Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Jurisdictions include Johnson County cities, school districts, unincorporated areas and the University of Iowa This plan maintains Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding eligibility for participating jurisdictions from April 14, 2014 to April 14, 2019 Prepared by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments in partnership with Johnson County and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division
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Johnson County
Multi-Jurisdictional
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Jurisdictions include Johnson County cities, school districts, unincorporated areas and the University of Iowa
This plan maintains Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding eligibility for participating jurisdictions from April 14, 2014 to April 14, 2019
Prepared by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments in partnership with Johnson County and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division
1
Table of Contents Plan Approval ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Plan Background .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Planning Area ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Participation Requirements ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Plan Development Process ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Grant Funding .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Planning Consultant ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Review and Research....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Planning Meetings ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Progress Reports .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Public Comment ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Plan Writing ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Plan Review ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Plan Adoption .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Planning Teams .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Unincorporated Johnson County Planning Team ....................................................................................................................................................... 25
Coralville Planning Team ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Hills Planning Team ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 27
Iowa City Planning Team ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Lone Tree Planning Team ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
North Liberty Planning Team ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 30
Oxford Planning Team .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Shueyville Planning Team .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 31
Solon Planning Team ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
2
Swisher Planning Team................................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Tiffin Planning Team ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
University Heights Planning Team ............................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Clear Creek Amana Community School District Planning Team ............................................................................................................................. 34
Iowa City Community School District Planning Team .............................................................................................................................................. 34
Lone Tree Community School District Planning Team .............................................................................................................................................. 35
Solon Community School District Planning Team ...................................................................................................................................................... 35
University of Iowa Planning Team ................................................................................................................................................................................ 36
Jurisdiction Capabilities ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Unincorporated Johnson County Capabilities ............................................................................................................................................................. 38
City Capabilities ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
School District Capabilities ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 45
University of Iowa Capabilities ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Hazard Mitigation Goals .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Hazard Risk Assessment..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49
Hazard Identification ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Hazard Profiles ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 51
Tornado and Windstorm ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 52
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 52
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 52
Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 55
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 56
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Duration ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 57
Extreme Heat .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 58
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 58
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 58
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Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 59
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Duration ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 60
Severe Winter Storm ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 61
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 61
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 61
Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 65
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 66
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 66
Duration ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 66
Drought ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 67
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 67
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 67
Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 68
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 69
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 69
Duration ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 69
Earthquakes ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 70
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 70
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 70
Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 70
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 71
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 71
Duration ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 71
Thunderstorms, Lightning, and Hailstorm .................................................................................................................................................................. 72
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 72
4
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 72
Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 81
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 81
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 82
Duration ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 82
Human Disease ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 83
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 83
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 83
Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 83
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 83
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 84
Duration ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 84
Hazardous Materials ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 85
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 85
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 85
Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 90
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 90
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 92
Duration ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 92
Transportation Incident .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 93
Potential Hazard Area ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 93
Historical Occurrences ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 93
Probability ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 99
Magnitude and Severity .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 99
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 102
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 102
Infrastructure Failure .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 103
5
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 103
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 103
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 104
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 104
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 105
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 106
Terrorism ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 107
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 107
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 107
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 107
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 108
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 109
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 109
Radiological .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 110
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 110
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 110
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 110
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 110
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 111
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 111
Animal/Plant/Crop Disease ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 112
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 112
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 112
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 112
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 112
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 112
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 112
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River and Flash Flood ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 113
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 113
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 113
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 117
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 117
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 124
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 124
Sinkholes ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 125
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 125
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 125
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 125
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 125
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 125
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 125
Landslide ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 127
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 127
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 127
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 127
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 127
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 129
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 129
Expansive Soils ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 130
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 130
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 130
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 130
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 130
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 130
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Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 130
Dam and Levee Failure ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 132
Potential Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 132
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 132
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 136
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 136
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 136
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 136
Grass or Wildland Fire .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 137
Hazard Area ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 137
Historical Occurrences .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 137
Probability ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 137
Magnitude and Severity ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 137
Warning Time ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 137
Duration ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 137
Johnson County Disaster Declarations ....................................................................................................................................................................... 138
Hazard Prioritization ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 139
Key Considerations ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 142
Unincorporated Johnson County Key Considerations ............................................................................................................................................. 143
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 143
Update Issues ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 143
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 144
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 144
Coralville Key Considerations ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 146
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 146
Update Issues ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 146
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 147
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Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 148
Hills Key Considerations .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 149
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 149
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 149
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 150
Iowa City Key Considerations ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 151
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 151
Update Issues ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 151
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 152
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 153
Lone Tree Key Considerations ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 154
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 154
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 154
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 155
North Liberty Key Considerations .............................................................................................................................................................................. 156
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 156
Update Issues ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 156
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 157
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 157
Oxford Key Considerations .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 159
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 159
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 159
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 160
Shueyville Key Considerations .................................................................................................................................................................................... 161
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 161
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 161
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 162
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Solon Key Considerations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 163
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 163
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 163
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 164
Swisher Key Considerations......................................................................................................................................................................................... 165
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 165
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 165
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 166
Tiffin Key Considerations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 167
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 167
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 167
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 168
University Heights Key Considerations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 169
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 169
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 169
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 170
School District Key Considerations ............................................................................................................................................................................. 171
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 171
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 171
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 171
University of Iowa Key Considerations ...................................................................................................................................................................... 174
Specialized Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 174
Update Issues ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 174
Vulnerable Populations ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 175
Critical Facilities ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 175
Mitigation Strategy ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 177
Unincorporated Johnson County ................................................................................................................................................................................. 178
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Coralville Mitigation Strategy ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 206
Hills Mitigation Strategy ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 230
Iowa City Mitigation Strategy ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 239
Lone Tree Mitigation Strategy ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 267
North Liberty Mitigation Strategy ............................................................................................................................................................................... 275
Oxford Mitigation Strategy .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 295
Shueyville Mitigation Strategy ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 304
Swisher Mitigation Strategy ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 315
Tiffin Mitigation Strategy ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 328
University Heights Mitigation Strategy ...................................................................................................................................................................... 338
Clear Creek Amana School District Mitigation Strategy .......................................................................................................................................... 345
Iowa City Community School District Mitigation Strategy ..................................................................................................................................... 351
Solon Community School District Mitigation Strategy ............................................................................................................................................ 357
Lone Tree Community School District Mitigation Strategy .................................................................................................................................... 363
University of Iowa Mitigation Strategy ...................................................................................................................................................................... 367
Action Plan .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 391
Unincorporated Johnson County Action Plan ........................................................................................................................................................... 392
Coralville Action Plan ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 394
Hills Action Plan ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 397
Iowa City Action Plan ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 398
Lone Tree Action Plan ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 402
North Liberty Action Plan ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 404
Oxford Action Plan ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 406
Solon Action Plan ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 408
Shueyville Action Plan .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 410
Swisher Action Plan ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 411
Tiffin Action Plan ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 412
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University Heights Action Plan ................................................................................................................................................................................... 415
Clear Creek Amana Community School District Action Plan ................................................................................................................................. 417
Iowa City Community School District Action Plan .................................................................................................................................................. 418
Solon Community School District Action Plan .......................................................................................................................................................... 419
Lone Tree School District Action Plan ........................................................................................................................................................................ 420
University of Iowa Action Plan .................................................................................................................................................................................... 421
Plan Incorporation and Maintenance .............................................................................................................................................................................. 428
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Plan Approval and Adoption
This multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan was submitted for public comment, review, and approval on December 2, 2013. An initial review of the plan was completed by the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. After the state review process, the plan was submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 7 office for review and approval on January 8, 2014. After necessary edits were completed, the plan was approved on April 14, 2014. The plan has officially been adopted and incorporated into the planning process for each participating jurisdiction. With approval and adoption, each jurisdiction is eligible to apply for Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding to complete their mitigation strategy. Hazard Mitigation Assistance includes three programs: Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Flood Mitigation Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Both Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Assistance are annual, nationally competitive funding programs. On the other hand, funds are available in Iowa through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program when a federally declared disaster occurs anywhere in the state. In Johnson County, participating jurisdictions will be notified of funding opportunities by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG), and Iowa Homeland Security. The Johnson County EMA and ECICOG will provide ongoing support related to funding inquiries, applications, and maintaining this plan during its five-year term.
Source: www.thegazette.com
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Plan Background
The primary purpose of hazard mitigation planning is to identify how a community can minimize the negative impacts of natural, human caused, and combination hazards. This type of planning attempts to minimize death, injury, property damage, and community disruption. For Iowa and Johnson County, recurring natural disasters such as windstorms, flooding, and ice storms have made local hazard mitigation planning an essential activity. At the federal level, the importance of hazard mitigation planning was recognized in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The legislation established the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which funds hazard mitigation projects for state and local governments with a comprehensive hazard mitigation plan. The development of this plan was funded with a HMGP planning grant awarded to Johnson County by the state. To fulfill the requirements of the grant, Johnson County contracted with a planning consultant, the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG). Having decades of experience in planning and grant administration, Johnson County regularly contracts with ECICOG. As required by the planning grant, this plan was developed to fulfill the requirements of the Stafford Act and Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations §201.6, which is federal legislation that outlines the basic process and content requirements for an approved hazard mitigation plan. Throughout the development of this plan, the planning consultant balanced grant requirements and applicable federal legislation with local priorities in order to provide Johnson County a worthwhile plan.
The secondary purpose of hazard mitigation planning is to maintain a local government’s eligibility to apply for Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding, which includes the Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Flood Mitigation Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Upon FEMA-approval of this plan, the county, cities, school districts, and state university included in this plan are eligible to apply for Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding to complete their mitigation strategy. It is important to note, when a federal disaster declaration is issued in Iowa, the federal government awards the state Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding while the other programs are annual and nationally competitive. Funds for the development of this plan were available to Johnson County with Disaster Declaration DR-1877, which was issued in February 2010. This disaster involved severe winter storms in western Iowa that occurred in December 2009. For the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, funds are made available statewide regardless of what areas were affected by a disaster. The wide availability of funds provides local governments throughout the state the opportunity to complete the mitigation strategy in their hazard mitigation plans. Johnson County’s planning grant for the development of this plan was awarded in April 2011, and the performance period for the grant ended in April 2014. Plan development was a multi-year process that involved collaboration among local officials, staff, and residents, research, public meetings, plan writing, public comment, and a review process with the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Upon approval and adoption, this plan is effective for five years.
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Planning Area
The planning area for a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan includes several jurisdictions with common climate and geography. Jurisdictions are either contiguous or located in close proximity. In Iowa, the planning area for a multi-jurisdictional plan typically includes an entire county.
This multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan includes 17 jurisdictions located within Johnson County in east central Iowa. The planning area includes the unincorporated areas of the county, cities, school districts, and the local state university. See Table 1.0 for a full list of jurisdictions included in this plan. Also, see Figure 1.0 on the following page for a planning area map.
Table 1.0: Jurisdictions in Planning Area
County Cities School Districts University
Unincorporated Johnson County*
Coralville Hills
Clear Creek- Amana
University of Iowa
Iowa City Iowa City Lone Tree Solon North Liberty Lone Tree Oxford Shueyville Solon Swisher Tiffin University
Heights
*Important Note: Throughout the plan, the unincorporated areas of the county will be specifically referenced as “Unincorporated Johnson County” and not simply Johnson County.
Definition of Jurisdiction In a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan, a jurisdiction is simply a local government. Legislation defines a local government as any county, municipality, city, town, township, public authority, school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments, regional or interstate government entity, or agency or instrumentality of a local government; any Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or Alaska Native village or organization; and any rural community, unincorporated town or village, or other public entity. For a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan in Iowa, jurisdictions or local government entities typically include the unincorporated areas in a county, cities, school districts, and state university, if applicable.
15
Figure 1.0: Planning Area
16
Johnson County is located in the east central area of Iowa that experienced population growth between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census. The total population of Johnson County, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, is 130,622 with the majority of residents living in the Iowa City Metropolitan Area. The metropolitan area in central Johnson County includes Iowa City, University Heights, Coralville, North Liberty, and Tiffin. Over 20,000 residents live in the unincorporated areas of the county. Refer to Table 1.1.
Table 1.1: City and Unincorporated Area Population 2010
Jurisdiction Population
Coralville 18,907
Hills 703
Iowa City 67,862
Lone Tree 1,300
North Liberty 13,374
Oxford 807
Shueyville 577
Solon 2,037
Swisher 879
Tiffin 1,947
University Heights 1,051
Unincorporated Areas 21,178
Source: Iowa Data Center, January 2013
The largest city in Johnson County is Iowa City, which contains the main campus of the University of Iowa. It should also be noted that University Heights is located within Iowa City but is a separate city with its own local government and regulations. After Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty have second and third largest population. Several cities have a population near or less than 1,000. The smallest city in the county is Shueyville, which has less than 600 residents. Refer to Table 1.1.
The University of Iowa is a major national research university located on a 1,900-acre campus in Iowa City. The main campus in Iowa City includes academic, research, and medical facilities, which includes the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics and research facilities in Coralville. More than 30,500 students enroll at the university each year. The faculty is approximately 1,700, and there are approximately 13,000 people who are on staff at the university. The total annual operating budget is about $2.8 billion, and there are more than 120 major buildings, most of them located downtown Iowa City. Of the school districts in the planning area, the Iowa City Community School District is the largest with over 12,000 students. The other school districts are significantly smaller with less than 2,000 students in each district. The Lone Tree Community School District is the smallest district with less than 500 students. Refer to Table 1.2.
Table 1.2: School District Enrollment 2012 – 2013*
School District Enrollment
Clear Creek Amana 1,871
Iowa City 12,490
Lone Tree 485
Solon 1,351
Source: Iowa Department of Education, November 2013 Throughout the plan, vulnerable populations are considered in each participating jurisdiction’s mitigation strategy. In all jurisdictions, young and elderly were identified as potentially vulnerable during a hazard event. Young and elderly may be defined in many contexts, but for this plan, young is considered less than 5 years and elderly is considered 65 and older. In many instances, people of these age cohorts are extremely mobile and capable during a hazard, but a broader definition helps avoid an extremely low estimate.
17
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there are 8,075 children under the age of five, which is approximately six percent of the total population in Johnson County. For people 65 and over, there are 11,211 people, which is 8.6 percent of the total population in Johnson County. Other vulnerable populations were identified such as outdoor workers, people who use outdoor recreation facilities, or people who attend outdoor events. Language and cognitions barriers for certain individuals were also identified as a potential concern. For these particular populations, accurate estimates are not available due to variability in location, lack of complete data, or privacy concerns. It should be noted, the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency manages an Emergency Assistance Registry. Individuals who may need special assistance during a hazard event or emergency situation can provide their information to the Agency. When necessary, emergency responders will have information to assist these individuals.
As for population growth, the highest percentage of population growth between 2000 and 2010 occurred in the west central and southeast areas of the county. Refer to Figure 1.1. It is important to note where the highest rates of growth are occurring in the county because these areas may not have the appropriate capacity to protect a developed or more densely populated area from natural or human caused hazards. Overall, the Johnson County population is expected to continue to grow.
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Figure 1.1: Planning Area Population Change 2000 – 2010
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Participation Requirements
To be included in the Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, each jurisdiction was required to meet participation requirements. Hazard mitigation plan regulations, past plan development processes, and the varied size and type of jurisdictions in Johnson County were used to establish participation requirements. Requirements include:
1. Identify a Planning Team to represent the jurisdiction
2. Provide necessary information to the planning consultant throughout the plan development process, e.g. existing plans, maps, data, grant documentation, etc.
3. Host one public planning meeting, at minimum, with the jurisdiction’s planning team. The planning meeting(s) must include discussion of the following:
a. Purpose of hazard mitigation planning b. Hazards that can affect the jurisdiction c. Critical facilities and vulnerable populations d. Hazard mitigation goals e. Current mitigation efforts in the jurisdiction f. Proposed mitigation efforts in the jurisdiction g. Future monitoring and update of the plan h. Plan review and adoption processes
4. Host a 30-day public comment period by providing
information to the public about how to access a copy of the plan and provide comments to the planning consultant
5. A member of the Planning Team from each jurisdiction must provide draft comments to the planning consultant
6. Adopt the final, FEMA-approved plan by resolution or local procedures
The participation requirement that varied among Johnson County jurisdictions is the number of public planning meetings that must be hosted. A minimum of one meeting is required, but the majority of jurisdictions hosted two or more meetings in order to discuss all aspects of hazard mitigation in their service area. School districts were able to host just one public planning meeting due to the relatively narrow scope of services provided to students, staff, and visitors. Participation in the plan development process is documented in Table 2.0 on the following page. Throughout the plan, jurisdiction specific information and verified documentation provides proof that participation requirements were fulfilled as documented.
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Table 2.0: Jurisdiction Participation in Plan Development Process
Jurisdiction Identify
Planning Team Provide
Information Host Public Planning
Meeting(s) Host Public
Comment Period Provide
Comments Adopt Plan
Unincorporated Johnson County X X 10/15/2013 10/29/2013
X X X
Coralville X X 7/16/2013 7/31/2013
X X X
Hills X X 6/11/2012 7/6/2012
4/22/2013 X X X
Iowa City X X 8/7/2013
8/21/2013 X X X
Lone Tree X X 8/9/2013 9/5/2013
X X X
North Liberty X X 10/23/2013 10/29/2013
X X X
Oxford X X 9/9/2013
9/23/2013 X X X
Shueyville X X
6/25/2012 7/5/2012
7/19/2012 5/14/2013
X X X
Solon X X 8/8/2013
9/18/2013 X X X
Swisher X X 9/10/2012 10/8/2012 5/13/2013
X X X
Tiffin X X 10/2/2013
10/22/2013 X X X
University Heights X X 7/30/2013 X X X
Clear Creek Amana Community School District X X 9/23/2013 X X X
Iowa City Community School District X X 8/28/2013 X X X
Lone Tree Community School District X X 11/7/2013 X X X
Solon Community School District X X 9/11/2013 X X X
University of Iowa X X 10/31/2013 11/5/2013
X X X
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Plan Development Process A hazard mitigation plan is the product of a multi-year planning process that involves collaboration between officials, staff, and residents in participating jurisdictions. In Iowa, the process typically is completed by a coordinator, usually a planner, who works with each jurisdiction, the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VII. The primary goals of the coordinator is to ensure the planning process and final document focus on the mitigation priorities of participating jurisdictions and fulfills regulatory requirements.
Grant Funding For this plan, the planning process began in April 2012 when Johnson County was awarded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding from the state to develop a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. Johnson County committed to coordinating the plan development process with a local planning agency and providing a 15% in-kind grant match. The primary point of contact with Johnson County was the coordinator for the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Dave Wilson.
Planning Consultant In July 2012, Johnson County contracted with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG), a regional planning agency, to provide grant administration services and coordinate the development of the plan. Johnson County has worked with ECICOG since its establishment in 1972 as an intergovernmental
council. Planning staff at ECICOG have specific knowledge and experience in hazard mitigation planning having prepared single jurisdiction and multi-jurisdictional plans in Johnson County and the other counties in the agency’s service area. For more information about ECICOG, visit the agency’s website at www.ecicog.org. Starting in July 2012, Hilary Copeland-Marvin, a planner at ECICOG, was the primary consultant coordinating plan development. Starting in January 2013, Alicia Presto, a new planner at ECICOG, became the primary consultant to complete the plan development process, which ended in April 2014.
Review and Research Throughout the plan development process, existing documents and data for each jurisdiction were reviewed for relevance and potential inclusion in this plan. Several jurisdictions had existing single jurisdiction hazard mitigation plans to use as a reference for existing priorities and gauge mitigation strategy progress. See Table 3.0 for information about existing single jurisdiction hazard mitigation plans.
Table 3.0: Existing Single Jurisdiction Plans
Jurisdiction Plan Approval Date
Unincorporated Johnson County 10/22/2009
Coralville 9/15/2009
Iowa City 3/2/2010
North Liberty 11/23/2009
University of Iowa 9/25/2009
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Other documents incorporated into the content of this plan include local regulatory documents, planning and procedure documents, and maps. Jurisdictions included in this plan are diverse in purpose and size so the types of documents available vary for each jurisdiction. In each jurisdiction’s profile, the jurisdiction specific documents incorporated into the content of this plan are described. In addition to existing documents, extensive research was completed to include current information for each jurisdiction in the plan. The bulk of research is database searches for hazard event information relevant to Johnson County. The databases used are cited throughout the plan. To incorporate local perspectives, discussion with Planning Team members and local media coverage were also used to include current information. A valuable source of information, referenced often in this plan, is the statewide hazard mitigation plan prepared by the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. At the beginning of the planning process, the current statewide hazard mitigation was the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan. In October 2013, an updated plan was approved, which is after the majority of plan process, research, and writing occurred for this plan. Where possible, information from the 2013 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan has been incorporated to reflect state wide hazard mitigation priorities in this plan. To ensure the Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan meets regulatory requirements, the October 2011 version of the Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency was referenced regularly throughout the plan development process. This particular plan is the first multi-jurisdictional plan for Johnson County, and the plan incorporates existing single-jurisdictions plan and a state university. The planning process was designed to meet the basic requirements presented in the guide for a multi-jurisdictional plan to provide a base for future updates that exceed basic requirements.
