Fire District	# Churches	Property Value	Government Facilities	Property Value	
Swepsonville	0		0		
A. O.	0		0		
Mebane	0		1	1,000,000	
Haw River	0		0		
Eli Whitney	1	157,114	0		
Snow Camp	0		0		
Faucette	0		0		
Elon	0		0		
E. M Holt	0		0		
North Central	0		0		
North Eastern	0		0		
Total	1	157,114	1	1,000,000	

Winter Storms

The occurrence of snowstorms and/or ice storms has a substantial impact on our communities.  In addition there is a substantial impact on transportation, power transmission, communications, agriculture, and people.    

Severe winter storms can produce an array of hazardous weather conditions, including heavy snow, blizzards, freezing rain and ice pellets and extreme cold. 

The most damage from winter storms for our county has been ice storms.   These storms cause major power outages and a lot of property damage.  The longest that we have been affected by power outages in our communities from ice storms has been about eight (8) days.   Ice storms can occur when the temperature is above freezing.  Our largest ice storm occurred when the temperature was around 35 degrees.   

Heavy snow storms for our county can be as little as one foot, however, heavy snowstorms do not occur very often in Alamance County, so we are not well equipped to handle the large snow accumulations.   As long as the snowfall is below 10 inches our equipment can handle getting the roads clear in a short time, but with a deeper snow, it is a different story.    We usually experience one snow of more than an inch each winter.   

Approximately every 3 - 4 years Alamance County experiences a snow of as much as 6-10 inches.   In the past several years the higher levels of snow have occurred in the southern end of the county.  Since this is the most rural area of the county, this has caused the most problems with longer road closings. 

Earthquake

An earthquake is a sudden motion or trembling that is caused by a release of strain accumulated within or along the edge of the Earth's tectonic plates.  The severity of the effects depends on the amount of energy released from the fault or epicenter.  Alamance County being in the middle and southeastern area of the State face a moderate hazard from seismic activity.  Our county is split in the middle by Haw River and of course has many bridges.   If any earthquake should hit our county it would cause major problems in just being able to get anywhere in the county.   Interstate-85/40 crosses Haw River, so if anything occurred to the bridges it would close this main highway.   Alamance County is located in about the center of the state, so if you closed the interstate, it would have a major impact on commerce for the whole state.  

An earthquake would cause major property damage and extensive loss of life.   The bad thing about an earthquake is that it can occur at any time of day and is not related to weather patterns.   The most recent earthquake that occurred in North Carolina was at Statesville on June 5, 1998.

Drought

There is no way to predict when a drought will occur.   We usually think of a drought occurring in the summer, however, we have had some major droughts in the fall of the year, as we did in 2001.   The major effects of drought on our communities have been wells going dry as well as farm ponds that are used for irrigating crops and water supply for the rural fire departments.  The largest cash crop in Alamance County is tobacco, and almost all of these crops are irrigated. However, a long-term drought causes major problems with their water supply.  Other crops that have been highly affected are hay and pastures.   We have over 20 dairies and over 350 beef cattle operations.  We had several residential wells to go dry in the drought of 2001.   Some of these areas are finding that they must drill much deeper in order to get a good water supply.   Our county is very fortune in having ample water supplies for our towns and cities.   Water rationing has not been necessary in the past several years.   

Wildfire

We have a lot of fields/woods fires each year when a long period of drought occurs.   There has never been a large wildfire in our communities.   These fires usually involve small acreage's of land.   A large fire in our county would cover not over 50 acres, with most of the fires only covering less than 25 acres.

HAZARD MITIGATION OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

EXISTING MITIGATION EFFORTS

Limiting risks can be the less expensive method in the long run for mitigating for hazards.   One of the measures that have been used is to purchase homes and land that have been flooded many times in the past few years.  (Ex. Rice Property, Horner Property).

The next best method for especially flood prone areas is to restrict building in these areas.   The local government bodies have flood plain ordinances to help with limiting building in these areas.    Alamance County and all municipalities are participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.   So, anyone who owns property, runs a business or nonprofit organization or lives in a participating community may purchase flood insurance coverage, even for properties not located in mapped floodplains provided the structure or contents are insurable.   Insurance provides relief enough to warrant federal disaster aid.  Flood insurance also means that owners of flood prone properties pay more of their share toward flood relief.