Planning Meetings At the beginning of the plan development process, a countywide meeting was hosted by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency on May, 18, 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to provide overview information and address initial questions before plan development began. The planning consultant from the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) provided an overview of hazard mitigation planning, Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program funding opportunities, and the requirements for participating in a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. After the countywide informational meeting, the planning consultant worked directly with a primary contact in each jurisdiction. With the planning consultant, the primary contact identified and personally invited the ideal members of the Planning Team, scheduled meetings, and posted public notices for the meetings so members of the public were informed. For each jurisdiction, the primary contact and Planning Team members are detailed in the Planning Teams section of this plan. To maintain an open plan development process, at least one public planning meeting was held in each jurisdiction. For most jurisdictions, two or more public planning meetings were held. Each person who attended the planning meetings, regardless of whether or not they were initially identified, was considered a member of the jurisdiction’s planning team. Since this plan includes jurisdictions that vary by type and size, the number of meetings needed to discuss all aspects of hazard mitigation planning was flexible. Only one meeting was necessary for school districts while certain cities in the county required several meetings. Regardless of the type and size of the jurisdiction a consistent agenda was used for meetings.
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For each jurisdiction, planning meeting(s) must include discussion of the following:
a. Purpose of hazard mitigation planning b. Hazards that can affect the jurisdiction c. Critical facilities and vulnerable populations d. Hazard mitigation goals e. Current mitigation efforts in the jurisdiction f. Proposed mitigation efforts in the jurisdiction g. Future monitoring and update of the plan h. Plan review and adoption processes
The planning consultant prepared documentation for each meeting to provide information about Planning Team members, which are all the meeting participants, and what information was discussed. For review and future updates of this plan, the members of a planning team can provide valuable context. Documentation for all planning meetings, which includes public notice, minutes, and sign-in sheet, is in the appendix.
Progress Reports To provide updates, the planning consultant prepared periodic progress reports that were sent to each participating jurisdiction. The reports included basic plan development process information, completed activities, and a time line for completing remaining activities. The planning consultant also prepared the required quarterly progress reports for the planning grant. The completed reports were submitted to both the State and Johnson County. In addition, the planning consultant attended Johnson County Emergency Management Commission meetings. The commission has members representing jurisdictions throughout Johnson County so this update approach was countywide. At the meetings, the planning consultant provided a plan development process update and answered Commission members’ questions.
Public Comment A 30-day public comment period for this plan began December 2, 2013 and ended December 31, 2013. A draft of the plan was available on the East Central Iowa Council of Government’s website, and a news release with information about the public comment was sent to each participating jurisdiction, local media, and the emergency management coordinators in the surrounding counties, which includes Linn, Cedar, Muscatine, Louisa, Washington, Iowa, and Benton County. Specifically inviting surrounding counties to participate in the public comment period allows for potential regional cooperation beyond the planning area. During the formal public comment period, two comments were submitted by representatives of the City of Coralville. The comments included corrections that needed to be made to City specific information. The suggested changes were incorporated as instructed. No members of the public submitted comments during the public comment period. Before the full draft of the plan was released for the public comment period, the planning consultant had a member of each participating jurisdiction’s planning team review their information to verify that information reflects the discussion at public planning meetings. The majority of plan edits were completed with the comments provided by at least one planning team member in each participating jurisdiction. For most jurisdictions, the primary contact provided comments. The majority of initial comments were to clarify the jurisdiction’s mitigation strategy. Since this plan affects eligibility to fund mitigation projects, jurisdictions wanted to sure ensure the overall mitigation strategy reflected local risk and priorities. Other initial comments clarified existing programs and policies.
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Plan Writing This plan was written by the planning consultant at the East Central Iowa Council of Governments based on the ongoing review of existing documents, research, and discussion at planning meetings with each jurisdiction’s planning team. Plan writing was ongoing activity throughout the plan development process. As requested by the planning consultant, Planning Team members in each jurisdiction provided feedback.
Plan Review During the 30-day public comment period, the draft of this plan was concurrently reviewed by the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. Iowa’s hazard mitigation planner provided suggestions to improve the plan before submitting for final review. Suggestions were to more specifically address how participating jurisdictions plan to incorporate their mitigation strategy into existing planning mechanisms and the update requirements for jurisdictions with an existing single jurisdiction plan. These suggestions were incorporated into the final draft of this plan before submitting for final review.
Plan Approval and Adoption This multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan was submitted for public comment, review, and approval on December 2, 2013. An initial review of the plan was completed by the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. After the state review process, the plan was submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 7 office for review and approval on January 8, 2014. After necessary edits were completed, the plan was approved on April 14, 2014. The plan has officially been adopted and incorporated into the planning process for each participating jurisdiction.
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Planning Teams In this multi-jurisdictional planning process, a planning team for each jurisdiction was established to ensure the final plan reflects local capabilities, conditions, and priorities in each jurisdiction. The composition of planning teams throughout Johnson County varied due to type, size, and past planning efforts in each jurisdiction. The members and planning meeting attendance for each jurisdiction’s planning team is included in this section to provide context for how final mitigation strategies were identified for each jurisdiction.
Unincorporated Johnson County Planning Team Planning meetings for Unincorporated Johnson County were held at the Joint Emergency Communications Center in Iowa City. The first planning meeting was held on October 15, 2013, and the second meeting was held on October 29, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.0.
Table 4.0: Unincorporated Johnson County Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Dave Wilson Primary Contact Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Coordinator
X X
BJ Dvorak Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Planning Officer X
Brandon Siggins Joint Emergency Communications Center, Communications Supervisor X
Chris Judge Joint Emergency Communications Center, Intern X
Tom Jones Joint Emergency Communications Center, Executive Director X
Terrence Neuzil Johnson County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Public Information Officer
Rick Havel Johnson County GIS and Information Technology X
Greg Parker Johnson County Secondary Roads, County Engineer X
Larry Gullett Johnson County Conservation, Director X
Brad Freidhof Johnson County Conservation, Naturalist X
Rick Dvorak Johnson County Planning and Zoning, Administrator X
RJ Moore Johnson County Planning and Zoning, Assistant Administrator X
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Table 4.0: Unincorporated Johnson County Planning Team Continued
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Josh Busard Johnson County Planning and Zoning, Assistant Planner X
Tricia Kitzmann Johnson County Public Health, Deputy Director X
Mike Hensch Johnson County Medical Examiner, Administrator X
Clayton Shuneman Johnson County, Medical Examiner Investigator X
Brad Fisher Johnson County Sherriff’s Department, Sergeant Johnson County Fair Board
X
Coralville Planning Team Planning meetings for Coralville were held at the Coralville City Hall. The first planning meeting was held on July 16, 2013, and the second meeting was held on July 31, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1: Coralville Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Ellen Habel Primary Contact Coralville Assistant City Administrator
X X
Kelly Hayworth Coralville City Administrator X X
Jim Fausett Coralville Mayor X
Mitch Gross Coralville City Council Member X
Dave Stannard Coralville Fire Department, Chief X X
Barry Bedford Coralville Police Department, Chief X X
Jim Kessler Coralville Building Department, Building and Zoning Official X X
Dan Holderness Coralville Engineering Department, City Engineer X X
Kevin Callahan Coralville Water Treatment Water Plant Superintendent X
Chris Gilstrap Coralville Wastewater Department, Wastewater Superintendent X X
Mike Funke Coralville Human Resource and Risk Management Department, Manager X X
Eric Fisher Coralville Public Works and Utilities, Streets and Solid Waste Superintendent X X
Dolores Slade Coralville Resident X X
Henry Herwig Coralville Resident X
Ron Wenman Coralville Resident X X
Keith Jones Coralville Resident X
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Hills Planning Team Planning meetings for Hills were held at the City Hall and Fire Station in Hills. The first planning meeting was held on June 11, 2012; the second planning meeting was held on July 6, 2012; and, the third planning meeting was held on April 22, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.2.
Table 4.2: Hills Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2 Meeting #3
Bonnie Hansen Primary Contact Hills City Clerk
X X X
Tim Kemp Hills Mayor X X
Bruce Endris Hills City Council Member X X
Cathy Knebel Hills City Council Member X
Merle Hill Hills City Council Member X
Steve Harris Hills City Council Member X
Thom Kirkpatrick Hills City Council Member X
Ron Wolfe Hills Public Works X X
Jim Malmberg Hills Fire Department Chief X
Leanne Sommers Hills Assistant City Clerk X
Erek Sittig Neuzil, Sanderson, Sigafoose Law Firm, City Attorney X
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Iowa City Planning Team Planning meetings for Iowa City were held in the Council Chamber at Emma J. Harvat Hall in Iowa City. The first planning meeting was held on August 7, 2013, and the second meeting was held on August 21, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.3.
Table 4.3: Iowa City Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
John Yapp Primary Contact Iowa City Planning, Transportation Planner Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) of Johnson County, Executive Director
X X
Geoff Fruin Iowa City Manger’s Officer, Assistant to City Manager X X
Rick Fosse Iowa City Public Works Department, Director X X
Roger Jensen Iowa City Fire Department, Deputy Chief X X
Richard Wyss Iowa City Police Department, Captain X X
Ron Knoche Iowa City Engineering Department, City Engineer X X
Doug Ongie Iowa City Community Development Department, Planner X
David Purdy Iowa City Planning Department, Planner X
Steve Spenler Johnson County Ambulance Service, Director X
Dave Dvorsky Johnson County Ambulance Service, Assistant Director X
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Lone Tree Planning Team Planning meetings for Lone Tree were held at City Hall in Lone Tree. The first planning meeting was held on August 9, 2013, and the second meeting was held on September 5, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.4.
Table 4.4: Lone Tree Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Merry Thomae Primary Contact Lone Tree City Clerk
X X
Rick Ogren Lone Tree Mayor X X
Carl Rice Brown Lone Tree City Council Member X
Matt Zadow Lone Tree Fire Department, Chief X
Brad Judge Lone Tree Public Works Department, Director X
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North Liberty Planning Team Planning meetings for North Liberty were held in City Hall. The first planning meeting was held on October 24, 2013, and the second meeting was held on October 30, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.5.
Table 4.5: North Liberty Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Kellie Helm Primary Contact North Liberty Administrative Assistant
X X
Tracey Mulcahey North Liberty City Clerk/Assistant City Administrator X
Kevin Stensland North Liberty Wastewater Department, Assistant Wastewater Superintendent X X
Guy Goldsmith North Liberty Parks, Building, and Grounds Department, Director X X
Adam Olson North Liberty Police Department, Sergeant X X
Tom Palmer North Liberty Building Department, Building Official X
Greg Metternich North Liberty Water Department, Superintendent X
Don Colony North Liberty Streets Department, Superintendent X
Eric Vandewater North Liberty Fire Department, Chief X
Shelly Simpson North Liberty Community Center, Recreation Director X
Oxford Planning Team Planning meetings for Oxford were held in City Hall. The first planning meeting was held on September 9, 2013, and the second meeting was held on September 23, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.6.
Table 4.6: Oxford Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Donald Saxton Primary Contact Oxford Mayor
X X
Mary Sue Jiras Oxford City Council Member X
Mark Wright Oxford Public Works Department, Director X X
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Shueyville Planning Team Planning meetings for Shueyville were held in City Hall. The first planning meeting was held on June 25, 2012; the second meeting was held on July 5, 2012; the third meeting was held July 19, 2012; and, a final meeting was held May 14, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.7.
Table 4.7: Shueyville Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2 Meeting #3 Meeting #4
Diane Bys Primary Contact Shueyville City Clerk
X X X X
Bryan Bredman Shueyville Mayor X X X X
Jerry Cada Shueyville City Council Member X X X X
Brent Foss Shueyville City Council Member X
Mickey Coonfare Shueyville City Council Member X
Terry Ell Shueyville Resident Owner of Shueys Loung
X
Emil Gomas Shueyville Resident Shueyville Church
X
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Solon Planning Team Planning meetings for Solon were held in the Fire Station. The first planning meeting was held on August 8, 2013, and the second meeting was held on September 18, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.8.
Table 4.8: Solon Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Cassandra Lippincott Primary Contact Solon City Administrator
X X
Cami Rasmussen Solon Mayor X X
Scott Kleppe Solon Public Works Department, Director X X
Bob Siddell Solon Fire Department, Chief X
Jon Reyhons Solon Fire Department, Assistant Fire Chief X
Swisher Planning Team Planning meetings for Swisher were held in City Hall. The first planning meeting was held on September 10, 201; the second meeting was held October 8, 2012; and, the third meeting was held May 13, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.9.
Table 4.9: Swisher Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2 Meeting #3
Connie Meier Primary Contact Swisher City Clerk
X X X
Tim Mason Swisher Mayor X X
Sandy Fults Swisher City Council Member X X X
Angie Hinrichs Swisher City Council Member X X X
Larry Svec Swisher City Council Member X X
Matt Myers Swisher City Council Member X X
Ginny Svec Swisher Resident X
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Tiffin Planning Team Planning meetings for Tiffin were held in City Hall. The first planning meeting was held on October 2, 2013, and the second meeting was held on October 22, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.10.
Table 4.10: Tiffin Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Michon Jackson Primary Contact Tiffin City Administrator
X X
James Bartels Tiffin City Council Member X
Peggy Upton Tiffin City Council Member X
Brett Mehmen Tiffin Public Works Department, Director X
Brian Detert Tiffin Public Works Department X
Teri Collins Tiffin City Administrator Assistant X
University Heights Planning Team The planning meeting for University Heights was held in City Hall on July 30, 2013. For more information about the meeting, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members of the planning team are provided below in Table 4.11.
Table 4.11: University Heights Planning Team
Member Representation/Position
Louise From Primary Contact University Heights Mayor
Ron Fort University Heights Police Department, Chief
Josiah Belskemper Shive-Hattery, City Engineer
Pat Bauer University Heights Zoning Commission, Chair
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Clear Creek Amana Community School District Planning Team The planning meeting for the Clear Creek Amana Community School District was held in the District’s Central Office in Oxford on September 23, 2013. For more information about the meeting, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members of the planning team are provided below in Table 4.12.
Table 4.12: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Planning Team
Member Representation/Position
Tim Kuehl Primary Contact Clear Creek Amana Community School District, Superintendent
Maury Gallagher Clear Creek Amana Community School District, Facilities Management and Maintenance Department
Iowa City Community School District Planning Team The planning meeting for the Iowa City Community School District was held in the Educational Services Center in Iowa City on August 28, 2013. For more information about the meeting, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members of the planning team are provided below in Table 4.13.
Table 4.13: Iowa City Community School District Planning Team
Member Representation/Position
David Dude Primary Contact Iowa City Community School District, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer
Steve Murley Iowa City Community School District, Superintendent
Duane Van Hemert Iowa City Community School District, Physical Plant Director
Susie Poulton Iowa City Community School District, Health and Student Services Department, Director
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Lone Tree Community School District Planning Team The planning meeting for the Lone Tree Community School District was held in the Superintendent’s Office at school facilities in Lone Tree on November 7, 2013. For more information about the meeting, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members of the planning team are provided below in Table 4.14.
Table 4.14: Lone Tree Community School District Planning Team
Member Representation/Position
Michael Reeves Primary Contact Lone Tree Community School District Superintendent
Mike Wolfe Lone Tree Community School District Maintenance and Grounds Department
James Loan Lone Tree Community School District School Board Member
Solon Community School District Planning Team The planning meeting for the Solon Community School District was held in the District’s Central Office in Solon on September 11, 2013. For more information about the meeting, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members of the planning team are provided below in Table 4.15.
Table 4.15: Solon Community School District Planning Team
Member Representation/Position
Sam Miller Solon Community School District, Superintendent
Mike Kesparek Solon Community School District, Building and Ground, Transportation, Director
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University of Iowa Planning Team Planning meetings for the University of Iowa were held in the University Capitol Center in Iowa City. The first planning meeting was held on October 31, 2013, and the second meeting was held on November 5, 2013. For more information about the meetings, refer to documentation provided in the appendix. The members and meeting attendance of the planning team is provided below in Table 4.16.
Table 4.16: University of Iowa Planning Team
Member Representation/Position Meeting #1 Meeting #2
Donna Pearcy Primary Contact University of Iowa Risk Management, Director
X X
Ed Nobles University of Iowa Risk Management X X
Jerica Deitrick University of Iowa Risk Management X
Chuck Green University of Iowa Department of Public Safety X X
Shawn Sharp University of Iowa Department of Public Safety X X
Mike Hartley University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Emergency Management X X
Edward Scherrer University of Iowa Facilities Management X X
Chet Wieland University of Iowa Facilities Management, Planning, Design, and Construction X X
Ben Fish University of Iowa Facilities Management, Utilities and Energy Management X
Glen Mowery University of Iowa Facilities Management, Utilities and Energy Management X X
Dan Heater University of Iowa Facilities Management, Building and Landscape Services X
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Jurisdiction Capabilities
In hazard mitigation planning, it important to consider the authorities, policies, programs, and resources that a jurisdiction can use to implement a mitigation strategy. In a multi-jurisdictional plan, a wide variety of jurisdictions including counties, cities, school districts, and universities can participate in the planning process. Different types and sizes of jurisdictions will have different capabilities that should be considered before determining a final mitigation strategy.
This section of the plan highlights the capabilities of each participating jurisdiction. Johnson County is diverse with some of Iowa’s larger cities, some of Iowa’s fastest growing small cities, and one of Iowa’s large public universities. Jurisdictions have varied budgets, policies, and staff to complete their mitigation strategy. It is important to consider the differences between municipal governments and education institutions because the organizational structure and authority may affect the feasibility of certain type of mitigation actions.
Source: www.kcrg.com
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Unincorporated Johnson County Capabilities The Johnson County government has a wide range of authorities, policies, programs, and resources to implement a well-rounded mitigation strategy. All local capabilities were considered throughout the plan development process. Refer to Table 5.0 for the basic breakdown of the local capabilities in Unincorporated Johnson County.
Table 5.0: County Jurisdiction Capabilities
Officials and Commissions Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Board of Supervisors* Planning and Zoning Commission Conservation Board Emergency Management Commission*
Ambulance* Attorney Auditor/Elections Assessor Conservation* Emergency Management* Finance GIS and Mapping* Human Resources Information Technology Medical Examiner Mental Health and Disability Services Motor Vehicle Physical Plant Planning, Zoning, and Building Public Health Recorder SEATS Paratransit Secondary Roads Sheriff’s Office Social Services Treasurer and Property Taxes Veterans Affairs
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Ordinance* Land Use Plan* Hazard Mitigation Plan* Emergency Plan* Crisis and Risk Communication Plan* Mass Fatality Plan* Long-Range Transportation Plan*
County budget
Capital Improvement Plan
General obligation bonds
Grants
Departments and staff
*Important Note: The asterisk indicates official or staff that participated in the plan development process or policies and programs that were discussed or reviewed and included in the jurisdiction’s mitigation strategy, if relevant.
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City Capabilities All cities in Iowa are subject to Iowa Code so the authority to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents and levy taxes to provide services is common among cities in Johnson County. When considering the capability to implement a mitigation strategy, it is important to distinguish the variation in policies, programs, and resources among cities. Most cities have the same basic policies, but each city modifies these policies to meet the needs of its residents, e.g. zoning ordinance, subdivision code, etc. As for programs and resources, there is wide variation due primarily to the geographic size of the city and the number of residents. For the local capabilities of city jurisdictions in Johnson County see Table 5.1.
Table 5.1: City Jurisdiction Capabilities
City Officials and Commissions Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Coralville
City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
City Administrator* City Clerk Building* Rental Housing Human Resources/Risk Management* Streets* Solid Waste* Water* Wastewater Treatment* Fire (ISO Rating: 2)* Police* Performing Arts Public Library Telecommunications Engineering* Finance Parks and Recreation Transit and Parking City Attorney Animal Control CoralVision
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Management* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Community Plan (in progress during plan development process) Emergency planning* Flood Emergency Operations Plan* Flood Recovery*
City Budget* Capital Improvement Plan* Grants General obligation bonds Departments and staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
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Table 5.1: City Jurisdiction Capabilities Continued
City Officials and Commissions Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Hills
City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
City Clerk* Public Works Fire*
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Management* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Comprehensive Plan (in progress during plan development process) Emergency planning*
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
Iowa City
City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
Accounting Airport Animal Services City Assessor City Attorney City Clerk City Manager* Communications Division Economic Development Engineering* Finance Fire (ISO Rating: 2)* Hazardous Waste Historic Preservation Housing Authority Housing and Inspection Services* Human Rights Information Technology Services Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Landfill Library Parking and Transit
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Management* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Comprehensive Plan* Emergency planning* Flood Emergency Operations Plan* Flood Recovery*
City Budget* Capital Improvement Plan* Grants General obligation bonds Departments and staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
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Table 5.1: City Jurisdictions Capabilities Continued
City Officials and Commissions Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Iowa City
Parks and Forestry Parks and Recreation Planning and Community Development* Police* Public Works* Solid Waste Streets Water Wastewater
Lone Tree City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
City Clerk* Public Works* Fire*
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Emergency Planning*
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
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Table 5.1: City Jurisdictions Capabilities Continued
City Officials and Commissions Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
North Liberty
City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
Administration* Building Safety and Inspection* Fire* Library Parks, Buildings, and Grounds* Maintenance Planning Recreation* Streets* Police* Telecommunications Wastewater* Water*
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Management* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Comprehensive Plan* Emergency planning*
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
Oxford City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
City Clerk Public Works* Fire
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Management* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Emergency planning*
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
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Table 5.1: City Jurisdiction Capabilities Continued
City Officials and Commissions Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Shueyville City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
City Clerk* Public Works Fire
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Comprehensive Plan (in progress during plan development process) Emergency planning*
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
Solon City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
City Administrator Public Works Fire
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Comprehensive Plan* Emergency planning*
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
Swisher City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
City Clerk* Public Works Fire
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Ordinance* National Flood Insurance Program* Comprehensive Plan (in progress during plan development process) Emergency planning
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
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Table 5.1: City Jurisdiction Capabilities Continued
City Officials and Commissions Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Tiffin City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
City Administrator* Public Works* Fire*
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Floodplain Management* Floodplain Ordinance* Comprehensive Plan (in progress during plan development process) Emergency planning
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
University Heights
City Council and Mayor* Planning and Zoning Commission Zoning Board of Adjustments
Administration* Police*
Building Code* Zoning Code* Subdivision Code* Comprehensive Plan* Emergency planning*
City Budget* Grants General obligation bonds Staff Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* SEATS (Paratransit) Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County* Mutual aid agreements*
*Important Note: The asterisk indicates officials or staff that participated in the plan development process or policies and programs that were discussed or reviewed and included the jurisdiction’s mitigation strategy, if relevant.