For critical facilities already located in the flood prone area, establish minimum elevation, retrofitting, flood proofing of utilities and infrastructure, and access requirements to enable them to better withstand flood damage and to facilitate emergency operations.  Critical facilities include schools, hospitals,  nursing/rest homes, day care centers, fire stations water treatment plants, water and sewage pumping stations, and other public or quasi-public facilities.  

Improvement of local drainage to control increased runoff that might increase the danger of flood to other properties.    

Prohibit within any floodway  hazardous facilities, such as liquid and gas fuel tanks, chemical manufacturing and storage facilities, research laboratories testing infectious biological agents, explosive manufacturing and warehousing, toxic waste facilities, and landfills, can present significant environmental and public health problems caused by leaks, spills, or ruptures resulting from flood damage.   Such facilities should be located in more suitable areas with less risk.

The down side of purchasing land to stop building in these areas is the loss of tax revenue and the short-term cost of purchasing the land.   Other areas of cost would be the upkeep of the land; however, the benefits well out number these problems.  

Our larger towns Haw River, Mebane, Graham, Elon and Burlington have purchased a limited number of generators.   Some of the functions of these generators are to power major intersections to help with traffic patterns in these very congested areas.   Another reason these generators are used for is the power for vital facilities, (ex.  Sewage pump stations, water and waste treatment plants, maintenance building, fueling stations for government vehicles).   Since our most severe problem has been with power outages, these generators have proven to be a great asset for these communities.   Our smaller towns do not have water and sewer treatment facilities; they depend on the cities of Burlington, Graham and Mebane for these services.    As the towns become more financially able other generators will certainly be purchased.   

Strengthening Building and Facilities

Another method is strengthening the building codes.  Codes should apply equally to new and pre-existing structures.   Building codes apply primarily to new construction or buildings undergoing substantial alteration.  Changes in the codes are often difficult to enact and can be expensive for homebuilders to implement.   The latter issue is of specific concern to the owners of manufactured housing.   Adherence to existing codes and standards is essential to maintaining public safety and promoting an effective local mitigation program.  When this standard cannot be met, new construction should not be allowed.  These include efforts to armor property against wind, rain and earthquakes.   Public facilities, such as sewage collection lines, water and power distribution lines and roads, should be strengthened and made less vulnerable to the elements.   

Mobile and manufactured homes are common in our communities.   Due to their relatively fragile construction and tenuous grip on their foundations, they can be far more susceptible to natural hazards than traditional construction.   Manufactured housing has also been shown to be very susceptible to wind damage.   Wind proofing will not protect structure from tornadoes.  These homes make up much of the low income housing in our county.    Many of these homes are located in the flood prone areas of the county. 

Promote advanced training for local building inspectors to gain experienced, meticulous, and multi-talented staff on the local inspections team.   Well trained inspectors are more likely to recognize building practices that are suspect with regard to hazard resilience, and can pass on their expertise to junior staff, thereby fostering a tradition of sustainable education within the inspections department.

FUTURE VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS

Dams

One of our major problem dams was one on Sidney Avenue. (Snoffer's Lake).   Several times floodwaters ran over the dam. This dam was an earthen dam with a concrete spillway.   The spillway was not big enough to control the floodwaters.    This dam was rated by the NCDEMNR as a hazardous dam. There is an apartment complex directly below the dam that was a large concern if the dam failed.  This past year the dam was broken to avoid a chance that it would flood the apartments if it was breached.

We also have several dams along the Haw River that were once used for powering the textile plants located on the river.   Two of the dams are still being used to make electrical power (see attached map).   A couple of the dams are being used to supply water for the sprinkler systems and for the dyeing of cloth for the facilities located at each site.  None of these dams are considered to be hazardous dams.

We have two dams that are being used for water supply that are considered to be hazardous dams by NCDEMNR. They are both located on Stoney Creek.    We also have some private dams that are listed as hazardous dams.   (See the attached map for the location of  the hazardous dams)   

The remaining dams are used for water supply and irrigation of golf courses and agriculture crops. 

CAPABILITY ANALYSIS

General Authority

Under the authority of the North Carolina General Statutes (N.C.G.S.), a county or municipality can adopt an ordinances to prohibit, regulate, or abate acts, omissions, or conditions, detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of its citizens, and the peace and dignity of the county, and may define and abate nuisances.   

Regulations

Legal Power: North Carolina General Statutes bestow the general police power on local governments, allowing them to enact and enforce ordinances which define, prohibit, regulate, or abate acts, omissions, or conditions detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the people, and to define and abate nuisances (including public health nuisances).

	Land Use:  Through various land use regulatory posers, a local government can control the amount, timing, density, quality and location of new development.   Land use regulatory powers include the power to engage in planning, enact and enforce zoning ordinances, floodplain ordinances, and subdivision controls.

	Zoning:  Zoning is a tool available to local governments to control the use of land.  Land "uses" controlled by zoning include the type of use (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) as well as minimum specifications for uses such as lot size, building height and set backs, and density of population.  Districts may include general use districts, overlay districts, and special use districts or conditional use districts.  
Zoning ordinances consist of maps and written text.   We have several building ordinances that have been adopted by our local municipal bodies.

	Flood Plain Regulation:  	The Legislature of the State of North Carolina has in Part 6, Article 21 of Chapter 143; Parts 3, and 4 of Article 18 of Chapter 153A; and Article 6 of Chapter 153A of the North Carolina General Statutes, delegated the responsibility to local governmental unites to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry. 
 	
Local governments are empowered to grant permits for the use of the floodways, including the placement of any artificial obstruction in the floodway.   No permit is required for certain uses, including agriculture, wildlife and related uses.   

	Planning

The planning agency may perform a number of duties, including: make studies of the area; determine objectives; prepare and adopt plans for achieving those objectives; develop and recommend policies, ordinances, and administrative means to implement plans; and perform other related duties.

	Subdivision Regulation:

	Subdivision regulations control the building of developments on certain parcels of land.  They prohibit the building of subdivisions on land that is in the flood plain.   They require that subdivision plans be approved prior to the sale of land.  Subdivision regulations are a more limited tool than zoning and only indirectly affect the type of use made of land or minimum specifications for structures.   The subdivision does not include the division of land into parcels greater than 10 acres where no street right-of-way dedication is involved.  

MITIGATION STRATEGY

PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION

SECTION A:    GENERAL STANDARDS

In all areas of special flood hazard the Flood Plain Ordinance are required:

(1)	All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure;

(2)	All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage;

(3)	All new construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damages;

(4)	Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment, and other service facilities shall be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding;

(5)	All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system;

(6)	New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters;

(7)	On-site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding; and,

(8)	Any alteration, repair, reconstruction, or improvements to a structure which is in compliance with the provisions of this ordinance, shall meet the requirements of "new construction" as contained in this ordinance.

(9)	Non-Conforming Buildings or Uses.  Non-conforming buildings or uses may not be enlarged, replaced, or rebuilt unless such enlargement or reconstruction is accomplished in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance.  Provided, however, nothing in this ordinance shall prevent the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of a building or structure existing on the effective date of this ordinance and located totally or partially within the Floodway Zone, provided that the bulk of the building or structure below base flood elevation in the Floodway Zone is not increased and provided that such repair, reconstruction, or replacement meets all of the other requirements of this ordinance.

SECTION B.  SPECIFIC STANDARDS.

In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data has been provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in its flood insurance study, dated October 1, 1980

(1)	Residential Construction.  New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than two (2) feet above the base flood elevation.  Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of flood waters shall be provided.

(2)	Non-Residential Construction.  New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or non-residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than two (2) feet above the level of the base flood elevation.  Structures located in A-zones may be flood proofed in lieu of elevation provided that all areas of the structure below the required elevation are watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water, using structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effect of buoyancy.  

A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied.  Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in Article 4, Section B(7).

(3)	Manufactured Homes.

	(a)	Manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved on sites (i) outside a manufactured home park or subdivision; (ii) in a new manufactured home park or subdivision; (iii) in an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or, (iv) in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" as the result of a flood, must be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated no lower than two (2) feet above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. 

(b)	Manufactured homes that are to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision that are not subject to the following:

(i)	Outside a manufactured home park or subdivision;

(ii)	In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;

(iii)	In an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or,

(iv)	In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" is the result of a flood, must be elevated on permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated no lower than two (2) feet above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.

	(c)	Manufactured homes shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. For the purpose of this requirement, manufactured homes must be anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement in accordance with the Regulations for Mobile Homes and Modular Housing adopted by the Commissioner of Insurance pursuant to NCGS 143.143.15.  Additionally, when the elevation would be met by an elevation of the chassis at least 36 inches or less above the grade at the sight, the chassis shall be supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength. When the elevation of the chassis is above 36 inches in height an engineering certification is required.