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School District Capabilities The school districts in Johnson County vary but each have a wide range of authorities, policies, programs, and resources to implement a well-rounded mitigation strategy. The Solon and Lone Tree school districts are located in their respective city while the other districts are spread through several cities. The districts with a larger geographic extent also have a larger student, faculty, and staff population. All local capabilities were considered throughout the plan development process. Refer to Table 5.2 for the basic breakdown of the local capabilities in school districts throughout Johnson County.
Table 5.2: School District Jurisdiction Capabilities
School District Officials and Committees Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Clear Creek Amana
School Board of Education Facilities Committee
Administration* Teaching faculty and staff Health Nutrition Transportation Library (also open to public) Athletics
Facilities Master Planning* Emergency Management Plan*
School budget* Grants Bonds Departments and staff Local emergency responders* Johnson County Emergency Management*
Iowa City
School Board of Education*
Administration* Business Office Community Relations Curriculum Equity Health and Student Services* Human Resources Information Services Nutrition Services Operations* Technology* Special Education Transportation* Athletics
Facilities Master Planning* Emergency Management Plan*
School budget* Grants Bonds Departments and staff Local emergency responders* Johnson County Emergency Management*
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Table 5.2: School District Jurisdiction Capabilities Continued
School District Officials and Committees Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Solon
School Board of Education Administration* Teaching faculty and staff Human Resources Health Nutrition Transportation* Buildings and Grounds*
Facilities Master Planning* Emergency Management Plan*
School budget* Grants Bonds Departments and staff Local emergency responders* Johnson County Emergency Management*
Lone Tree
School Board of Education*
Administration* Teaching faculty and staff Health Nutrition Transportation Maintenance*
Facilities Master Planning* Emergency Management Plan*
School budget* Grants Bonds Departments and staff Local emergency responders* Johnson County Emergency Management*
*Important Note: The asterisk indicates officials or staff that participated in the plan development process or policies and programs that were discussed or reviewed and included the jurisdiction’s mitigation strategy, if relevant.
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University of Iowa Capabilities As a large academic and medical state institution, the University of Iowa has a wide range of authorities, policies, programs, and resources to implement a well-rounded mitigation strategy. All local capabilities were considered throughout the plan development process. Due to the wide range of departments and staff at the university, only the departments and staff most relevant to hazard mitigation are included in this capability assessment. For the University of Iowa’s capabilities, refer to Table 5.3.
Table 5.3: University of Iowa Jurisdiction Capabilities
Officials and Committees Departments and Staff Policies and Programs Resources
Board of Regents Campus Planning Committee
Facilities Management Department of Safety Risk Management Hospital and Clinics*
Emergency Planning* Campus Master Planning* National Flood Insurance Program* Floodplain and storm water management* Private insurance* Critical Incident Management* Flood Emergency Plan* Flood Recovery*
University budget* Grants Departments and staff Mutual aid agreements* Johnson County Emergency Management Agency* Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County*
*Important Note: The asterisk indicates officials or staff that participated in the plan development process or policies and programs that were discussed or reviewed and included the jurisdiction’s mitigation strategy, if relevant.
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Hazard Mitigation Goals
The five overall goals for this plan encompass not only the primary purpose of hazard mitigation planning but also the priorities of the planning area. Throughout the development process of this plan, goals were used as a guide for research, discussion, and final decision making. The goals of the Johnson County Multi-Jurisdictional Plan are to:
1. Protect the health and safety of residents, visitors, staff, and emergency personnel (paid or volunteer) during and after hazard events.
2. Minimize losses to existing and future structures in hazard areas. Critical facilities are priority structures.
3. Maintain local services and infrastructure in order to
reduce community, economic, and environmental disruption during and after hazard events.
4. Educate residents and visitors about local hazards and
the resources available in the community.
5. Apply public funds to hazard mitigation projects in an efficient and fair manner.
The goals for this plan were crafted based on the purpose of hazard mitigation planning, goals in existing plans, and discussion during preliminary meetings. Although goals were crafted before planning team meetings, most jurisdictions accepted the set of goals as written. Due to local priorities, some jurisdictions slightly modified the goals. All goal modifications are detailed in Table 6.0.
Table 6.0: Goal Modification by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Goal Modification
Iowa City
Goal 1: Protect the health and safety of residents, visitors, staff, and emergency personnel (paid or volunteer) before, during, and after hazard events. Goal 3: Maintain local services and infrastructure in order to reduce community and economic disruption and environmental degradation during and after hazard events.
All school districts
Goal 1: Protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors during and after hazard events. Goal 3: Educate students, faculty, staff, and visitors about local hazards and the resources available in the school district.
University of Iowa
Goal 1: Protect the health and safety of patients, students, faculty, staff, and visitors during and after hazard events. Goal 3: Educate patients, students, faculty, staff, and visitors about local hazards and the resources available in the school district. The University of Iowa’s planning team added a sixth goal. Goal 6: Incorporate hazard mitigation into campus planning.
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Hazard Risk Assessment
In hazard mitigation planning, a risk assessment identifies what hazards can occur in a planning area, how hazards can impact a planning area, and level of priority hazards are given in a mitigation strategy. Overall, a risk assessment provides the necessary foundation for determining effective programs and projects to reduce the potential impacts of hazards. For Johnson County, a risk assessment was completed in a basic three step process. First hazards that can occur in the planning area at some point in the future were identified. Second, possible impacts of each hazard were identified. And finally, based on historical occurrences, potential severity, and local knowledge, a priority level was assigned to each hazard. For jurisdictions with an existing single jurisdiction plan, the risk assessment from the existing plan was reviewed along with the new countywide risk assessment for the plan. The jurisdictions with an existing single jurisdiction plan include Unincorporated Johnson County, Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, and the University of Iowa. For each of these jurisdictions, differences in the risk assessment from the existing plan to this plan are identified.
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Hazard Identification In the 2013 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, a statewide risk assessment identifies a broad spectrum of hazards that can occur in the state at some point in the future. The spectrum includes natural, human caused, and combination hazards. For Johnson County, all hazards in the statewide plan are included in the risk assessment in order to prepare as complete mitigation strategy as possible. As is the case statewide, variations in where hazards can occur within Johnson County exist so detailed profiles for each hazard are prepared to reflect these variations. Refer to Table 7.0 for the full list of hazards that can occur in Johnson County.
Table 7.0: Johnson County Hazards
Natural Human Caused/Combination
River and Flash Flood Human Disease Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Extreme Heat Transportation Incident Grass or Wildland Fire Infrastructure Failure Sink Holes Terrorism Severe Winter Storms Radiological Drought Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Earthquakes Landslide Expansive Soils Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm
Dam and Levee Failure*
Hazard Types A natural hazard is an event occurring due to climate, geology, or hydrology that will negatively impact people or the environment. Examples include tornadoes and earthquakes, which can cause injury, death, or property damage. A human caused hazard is an event occurring due to human actions that will negatively impact people or the environment. An example is a hazardous materials event that involves the release of a hazardous material into the environment due to human error. A combination hazard is an event occurring due to climate, geology, or hydrology in conjunction with human actions. An example is a transportation incident that involves common human errors during natural hazard events such as severe winter storms or flash flood. Hazards involving human actions often include natural hazards so the two types are combined for hazard mitigation planning.
*Important Note: Levee Failure is considered a future hazard for certain jurisdictions because there are plans to construct flood protection.
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Hazard Profiles To understand the hazards that can occur in Johnson County, profiles were prepared using historical data, existing hazard mitigation plans, local knowledge, and the risk assessment criteria used in the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan. Hazard profiles include a hazard description, historical occurrences, probability of occurring in the future, potential magnitude and severity, amount of warning time available, and the typical duration. Although Johnson County is a geographically small portion of Iowa, there are variations, sometimes large, in where hazards are likely to occur. For this risk assessment, hazards are categorized as countywide hazards or local hazards. See Table 7.1 for the categorization.
Table 7.1: Countywide and Local Hazards in Johnson County
Countywide Hazards Local Hazards
Tornado and Windstorm River and Flash Flood Extreme Heat Sinkholes Severe Winter Storm Landslide Drought Expansive Soils Earthquakes Dam and Levee Failure* Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm
Grass or Wildland Fire Animal/Plant/Crop Disease
Human Disease Hazardous Materials Transportation Incident Infrastructure Failure Terrorism Radiological
Countywide Hazards vs. Local Hazards A countywide hazard has a relatively equal chance of affecting each jurisdiction in the county. The potential hazard area is identified as the entire county rather than a specific area. An example is a tornado, which can occur in any community in the planning area regardless of the local environment. Or, a countywide hazard is a widespread event that affects the entire county when it occurs. The potential hazard area would be identified as the entire county. Drought is an example of a countywide hazard because the entire county is usually affected by the dry conditions. A local hazard is not applicable to the entire county because environmental factors such as geology, hydrology, or local infrastructure and industries vary. Rather than the entire county, the potential hazard area is identified as specific areas of the county. River and flash flooding are examples of local hazards because certain communities are located near a body of water or storm water infrastructure that may or may not have adequate capacity to handle large amounts of water. *Important Note: Levee Failure is considered a future hazard for
certain jurisdictions because there are plans to construct flood protection.
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Tornado and Windstorm
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for tornado and windstorm hazard events is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
Since 1996, there have been eleven tornado events reported in Johnson County according to the National Climatic Center. See Table 7.3 for information about each event. There are no recorded deaths from these tornadoes but there is a total of 47 injuries and over $18 million in property damage recorded. Of these events, the highest magnitude is an F3 tornado that occurred near Hills in 1998. This tornado caused 17 injuries and $6 million in property damage. Fourteen residences and three farms were destroyed or sustained major damage. In addition, 20 miles of power lines and poles were damaged, 15 roads were closed due to debris, and one bridge was destroyed. An F2 tornado event occurred in Iowa City in April 2006, and this event caused 30 injuries and $12 million in property damage. This tornado moved through the city with a wide path that included the southeast corner of the University of Iowa campus. This was the first tornado to touch down near the campus in 35 years. During the F2 tornado, power was lost at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office causing the loss of telephone lines, LAN, and automated systems. The outdoor warning sirens were switched from automatic to manual override in order to activate sirens a final time. Having heard the outdoor warning siren, many University of Iowa students who were outdoors took shelter in nearby parking garages.
Tornado Description A tornado is a violent whirling wind characteristically accompanied by a funnel shaped cloud extending down from a cumulonimbus cloud that progresses in a narrow, erratic path. Rotating wind speeds can exceed 300 mph and travel across the ground at average speeds of 25 - 30 mph. A tornado can be a few yards to about a mile wide where it touches the ground, however, an average tornado, is a few hundred yards wide. A tornado can move over land for distances ranging from short hops to many miles, causing great damage wherever it descends. Before 2007, the Fujita scale was used to rate the magnitude of a tornado. The scale has six categories that include a range of values for wind speed, frequency, average damage path width, and potential damage. The current rating scale is the Enhanced Fujita scale, which uses more accurate ranges for wind speed and more detailed analysis of damage to determine the scale.
Fujita Scale Enhanced Fujita Scale
Scale Wind Speed Scale Wind Speed
F0 40-72 mph EF0 68-85 mph
F1 73-112 mph EF1 86-110 mph
F2 113-157 mph EF2 111-135 mph
F3 158-206 mph EF3 136-165 mph
F4 207-260 mph EF4 166-200 mph
F5 261-318 mph EF5 200+ mph
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At a church, 50 to 75 parishioners, many elderly, were ushered to safety in the rectory basement next to the church. This action saved the lives of everyone. The tornado tore the roof off the church and collapsed a portion of the brick facade and steeple into the main congregation area. Throughout Iowa City, 1,016 residential and 35 commercial buildings sustained damage. Some well-known landmark buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged including the Dairy Queen, St. Patrick's Church, and several historic buildings. The tornado also damaged a sorority house and student apartments located on Iowa, Dodge, and Governor Street. Residential and commercial structures sustained a combined $1.3 million in damage. Iowa City and Johnson County sustained approximately $4 million in damages with an additional $755,000 of uninsured losses such as traffic lights. The University of Iowa sustained $6 million in damage, which is half of the damage total.
On the same day as the F2 tornado in Iowa City, the Hills and Lone Tree area were affected by two F1 tornadoes. These tornadoes did not cause death or injury, but there was nearly $90,000 in property damage. One house near Hills sustained damage from both tornadoes. Other damage in the area includes tree and outbuilding damage. The Hills and Lone Tree areas have been the most frequently affected by tornadoes since 1996, and one of the tornado events caused 17 injuries and $6 million in property damage in Hills. On the other hand, Iowa City and the University of Iowa have been affected the most severely since 1996 with one tornado causing 30 injuries and $12 million in property damage.
Table 7.3: Johnson County Tornadoes 1996 – 2013
Location Date Magnitude Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
NORTH LIBERTY 05/25/2008 EF0 0 0 $10,000 0
HILLS
04/13/2006
F1 0 0 $10,000 0
LONE TREE F1 0 0 $2,000 0
LONE TREE F1 0 0 $5,000 0
HILLS F1 0 0 $70,000 0
IOWA CITY F2 0 30 $12 million 0
SHARON CENTER F1 0 0 $20,000 0
SWISHER
04/11/2001
F0 0 0 0 0
TIFFIN F0 0 0 0 0
OXFORD F0 0 0 $25,000 0
HILLS 05/15/1998 F3 0 17 $6 million 0
Total 11 events 0 47 $18.142 million 0
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
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A funnel cloud is a visible predictor for a tornado event. In Johnson County there have been seventeen funnel cloud events since 1996. See Table 7.4.
Table 7.4: Johnson County Funnel Cloud Events 1996 – 2013*
Location Date
TIFFIN 06/29/1998
OXFORD
05/10/2001
SWISHER
CORALVILLE
TIFFIN
IOWA CITY
AMISH
LONE TREE 05/30/2004
OXFORD
04/13/2006
WILLIAMSTOWN
TIFFIN
TIFFIN
HILLS
NORTH LIBERTY 05/09/2006
SOLON
OXFORD 06/06/2006
TIFFIN
Total 17 events
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
During the April 2006 funnel cloud event, several tornadoes were produced including the tornadoes that affected Lone Tree, Hills, Iowa City, and Johnson County (Sharon Center). Although only one funnel cloud event occurred in conjunction with a tornado, the frequency of funnel cloud events is important because there is a strong chance for a tornado to develop.
Windstorm Description A windstorm is the extreme winds associated with severe winter storms, thunderstorms, downbursts, and very steep pressure gradients. It is difficult to separate the various wind components that cause damage from other wind-related natural events that often occur with or generate windstorms. Windstorms may have a destructive path that is tens of miles wide and the duration of the event could range from hours to days. These events can produce straight lines winds in excess of 64 knots. The Beaufort scale, which ranges 0 – 12, is typically used to determine the magnitude of a windstorm.
Beaufort Scale
Number Description Wind Speed
0 Calm <1 knot
1 Light air 1-3 knots
2 Light breeze 4-6 knots
3 Gentle breeze 7-10 knots
4 Moderate breeze 11-16 knots
5 Fresh breeze 17-21 knots
6 Strong breeze 22-27 knots
7 Near gale 28-33 knots
8 Gale 30-40 knots
9 Strong gale 41-47 knots
10 Storm 48-55 knots
11 Violent storm 56-63 knots
12 Hurricane >64 knots
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Since 1996, 12 high wind events occurred in Johnson County. See Table 7.5. Windstorm events in combination with thunderstorm wind events are by far the most frequent hazard events in Johnson County. Every jurisdiction has been affected and several windstorm events occur each year. Of all the windstorm events since 1996, almost $1 million in property damage has occurred in Johnson County.
Table 7.5: Johnson County High Wind Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date Magnitude Property Damage
JOHNSON (ZONE) 05/24/1996 52 knots $500,000
JOHNSON (ZONE) 10/29/1996 52 knots 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 04/06/1997 48 knots $250,000
JOHNSON (ZONE) 09/29/1997 52 knots 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 11/09/1998 59 knots 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/25/2001 49 knots 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/11/2003 39 knots 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/12/2004 52 knots $10,000
JOHNSON (ZONE) 10/26/2008 50 knots 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 10/27/2010 52 knots 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 06/13/2011
56 knots $100,000
JOHNSON (ZONE) 52 knots $25,000
Total 12 events $885,000
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
Wind damage from windstorms, thunderstorms, and tornadoes can be difficult to distinguish during severe weather in Iowa. Damage from winds is an extremely persistent issue and often occurs in conjunction with tornado and thunderstorm events.
Probability
According to the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, Iowa is ranked third in the nation for the number of tornadoes that occur per 10,000 square miles. From 1950 – 2010, Iowa averaged 47 tornado events per year. Most tornadoes occur in the spring and summer months, but tornadoes have occurred in every month of the year. Tornado events do not occur every year in Johnson County. When a tornado event does occur, there are typically several tornadoes produced within a short period of time affecting multiple areas in the county. Funnel cloud events, which indicate the strong chance of a tornado occurring, also do not occur annually, but several funnel clouds are typically spotted in a short period of time. The average period of time between tornado and funnel cloud events is approximately three years. Looking toward the future, it is likely a tornado will occur in Johnson County within the next five years. The estimated probability of a tornado event occurring is approximately once every three years. This probability estimate is based on historical occurrences, parameters defined in the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge. The entire United States is subject to various types of windstorm events. According to the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation plan, Iowa is likely to experience 15-20 windstorm events per year. Windstorm events in Iowa are usually associated with thunderstorms and winter storms. In Johnson County, at least one windstorm event has affected the entire county or at least one jurisdiction every year since 1996. Looking toward the future, the estimated probability of a windstorm event occurring is highly likely with a chance of one event occurring each year. This probability estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
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Magnitude and Severity
The most severe tornado events that have occurred in Johnson County are F2 and F3 rated, but the majority of tornadoes are F0 and F1. Based on historical occurrences, Johnson County will most likely be affected by an EF0 or EF1 tornado in the next five years although a higher magnitude tornado is possible. The most severe windstorm event that occurred in Johnson County since 1996 had a wind speed of 80 knots, but the majority of windstorms had a wind speed in the 50 to 60 knots range. Based on historical occurrences, Johnson County will most likely be affected by windstorm events rated 10 and 11 on the Beaufort scale, although hurricane winds are possible. During a tornado and windstorm event, everyone located in or near the path of the tornado is vulnerable. There are several groups of people who are especially vulnerable during tornado events. These people include:
o Mobile home residents o Park and campground visitors o Outdoor workers o Motorists o Elderly, young, and disabled with limited mobility o Residents or workers in buildings without basements o People with language or cognitive barriers
Generally the destructive path of a tornado is a few hundred feet in width, but stronger tornadoes can leave a path of devastation up to a mile wide. Large hail, strong straight-line winds, heavy rains, flash flooding, and lightning are also associated with severe storms and may cause significant damage to a wider area. In rare tornado events, entire neighborhoods and even communities have been destroyed. Windstorms can have a destructive path that is several miles wide. Large hail, strong straight-line winds, heavy rains, flash
flooding, and lightning are also associated with windstorms and may cause significant damage to a wider area. It is often difficult to separate windstorm and tornado damage when wind speed exceeds 64 knots. Damage from a tornado or windstorm can range from broken tree branches, shingle damage to roofs, and broken windows all the way to complete destruction of well-constructed buildings, infrastructure, and large trees. Tornadoes can also impact critical services, especially electrical power. Buried services such as water and gas are less vulnerable but can be negatively affected by their system components located above ground. For Iowa and Johnson County, it is important to note varying degrees of crop damage can occur during a tornado or windstorm event. Wind can flatten fields, break plant stalks, or twist plants. Windstorm events can completely destroy a crop or cause limited damage than can reduce crop yields. Both circumstances can cause economic hardship for the agricultural sectors of Iowa and Johnson County’s economy. If a tornado were to occur in Johnson County, the magnitude and severity would likely be limited. A future tornado event may result in injuries that do not result in permanent disability, 10% to 25%of a jurisdiction’s property severely damaged, and shutdown of facilities and services for approximately a week. This magnitude and severity estimate is based on historical occurrences, parameters defined in the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge. In a future windstorm event in Johnson County, the magnitude and severity could reach a critical level. A windstorm event may cause injuries that result in permanent disability, 25% to 50% of a jurisdiction’s property severely damaged, and shutdown of facilities and services for a few weeks. This magnitude and severity estimate is based on historical occurrences, parameters defined in the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
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Warning Time
Advancement in weather forecasting has allowed tornado watches to be issued hours in advance of a tornado event. The best lead time is approximately 30 minutes. A tornado can change paths very rapidly limiting the amount of warning time for the people located in its path. Outside of weather forecasting, there may not be visible indicators of a tornado on the ground due to blowing dust or driving rain and hail, which limits the ability to spot and report a tornado. A future tornado event in Johnson County will likely have minimal, less than six hours, or no warning time. This warning time estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge. The National Weather Service has developed a windstorm warning system that issues windstorm watches 12 to 24 hours in advance. Advisories are issued when existing or imminent windstorms could impact an area. Similar to tornado warnings, the typical warning time for a windstorm is 30 minutes. It is important to note that Johnson County activates the outdoor warning system for storm events that are predicted to have a wind speed of 70 mph or greater, which are rated 11 and greater on the Beaufort scale.
Duration
Normally a tornado will stay on the ground for no more than 20 minutes. However, a tornado can touch ground several times in different areas. Typically, local response during a tornado event is for the immediate threat to life and property. After a tornado event, local response is for the individuals, services, and structures that were negatively impacted by the tornado. Based on historical occurrences in Johnson County, a series of tornadoes can develop in a few hours prolonging the amount of time jurisdictions can be impacted by a tornado event but the event lasts less than six hours. This duration estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge. In Johnson County, a windstorm event can last several hours but usually not more than an entire day. This duration estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
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Extreme Heat
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for extreme heat hazard events is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
Three extreme heat events have occurred in Johnson County since 1996. During these extreme heat events, there were no deaths, injuries, or damage reported in Johnson County. In addition, there was one excessive heat event in July 2012 that involved an unusually high temperature for just one day. The July 2012 excessive heat event is the most recent heat-related hazard to affect Johnson County. Refer to Tables 7.6 and 7.7. Table 7.6: Johnson County Heat Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date
JOHNSON (ZONE) 07/25/1997
JOHNSON (ZONE) 07/19/1999
JOHNSON (ZONE) 08/31/2000
Total 3 events
Table 7.7: Johnson County Excessive Heat Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date
JOHNSON (ZONE) 07/04/2012
Total 1 event
Source: National Climatic Data, June 2013
Extreme Heat Description Extreme heat is summer weather that is hotter or more humid than average for a location at that time of year. This includes three successive days of 90+ degrees Fahrenheit or one day with a temperature or heat index in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat index is a number in degrees Fahrenheit that tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by at least 15 degrees.
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Although no death, injuries, or damage due to an extreme heat event were recorded for Johnson Count, nearby counties and states that experienced the same event were negatively impacted. The July 1997 event affected central and eastern Iowa, and 12 injuries, related to an outdoor running event, were reported in Scott County. In addition, two animals at the Des Moines County Fair died due to heat. In the July 1999 extreme heat event, at least 19 people in Illinois and 27 in Missouri died from heat-related factors. Fortunately there are not reported deaths, injuries, or damage for the August 2000 extreme heat event that affected eastern Iowa and Johnson County. Finally, during the one-day excessive heat event in July 2012, 14 people were treated in Scott County for heat-related factors.
Probability
According to the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, Iowa will likely experience 26 days a year with the temperature above 90 degrees. History indicates three consecutive days or more with a temperature greater than 90 degrees is possible in Iowa. Once every three years, it is common for the temperature to reach 100 degrees or greater during the summer. In Johnson County, three extreme heat events occurred within 1 – 2 years in the late 1990s, but there have been no extreme heat events recorded since 2000. Although weather conditions have not produced an extreme heat event in over a decade, schools without central air systems in Johnson County have closed or released students early due to excessive heat. School closure or early release due occurs annually. Looking toward the future, the estimated probability of an extreme event occurring in Johnson County is approximately once every five years. This probability estimate is based primarily on the statewide probability outlined in the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan and local knowledge.
Magnitude and Severity
If an extreme heat event were to occur in Johnson County, by definition the temperature would be at least 90 degrees. In July 1995, an excessive heat event impacted the entire state, and the temperature ranged from 98 degrees to 108 degrees with heat the index reaching a high of 131 degrees. This event lasted two days and caused three fatalities and $3.8 million in livestock loss and transportation infrastructure damage. An extreme heat event typically affects a large geographic area, sometimes as large as an entire region in the United States. If an extreme heat even were to occur in Johnson County, the entire county would be impacted. It is extremely likely an extreme heat event would impact all of eastern Iowa or the entire state. Humans, outdoor pets, and livestock are vulnerable during extreme heat events. Heatstroke, sunstroke, cramps, exhaustion, and fatigue can be caused by prolonged heat exposure and/or physical activity. Certain groups of people are especially vulnerable to extreme heat events. These people include:
o Elderly and young o Outdoor workers o People who are chronically ill and/or taking medications
that cause heat sensitivity o People with weight and/or alcohol problems o People living or working in buildings without central air
systems and/or poor ventilation o Households unable to afford cooling costs
In urban areas, the heat island effect and air stagnation can exacerbate the already dangerous conditions for humans and animals during an extreme heat event. In rural areas, livestock loss and reduced crop yields can occur during an extreme heat event. In both rural and urban areas, a prolonged high temperature can damage buildings and
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infrastructure, especially roads and railroad tracks. Overall, an extreme heat event can have a major impact in both urban and rural areas in Iowa and Johnson County. For an extreme heat event, the potential impacts are likely negligible, which are treatable illnesses, less than 10% of property damaged, and less than 24 hours of facility and service shutdown. This severity estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
Warning Time
Extreme heat events are predictable within a few degrees approximately three days before the event may occur. Variations in local conditions can affect the actual temperature within a
matter of hours or even minutes so warning time may be less during certain extreme heat events. With as much warning time as possible, the National Weather Service will initiate alert procedures when the heat index is expected to exceed 105 degrees for at least two consecutive days.
Duration
By definition an extreme heat event is three consecutive days with a 90+ degree Fahrenheit temperature or one day with a 100+ degree Fahrenheit temperature or heat index. Based on past extreme heat events in Iowa, an event can last a week or longer.
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Severe Winter Storm
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a severe winter storm hazard event is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
Nearly every year, Johnson County has experienced at least one severe winter storm condition. Since 1996, 44 winter storms, five blizzards, 20 heavy snows, seven ice storms, and six extreme cold events have occurred in Johnson County. See Tables 7.8 through 7.11. For these severe winter storm events, there are no recorded deaths or injuries, but there is about $1 million property damage from heavy snows or ice storms. The only year that does not have a recorded event is 2006. In terms of property damage, the most severe ice storm in Johnson County occurred in February 2007, which was a widespread snow and ice storm that affected eastern Iowa, northwest and western Illinois, and extreme northeast Missouri. Ice accumulations of around one inch were common, with some reports to near two inches. East winds gusting over 50 mph, combined with the heavy ice accumulation, brought down numerous trees, branches, and power lines, along with several thousand power poles. Widespread power outages occurred, affecting over 180,000 people, which lasted more than a week in some rural areas. Many shelters were opened to accommodate the people without power. The governor declared much of the state a disaster area, and requested a federal disaster declaration. Considering the magnitude of the storm, no direct deaths were reported.
Severe Winter Storm Description Severe winter storm conditions that affect daily activities can include blizzard conditions, heavy snow, blowing snow, freezing rain, heavy sleet, and extreme cold. Blizzard conditions are defined as winter storms lasting at least three hours with sustained winds of 35 mph or more, reduced visibility of 1/4 mile or less, and white out conditions. Extreme cold conditions are typically caused by low temperatures in conjunction with wind. Even low wind speed can cause extreme cold. Refer to the chart below.
Source: NOAA, March 2014
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Table 7.8: Johnson County Winter Storm Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/26/1996 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 11/14/1996 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/25/1996 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/27/1996 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/09/1997 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/15/1997 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/24/1997 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/03/1997 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/28/1998 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/06/1998 12/06/1998
0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/30/1998 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/01/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/18/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 03/05/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 03/08/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/16/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/19/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/23/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/03/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/17/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/19/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/29/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/17/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/10/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/08/2001 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 03/15/2001 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/30/2002 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 03/01/2002 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/28/2003 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/14/2003 0 0 0 0
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Table 7.8: Johnson County Winter Storm Events 1996 – 2013 Continued
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
JOHNSON (ZONE) 03/04/2003 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/22/2007 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/03/2008 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/05/2008 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/16/2008 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/18/2008 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/08/2009 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/06/2010 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/23/2010 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/11/2012 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/30/2013 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/21/2013 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/26/2013 0 0 0 0
Total 44 events 0 0 0 0
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
Table 7.9: Johnson County Blizzard Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/26/1996 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/21/2008 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/09/2009 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/01/2011 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/19/2012 0 0 0 0
Total 5 events 0 0 0 0
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
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Table 7.10: Johnson County Heavy Snow Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/18/1996 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 04/10/1997 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 10/26/1997 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/09/1997 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/24/1997 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 04/07/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/01/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/01/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/18/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/20/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/28/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/01/2001 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/26/2001 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/04/2004 0 0 $5,000 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/05/2004 0 0 $5,000 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 03/15/2004 0 0 $5,000 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/05/2005 0 0 $10,000 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/14/2005 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/09/2009 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/13/2009 0 0 0 0
Total 20 events 0 0 $25,000 0
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
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Table 7.11: Johnson County Ice Storm Events 1996 - 2013
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/15/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/28/2001 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/24/2007 0 0 $1 million 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/01/2007 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/11/2007 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/23/2009 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/20/2010 0 0 0 0
Total 7 events 0 0 $1 million 0
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
Table 7.11.1: Johnson County Extreme Cold Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/16/2000 JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/21/2000 JOHNSON (ZONE) 12/23/2000 JOHNSON (ZONE) 02/02/2007 JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/24/2008 JOHNSON (ZONE) 01/14/2009
Total 6 events
Source: National Climatic Data Center, March 2014
Probability
According to the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, most counties will likely experience two or three winter storms during winter months with a severe winter storm occurring every 3 to 5 years. A snowfall of six inches or more from one storm occurs in approximately half of Iowa winters, while a large winter storm event of 10 inches or more occurs once every 3 years.
In Johnson County, a severe winter storm is highly likely with a probability of occurring once each year. The frequency of severe winter storm events depends on the overall severity of a particular winter season. As historical data indicates, Johnson County can be affected by several severe winter storms in events in one year, but there can also be a year with few or no severe winter storm events.
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Magnitude and Severity
Winter storms are large and usually impact several counties during a single event. Due to size and environmental changes as a storm travels across a region, there will be local variation in storm intensity and quantity of precipitation. The presence of snow or ice, high winds, and/or low temperatures can make a significant difference in how a severe winter storm event will impact a community. According to the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, the leading cause of death during winter storm events is transportation accidents. About 70% of winter-related deaths occur in automobiles, and about 25% are due to people caught in a severe storm. Emergency services such as police, fire, and ambulance are sometimes unable to respond due to poor road conditions. During a winter storm event, people, pets, and livestock are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. The people primarily at risk are engaged in outdoor activity such as shoveling snow, digging out vehicles, or assisting stranded motorists. The elderly or very young are also vulnerable during a winter storm event. Businesses and schools often close during extreme cold or heavy snow conditions to protect the safety of patrons, workers, students, and bus drivers. Heavy snows, blizzards, and ice storms can immobilize transportation systems, damage trees and power lines, and collapse buildings and communications towers. The potential for drifting snow is substantially higher in open country than in urban areas where buildings, trees, and other features obstruct the wind. Severe ice storms have caused total electric power outages over large areas of Iowa and rendered assistance unavailable to those in need due to impassable roads. Regarding the transportation system, the Iowa Department of Transportation, county road departments, and local public works agencies are responsible for the removal of snow and treatment
of snow and ice with sand and salt on the streets and highways in the area. Sever winter storm conditions can slow or stop the flow of vital supplies and disrupt emergency services. In addition, the emergency needs of remote or isolated residents for food or fuel, as well as for feed, water and shelter for livestock may be difficult to fulfill. In Johnson County, a severe winter storm will likely be limited in severity. Most injuries and illness would not result in permanent disability. For property damage, 10% to 25% may sustain severe damage, and shutdown of services and facilities could last more than one week. This severity estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
Warning Time
The National Weather Service has developed effective weather notifications that are promptly and widely distributed to the public. Notifications made by the National Weather Service include winter storm watch, winter storm warning, blizzard warning, winter weather advisory, and freeze advisory. Radio, television, weather alert radios, and even smart phone applications provide current weather information. For winter storm events accurate information is available up to a few days in advance.
Duration
Although a severe winter storm typically occurs over several hours, the event can have lasting impacts on a community beyond a week. Dangerous road conditions and/or electrical power outage can affect a community, especially rural areas, for an extended period of time. It also possible that a severe winter storm event can last several days due to multiple storms events occurring in short period of time.
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Drought
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a drought hazard event is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
In Johnson County, there have been several drought events spanning multiple months and/or years since 1996. The combination of these events caused no deaths, injuries, or property damage, but there was over $30 million in crop damage reported. See Table 7.12. Since 1996, two major drought events caused the total amount of crop damage reported in Johnson County. The August 2003 drought event accounts for nearly half, $14.88 million, of the reported crop damage. Drought events in July and August 2005 account for the remainder of reported crop damage. In August 2003, dry conditions began in September 2002 and developed into a moderate to severe drought. According to data from the Iowa State Climatologist, August 2003 was the driest on record with a statewide average of only 0.96 inches of rainfall, which was 3.23 inches below normal. Hot and humid conditions placed extreme stress on crops that were suffering from a lack of rainfall. Estimates of yield reduction were 10% for corn, or about $85.8 million, and soybean losses were estimated at 30%, or about $226.7 million. In 2005, the drought began in western Illinois in June, continued through July and August, and spread into eastern Iowa and northeast Missouri. In July, dry conditions were equal or greater than the dry conditions during the major drought in 1988. Crop loss estimates varied across the entire area, but In Iowa, losses rapidly decreased west of the Mississippi River Valley.
Drought Description Drought is a period of prolonged lack of precipitation for weeks at a time producing severe dry conditions. Four types of drought conditions are relevant in Iowa. The four types include:
o Meteorological drought, which is a lack of precipitation
o Hydrological drought, which is a decline in surface and groundwater supplies
o Agricultural drought, which is a lack of moisture in soil
o Socioeconomic drought, which is a shortage of water that affects people
The intensity of a drought is determined by the U.S. Drought Monitor, which uses five categories, D0 to D4, to describe a drought event.
U.S. Drought Monitor
Category Intensity
D0 Abnormally dry
D1 Moderate drought
D2 Severe drought
D3 Extreme drought
D4 Exceptional drought
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Table 7.12: Drought Events in Johnson County 1996 – 2013
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
JOHNSON (ZONE) 08/01/2003 0 0 0 $14.88 million
JOHNSON (ZONE) 07/01/2005 08/01/2005 09/01/2005 10/01/2005 11/01/2005 12/01/2005 01/01/2006 02/01/2006 03/01/2006
0 0 0 $8.59 million
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 $7.26 million
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 07/10/2012 08/07/2012
0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 11/01/2012 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 $30.730 million
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
Most recently, drought affected Johnson County in 2012. The drought began in June, worsened during the summer and fall, then finally began to show improving conditions in November. For the first two weeks of November, all of eastern Iowa was experiencing a severe drought, D2, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. However, during the last half of the month only portions of northeast and eastern Iowa and northwest IL were still in a severe drought. The remainder of the area had improved to moderate drought, D1 classification.
Probability
According to the National Climactic Data Center, Iowa has had 20 periods of drought from 1980-2009. The most common trend
was the consistency of drought periods during the month of August. While some may have been more severe than others, agricultural areas were impacted much more than the metropolitan areas where impacts were indirect. In Johnson County, a drought event has a chance of occurring occasionally or once every five years. Although unlikely, multiple drought events could occur within a short period of time or a long-term drought could occur. This probability estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
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Magnitude and Severity
Droughts are typically widespread, affecting a large area. If a drought occurs in Johnson County, it is likely most of eastern Iowa and possibly a large portion of the Midwest is also experiencing drought. Local conditions will likely vary during a widespread drought, typically the intensity. People can be vulnerable during a drought if water supplies are significantly reduced, but typically there are secondary sources of water that can prevent possible negative health impacts due to lack of water. Wildlife and livestock are more likely to be vulnerable during a drought when there is a limited supply of water. The agricultural sector of the economy, especially in Iowa, and consumers would be impacted if a widespread and long-term drought were to occur in the Midwest. Due to reliance on precipitation and water supply for irrigation, crops are extremely vulnerable during a drought. Rural areas typically experience the majority of negative impacts, although the entire state will likely be affected by water supply limits and market fluctuations. A long-term, severe drought can result in a decrease in stream flow and water table level across the state. A significant decrease can limit the amount of water available, because Iowa residents source their drinking water from surface and groundwater sources. In certain circumstance, it may be necessary to place restrictions on manufacturers that use large amounts of water. Fire suppression may be challenging due to dry vegetation and limited water supply. Property losses would likely be limited to livestock and crops because buildings are not typically impacted by drought. On the other hand, infrastructure can be affected in areas of expansive soils due to drying soils, and lower water levels around dams, etc.
In Johnson County, a widespread drought event could severely damage 25% to 50%of property, primarily crops. Although the magnitude and severity of a drought can reach a critical level, there will not likely be death, injury, or shutdown of facilities in Johnson County. If a drought event were severe enough to significantly reduce water supply, Johnson County residents and facilities could be impacted beyond increased food prices or other economic impacts.
Warning Time
Drought warning is based on a complex interaction of many different variables, water uses, and consumer needs. Drought warning is directly related to the ability to predict conditions that produce drought, primarily precipitation and temperature. There are many variables, and it is difficult to predict a drought in advance. An area may already be in a drought before it is recognized. While the warning of the drought may not come until the drought is already occurring, the secondary effects may be predicted and warned against weeks in advance.
Duration
Drought is part of normal climate fluctuations in the United States. According to Iowa and Johnson County’s drought history, most drought events affect the state for at least a month at a time. It should be noted, though, that climatic variability can cause dry conditions for up to years at a time.
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Earthquakes
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for an earthquake hazard event is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
Although Iowa is located in Seismic Zones 0 and 1, which are the lowest risk zones in the United States, any area of the state can be affected by an earthquake. In addition, Iowa is located northwest of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which has the potential to produce earthquakes. The epicenters of thirteen earthquakes have been located in the state with the majority along the Mississippi River. The first known occurrence was in 1867 near Sidney in southwest Iowa, and the most recent occurrence was in 2004 near Shenandoah in southwest Iowa. The largest earthquake occurred near Davenport in 1934, and although the largest, this earthquake only caused slight damage. There is a limited history of earthquakes occurring in Johnson County. In 1948, the epicenter of an earthquake was located in Johnson County, specifically in Oxford. This earthquake was not strong enough to cause major damage.
Probability
Iowa is located in low risk earthquake zones, Seismic Zone 0 and 1, which indicates a low probability of a major earthquake affecting the state. Iowa is northwest of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which has the potential to produce large earthquakes in the future. The epicenter of an earthquake would be several hundred miles from Iowa and Johnson County.
Earthquake Description An earthquake is sudden shaking or vibration of the earth that may impose a direct threat to life and property. The shaking or vibration is caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth's surface. The three general classes of earthquakes are, tectonic, volcanic, and artificially produced. There are two common scales for categorizing the magnitude of an earthquake, the Richter Scale and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. The Richter Scale uses a logarithmic scale and the Mercalli Intensity Scale uses a Roman numeral scale.
Richter Scale vs. Mercalli Intensity Scale
Richter Scale Mercalli Intensity
Description
Less than 2.0 I Micro
2.0–2.9 I to II Minor
3.0–3.9 II to IV
4.0–4.9 IV to VI Light
5.0–5.9 VI to VIII Moderate
6.0–6.9 VII to X Strong
7.0–7.9 VIII or greater
Major
8.0–8.9 Great
9.0 and greater
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Seismologists attempt to forecast earthquake size and frequency based on data from previous events. In the New Madrid Seismic Zone, analysis is difficult because there have been few moderate to large earthquakes, and the active faults are too deeply buried to accurately monitor. Based on recurrence intervals for small earthquakes, scientists estimate a 90% chance of a Richter magnitude 6.0 earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone by 2040. It should be noted, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in April of 2008. In Johnson County, the probability of an earthquake occurring is unlikely. The history of earthquake events in Iowa and Johnson County indicates less than 10% probability of an earthquake occurring in any given year, although an earthquake is possible. This probability estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
Magnitude and Severity
If an earthquake were to occur in Johnson County, an entire community or even the entire county could experience the ground shaking. Earthquakes typically affect a large geographic area due to tremors spreading from the event’s epicenter. Due to the rarity of severe earthquakes in Iowa, it is difficult to determine who is at risk during an earthquake event. However, an earthquake would likely be experienced at the same magnitude throughout Johnson County. Past earthquake events did not cause death, injury, or damage so a future earthquake event would not likely pose a risk to Johnson County residents. In the future, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone could create a magnitude IV effect in Iowa. The effects of the earthquake in Iowa would likely result in little or no damage. Although earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone are relatively small, the tremors travel much further and affect a much wider area than do most west coast earthquakes.