	(d)	An evacuation plan must be developed for evacuation of all residents of all new, substantially improved or substantially damaged manufactured home parks or subdivisions located within flood prone areas. This plan shall be filed with and approved by the local administrator and the local Emergency Management coordinator.

(4)	Recreational Vehicles.  A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions. Recreation vehicles placed on sites shall either:

                       (a)  be on site for fewer than 180 consecutive days and 
	
 (b)  be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or meet requirements of "Flood Prevention Ordinance".

(5)	Elevated Buildings.  New construction or substantial improvements of elevated buildings that include fully enclosed areas that are usable solely for the parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement and which are subject to flooding shall be designed to preclude finished living space and be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters.

	(a)	Designs for complying with this requirement must either be certified by a professional engineer or architect or meet the following minimum criteria:

		(i)		Provide a minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding;

		(ii)		The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and,

		(iii)		Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided they permit the automatic flow of floodwaters in both directions.

	(b)	Access to the enclosed area shall be the minimum necessary to allow for parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises (standard exterior door) or entry to the living area (stairway or elevator).

	(c)	The interior portion of such enclosed area shall not be partitioned or finished into separate rooms, except to enclose storage areas.

(6)	Temporary Structures.  Prior to the issuance of a development permit, for a temporary structure, the following requirements must be met:

	(a)	All applicants must submit to the local administrator prior to the issuance of the development permit a plan for the removal of such structure(s) in the event of a hurricane or flash flood warning notification.  The plan must include the following information:

		(i)		a specified time period for which the temporary use will be permitted; 

		(ii)		the name, address and phone number of the individual responsible for the removal of the temporary structure;

		(iii)		the time frame prior to the event at which a structure will be removed (i.e. minimum of 72 hours before landfall of a hurricane or immediately upon flood warning notification);

		(iv)		a copy of the contract or other suitable instrument with a trucking company to insure the availability of removal equipment when needed; and

		(v)		designation, accompanied by documentation, of a location outside the floodplain to which the temporary structure will be moved.

	(b)	The above information shall be submitted in writing to the local administrator for review and written approval.

(7)	Accessory Structure.  When accessory structures (sheds, detached garages, etc.) with a value of $3,000 or less, are to be placed in the floodplain the following criteria shall be met:
	
	(a)	Accessory structures shall not be used for human habitation (including    work, sleeping, living, cooking or restroom areas);

	(b)	Accessory structures shall be designed to have low flood damage potential;

	(c)	Accessory structures shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters;

	(d)	Accessory structures shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure;

	(e)	Service facilities such as electrical and heating equipment shall be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding;

	(f)	Openings to relieve hydrostatic pressure during a flood shall be provided below base flood elevation. 

(8)	Floodways.  Located within areas of special flood hazard established in the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood insurance study, dated October 1, 1980, are areas designated as floodways.                                                                             The floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters which carry debris and potential projectiles and has erosion potential.  The following provisions shall apply within such areas:

	(a)	No encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other developments shall be permitted unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in the flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood.  Such certification and technical data shall be presented to the local administrator.

	(b)	All Provisions of the "Flood Hazard Reduction of the Flood Prevention Ordinance" must be satisfied, on all new construction and substantial improvements.

	(c)	No manufactured homes shall be permitted, except in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision.  A replacement manufactured home may be placed on a lot in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision provided the anchoring and the elevation standards of the "Flood Hazard Reduction of the Flood Prevention Ordinance" are met.

SECTION C.	STANDARDS FOR STREAMS WITHOUT ESTABLISHED BASE FLOOD ELEVATIONS AND/OR FLOODWAYS.

Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in the  "Flood Prevention Ordinance", are small streams where no base flood data has been provided or where no floodways have been identified.  The following provisions apply within such areas:
   
       If the "Flood Prevention Ordinance" is satisfied and base flood elevation data is 
	available from other sources, all new construction and substantial improvements within such areas shall comply with all applicable flood hazard ordinance provisions and shall be elevated or flood proofed in accordance with elevations established in accordance with the ordinance.  
	When base flood elevation data is not available from a Federal, State, or other source, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated at least two (2) feet above the highest adjacent grade.

SECTION D.  STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISION PROPOSALS.