Most structures in Iowa are not built to earthquake standards, but property damage from a future earthquake would likely be minor foundational damage. The most vulnerable structures are built on poorly consolidated substrate, especially floodplains. Although unlikely in Iowa, a severe earthquake can cause buildings and bridges to collapse; disrupt gas, electric, and phone service; and sometimes triggers landslides, flash floods, and fires. If an earthquake were to occur in Johnson County, there would likely be no deaths or injuries, less than 10% of property would sustain damage, if any, and any facility shutdowns would last less than 24 hours. Realistically, an extremely mild earthquake event in Johnson County would produce no negative impacts. On other hand, if an uncharacteristically severe earthquake were to occur, there could be negative impacts on people, structures, and services.
Warning Time
Earthquake prediction is an inexact science. Even in areas that are well monitored with instruments, such as California's San Andreas Fault Zone, scientists only very rarely predict earthquakes. Realistically, there would be minimal, less than six hours, or no warning before an earthquake in Johnson County.
Duration
An earthquake occurs in just a few seconds, but a community can be affected for hours, weeks, and even years. Due to low risk, an earthquake event would affect Johnson County less than six hours. It is possible an earthquake event affecting a widespread area could require Iowa and/or Johnson County to provide assistance to communities severely impacted.
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Thunderstorms, Lightning, and Hailstorm
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a thunderstorm, lightning, and hailstorm hazard event is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
Since 1996, 91 thunderstorms with high winds have occurred in Johnson County. Thunderstorm events have caused one death, 12 injuries, and over $30 million in damage. See Table 7.13. In addition, eight lightning events have occurred in Johnson County since 1996, and the lightning caused one injury and over $1 million damage. See Table 7.14. Each year, Johnson County is affected by several thunderstorm and lightning events, although lighting events do not historically occur each year. One countywide thunderstorm event in June 1998 accounts for all 12 injuries and $31 million in property damage. During this event, thunderstorms developed over central Iowa and rapidly intensified into a storm line, which moved southeast over eastern Iowa. Numerous funnel clouds were sited along the leading edge of the storm and a few tornadoes were masked within a large area of damaging winds. Straight-line winds from 60 mph to over 120 mph produced the most serious damage. In unincorporated Johnson County, 30 barns were destroyed, crops were devastated, and more than 330 wooden sign posts were snapped by the wind. Across the county, 50 homes (mostly mobile homes) were destroyed, another 60 suffered major damage and 170 sustained minor damage. Approximately 100 families spent the night in emergency shelters.
Thunderstorm and Lightning Description A thunderstorm can occur singly, in clusters, or in lines resulting in heavy rains, winds reaching or exceeding 58 mph, producing a tornado, or hail. Most thunderstorms produce only thunder, lightning, and rain. Severe storms, however, can produce tornadoes, straight-line winds, microbursts above 58 mph, lightning, hailstorms, and flooding. The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter, wind 58 mph or higher, or tornadoes. Straight-line winds can often exceed 60 mph, are common occurrences, and are often mistaken for tornadoes. A number of thunderstorms have caused other hazards such as flash flooding, river flooding, and tornadoes. Lightning is an electrical discharge that results from the buildup of positive and negative charges within a thunderstorm. The temperature of lightning can reaches 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a split second. The rapid heating, expansion, and cooling of air near lightning creates thunder. A hailstorm is an outgrowth of a severe thunderstorm in which pellets or irregularly shaped lumps of ice, otherwise known as hail, fall with rain. Hail can be smaller than a pea or as large as a softball.
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Strong winds derailed a train crossing a bridge in Iowa City leaving nine cars dangling over the Iowa River. Long term power outages were widespread with over 70,000 homes in the Iowa City area without power overnight. Two men sought refuge in a walk-in freezer at a bowling alley after the roof was ripped off and the I-beams collapsed. The falling beams and heavy rain caused substantial damage to the bowling lanes. Winds and rain caused substantial damage at the University of Iowa campus. An indoor football practice facility was flattened, trees, some more than a century old, were destroyed, and a medical facility was flooded. Two of the three university radio towers were knocked to the ground. Initial damage estimates for the University topped $1.5 million. In Lone Tree, the high school reported $5,000 to $8,000 in damages to baseball and softball fields while $30,000 in damage was done to school facilities at Oxford. The Oxford fire station was destroyed, and the city hall and post office were damaged. The F.W. Kent Park near Tiffin was closed due to thousands of fallen trees in the park. The windstorm event involving a death in Johnson County occurred in May 2011. Wind gusts estimated to be 75 mph blew down numerous trees at Lake McBride State Park, which is popular camping are located four miles southwest of Solon. One of the trees blown down during the windstorm landed on a tent, which killed a 32 year old camper. Overall, windstorm events in Johnson County have a range of wind speed from 39 knots to 80 knots. The windstorm with the highest wind speed recorded occurred in the Lone Tree area in April 1996. Most windstorm events in Johnson County have wind speed in the 50 knots to 60 knots range. Using the Beaufort scale, windstorms are typically a 10 or 11, which are described as storm or violent storm type winds.
One lightning event resulted in an injury in Tiffin in August 2010. A person using a laptop was shocked when lightning struck their residence. Damage was also sustained to the residence during the lightning strike. Since 1996, no other lightning events have caused reported deaths or injuries. Two lightning events account for the majority of property damage caused by lightning in Johnson County. One lightning event occurred in Coralville in April 2006 and caused over a half million dollars in property damage. The other major lighting even in Johnson County event occurred in Swisher and caused a half million dollars in property damage.
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Table 7.13: Johnson County Thunderstorm Wind Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date Magnitude Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
LONE TREE 04/18/1996 80 knots 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 10/29/1996 60 knots 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 04/05/1997 50 knots 0 0 0 0
COUNTYWIDE 06/21/1997 60 knots 0 0 0 0
COUNTYWIDE 08/16/1997 52 knots 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 06/24/1998 0 0 $4,500 0
IOWA CITY 06/28/1998 0 0 $1,000 0
COUNTYWIDE 06/29/1998 0 12 $30.7 million $14 million
NORTH LIBERTY 05/16/1999
0 0 $5,000 0
IOWA CITY 0 0 $200 0
SWISHER 07/02/2000 50 knots 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 05/17/2001 0 0 $2,000 0
IOWA CITY 07/08/2001
52 knots 0 0 0 0
COUNTYWIDE 52 knots 0 0 0 0
HILLS 03/09/2002 0 0 $200,000 0
CORALVILLE 04/18/2002 61 knots 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 05/08/2002 52 knots 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE
06/26/2002
52 knots 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE 54 knots 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 61 knots 0 0 0 0
SHUEYVILLE
07/08/2002
61 knots 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 61 knots 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE 61 knots 0 0 0 0
OXFORD 07/05/2003
61 knots 0 0 $70,000 $10,000
SOLON 61 knots 0 0 $50,000 $10,000
CORALVILLE 07/20/2003
52 knots 0 0 $2,000 $5,000
IOWA CITY 52 knots 0 0 $30,000 0
NORTH LIBERTY 08/20/2003 50 knots 0 0 $2,000 0
IOWA CITY 08/03/2004 61 knots 0 0 $2,000 $3,000
IOWA CITY
10/29/2004
52 knots 0 0 $4,000 0
IOWA CITY 52 knots 0 0 $2,000 0
OASIS 52 knots 0 0 0 $50,000
MORSE 52 knots 0 0 $4,000 0
SWISHER 05/11/2005 52 knots 0 0 $4,000 0
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Table 7.13: Johnson County Thunderstorm Wind Events 1996 – 2013 Continued
Location Date Magnitude Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
HILLS 08/11/2005 57 knots 0 0 0 $20,000
SWISHER 04/13/2006
50 knots 0 0 $500 0
COSGROVE 61 knots 0 0 $1,000 0
NEWPORT 06/06/2006 52 knots 0 0 0 $2,000
TIFFIN
07/17/2006
50 knots 0 0 $5,000 0
IOWA CITY 61 knots 0 0 $15,000 0
SHARON CENTER 52 knots 0 0 0 $10,000
CORALVILLE 07/25/2006 57 knots 0 0 $5,000 0
SWISHER
08/10/2006
57 knots 0 0 $2,000 0
NORTH LIBERTY 57 knots 0 0 $5,000 0
IOWA CITY 57 knots 0 0 $4,000 0
TIFFIN 07/18/2007 56 knots 0 0 0 0
KENT COUNTY PARK
09/30/2007
61 knots 0 0 0 0
OXFORD 61 knots 0 0 0 0
LONE TREE 61 knots 0 0 $5,000 0
SOLON 10/02/2007 50 knots 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE RESV 04/25/2008
50 knots 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 52 knots 0 0 0 0
LAKE MACBRIDE SP
05/25/2008
56 knots 0 0 $50,000 0
OAKDALE 61 knots 0 0 $5,000 0
SOLON 52 knots 0 0 $1,000 0
SOLON 60 knots 0 0 $10,000 0
IOWA CITY 06/14/2008 52 knots 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 07/07/2008 52 knots 0 0 $5,000 0
SHARON CENTER
07/21/2008
61 knots 0 0 $50,000
HILLS 61 knots 0 0 0 0
RIVER JCT 70 knots 0 0 0 0
LONE TREE 61 knots 0 0 0 0
LONE TREE 65 knots 0 0 $5,000 0
TIFFIN
06/23/2009
70 knots 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE 52 knots 0 0 0 0
HILLS 61 knots 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE 07/24/2009 56 knots 0 0 0 0
KENT COUNTY PARK 08/09/2009 52 knots 0 0 0 0
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Table 7.13: Johnson County Thunderstorm Wind Events 1996 – 2013 Continued
Location Date Magnitude Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
NORTH LIBERTY 06/18/2010 61 knots 0 0 $25,000 0
OAKDALE 06/18/2010 56 knots 0 0 $5,000 0
IOWA CITY 06/18/2010 56 knots 0 0 $25,000 0
NORTH LIBERTY 06/18/2010 52 knots 0 0 $100,000 0
NORTH LIBERTY 04/03/2011 61 knots 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 05/29/2011 52 knots 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 05/29/2011 52 knots 0 0 0 0
LAKE MACBRIDE SP 05/29/2011 65 knots 1 0 $10,000 0
SHARON CENTER 07/24/2011 70 knots 0 0 $50,000 0
COU FALLS 07/27/2011 78 knots 0 0 $125,000 0
SOLON 05/03/2012 52 knots 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 07/25/2012
52 knots 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE 52 knots 0 0 0 0
WILLIAMSTOWN
08/04/2012
61 knots 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE 52 knots 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE 50 knots 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE 52 knots 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 56 knots 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 60 knots 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY MUNI ARPT
09/05/2012
57 knots 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 56 knots 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY MUNI ARPT 56 knots 0 0 $10,000 0
IOWA CITY 56 knots 0 0 0 0
Total 91 events 1 12 $31.601 million $14.110 million
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
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Table 7.14: Johnson County Lightning Events 1996 - 2013
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage
CORALVILLE 04/13/2006 0 0 $515,000
SOLON 06/21/2007 0 0 $200
SWISHER 06/22/2007 0 0 $500,000
OXFORD 07/19/2007 0 0 $5,000
CORALVILLE 08/23/2007 0 0 $5,000
NORTH LIBERTY 08/13/2010 0 0 $10,000
TIFFIN 08/20/2010 0 1 $1,000
JOHNSON CO. 06/08/2011 0 0 $25,000
Total 8 events 0 1 $1.061 million
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
Since 1996, there have been 90 recorded hailstorm events that have occurred in every jurisdiction in Johnson County at least once. There were only two years, 2000 and 2005, in which no hailstorms events are reported. In total, hailstorm events in have caused no injuries or deaths but over $40 million in property and crop damage since 1996 in Johnson County. The most damaging hailstorm event in Johnson occurred in May 1997. This particular storm traveled across northeast Iowa into extreme northwestern Illinois, bringing several waves of hail greater than 1.5 inches. There were a few reports of tornadoes, but the most significant damage was caused by large hail in Iowa City. Hail, almost three inches in diameter, caused $40 million in property damage in just fifteen minutes in Iowa City. Buildings and vehicles throughout the city sustained broken windows, damaged roofs, and dented exteriors. Of all jurisdictions in Johnson County, Iowa City has experienced the most damage from hailstorm events.
Several other hailstorms events in Johnson County have caused property and crop damage. The hail during these damaging hailstorm events had a diameter of approximately 1 – 2 inches. The majority of hailstorm events in Johnson County produced hail that is one inch or less in diameter. See Table 7.15.
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Table 7.15: Johnson County Hailstorm Events 1996 – 2013
Location Date Magnitude Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
OXFORD
05/18/1997
1.75 inches 0 0 $1,000 0
CORALVILLE 1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 2.75 inches 0 0 $40 million 0
OXFORD
06/18/1998
1.75 inches 0 0 $20,000 0
IOWA CITY 2.75 inches 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE 1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
LONE TREE 06/06/1999 1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 05/10/2001 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
RIVER JCT 04/18/2002
1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
TIFFIN 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
OXFORD 05/08/2002 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 10/01/2002 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 05/10/2003 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 05/14/2003
1.00 inches 0 0 $100,000 0
IOWA CITY 1.75 inches 0 0 $100,000 0
IOWA CITY
05/07/2004
0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 1.75 inches 0 0 $70,000 $10,000
SWISHER 0.88 inches 0 0 0 $5,000
SHUEYVILLE 0.88 inches 0 0 0 $5,000
SOLON 0.88 inches 0 0 0 $5,000
SHUEYVILLE 05/17/2004 0.88 inches 0 0 0 $5,000
HILLS 05/20/2004 1.00 inches 0 0 $2,000 $10,000
COSGROVE 08/27/2004 0.75 inches 0 0 0 $2,000
LONE TREE 03/12/2006 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
LONE TREE 04/02/2006
0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
TIFFIN 0.88 inches 0 0 $500 0
SWISHER
04/13/2006
1.50 inches 0 0 $2,000 0
OXFORD 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
COSGROVE 1.75 inches 0 0 $8,000 0
TIFFIN 2.00 inches 0 0 $15,000 0
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Table 7.15: Johnson County Hailstorm Events 1996 – 2013 Continued
Location Date Magnitude Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
COU FALLS
04/13/2006
1.75 inches 0 0 $2,000 0
CORALVILLE 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 1.75 inches 0 0 $3,000 0
OXFORD 1.75 inches 0 0 $10,000 0
IOWA CITY 1.00 inches 0 0 $3,000 0
IOWA CITY 1.75 inches 0 0 $50,000 0
SOLON 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 2.75 inches 0 0 $30,000 0
NORTH LIBERTY 1.00 inches 0 0 $5,000 0
SOLON 1.00 inches 0 0 $3,000 0
NEWPORT
06/06/2006
1.75 inches 0 0 $7,000 $2,000
MORSE 1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
RIVER JCT 1.00 inches 0 0 $3,000 0
IOWA CITY 06/21/2006 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 06/25/2006 0.88 inches 0 0 0 $1,000
IOWA CITY 03/31/2007 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 06/21/2007 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE
07/16/2007
1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
OXFORD 09/30/2007 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
SOLON 10/02/2007 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE
06/14/2008
0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE 1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY MUNI ARPT 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
LONE TREE 07/21/2008
0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
RIVER JCT 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 07/10/2009
1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
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Table 7.15: Johnson County Hailstorm Events 1996 – 2013 Continued
Location Date Magnitude Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
NORTH LIBERTY
07/10/2009
0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
TIFFIN
04/05/2010
1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
SOLON 1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
HILLS 04/06/2010 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 04/30/2010
0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 06/18/2010 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
SWISHER
04/03/2011
1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 2.00 inches 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY
05/22/2011
1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
UNIVERSITY HGTS 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
SOLON 1.50 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY MUNI ARPT 1.50 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
ELMIRA 05/24/2011 1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON CO. 06/08/2011 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON CO. 06/09/2011 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
SOLON 05/03/2012
1.75 inches 0 0 0 0
SOLON 0.75 inches 0 0 0 0
AMISH 08/19/2012 0.88 inches 0 0 0 0
HILLS 09/07/2012 1.00 inches 0 0 0 0
Total 90 events 0 0 $40.415 million $ 45,000
Source: National Climatic Data Center, June 2013
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Probability
Iowa experiences on average between 30 and 50 thunderstorm days per year. Several of these thunderstorms days include Johnson County each year. Because of the humid continental climate in Iowa, the conditions that create severe thunderstorms are typically present. To become severe, a storm needs moisture to form clouds and rain, relatively warm and unstable air that can rise rapidly, and weather fronts and convective systems that lift air masses. In Johnson County, it is highly likely a thunderstorm and lighting event will occur at least once each year, if not several times during a severe summer season. Thunderstorm and lightning events are of the mostly frequently occurring hazards in Johnson County. This probability estimate is based historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge. According to the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, any area in Iowa can expect two to three hailstorm events in a year. Based on historical occurrences in Johnson County, a hailstorm event is highly likely with a probability of occurring at least once each year. In a year with severe weather, Johnson County will highly likely experience several hailstorm events in the spring and summer months.
Magnitude and Severity
Severe thunderstorms can be quite expansive with areas of localized severe conditions. Most severe thunderstorm cells are 5 to 25 miles wide with a larger area of heavy rain and strong winds around the main cell. Depending on the size, a thunderstorm can affect several or just one community in Johnson County.
Like tornadoes, thunderstorms and lightning can cause death, serious injury, and substantial property damage. Those in unprotected areas, mobile homes, or automobiles during a storm are at risk. Sudden strong winds often accompany a severe thunderstorm and may blow down trees across, power lines, homes, especially mobile homes, and businesses. High winds can also push vehicles off of the road. Straight-line winds are typically responsible for most damage during a thunderstorm event. Lightning presents the greatest immediate danger to people and livestock during a thunderstorm. It is the second most frequent weather-related killer in the U.S. with nearly 100 deaths and 500 injuries each year according to the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan. Floods and flash floods are the number one cause of weather related deaths in the United States. Livestock and people who are outdoors, especially under a tree or other natural lightning rods, in or on water, or on or near hilltops are at risk from lightning. The power of lightning's electrical charge and intense heat can electrocute people and livestock on contact, split trees, ignite fires, and cause electrical failures. Thunderstorms can produce hail that can cause injury, damage homes and businesses, break glass, and destroy vehicles. Flash floods and tornadoes can develop during thunderstorms as well. People who are in automobiles or along low-lying areas when flash flooding occurs and people who are in mobile homes are vulnerable to the impacts of severe thunderstorms. One or more severe thunderstorms occurring over a short period, especially on saturated ground, can lead to flooding and cause extensive power and communication outages as well as agricultural damage. In Johnson County, when a future thunderstorm event occurs, the magnitude and severity will likely be limited. Injuries will likely not result in permanent, although one thunderstorm has resulted in one death. Severe damage could affect 10% to 25% of Johnson County, and any facility shutdown could last a week or more.
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The land area affected by a hailstorm event is often the same size or smaller than the area affected by the storm that produces the hail. Typically, a hailstorm occurs within the 15 mile diameter around the center of the storm. Historical hailstorm events in Johnson have been widespread, though, due to the storm moving through an entire community. Hailstorm events are rarely a direct cause of death but can cause minor injuries to humans, pets, and livestock that are outdoors during a storm. Hail can cause widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure, and vehicles. Damage to buildings is usually limited to broken windows and damaged roofs and exteriors. Agricultural crops are extremely vulnerable because a hailstorm can strip leaves or completely destroy plants. The peak time for hailstorm events to occur in Iowa coincides with the agricultural season making hail damage a common risk. Factoring agricultural crop damage, hailstorm events can cause millions in damage annually in Iowa. It is important to note, most of the financial impacts of hail damage are covered by crop and hazard insurance. In a future hailstorm event in Johnson County, the magnitude and severity of the event is likely to be limited based on historical occurrences. For property damage, 10% to 25% could be severely damaged, and injuries would not likely result in permanent disability. There is a possibility that some facilities and services may shutdown, but the period of time would likely be short, lasting less than a week.
Warning Time
The National Weather Service issues severe thunderstorm watches and warnings as well as statements about severe weather and localized storms. These messages are broadcast over NOAA Weather Alert Radios and area television and radio stations. Weather forecasting and severe weather warnings issued by the
National Weather Service usually provide residents and visitors adequate warning time, which is 12 to 24 hours. Problems arise when warnings are ignored or not understood by residents and visitors. Hailstorm events can usually be predicted in conjunction with a severe storm that has conditions suitable for creating hail. The National Weather Service issues severe thunderstorm watches and warnings as well as statements about what type of severe weather might be produced during a storm. These messages are broadcast over NOAA Weather Alert Radios, television, and regular radio stations. Most often, warnings provide residents and visitors adequate time to prepare for a storm, which is approximately 12 to 24 hours in advance. Some hailstorm events, though, may occur without warning during periods of volatile severe weather, typically when conditions are ideal for a tornado.