(1)	All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;

(2)	All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer,  gas, electrical, and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage;

(3)	All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards; and,

(4)	Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed development if part or all of a lot or tract is within an A zone.

SECTION E.  STANDARDS FOR AREAS OF SHALLOW FLOODING                                                                     (AO  ZONES).

The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency  Management Agency in it's flood insurance study, October 1, 1980, are areas designated as shallow flooding.  These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one (1) to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate.   The following provisions shall apply within such areas:
 
(1)	 All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the depth number specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, in feet, above the highest adjacent grade.  If no depth number is specified, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated at least two (2) feet above the highest adjacent grade.

(2)	All new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential    structures shall:

(a)   have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the depth number        
                specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, in feet, above the highest adjacent grade.  If no depth number is specified, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated at least two (2) feet above the highest adjacent grade; or, 
	  
(b)	be completely flood proofed together with attendant utility and sanitary  facilities to or above that level so that any space below that level is water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. 

(3)    Preparedness

A.	All towns/cities and county have adopted a flood plain ordinance.

       B.     The following towns have building inspections departments:   Burlington, Graham, Gibsonville, and Mebane.  The other towns, "Haw River, Green Level, Town of Alamance, Swepsonville",  are under the building code enforcement of Alamance County.   All of the above municipalities were involved either in the writing and/or approval of this plan.   The town of Graham elected to write their own mitigation plan.   All the standards listed in the flood plain ordinances are imposed through these building code enforcement agencies.

SECTION F.     CAPABILITY ASSESSMENTS

1.	Fiscal Capability

               The natural hazards and needs are not unique.  The County will need to determine how much and what kind of financial support is necessary to minimize disruptions from disasters.  There are many diverse sources of funding available to communities to implement local hazard mitigation plans, including government and private programs.  Often an organization with particular focus will fund only part of a project. However, with coordination, the community can combine the funding efforts of one program with those of another, thereby serving multiple missions.  Whatever is done, it will likely require allocation or reallocation of local resources combined with outside sources of assistance.  In some situations, the governmental agencies of our County will need to make long-term plans for the continuity of the effort and for future budgets.  Be ready to answer questions like these:

•	Why are local funds being spent to correct flood problems when we have so many other, higher priorities?

•	What other community programs will have to be reduced to pay for this program?

•	Why should all of us have higher taxes, when only those people near the river, stream, etc. need flood protection?

	     		The more public support that can been built, the easier it will be to justify using local resources.  When individuals and organizations with diverse concerns and agendas already know how they will benefit from various floodplain measures, your support is broadened, and your task simplified.

2.	Federal Programs

US Army Corps of Engineers.  The Corps of Engineers has several programs that help communities deal with floods and flood-related problems before, during, and after a flood.  Cost sharing for all projects (structural, nonstructural, and hurricane/storm damage reduction) involves a 35% contribution from local sponsors, including 5% cash.  As a part of their share of the costs, the local sponsors must provide lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocation/disposal sites and maintain the project after it is implemented under the Corps' Continuing Authorities Program.

Emergency support is provided to augment state and community lifesaving or live protecting efforts during and after a major or catastrophic flood disaster.  This support is provided only after the state and community have exhausted their resources.  

During the flood, it includes advice on flood emergency preparations, personnel and materials for flood fighting, search and rescue operations, emergency repairs to flood damage reduction projects, and an emergency supply of clean drinking water to places where water sources are contaminated.  After the flood, support includes debris clearance and temporary construction of emergency access such as streets, roads, bridges, airfields, and any other facilities necessary for passage of rescue personnel.  Support also includes emergency restoration of critical public services and facilities for water supply, electric poser, firefighting, technical assistance, damage assessment, safety inspection, stabilization and demolition of damaged structures.

The Corps also, upon request, will rehabilitate publicly sponsored flood damage reduction projects.  The rehabilitation is limited to repair or restoration to pre-disaster conditions and must be justified with the local sponsor providing 20% of the total costs.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  FEMA administers two programs that provide funds to local communities for implementing measures to prevent future damage from natural hazards.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides grants to states and local  governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster.  

The purpose of the program is to reduce future loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during immediate recovery from a disaster.  A local government must apply for the HMGP through the state, because the state is responsible for administering the program.  

US Department of Agriculture (USDA).   The USDA offers landowners financial. technical and educational assistance to implement conservation practices on privately owned land.   With the help offered by USDA, farmers and ranchers can carry out land, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.   Incentives offered by USDA agencies promote sustainable agricultural practices, which protect and conserve valuable farmland for future generations.   USDA assistance also helps individuals and communities restore natural resources after floods, fires, or other natural disasters.  

The following programs are managed by the USDA's Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service:

		 Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)  provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers for restoring farmland damaged seriously  enough by natural disaster to impede normal farming operations.  

         ECP also helps with funds for carrying out emergency water conservation measures during periods of severe drought.  Emergency conservation assistance is available for removing debris and restoring permanent fences, dams ponds, irrigation systems, and other installations.   Conservation problems that existed before a disaster are not eligible.

	        Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) is designed to reduce threats to life and property in communities ravaged by natural disasters.  It provides technical assistance and cost sharing to restore watersheds.   Assistance includes installing or repairing conservation measures that prevent flooding and soil erosion.   Measures include establishing vegetative cover, gully control, and steam bank protection devices; removal of debris and sediment from channels; and repairing existing water control structures.   In subsequent storms, EWP projects protect homes, businesses, highways, and public works from further damage.  In addition, the Secretary of Agriculture may purchase floodplain easements under EWP.

	        Flood Risk Reduction Program authorizes voluntary contracts that provide one lump-sum payment to producers with contract acreage on a farm with land that is frequently flooded.  
			The payment will equal 95% of 7-year market transition payments, and other payments to offset estimated federal outlays on frequently flooded land.  In return the producer agrees to comply with applicable wetlands and highly erodible land requirements and to forego commodity loans, crop insurance, conservation program payments, and disaster payments.

         Small Watershed Program assists farmers and small communities by addressing natural resource and related economic problems on a watershed basis.  Participants must have a government sponsor.  Projects include watershed protection, flood prevention, erosion and sediment control, water supply, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, wetlands creation and restoration, and public recreation in watersheds of 250,000 or fewer acres.    Cost sharing is paid to establish structural and management quality, and create or improve water supplies, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and public recreation.

		 Several other agencies also provide various assistance to localities for flooding and floodplain management.  
					  They include:
               US Department of Commerce, National Weather Service
               US Environmental Protection Agency
	              US Department of Housing and Urban Development

  	 The local, state, or regional office of these agencies may be   contacted to determine the types of assistance they offer the County.	 

NON FEDERAL SOURCES
         Local governments may also engage in their own "fund-raising" efforts to pay for mitigation programs that benefit the community at large.  In North Carolina, local governments are granted limited powers to raise revenue for public purpose.  The General Assembly has conferred upon cities, towns and counties the power to levy property taxes for various purposes.  Those purposes include: "ambulance services, rescue squads, and other emergency medical services; flood and hurricane protection; civil defense; drainage projects or programs; fire protection; hospitals; joint undertakings with other county, city, or political subdivisions; planning; sewage; solid waste; water; water resources; watershed improvement projects. " N.C.G.S. 160A-209.   These statutes' enumerated purposes make it clear that local governments are empowered to finance certain emergency management activities, including mitigation activities, with property taxes.

		City councils are also empowered to establish Municipal Service Districts.  Such districts are designed for (among other purposes): flood and hurricane protection works; drainage projects; and watershed improvement projects.  The use of taxes and bonds for these purposes is also authorized."  (N.C.G.S. 160A-536).  Through this authorization, cities may delineate an area or areas in the community which are particularly vulnerable to the impact of natural hazards.  Below are other relevant North Carolina laws:

                153A-189. State participation in improvement projects.   If a county proposes to undertake a project that would benefit land owned by the State of North Carolina or a board, agency, commission, or institution of the State and to finance all or a part of the project by special assessments, the Board of Commissioners may request the Council of State to authorize the State to pay its ratable part of the cost of the project, and the Council of State may authorize these payments.  The Council of State may authorize the Secretary of Administration to approve or disapprove requests from counties for payment pursuant to this section, but a county may appeal to the Council of State if the Secretary disapproves a request.  

			The Council of State may direct that any payment authorized pursuant to this section be made from the Contingency and Emergency Fund of the State of North Carolina or from  any other available funds.  	Except as State payments are authorized pursuant to this section, state-owned property is exempt from assessment under this Article.
	             