Duration
Most thunderstorm events have a lifespan of 20 to 30 minutes, while severe thunderstorm events last longer than 30 minutes. Depending on the size and severity of a thunderstorm and lightning event, the negative impacts can affect a community relatively short period of time. Typically, thunderstorm and lightning events that occur in conjunction with other hazards like flash flood, flood, hail, tornado, etc. affect a community for an extended period of time due to damage and shutdown of facilities and services. Independently, a thunderstorm and lightning event will likely impact Johnson County for less than a day. A hailstorm event is typically short-term lasting not more than six hours. In most occurrences, hailstorm events are just a few minutes within a larger storm that can occur over several hours.
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Human Disease
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a human disease hazard event is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
From 1900 – 2000, there were three influenza pandemics in Iowa, which occurred approximately 30 years apart. In 2009, the H1N1 influenza virus, commonly called the swine flu, caused 41 deaths and 659 hospitalizations in Iowa. The most recent public health concern is an outbreak of Cyclospora infections in Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, and Wisconsin. Iowa has the highest number of recorded cases of Cyclospora infection, which totaled 127 cases in July 2013.
Probability
Historically, pandemics occur every 30 years in Iowa. The recent outbreak of Cyclospora infections has not yet reached epidemic levels. If the current outbreak becomes more severe, the historical occurrence of human disease will be more often, which may increase the probability estimate of occurring in the future. Currently, the probability of a human disease event occurring in Johnson County is less than 10% in any given year. Overall, the event is unlikely but there is a possibility of occurrence. This probability estimate is based on historical occurrences, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
Magnitude and Severity
Public health agencies work to reduce the spread of transmittable diseases in Iowa. Agencies use community-based prevention planning, monitor current infectious disease trends, prevent transmission of infectious diseases, provide early detection and treatment for infected persons, and ensure access to health care for refugees in Iowa. Because society is extremely mobile, diseases can move rapidly across the state and nation within months, weeks, and even days. Many diseases on the national notification list result in serious illness and even death. Some diseases are treatable, but for others, only the symptoms are treatable. Influenza occurs every year in nearly every country in the world. The virus spreads through a population for a few months and will disappear or move to another country due to travel. Influenza usually occurs in the fall and winter months in the United States.
Human Disease Description A human disease event is a medical, health, or sanitation threat to the general public such as contamination, epidemics, plagues, and insect infestation. A human disease event requires regular, frequent, and timely information regarding individual cases to prevent and control spread of the disease.
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Typically people who become ill in a human disease event are the elderly, young, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who engage in high risk behaviors. People who travel internationally and have high exposure to potential vectors of disease are the most susceptible. Greater than 20% of Iowa’s population is considered high risk. With such a high percentage of the population at risk, the magnitude and severity of a human disease event can reach a critical level.
Warning Time
Being the first to diagnose diseases, a healthcare provider is the first line of defense in a human disease event. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) monitors reports submitted by healthcare providers, hospitals, and labs to identify patterns. The IDPH and CDC are proactive in providing information to the health care community on medical concerns.
The public is reminded to prepare for typical human disease events like influenza before the common time of year this virus spreads throughout Iowa and the United States. For other human disease events, the public is informed of initial outbreaks, which are confirmed cases of a disease. So for uncommon disease, there is minimal to no warning. When there is a potential for a human disease event such as contamination of water supplies from infrastructure failure, flooding, or other hazards, there is also minimal to no warning for the public. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and local governments issue warning as soon as possible, but the potential contamination is already present in water supplies.
Duration
Response to highly infectious diseases occurs continuously, but the direct effects of a human disease event such as pandemic influenza can occur for months at a time. A major example is the H1N1 influenza in August of 2009.
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Hazardous Materials
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a hazardous materials event is conditionally identified as the entire county. Only portions of the county have pipeline infrastructure so hazardous materials events involving a pipeline have a potential hazard area limited to certain areas. Refer to the magnitude and severity assessment for the location of pipeline infrastructure.
Historical Occurrences
Since 1995, there have been 393 hazardous materials incidents throughout Johnson County, including all cities and unincorporated areas. Most incidents involve a small amount of materials and are well-contained so major evacuations are not common. Data for all hazardous materials incidents are available through the Hazardous Substance Incident Tracking Database maintained by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Refer to Table 7.16 for hazardous materials incidents involving 500+ pounds or gallons, although none exceeded local capabilities. The largest hazardous materials incident since 1995 involved a tanker of a gasoline additive, Toluene. The most common hazardous materials released into the environment in Johnson County include fuel, oil, and anhydrous ammonia, which is due to the strong agricultural sector in Iowa. Regardless of the amount of materials involved in a hazardous materials event, spillage in handling, storage, and transportation is most common.
Since 1995, there have been seven pipeline transportation incidents in Johnson County. The incidents involved fuel and/or organic chemicals. See Table 7.17 for all pipeline transportation incidents in Johnson County.
Hazardous Materials Description Generally, a hazardous materials incident includes the accidental release of flammable, explosive, toxic, noxious, corrosive, oxidizing, an irritant or radioactive substances or mixtures that can pose a risk to life, health or property possibly requiring evacuation. A hazardous materials event includes fixed hazardous materials, transportation of hazardous materials, and pipeline transportation, which are 2007 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan hazards. A fixed hazardous materials incident is the accidental release of hazardous materials during handling, storage, or production at a facility. Fixed incidents generally affect a localized area. A transportation hazardous materials incident involves the accidental release of hazardous materials during the transport of materials. Transportation incidents generally affect the area where the incident occurs. A pipeline transportation incident occurs when a break in a pipeline creates the potential for an explosion or leak of a dangerous substance (oil, gas, etc.) possibly requiring evacuation. An underground pipeline incident can be caused by environmental disruption, accidental damage, or sabotage. Incidents can range from a small slow leak to a large rupture where an explosion is possible.
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Table 7.16: Johnson County Hazardous Material Incidents Greater than 500 pounds/gallons 1995 - 2013
Spill Number
Reported Date
Responsible Party
Mode Land Air Groundwater Surface Water
Material Name Amount Unit
081201-CWO-2257
8/12/2001 Wynne
Transportation Co.
Transportation × × - - Toluene 57,019 lbs.
102307-TJJ-1353
10/23/2007 Transport America
Transportation × - - - Paint chips and
liquid resin 42,000 lbs.
022600-DLP-0817
2/26/2000 Unknown Handling And
Storage × - × - Diesel Fuel 31,500 gal
102006-RLT-0900
10/20/2006 Thomlison &
Cannon Fire × - × -
Petroleum contaminated
water 10,000 gal
121002-MRH-0850
12/10/2002 University of Iowa - Power
Plant
Handling And Storage
× - - - diesel 10,000 gal
111306-RDS-1122
11/13/2006 University of
Iowa Pipeline - - × - Ethylene glycol 6,800 gal
101205-RDS-1135
10/12/2005 Ulch,Tony Handling And
Storage × - - -
28% liquid fertilizer
5,000 gal
102704-AHB-0850
10/27/2004 Lear Handling And
Storage × - - -
Polypropylene beads
5,000 lbs.
101309-BCN-1730
10/13/2009 Schneider
Motorways Transportation × - - - Milk 5,000 gal
020302-KAL-1657
2/3/2002
Magellan Midstream
Partners, LP (formerly Williams
Handling And Storage
× - - - Fuel oil 3,360 gal
092908-RLT-1037
9/29/2008 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
2,724 lbs.
110812-B1L-0815
11/8/2012 Agvantage FS Handling And
Storage - - - × Wash water 2,500 gal
031609-AHB-1559
3/16/2009 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
2,270 lbs.
87
Table 7.16: Johnson County Hazardous Material Incidents Greater than 500 pounds/gallons 1995 – 2013 Continued
Spill Number
Reported Date
Responsible Party
Mode Land Air Groundwater Surface Water
Material Name Amount Unit
091407-RLT-0910
9/14/2007 Mears Fertilizer Other - × - - Anhydrous ammonia
2,270 lbs.
030110-BCN-0845
3/1/2010
Iowa Medical and
Classification Center
Other × - - - Diesel fuel 2,000 gal
070709-JPR-0150
7/7/2009 University of Iowa Facility
Service Group Other - × - - R-22 Refrigerant 2,000 lbs.
091311-KAL-1457
9/13/2011 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,816 lbs.
100410-AHB-0816
10/4/2010 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,816 lbs.
111904-KAL-1440
11/19/2004 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,816 lbs.
081805-RLT-1456
8/18/2005 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,665 lbs.
101911-RLT-0806
10/19/2011 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,514 lbs.
110206-RLT-1413
11/2/2006 Mears Fertilizer Other - × - - Anhydrous ammonia
1,514 lbs.
053012-AHB-1055
5/30/2012 Bork Transport Transportation × - - - Roundup Herbicide
1,500 gal
032907-AHB-1541
3/29/2007 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,362 lbs.
010504-KAL-1105
1/5/2003 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,360 lbs.
121903-AHB-1109
12/19/2003 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,360 lbs.
88
Table 7.16: Johnson County Hazardous Material Incidents Greater than 500 pounds/gallons 1995 – 2013 Continued
Spill Number
Reported Date
Responsible Party
Mode Land Air Groundwater Surface Water
Material Name Amount Unit
020708-BAE-1240
2/7/2008 Proctor and
Gamble Handling And
Storage × - - -
Surfactant (body wash soapy
material) 1,300 gal
091712-RLT-1552
9/17/2012 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,210 lbs.
030504-KAL-1035
3/5/2004 Iowa City Handling And
Storage × - × - Diesel Fuel 1,200 gal
112008-RLT-1410
11/20/2008 Mears Fertilizer Other - × - - Anhydrous ammonia
1,059 lbs.
043013-KRL-1843
4/30/2013 Unknown Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
1,000 lbs.
092602-JTS-1436
9/26/2002 University of
Iowa Handling And
Storage - × - - Freon 134a 1,000 lbs.
012813-RLT-1302
1/28/2013 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous Ammonia
908 lbs.
013112-AHB-0837
1/31/2012 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
908 lbs.
030612-AHB-1022
3/6/2012 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
908 lbs.
030813-RLT-1320
3/8/2013 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous Ammonia
908 lbs.
031111-AHB-1417
3/11/2011 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
908 lbs.
110812-AHB-0831
11/8/2012 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
908 lbs.
112907-AHB-1527
11/29/2007 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
908 lbs.
061009-RDS-1305
6/10/2009 Consumers Cooperative
Handling And Storage
- × - - Anhydrous ammonia
850 lbs.
112212-TJJ-1015
11/22/2012 Grover,Tristan Handling And
Storage × - - - Gasoline 800 gal
89
Table 7.16: Johnson County Hazardous Material Incidents Greater than 500 pounds/gallons 1995 – 2013 Continued
Spill Number
Reported Date
Responsible Party
Mode Land Air Groundwater Surface Water
Material Name Amount Unit
081110-RLT-1400
8/11/2010 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
755 lbs.
030409-KAL-1540
3/4/2009 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
750 lbs.
022708-BCN-1730
2/27/2008 CR & IC Railway
RR Incident × - - - #1 Diesel Fuel 750 gal
082301-CWO-0820
8/23/2001 Kinder Morgan Energy Partners
Pipeline - × - - Propane 689 gal
120811-KAL-1613
12/8/2011 Mears Fertilizer Handling And
Storage - × - -
Anhydrous ammonia
605 lbs.
Source: Hazardous Material Release Database, July 2013
Table 7.17: Pipeline Transportation Incidents in Johnson County 1995-2013
Spill
Number Reported
Date Responsible Party Mode Land Air Groundwater
Surface Water
Material Name
Amount Unit
111306-RDS-1122
11/13/2006 University of Iowa Pipeline - - × - Ethylene
glycol 6,800 gal
082301-CWO-0820
8/23/2001 Kinder Morgan Energy Partners
Pipeline - × - - Propane 689 gal
030701-DLP-1235
3/7/2001 Magellan Midstream
Partners, Pipeline × - - -
Unleaded gasoline
100 gal
082106-MRH-2029
8/21/2006 Buena Vista County Pipeline × - - - #2 Diesel
fuel 42 gal
092804-RLT-0840
9/28/2004 Magellan Midstream
Partners, LP Pipeline × - - - #2 Fuel oil 8 barrels
103003-RLT-1327
10/30/2003 Magellan Midstream
Partners, LP Pipeline × - - - #2 Fuel oil 4 gal
031403-RAR-1400
3/14/2003 University of Iowa Pipeline × - - - Ethylene
glycol 1 NA
Source: Hazardous Material Release Database, July 2013
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Probability
Minor hazardous materials incidents occur frequently in Johnson County. Most incidents are not a major threat due to small quantities or immediate containment. Any of the frequent incidents could become a major event if materials are released in a densely populated or environmentally sensitive area and/or involves a large amount of material. The probability of a major hazardous materials incident occurring in Johnson County is up to one in five chances each year, which is considered an occasional occurrence. This probability estimate is based on historical occurrences and local capability to manage the common types of hazardous materials incidents.
Magnitude and Severity
People, pets, livestock, and vegetation in close proximity to facilities producing, storing, or transporting hazardous substances are at risk. Some hazardous materials may cause immediate death, disablement, or sickness if absorbed through the skin, injected, ingested, or inhaled. Some chemicals may cause painful and damaging burns to skin if they come in direct contact with your body. Populations downstream, downwind, and downhill of a released substance are particularly vulnerable. Depending on the characteristics of the substance released, a larger area may be in danger from explosion, absorption, injection, ingestion, or inhalation. Occupants of areas previously contaminated by a persistent material may also be harmed either directly or through consumption of contaminated food and water. Most hazardous materials incidents are localized and are quickly contained or stabilized by the highly trained fire departments and hazardous materials teams. Depending on the characteristic of the hazardous material or the volume of product involved, the
affected area can be as small as a room in a building or as large as 5 square miles or more. Many times, additional regions outside the immediately affected area are evacuated for precautionary reasons. More widespread effects occur when the product contaminates the municipal water supply or water system such as a river, lake, or aquifer. Facilities are required to have an off-site consequence plan that addresses the population of the surrounding area. Responding personnel are required to be trained to HAZMAT Operations Level to respond to the scene, and those personnel that come into direct contact with the substances released are required to have HAZMAT Technician level training. Throughout Johnson County, there are fixed facilities with hazardous materials—farm cooperatives, manufacturers, waste and water treatment facilities, etc. In addition, Johnson County has major travel routes including Interstate 80, Interstate 380/Highway 218, and railroad lines. Refer to the assessment of a transportation incident for information about transportation infrastructure in Johnson County. Johnson County also has pipeline infrastructure that can potentially be involved in a hazardous materials incident. For an incident involved a pipeline, the areas surrounding the pipeline infrastructure are the most vulnerable, which includes people, structures, and land. Refer to Figure 7.0 for the location of pipeline infrastructure in Johnson County. Although hazardous materials incidents can be widespread and severe, historical occurrences had limited impact on Johnson County and Iowa. The extent of a hazardous materials incident is likely to be injuries and/or illness that do not result in permanent disability, up to 10% to 25% property damage, and shutdown of facilities for up to a week. It is possible certain aspects of an incident can be severe causing greater impacts.
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Figure 7.0: Johnson County Major Pipeline Infrastructure*
*Important Note: Limited information for the location of pipeline infrastructure is available due to security. Only the location of major pipeline infrastructure is available to the public.
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Warning Time
Hazardous materials incidents usually occur rapidly with minimal or no warning. Even if reported immediately, people in the area have very little time to react and/or evacuate. During some events, sheltering in-place is the best alternative to evacuation because there is no time to evacuate safely. Public address systems, television, radio, and weather radios disseminate emergency messages about incidents.
Duration
A hazardous materials incident can affect a community for a short period of time if the amount of material is relatively small and well-contained. On the other hand, a hazardous materials incident can be widespread, extremely dangerous and require long-term remediation and recovery. Response to a hazardous materials release is generally limited to the immediate effects, but response is expanded for environmental emergencies.
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Transportation Incident
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a transportation incident is countywide including the entire planning area, but transportation infrastructure and surrounding areas are the primary potential hazard areas. For an air transportation incident, though, anywhere in the county could be affected.
Historical Occurrences
In Johnson County, there have been eight air transportation incidents involving a fatality since 1965. An incident in Oxford in 1988 involved the most fatalities resulting in four. The highest number of fatal air transportation incidents has occurred in Iowa City, which accounts for half of all incidents since 1965. The most recent fatal air transportation incident occurred in 2008 in Iowa City. Refer to Table 7.18.
Table 7.18: Fatal Air Transportation Incidents 1965 - 2013
Event Date Location Number of Fatalities
11/26/1965 Hills 1
10/2/1966 Iowa City 2
5/31/1984 Hills 1
2/28/1988 Oxford 4
9/27/1995 Iowa City 1
9/4/1996 Oxford 1
3/27/2005 Iowa City 2
6/3/2008 Iowa City 1
TOTAL 8 incidents 13
Source: Nation Transportation Safety Board Accident Database, July 2013
Transportation Incident Description A transportation incident is generally an accident involving any mode of transportation that directly threatens life and results in a combination of death, injury, property damage, or adversely impacts a community’s capabilities to provide emergency services. An air transportation incident may involve a military, commercial, or private aircraft. Air transportation incidents can occur in the air or on the ground. In addition, incidents can occur at or near an airport, in remote unpopulated areas, residential areas, or dense urban areas. A highway transportation incident can be a single or multi-vehicle incident requiring response exceeding normal daily capabilities. A railway transportation incident may include derailment, collision, and at-grade highway crossing accidents. Train incidents can result from a variety of causes including human error, mechanical failure, faulty signals, or problems with the track. Results of an incident can range from minor “track hops” to catastrophic hazardous material incidents and even human or animal casualties. A waterway incident involves any incident with a water vessel. In addition, waterway incidents may include events in which a person or object falls through the ice on partially frozen bodies of water.
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Overall, highway transportation incidents in Johnson County are regularly handled by local emergency responders. Highway transportation incidents will rarely exceed local capabilities in Johnson County because the local emergency responders complete ongoing and interagency training for incidents that could occur along the major and minor travel routes through the county. High transportation incidents that could exceed local capabilities would be crashes involving a large number of vehicles or may involve large amounts of dangerous materials. There is a high frequency of crashes involving a few vehicles, with a small amount resulting in a fatality, each year in Johnson County. The majority of crashes involve only property damage. Being largest urban jurisdiction in the county, Iowa City logically
has the highest frequency of crashes in the county followed by Coralville and North Liberty, which are the second and third largest urban jurisdictions in the county. Over time, the crash frequency in Coralville has decreased since 2003. In Iowa City, crash frequency has fluctuated since 2003 but remains within the same range not exceeding 1,400. On the other hand, in North Liberty, crash frequency has increased overall since 2003, which is likely due to rapid growth of the city. For the remaining areas of Johnson County, the crash frequency has decreased overall since 2003. Refer to Tables 7.19 through 7.22 for more information.
Table 7.19: Coralville Auto Crash Data 2003 – 2012
Year Total Crashes Fatal Major Minor Possible or Unknown Injuries Property Damage Only
2003 528 2 8 35 81 402
2004 583 2 13 36 80 452
2005 528 1 11 28 80 408
2006 406 3 2 17 57 327
2007 540 1 10 27 74 428
2008 566 4 9 34 56 463
2009 462 3 8 21 67 363
2010 471 0 4 22 52 393
2011 404 1 1 23 51 328
2012 391 1 9 13 51 317
TOTAL 4,879 18 75 256 649 3,881
Source: Iowa Department of Transportation Office of Transportation Safety, July 2013
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Table 7.20: Iowa City Auto Crash Data 2003 - 2012
Year Total Crashes Fatal Major Minor Possible or Unknown Injuries Property Damage Only
2003 1,364 3 21 94 218 1,028
2004 1,383 1 13 84 211 1,074
2005 1,261 3 20 96 202 940
2006 1,111 1 22 77 162 849
2007 1,255 1 21 97 190 946
2008 1,397 1 13 113 164 1,106
2009 1,207 1 15 89 137 965
2010 1,132 1 19 111 159 842
2011 1,114 3 19 99 145 848
2012 1,088 2 17 113 140 816
TOTAL 12,312 17 180 973 1,728 9,414
Source: Iowa Department of Transportation Office of Transportation Safety, July 2013
Table 7.21: North Liberty Auto Crash Data 2003 - 2012
Year Crashes Fatal Major Minor Possible or Unknown Injuries Property Damage Only
2003 39 0 1 4 5 29
2004 38 0 2 6 9 21
2005 51 0 2 3 4 42
2006 50 0 1 6 10 33
2007 60 0 0 9 13 38
2008 78 0 2 2 17 57
2009 55 2 1 6 11 35
2010 61 1 1 6 10 43
2011 63 0 1 3 7 52
2012 70 0 3 7 8 52
TOTAL 565 3 14 52 94 402
Source: Iowa Department of Transportation Office of Transportation Safety, July 2013
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Table 7.22: Johnson County Auto Crash Data 2003 - 2012
Year Crashes Fatal Major Minor Possible or Unknown Injuries Property Damage Only
2003 2,536 11 57 189 387 1,892
2004 2,604 6 62 210 360 1,966
2005 2,412 12 55 197 384 1,764
2006 2,164 7 49 176 323 1,609
2007 2,476 9 51 222 374 1,820
2008 2,680 13 59 219 335 2,054
2009 2,231 11 49 189 288 1,694
2010 2,141 6 52 225 299 1,559
2011 2,031 11 46 196 261 1,517
2012 2,059 14 54 180 270 1,541
TOTAL 23,334 100 534 2,003 3,281 17,416
Source: Iowa Department of Transportation Office of Transportation Safety, July 2013
Highway transportation incidents can involve auto and railroad traffic at railroad crossings located throughout the county. In Johnson County, there have been 17 incidents involving auto and railroad traffic since 2000. Of all the incidents, there were no fatalities and five injuries reported. Since 2000, incidents have occurred in several jurisdictions including Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Oxford, and Tiffin. Only one incident occurred in Unincorporated Johnson County. Refer to Table 7.22 for more information.