               153A-255.  Authority to provide social service programs.  Each county shall provide social service programs pursuant to Chapter 108A and Chapter 111 and may otherwise undertake, sponsor, organize, engage in, and support other social service programs intended to further the health, welfare, education, employment, safety, comfort, and convenience of its citizens.

                152A-376. Community development programs and activities.   Any county is authorized to engage in, to accept federal and state grants and loans for, and to appropriate and expend funds for community development programs and activities.  In undertaking community development programs and activities, in addition to other authority granted by law, a county may engage in the following activities:  (l) programs of assistance and financing of rehabilitation of private buildings principally for the benefit of low and moderate income persons, or for the restoration of preservation of older neighborhoods or properties, including direct repair, the making of grants or loans, the subsidization of interest payments on loans, and the guaranty of loans;  (2) programs concerned with employment, economic development, crime prevention, child care, health, drug abuse, education, and welfare needs of persons of low and moderate income.

               153A-440.1.  Watershed improvement programs; drainage and water resources development projects.  (a) A county may establish and maintain a county watershed improvement program pursuant to G.S. 139-41 or 139-41.1 and for these purposes may appropriate funds not otherwise limited as to use by law.   A County watershed improvement program or project may also be financed pursuant to G.S. 153A-301, G.S. 
               153A-185 or by any other financing method available to counties for this purpose.  (b) A county may establish and maintain drainage projects and water resources appropriate funds not otherwise limited as to use by law.  A county drainage project or water resources development project may also be financed pursuant to G.S. 153A-301, G.S. 153A-185, or by any other financing method available to counties for this purpose.

                Local Funding: There is currently no local funding specifically earmarked for hazard mitigation activities.

                       Conclusion:  While federal and national programs carry out the bulk of disaster relief programs that provide funds for mitigation, local governments are encouraged to open the search field as widely as       possible, and include alternative funding sources to supplement the local hazard mitigation budget.   Local businesses and organizations will frequently support projects that benefit customers or employees.  Other groups or individuals may be willing to donate "in-kind" services, eliminating the need for cash.   Often in-kind and volunteer services of local community members can be counted toward the  local share that is needed to match an outside source of funds.

Mitigating Natural Hazards in Alamance County

	Existing Mitigation in Alamance County

    		In carrying out our hazardous mitigation plans, Alamance County has several techniques already in place at our disposal, including acquisition of structures, regulation of land use and the enforcement of building codes.  Our municipal government organizations have also worked on identifying vital municipal facilities in flood prone areas.   Some of these facilities have been relocated out of the flood plain areas.   Each of the ordinances discussed here with the exception of the Emergency Management Ordinance, are considered implementation tools for the County/Municipal Land-Use Plan.  The first goal of the land-use plan is the conservation and protection of the County's natural and cultural environments.  By enforcing these established regulations, the County will benefit form a balanced program that addresses not only flooding, but also other community problems.  No action prohibited in one ordinance should be allowed under another.  Where conflicts exist between County and state or federal design standards, the more restrictive shall govern.

	Acquisition

		The highest priority of the DEM's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is acquisition and/or elevation of primary residences.  North Carolina legislation empowers cities, towns and counties to acquire property for public purpose by gift, grant, devise, bequest, exchange, purchase, lease or eminent domain.  Alamance County has obtained funding to acquire houses that have been flooded in the past through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  

Alamance County Emergency Operation Communications/Notification and Warning

		Alamance County operates a Central Communications Center located in the County's Courthouse Annex.   The building the Communication Center is located in has a backup generator.  In case of a major disaster at this building, the City of Burlington's Communication Center has the capability to handle the emergency dispatch for the county agencies.   

	Local Mitigation Techniques

	In addition to those activities in place under County jurisdiction, all of the towns/cities have adopted flood plain ordinances. 

		The following towns/cities have adopted Flood ordinances:  Gibsonville, Elon, Burlington, Graham, Alamance, Graham, Green Level, Mebane, Swepsonville.

	Flood Damage Prevention Code - The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas.  The provisions designed to meet these objectives are as follows:

1.	 Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous due to water or erosion hazards or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities.

2.	 Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction.

3.	 Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and natural protective barriers which are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters.

4.	 Control filling, grading, degrading and other development which may increase erosion or flood damage.

5.	 Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands.

6.	 The towns, cities and county will work to assure that good building practices are observed and that only well built structures are constructed in the county.  With most of our small towns having a very limited budget, they will be unable to finance any large mitigation efforts.  With the GIS system in place these small communities will be able to make certain that no homes or businesses will be located in flood prone areas.    Each year this plan needs to be reviewed, especially the flood maps, to make certain with the construction going on in the county that new flood prone areas are not being created.    