In addition to the incidents involving auto and railroad traffic, train derailment is also a potential and occurring type of transportation incident in the county. Since 2000, there have been minor train derailments in Johnson County. The five incidents occurred in Iowa City, and there were no death or injuries reported. For more information, refer to Table 7.23 and 7.24.
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Table 7.23: Rail and Highway Accidents 2000 - 2013
Year Location Highway Deaths Injuries Vehicle Damage
2012 Tiffin Half Moon Road 0 0 $5,000
2012 Coralville Deer Creek Road 0 0 $20,000
2012 Oxford Eagle Avenue 0 0 $5,000
2012 Oxford Johnson/Iowa Road 0 0 $1,000
2011 Iowa City 1st Avenue 0 0 $1,500
2010 Tiffin Jasper Avenue 0 2 $8,500
2010 Oxford Chambers Avenue 0 2 $130,000
2010 Iowa City Kirkwood Avenue 0 0 $5,000
2007 Iowa City Highway 6 0 0 $200
2007 Iowa City 2200 Lower Muscatine 0 0 $2,500
2007 Oxford August Avenue 0 1 $7,500
2007 Tiffin Jasper Avenue 0 0 $10,000
2006 Iowa City Benton Street at Maiden Lane 0 0 $3,000
2006 Unincorporated Johnson County Johnson County Road 0 0 $3,000
2004 Tiffin Half Moon Avenue 0 0 $8,000
2002 North Liberty US 965 0 0 $3,000
2001 North Liberty Cherry Street 0 0 $1,500
TOTAL 0 5 $214,700
Source: Federal Railroad Association Office of Safety Analysis Database, October 2013
Table 7.24: Train Derailment Incidents 2000 – 2013
Year Location Injuries Deaths Description
2010 Iowa City 0 0 The cars derailed on the switch after attempting to spike.
2008 Iowa City 0 0 While switching, a car struck 15 loaded tanks cars and derailed.
2008 Iowa City 0 0 Lead locomotive was going through a private crossing that had been unused by railroad traffic for three weeks and used the train to push a second locomotive sideways. Two locomotives and two cards were derailed.
2006 Iowa City 0 0 While pulling 19 cars out of a track, the conductor heard a loud noise. Four cars derailed.
2004 Iowa City 0 0 A failure to apply handbrakes caused cars to roll. The conductor saw a car derail.
TOTAL 5 incidents 0 0
Source: Federal Railroad Association Office of Safety Analysis Database, October 2013
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The remaining type of transportation incident is a waterway incident. According to the 2013 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, there have been no waterway incidents involving large water vessels in Iowa. Across state, there have been numerous waterway incidents that involve a single person or private boats with only a few people on board. See Table 7.25 for information about the type of recreational boating accidents in Iowa. Comprehensive accident data is not widely available at the local or county level.
Table 7.25: Iowa Recreational Boating Accidents 2005 - 2011
Accident Event Accidents Vessels Injuries Deaths
Capsizing 29 29 25 12
Collision with Commercial Vessel 1 2 0 0
Collision with Fixed Object 26 26 19 1
Collision with Floating Object 6 6 3 0
Collision with Governmental Vessel 1 2 0 0
Collision with Recreational Vessel 29 58 26 6
Collision with Submerged Object 8 8 5 2
Collision with Vessel 41 83 31 2
Fall in Vessel 9 9 13 0
Fall Overboard 29 31 18 12
Fire/explosion (fuel) 10 10 8 0
Fire/explosion (non-fuel) 1 1 2 0
Flooding/swamping 21 21 8 0
Grounding 26 26 3 0
Other 7 7 9 0
Person Departed Vessel 11 12 4 5
Person Ejected from Vessel 17 17 17 5
Person Struck by Propeller 9 10 8 1
Person Struck by Vessel 8 11 8 0
Sinking 1 1 0 0
Skier Mishap 50 52 53 1
TOTAL 340 422 260 47
Source: United States Coast Guard Boating Safety Resource Center Database, October 2013
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Major water recreation areas in Johnson County include Coralville Lake, Lake McBride, and areas of the Iowa River. There are small lakes and creeks located throughout the county that are also used for recreation. Refer to the river and flash flood hazard assessment for the location of Johnson County waterways. Similar to all of Iowa, there have been no large scale incidents involving a water vessel that exceed local capabilities, but here have been fatal water incidents on these waterways. Fairly recent incidents include the death of a 12 year old girl who was struck by a boat in Coralville Lake and the death of a homeless man who drowned in the Iowa River.
Probability
Since 1965, there have been eight air transportation incidents resulting in 13 fatalities in Johnson County. Flight paths over the county and one municipal airport, located in Iowa City, present a risk for an air transportation incident to occur within the county. A fairly limited history of air transportation incidents does indicate a low probability of an air transportation incident occurring in the future, but the risk does exist. As part of the larger transportation incident hazard, an air transportation incident has an unlikely probability, especially relative to a highway transportation incident. At least a few major or minor traffic accidents occur every day in Johnson County. These accidents often result in injury, death, and property damage. Although traffic engineering, inspection and maintenance of infrastructure, land use management, and the readiness of local response agencies have increased, highway incidents continue to occur. As the volume of traffic in Johnson County increases, the number of traffic accidents will likely also increase. The combination of large numbers of people on the road, wildlife, weather conditions, potential mechanical problems, and human error increases the probability of a transportation incident occurring in Johnson County.
In Johnson County, there have been five rail and highway incidents involving injuries but no fatalities since 2000. There have also been several derailments in Johnson County since 2000, but all of the incidents were fairly minor. Although recent incidents have not been fatal or exceeded local capabilities, rail traffic will continue in Johnson County so there is an occasional probability of a rail incident occurring. There have been few waterway incidents across Iowa and essentially none in Johnson County that have exceeded local capabilities. There have been search and rescue events involving a single person or small boats with only a couple people on board. Small scale incidents on lakes and rivers have resulted in loss of life from pleasure craft collisions and falls from vessels, but the probability of a waterway incident is unlikely.
Magnitude and Severity
For airway incidents, people aboard airplanes are the most vulnerable. Statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board and the airline industry show that the majority (over 75%) of airplane crashes and accidents occur during the takeoff or landing phases of a flight. As a result, developed areas adjacent to the airports and in airport flight paths are particularly vulnerable to this hazard. For areas away from the airport, a smaller percentage of the population would be directly in the area of impact. Because of the infrequency of aircraft in the skies above areas away from the airport, these areas would not be considered as vulnerable. As mentioned above, most accidents occur during takeoffs and landings. Accordingly, the spatial extent of the majority of incidents would occur on airport grounds or adjacent areas. In Johnson County, the only airport is located in Iowa City, but there are several helipads. Compared to many other hazards, an air transportation accident would occupy a relatively small area. For airport and helipad locations in Johnson County, refer to Figure 7.1.
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The extent to which the impacts would be felt would depend on the materials involved. For example, if a cargo plane transporting volatile or hazardous substances were involved in an accident, the area of concern would be significantly larger than the area for an accident involving a small personal aircraft carrying stable materials. The largest share of accidents would likely affect only a few city blocks. The people who use the surface transportation system are most vulnerable in a highway transportation incident. Travelers, truckers, delivery personnel, and commuters are at risk at all times that they are on the road. During rush hours and holidays the number of people on the road in Iowa is significantly higher. This is also true before and after major gatherings such as sporting events, concerts, and conventions. Pedestrians and citizens of the community are less vulnerable but are still vulnerable in a highway transportation incident. Johnson County is crisscrossed by city streets, county roads, Iowa highways, and U.S. interstates. Refer to Figure 7.1 for major transportation infrastructure in Johnson County. Highway incidents are usually contained to areas on the roadway or directly adjacent to the roadway. Very few highway incidents affect areas outside the traveled portion of the road and the right-of-way. Extensive segments of the transportation system can be impacted during significant weather events, such as a large snowstorm, when multiple and separate accidents occur. The area of impact can extend beyond the localized area if the vehicle(s) involved transporting hazardous materials. Two major railways crisscross in Johnson County. Refer to Figure 7.1 for the location of railways. People and property in close proximity to railroad tracks, crossings, sidings, switching stations, and loading/unloading points are most at risk. Those away from railroad tracks and facilities are vulnerable only to large-scale incidents including those in which hazardous materials are involved.
Rail and highway incidents are usually limited to areas in and near at-grade crossing. Rarely, the incident will result in widespread effects. The direct area of impact is usually quite small, but depending on the vehicle(s) and materials involved, the area could become extensive. If hazardous materials are involved, the effects could reach miles beyond the incident. Harmful products may contaminate streams, rivers, water distribution systems, and storm water systems. The ability of response agencies to contain the product on-scene usually limits the area affected. Passengers of pleasure craft are most vulnerable in a waterway incident. The maximum extent of a waterway incident would be limited. Impacts would not extend beyond the immediate incident scene. The only exception would include a search and rescue event that could expand downstream. For transportation incidents in Johnson County, the potential magnitude and severity is estimated to be limited. A transportation incident could result in injuries, up to 10% to 25% of property damaged, and shutdown of facilities for a week. The property damage estimate is estimated relatively high, because if a transportation incident were to occur in a small jurisdiction, a high percentage of the community can be impacted. Overall, magnitude and severity of a transportation incident was estimated based on historical occurrences, existing hazard mitigation plans, the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, and local knowledge.
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Figure 7.1: Johnson County Transportation Infrastructure
*Important Note: Limited information for the location of pipeline infrastructure is available due to security. Risks associated with pipeline infrastructure are considered a hazardous materials incident in this plan.
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Warning Time
The amount of warning time prior to an aircraft accident could vary from several minutes to a matter of seconds. Crew aboard a troubled aircraft can radio to ground crew to prepare for the incident, but little can be done to lessen the direct effects of the impact. Rarely, there is adequate time to do more than position on-site emergency response personnel. There is usually no warning of highway incidents. During snow storms and other severe weather events that may impede travel, travelers, response agencies, and hospitals alike can be notified of hazardous travel conditions. Flash flooding is a common travel hazard in Johnson County, and warnings are often issued several hours before the flooding may occur.
Like other transportation incidents, a railway incident would occur with no warning. There may be a limited amount of time to warn those in the pathway of the harmful effects. Leading causes of waterway incidents are inclement weather and operator error and incidents would occur with little or no warning. Weather forecasts are usually available days in advance and would give ample time to take shelter away from water.
Duration
Transportation incidents, particularly rail, air, and waterway related hazards are likely to create more intensive response and resources to protect life and safety of those affected.
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Infrastructure Failure
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for infrastructure failure is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
In Johnson County there have been no major communication infrastructure failures that have persisted over an extended period of time or widespread area to cause a threat to life or property. It should be noted that any limited communications failures during a critical period of time, such as during a hazard event, have occurred due to energy failure. The most common type of infrastructure failure in Johnson County is energy failure, typically caused by severe weather events. Tornadoes, windstorms, and severe winter storms often cause extended and widespread energy failure. An energy failure affecting an area in Johnson County usually does not exceed a few hours up to a few days. The most recent and widespread energy failure in Johnson County occurred in June 2013 due to heavy rains, wind, and a tornado sighted near Solon. The widespread storm that affected much of Eastern Iowa damaged structures and utilities throughout Johnson County. MidAmerican Energy reported 3,633 power outages in the Iowa City Area. Out of state lineman crews were called to restore power as quickly as possible. As detailed in the assessment of the tornado and windstorm hazard, a tornado event in April 2006 caused an energy failure that affected the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. At the time, the Sheriff’s Office had control over the outdoor warning sirens and communication system for the county, which was critical for warning residents during the tornado event.
In Johnson County, there have been no major failures of transportation facilities, water infrastructure, or other structures aside from severe weather and flood-related damage. Severe weather events such as tornadoes, windstorms, and hail have substantially damaged structures and utilities. River and flash flooding has damaged roads, water infrastructure, and structures causing partial failure throughout the county. Water inundation damages transportation facilities, overloads water infrastructure, and severely damages structures. For more information about flood-related damage, refer to the assessment of the river and flash flood hazard. Structural fires regularly occur in Johnson County, but the majority of events are relatively minor and do not result in death, injury, or major damage. Major recent structural fire events include the fire at the downtown Iowa City Bruegger’s Bagels, the fire at the Iowa City Landfill, and the fire at the Johnson County Secondary Roads Building in Iowa City. Both fires resulted in major damage but no injuries or deaths. In April 2011, a fire started at the Bruegger’s Bagels located in downtown Iowa City, which is a dense area with a mix of academic, commercial, and residential structures. This particular Bruegger’s Bagels location had four residential apartments above the business and adjacent buildings also had residential apartments. To contain and extinguish the fire, two buildings were completely gutted.
Infrastructure Failure Description This hazard encompasses the following specific hazards: communication failure, energy failure, structural failure, and structural fire. This includes an extended interruption, widespread breakdown, or collapse (part or all) of any public or private infrastructure that threatens life and property.
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In May 2012, a major fire started at the Iowa City Landfill. Approximately 7.5 acres of the landfill burned. The primary source of fuel for the fire was the shredded tires used as a drainage layer and lining for the landfill cell. To extinguish the fire, the City used a stir, burn, and cover approach. The cost of the fire was approximately $3.4 million. In March 2013, a fire started in the Johnson County Secondary Roads Building, which is located in Iowa City. The fire destroyed two trucks and damaged or destroyed county records that were stored at the building. Overall, the damage to the building was so extensive that the County is in the process of designing and constructing a new building.
Probability
No widespread communications failures have occurred in Iowa or Johnson County. Local incidents due to weather conditions, equipment failure, excavation incidents, and traffic accidents have been reported, but outages have usually been resolved in a timely manner. Widespread communications losses are unlikely, now, due to backup systems and redundant system designs. An extended interruption of electric, petroleum, or natural gas service, which by an actual or impending acute shortage of usable energy, could create a potential health problem for the population and possibly even mass panic. International events could potentially affect supplies of energy producing products while local conditions could affect distribution of electricity, petroleum, or natural gas. The magnitude and frequency of energy shortages are associated with international markets. Local and state events such as severe winter storms can disrupt power distribution systems. If disruptions are long lasting, public shelters may need to be opened to provide shelter from extreme cold or extreme heat. Stockpiles of energy products like power generators and fuel can eliminate short disruptions.
The energy crisis of the 1970s had significant impacts on many consumers in Iowa. High inflation and unemployment were associated with the excessive dependence on foreign oil during the early and mid-1970s. An energy shortage of this magnitude has not affected Iowa in recent years. In Johnson County, there have been structural failures, primarily structural damage, which is severe weather and flood-related. Throughout Johnson County, local jurisdictions inspect and maintain structures or enforce local regulations to prevent failures that can cause injury, death, or property damage. Most often, structures are closed or decommissioned before a major failure event can occur, but there is still an occasional probability of a failure occurring in Johnson County. Structural fires are a frequent occurrence in some communities, but nearly all are quickly extinguished by on-site personnel or local fire departments. In Johnson County, there have been recent structural fires requiring major emergency response and recovery efforts. Despite comprehensive fire prevention and education in public, commercial, and residential structures, there is an occasional probability for a major structural fire to occur in Johnson County.
Magnitude and Severity
Most critical communication systems have backup and redundant designs to provide continuity of service. It should be noted that Johnson County has the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), located in Iowa City, which coordinates emergency communications, Emergency 911 calls, and activate outdoor warning sirens throughout the county. If a communications failure were to affect the JECC, the entire county would be affected and at risk, especially if the failure event occurred during a hazard event.
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Because Iowa is almost entirely dependent on out-of-state resources for energy, Iowans must purchase oil, coal, and natural gas from outside sources. World and regional fuel disruptions are typically felt in Iowa. It is likely that increasing prices will occur as market mechanisms are used to manage supply disruptions. This will disproportionately affect the low-income population because of their lower purchasing power. Agricultural, industrial, and transportation sectors are also vulnerable to supply, consumption, and price fluctuations. In Iowa, petroleum represents 97% of transportation fuel. Individual consumers such as commuters are also vulnerable. Overall, the effects of an energy shortage would be felt throughout the state. Because the distribution systems are very developed, local rather than widespread shortages can quickly be covered. Any structure in Johnson County could become hazardous in the event of flooding, earthquake, fire, high winds, or other natural events. All structures are vulnerable due to normal deterioration and natural elements. Expected increases in traffic volume and weight will likely increase the vulnerability of transportation facilities in Iowa and Johnson County. The impacts of a failed structure would likely be contained to the immediate area and adjacent properties. The area could be as small as the house and yard of a fallen chimney, or the area could be relatively extensive if a failed structure is a multi-story building or a tall communication tower. Dam and levee failures would affect a much larger area and are discussed as separate hazards. Occupants of older structures with outdated electrical systems not built to current fire codes are particularly vulnerable to fire. Structures with combustible materials are more vulnerable than steel or concrete structures. In addition, structures without early detection devices are more likely to be completely destroyed before containment by response agencies.
Structures in areas served by older, smaller, or otherwise inadequate water distribution infrastructure are also at significant risk. The fire death risk for the elderly and children under 5 years of age is more than two times that of the average population. With modern training, equipment, fire detection devices, and building regulations and inspections, most fires can be quickly contained and limited to the immediate structure involved. Certain circumstances, such as the involvement of highly combustible materials or high winds, can threaten a larger area. The density of a neighborhood can also make occupants and structures more vulnerable due to the potential of fire spreading.
Warning Time
A communications failure would likely occur with little or no warning. It is usually impossible to predict a communications failure. Some communications may be shutdown for a short period of time for improvements or maintenance. These disruptions are usually made during periods of low demand and the people who rely on them are given notice that the system will be out of service. A typical, more frequent type of energy failure, which is an electrical outage, does not have a warning. If an outage occurs because of severe weather, then warnings for severe weather events can be considered a warning, but it is difficult to predict whether or not utilities will be impacted. Overall, this type of energy failure cannot usually be predicted. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Energy Bureau monitors domestic and international energy situations and has developed a plan to deal with an energy crisis. Signs that an energy shortage may be developing can be recognized even months in advance, but energy shortages/emergencies can rise suddenly and unexpectedly. Supply distribution problems in other countries and local weather situations can lead to low supply coupled with high demand in a matter of a day or two.
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The failure of a structure would likely occur suddenly with little or no warning. Inspection and maintenance of public structures and enforcement of local regulation usually prevents failure or removes people who are vulnerable. Causal hazards can include fire, explosion, overloading of ice and snow, earthquakes, flooding, high wind, erosion, chemical corrosion, subsidence, and lack of general upkeep. While fires usually start with little or no warning time, alert devices can allow time for responders to contain the fire and allow occupants to evacuate the area.
Duration
With the exception of structural failure and fires, which are handled by local response personnel, communication failure and energy failure are usually widespread in nature and may require outside resources to assist the county in emergency response.
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Terrorism
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for terrorism is countywide including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
Johnson County has not been the direct target of a major terrorism event. There have been threats and potential acts of terrorism but none have resulted in injury, death, or destruction. Having a large state university, there have been limited public disorder events but none have become full-scale riot events.
Probability
The federal government monitors the international political and military activities of other nations and would notify the State of Iowa of escalating military threats. There are many small military installations in Iowa; most are Iowa National Guard assets spread throughout the state comprised of various military units and functions. In Johnson County, an Iowa National Guard facility is located in Iowa City. There have been no enemy attacks on or in Iowa in modern times. The only history of enemy attack dates back to early settlement and the Civil War in the 1800s. The breakup of the Soviet Union and other Soviet-Bloc nations has ended the Cold War. An enemy attack is a remote possibility due to international conflicts and the large number of weapons still in existence throughout the world. Although a large academic institution and a fairly dense and populated metropolitan area is located in Johnson County, in an all-out military attack on the United States, it is unlikely that Iowa and Johnson County would be a primary target during a conventional attack.