The objectives of the ordinance are:

1.	 To protect human health and life.

2.	 To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control
 projects.

3.	 To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with
                flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general
                public.  To minimize prolonged business interruptions.

4.	 To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities, such as water
  and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and 
 bridges in flood plains.  

Individuals and Organizations Involved in developing Alamance County's Mitigation Plan

The following individuals contributed in coordinating, reviewing and writing this plan.   The map showing the flood prone areas of Alamance County, was done by the County's GIS Coordinator.   There are two municipalities that are split by other county boundary lines; Gibsonville in Guilford County and Mebane with Orange County. 

Greg Anspach, Alamance County GIS Coordinator  

Drew Sharpe, Alamance County Emergency Management Coordinator 

Jerry Beckom, Alamance County Assistant EM Coordinator/Chemical Planner  
	
Mike Dula, Elon Town Manager

Robert Wilson, Mebane City Manager 

Dana Stout, Swepsonville Town Clerk  

Deleno Flynn, Gibsonville Town Manager

Gary Fritts, Village of Alamance Town Clerk 

Dianne Enoch, Green Level Town Clerk

David Beal, Haw River Town Manager

Gary Hicks, Public Works Director, City of Burlington

Bob Harkrader, Planning Director, City of Burlington

Jim Lauritsen, City Engineer, City of Burlington

Jeff Triezenberg, GIS Coordinator, City of Burlington

Ray Rice, Director Inspections, City of Burlington

Jeff Saunders, CID/Emergency Management, City of Burlington

Chip Ferguson, Emergency Management, City of Burlington

PROCLAMATION OF A

STATE OF EMERGENCY

The following Proclamation is issued by the Mayor of the City/Town of __________________________.

Pursuant to the City/Town   ___________________   State of emergency Ordinance and Chapter 166A of the General Statues and 

Article 36A Chapter 14 of the General Statutes, I have determined that a State of Emergency as defined in the  City/Town ________________ 
State of Emergency Ordinance exists in the City/Town _______________.

I, therefore, proclaim the existence of a State of Emergency in the Town/City of ______________________.

I hereby order all city/town employees subject to my control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the city/town, county emergency ordinances which may be set forth.

This proclamation shall become effective immediately.  Proclaimed this the ______ day of ____________, 20 ____, at _____________(am)(pm).

____________________________________________________

________________________, (Mayor)

PROCLAMATION OF A

STATE OF EMERGENCY

The following Proclamation is issued by the Mayor of the City/Town of __________________________.

Pursuant to the City/Town   ___________________   State of emergency Ordinance and Chapter 166A of the General Statues and Article 36A Chapter 14 of the General Statutes, I have determined that a State of Emergency as defined in the  City/Town ________________ 

I, therefore, proclaim the existence of a State of Emergency Ordinance exists in the City/Town _______________.

No Alcoholic Beverages.   There shall be no sale, consumption, transportation, or possession of alcoholic beverages during the State of Emergency in the Town/City of _________________ except possession or consumption is allowed on a person's own premises.

No firearms, Ammunition, or Explosives.   During the State of emergency, there shall be no sale or purchase of any type of firearm or ammunition, or any possession of such items along with any type of explosive off owner's own premises.

I, therefore, proclaim the existence of a State of Emergency in the Town/City of ______________________.

I hereby order all city/town employees subject to my control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the city/town, county emergency ordinances which may be set forth.

This proclamation shall become effective immediately.  Proclaimed this the ______ day of ____________, 20 ____, at _____________(am)(pm).

____________________________________________________

________________________, (Mayor)

TERMINATION OF

STATE OF EMERGENCY

         WHEREAS, ON ___________________________________, at  

___________________ (a.m./p.m.), I determined and proclaimed a local state of 

emergency for the City/Town of  ________________________; and

        WHEREAS, I have determined that a state of emergency no longer exists in 

the  City/Town of   ________________________.

       NOW THEREFORE,  I thereby terminate the above-referenced proclamation of 

a local state of emergency and all of the restrictions and orders therein.

      This proclamation is effective immediately.

       Proclaimed this the _____ day of _________________, at _________(a.m./p.m.)

				_____________________________________________

		         Mayor, City of __________________________