Despite not experiencing a full terrorism event, Iowa has experienced many terrorist threats. Most incidents have been limited to reported “suspect” powders, actual threats, and hoaxes. Beginning in October 2001, following the original “Amerithrax” scares, Iowa experienced a large number of responses for suspicious powders. Following the development of a threat assessment and response protocol, the number of responses to suspicious powders has been reduced. Incidents of agro-terrorism have occurred in Iowa. In the past ten years, Iowa has experienced incidents in which animal rights activists have vandalized or released animals in agricultural facilities. A high profile incident involved the University of Iowa in 2004. An animal testing lab was raided and over 400 animals were stolen to release them from alleged cruel animal testing. There have been cases of vandalism of agricultural facilities or incidents of disgruntled employees causing damage to animals and animal products.
Terrorism Description This hazard encompasses the following specific hazards: enemy attack, biological terrorism, agro-terrorism, chemical terrorism, conventional terrorism, cyber terrorism, radiological terrorism, and public disorder. This includes the use of multiple outlets to demonstrate unlawful force, violence, and/or threat against persons or property causing intentional harm for purposes of intimidation, coercion or ransom in violation of the criminal laws of the United States. These actions may cause massive destruction and/or extensive casualties.
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Chemical terrorism has been limited in Iowa. Throughout the country, public officials have received suspicious letters, and this certainly can happen in Iowa. In 2005, a subject mailed “rat poison” to several state and local officials. One of the letters was torn open in a mail-sorting machine in Des Moines, which led to the closure of the Main Post Office and the Emergency Room of Mercy Medical Center. Throughout Johnson County, there have been suspicious letters sent to local officials, City staff, and buildings at the University of Iowa. A recent event occurred at the University of Iowa in May 2013 when a letter with a suspicious powder was opened in Mayflower, which is a large residence hall. After inspection, it was determined that the powder was not hazardous. There has been at least one event were subjects broke into a city’s water supply and it was suspected that chemicals may have been deposited in the water supply. There have been many releases of anhydrous ammonia by persons engaged in drug manufacturing, but terrorism is likely not the intent. Iowa has experienced many bomb threats. During the spring of 2002, 18 pipe bombs were found in mailboxes in five states stretching from Illinois to Texas, including Iowa. Six people were injured in the bombings in Iowa and Illinois. In 2005 and 2006, pipe bombs were used in attempted murder cases in two Iowa cities. For cyber terrorism, it is difficult to track incidents and threats, but there are definite incidents where account information has been jeopardized. Many of these notifications are concerning private companies where there could be financial concerns with data breach. In Johnson County, there are large institutions and businesses that may be potential targets of cyber terrorism.
There is no history of radiological terrorism in Iowa. A nuclear power plant is located in Linn County, which is north of Johnson County. This facility could be a potential nearby target. Otherwise, there is international concern regarding unstable countries potential developing nuclear weapons. It is unlikely that radiological terrorism could affect the Midwest, but potential targets are located in Iowa and near Johnson County. As for public disorder, there have been no recent mass demonstrations, or direct conflicts among large groups of citizens, as in marches, protest rallies, riots, and non-peaceful strikes in Iowa. Although large-scale destructive civil disturbances are rare, the potential exists for an incident to occur. Alcohol is often involved in public disorder, especially related to college campuses, sporting events, and concerts. Labor strikes and work stoppages are not considered in this hazard unless they become a threat to the community. Vandalism is usually initiated by a small number of individuals and limited to a small target group or institution. Overall, most events of this type are within the capacity of local law enforcement. Recent national events have increased awareness pertaining to school safety, workplace safety, and vulnerability at public gatherings. In Johnson County, there was a murder suicide event at the University of Iowa in 1991. Although there has not been a similar incident, murders and acts of violence continue to occur in Johnson County.
Magnitude and Severity
For all types of terrorism, people who are targets, people located within targets, or people located within or near a targeted area are extremely vulnerable. The potential injuries and deaths caused by a terrorism event depends on the type of terrorism, the scale of the event, and whether or not the terrorism attempt is successful. In general, it is difficult to assume who and what structures are potential targets.
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The type, scale, and success of a terrorism attempt will also determine how much of Johnson County can potentially be affected by a terrorism event. Some terrorism attempts are limited in scale with specific targets while others are widespread. If a terrorism event is large scale, it is likely more than just Johnson County will be affected by the event. Aside from public disorder type events, a terrorism event in Johnson County has the potential to affect the entire county.
Warning Time
The United States federal government monitors worldwide political and military activity. The citizens and states of the U.S. would be put on heightened alert during periods of intense political or military conflict. With Iowa’s position in the interior of the U.S., there would likely be significant warning of an impending enemy attack. Acts of terrorism can be immediate and often come after little or no warning. There are occasions when terrorists have warned the targeted organization beforehand, but often the attack comes without previous threat. Terrorists threaten people and facilities through "bomb threats" and other scare tactics. Even if it is a shallow threat, precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of the people and property involved. In most incidents we would have no warning time. The only exception would be if someone called in a threat. Acts of terrorism can be immediate and often come after little or no warning. There are occasions where terrorists have warned the targeted organization beforehand, but often the attack comes without previous threat. Even if it is a shallow threat, precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of the people and property involved. Explosions are usually instantaneous; additional secondary devices may be used, lengthening the duration of the hazard until the attack site is determined to be clear.
Because of the networks (formal and informal) that exist to share intrusion attempts and impacts, warnings can be put out in advance to alert those in similar situations to take protective security recommendations such as updating virus detection software, making sure security patches are in place, etc. Warning times can range from no warning to days. Because of our highly evolved computer networks and data sharing, bugs, viruses, and worms can proliferate rapidly. Effects of hacking can be instantaneous. Events that incite public disorder can build up over hours, days, or years, and the violent disturbance is a culmination of the long-term situation. Civil disruptions can also escalate very rapidly following events where people are gathered such as sporting events, concerts, or speeches.
Duration
The response to all sources of terrorism are extensive and will result in the need for outside resources and response from federal agencies in both the investigation of a crime scene and in the response to the direct threats to life and property.
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Radiological
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a radiological event is countywide, including the entire planning area.
Historical Occurrences
There is no history of radiological incidents in Iowa.
Probability
Historically there have been no significant releases of radiation from fixed facilities in Iowa or even the United States. Iowa does have one nuclear power plant located within its borders. Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC) is located near Palo in Linn County, which borders Johnson County to the north. Three other nuclear facilities border Iowa. There have also been no occurrences of radiological incidents in Iowa. Transportation accidents are the most common type of incident involving radioactive materials because of the high frequency of radioactive shipments. Radioactive materials are transported through the United States and Iowa regularly. Operators of facilities with radioactive materials and transporters of radioactive waste are trained in the packaging, handling. In addition, the shipment of radioactive waste is closely regulated. The likelihood of an incident is unlikely but still possible.
Magnitude and Severity
Sources of radioactive materials include medical products, industrial products, nuclear power plant fuel, nuclear weapons, and radioactive waste from hospitals, laboratories, nuclear reactors, and military facilities.
Both the Duane Arnold and the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plants have completed construction of on-site storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel. In over 50 years of nuclear power production in the U.S., no deaths or injuries from radiation have been recorded among the general public. Each of the nuclear facilities in the country identifies a 10 mile radius Emergency Planning Zone and a 50-mile radius Ingestion Pathway Zone. Depending on the level of exposure, radiation can cause loss of life and long and short term health effects. Time, distance, and shielding minimize radiation exposure to the body. Nuclear radiation above normal levels could be a health and safety consideration because of its ability to damage human cells. Specialized training is needed to respond to these types of incidents. If inadequately trained personnel attempt to respond, the impacts could be the same as those for the general public exposed to the toxic materials. Proper training and equipment greatly reduce the risk to response personnel.
Radiological Description This hazard encompasses fixed radiological incident and transportation radiological incident, which involve an incident resulting in a release of radiological material in transport or at a fixed facility to include power plants, hospitals, laboratories, and other facilities with radioactive material.
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If the land and facilities cannot be used for weeks, months, or even years, the loss of production would be devastating. Economic impacts would be multi-sector and long-lasting, especially in and around the affected region.
Warning Time
A radiological incident in Iowa could result from an incident in handling or transporting radioactive materials. This accident could occur with little or no warning. Ionizing radiation cannot be detected with human senses. Detection instruments are needed to indicate the existence of radiation. Distance from the incident would dictate the amount of time needed to avoid exposure from damaging radiation.
Duration
Responding to the effects of a radiological release in Iowa is extensive and will require resources and assistance from several Federal agencies to determine and evaluate the threat to life and the environment in the affected sub-areas.
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Animal/Plant/Crop Disease
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for the animal/plant/crop disease is any area of Johnson County but it is mostly like the rural areas and jurisdictions with large expanses of trees would be affected by this particular hazard. Most of the jurisdictions that chose to include this hazard in their mitigation strategy are concerned about the potential for an Emerald Ash Borer outbreak.
Historical Occurrences
In Johnson County, there is limited information available for past occurrences of animal, plant, or crop disease events that have originated or occurred within the county.
Probability
Every year the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) conduct numerous animal disease investigations. IDALS works with Iowa’s universities and industries to conduct regular crop and plant pest surveillance. According to the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, the probability of an animal, plant, or crop disease hazard event has a low probability of occurrence in any given year.
Magnitude and Severity
The movement of people, animals, animal products, wildlife, plants, crops and potential disease or pest vectors could all cause a major event. Diseases or pests could also be introduced naturally, for example by hurricanes or jet streams. Emerging disease is also a threat such as West Nile Virus, new more virulent influenza strains, etc.
Because many diseases and pests are not present in Iowa, our populations of animals, crops, and plants have no immunity and are highly susceptible. The impact will vary by disease or pest and the type of animal, crop, or plant that is infected or infested. Should the disease or pest have public health implications, the economic and social impact would be even greater. The severity will vary by disease or pest. The types of animals, crops, or plants affected will also significantly influence the severity.
Warning Time
Many animals that are infected with a disease or pests can transmit the disease or pest before the issue is identified. Iowa would only have warning time if an event occurred in another area before it might reach the state.
Duration
Response and recovery from serious infestation or disease are lengthy, with many producers likely to never be able to return to business, in addition, crop infestations/animal diseases can reoccur, causing repeated losses in subsequent years.
Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Description An outbreak of disease that can be transmitted from animal to animal or plant to plant represents an animal/crop/plant disease. The disease outbreak will likely have a significant economic implication or public health impact. The crop/plant pest infestation will likely have severe economic implications, cause significant crop production losses, or significant environmental damage.
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River and Flash Flood
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a flood is generally the areas designated as a flood zone by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Refer to Figures 7.2 through 7.6 for flood zones in Johnson County. It should be noted that flooding is not limited to designated flood zones because uncommon climate conditions and changes in development patterns can affect what areas ultimately experience water inundation. Flash flooding can occur in any area of Johnson County. Certain areas have a greater potential to be affected due to factors such as low elevation, nearby waterways, insufficient storm water management, intense urban or agricultural development, etc. All jurisdictions in the planning area have identified at least minor flash flood issues, but most have persistent issue due to insufficient storm water management.
Historical Occurrences
Since 1996, 22 river flood events have occurred in Johnson County. Refer to Figure 7.26. None of the flood events resulted in deaths or injuries. Of these flood events, five caused major property damage totaling $231.2 million. The flood event with the greatest amount of property damage occurred in 2008 and accounts for $230 million of the flood-related property damage reported since 1996. All other flood events since 1996 resulted in property damage at $500,000 or less. The most notable flood that occurred before 1996 was the flood of 1993, which resulted in approximately $6 million in property damage. Like the 2008 flood, water flowed over the spillway at the Coralville Reservoir, but the spillway was overtopped twice during this particular flood event. Since operation began in 1958, water has flowed over the spillway just three times.
River and Flash Flood Description A river flood is a rising or overflowing of a tributary or body of water that covers adjacent land, not usually covered by water, when the volume of water in a stream exceeds the channel’s capacity. A flash flood is an event that occurs with little or no warning where water levels rise at an extremely fast rate. Flash flooding results from intense rainfall over a brief period, sometimes combined with rapid snowmelt, ice jam release, frozen ground, saturated soil, or impermeable surfaces. Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms or thunderstorms repeatedly moving over an area. Flash flooding is an extremely dangerous form of flooding which can reach full peak in only a few minutes and allows little or no time for protective measures to be taken by those in its path. Flash flood waters move at very fast speeds and can move boulders, tear out trees, scour channels, destroy buildings, and obliterate bridges. Flash flooding often results in higher loss of life, both human and animal, than slower developing river and stream flooding.
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Table 7.26: Flood Events 1996 - 2013
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
JOHNSON (ZONE) 05/09/1996 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 05/17/1999 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 06/10/1999 0 0 0 0
NORTH LIBERTY 06/12/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 07/23/1999 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 06/01/2000 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 07/01/2000 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 07/04/2000 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE 07/10/2000 0 0 0 0
COUNTYWIDE 02/24/2001 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 07/11/2002 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE 07/11/2002 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 05/09/2003 0 0 $500,000 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 06/01/2004 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON (ZONE) 06/11/2004 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 04/01/2008 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON 06/01/2008 0 0 $230 million 0
HILLS 06/22/2009 0 0 $250,000 0
IOWA CITY 07/11/2009 0 0 0 0
HILLS 06/15/2010 0 0 $375,000 0
HILLS 08/04/2010 0 0 $75,000 0
HILLS 04/18/2013 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 22 events 0 0 $231.2 million 0
Source: National Climactic Data Center, October 2013
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The most notable flood event in Johnson County was in June 2008. On the Iowa River, water flowed over the spillway at the Coralville Reservoir. Unprecedented flooding occurred downstream including the cities of Iowa City and Coralville. The University of Iowa sustained serious damage due to the flooding. Many roads in eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois sustained severe damage. The flooding also forced the closure of many roads including I-80 and I-380, which are major travel routes through Johnson County. On I-80, flood waters from the Cedar River flowed over the interstate resulting in its closure between interchanges #265 and #267. Flooding from the Coralville Reservoir resulted in the closure of I-380 between interchanges #4 and #10, which is between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Travel between Johnson and Linn County shifted primarily to highways and secondary roads that had not flooded. The city of Hills located south of Iowa City, is a unique area because it is completely surrounded by flood zones. The city technically does not have designated 100, or 500 year flood zones, but the city is at risk of flooding. During the 2008, the perimeter of the city was completely sandbagged to protect residents and structures from flood water. In the end, Hills was fortunate to not experience flooding. Since 2008, three flood events have affected the Hills area. Most recently, flood warning systems indicated a strong chance of river flooding in Johnson County and surrounding areas in May 2013. Coralville, Iowa City, and the University of Iowa enacted flood emergency planning to prepare for potential flooding. The areas of Johnson County affected by the flood in 2008 are still recovering so mitigating potential negative impacts of future flooding was a high priority. Many areas were protected by sandbags, and the University of Iowa constructed HESCO barriers to protect buildings. The Iowa River did flood some areas of Johnson, but the flooding was relatively minor, especially compared to previous flood disasters. No deaths, injuries, or major property damage was reported.
Flooding is a persistent natural hazard in Johnson County causing millions of dollars in property damage. In certain areas of the county, several properties have been damaged by multiple flood events. These properties are considered repetitive flood loss properties. The technical definition for a repetitive flood loss property, as defined by the National Flood Insurance Program, is a property that has received two or more claim payments of more than $1,000 within a ten year period. In Johnson County, there are eleven repetitive loss properties. Refer to Table 7.27 for a breakdown of where these properties are general located. Due to privacy restrictions, the exact location is not available.
Table 7.27: Repetitive Loss Properties by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Properties
Unincorporated Johnson County 3
Coralville 7
North Liberty 1
TOTAL 11
Source: Iowa Homeland Security, August 2013
Repetitive loss properties are a concern, not only because the residents who live in these structures are exposed to the negative impacts of flood multiple times, but because these properties are a significant draw on the funds available in the National Flood Insurance Program. Considering flash flooding in Johnson County, there have been 28 flash flood events since 1996 that have affected most areas of the county. Several of the events occurred on the same day or within just a few days due to heavy rains. No deaths or injuries were recorded, but a total of $1.75 million in property damage was reported. Iowa City and Coralville have sustained the most flash flood-related damage. Refer to Figure 7.28.
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Figure 7.28: Flash Flood Events 1996 - 2013
Location Date Deaths Injuries Property Damage Crop Damage
COUNTYWIDE 02/20/1997 0 0 0 0
COUNTYWIDE 10/17/1998 0 0 0 0
COUNTYWIDE 06/13/2000 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 08/23/2002 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY
06/22/2007
0 0 0 0
TIFFIN 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 0 0 0 0
LONE TREE 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 0 0 $500,000 0
IOWA CITY 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE
07/16/2007 0 0 0 0
OAKDALE 0 0 0 0
SOLON 07/17/2007 0 0 0 0
UNIVERSITY HGTS 08/08/2007 0 0 0 0
CORALVILLE 06/03/2008 0 0 0 0
IOWA CITY MUNI ARPT 06/08/2008 0 0 $25,000 0
CORALVILLE 06/12/2008 0 0 $500,000 0
IOWA CITY MUNI ARPT 07/02/2008 0 0 0 0
LONE TREE 06/21/2009 0 0 $100,000 0
UNIVERSITY HGTS 06/23/2009 0 0 0 0
SOLON 08/27/2009 0 0 $100,000 0
COU FALLS 06/15/2010 0 0 $250,000 0
LONE TREE 07/30/2010 0 0 $25,000 0
OXFORD 08/04/2010 0 0 0 0
SWISHER 04/17/2013 0 0 $250,000 0
IOWA CITY 06/24/2013 0 0 0 0
Total 28 events 0 0 1.75 million 0
Source: National Climactic Data Center, October 2013
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Probability
According the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan, floods are the most common and widespread of all-natural disasters except fire. Given the history of flooding in Johnson County, it is likely that there will be at least a few minor events each year and a high likelihood that a major flooding event requiring federal assistance will occur in the next 5 years. While hundreds of structures have been removed from the floodplain over the last few decades, many remain. Developing natural areas, whether for urban or agricultural use, increases runoff. Most of Johnson County is developed for agricultural use, but there is a significant amount of impervious surface in developed urban areas. Often, aging storm water systems do not have the capacity to handle increased storm runoff in certain areas. Unless measures are taken to reduce runoff, or slow its movement, flash floods will continue to occur and possibly increase in Johnson County.
Magnitude and Severity
With flood hazard mapping from multiple sources, vulnerability of life and property to river flooding is well identified in Johnson County. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated the probable extent of the 100-year flood hazard areas in Johnson County. These maps are Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which show properties that have 1% chance in any given year to be affected by floods. For the designated flood zones in Johnson County, refer to Figures 7.2 through 7.7. In addition to current FIRMs, the Iowa Flood Center, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and FEMA partnered to develop the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS). The IFIS is a web interface with interactive flood mapping and forecasting features that can be used to understand potential flood risk. Only the Iowa City and Hills areas of Johnson County are currently
included in the IFIS, but the entire state of Iowa will eventually be included. To explore the information available for Johnson County, visit the Iowa Flood Information System at the following website: http://ifis.iowafloodcenter.org/ifis/en/. Potential impacts of flooding include injury and loss of life. River flooding does not have as high of risk to human as does flash flooding mostly because of the slow onset of river flooding. People in a flood zone, downstream from a dam or levee, or in low-lying areas are especially vulnerable in any type of flood event. In addition, people located in areas with narrow stream channels, saturated soil, or on land with large amounts of impermeable surfaces are likely to be impacted in the event of a significant rainfall. Unlike areas impacted by a river flood, flash floods can impact areas far from the stream. Streets can become swift moving rivers, and basements can become deathtraps because flash floods can fill them with water in minutes. Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are auto-related. Motorists often try to traverse water-covered roads and bridges and are swept away by the current. Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock people off their feet and only two feet of water can float a full-sized automobile. Recreational vehicles and mobile homes located in low-lying areas can also be swept away by the water. Buildings, infrastructure, and land can be extensively damaged, eroded, or completely destroyed in a flood event. Damage and disruption of communications, transportation, electric service, and community services are likely in a severe flood event. Water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities are often located in or near the floodplain and are at high risk of flooding and eventually being shutdown.
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7.2 Johnson County Waterways and Flood Zones
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Figure 7.3: Iowa City Metropolitan Area Flood Zones
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Figure 7.4: Coralville, North Liberty, and Tiffin Area Flood Zones
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Figure 7.5: Solon Area Flood Zones
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Figure 7.6: Hills Area Flood Zones
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Figure 7.7: Oxford Area Flood Zones
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Warning Time
Gages along streams and rain gages throughout the watershed and state provide information for flood warnings. Advance warning is usually possible for river flooding because it usually develops over the course of several days. The National Weather Service provides flood forecasts for Iowa, and now, the Iowa Flood Center provides information and forecasts. People in the path of river floods usually have time to take appropriate actions to limit harm to themselves and their property. Flash floods are somewhat unpredictable, but there are factors that can indicate the likelihood of a flash flood occurring in an area. Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Weather surveillance radar is being used to improve monitoring capabilities of intense rainfall. Knowledge of the watershed characteristics, modeling, monitoring, and warning systems increase the predictability of flash floods. Depending on the location in the watershed, warning times can be increased. The NWS forecasts the height of flood crests, the data, and time the flow is expected to occur at a particular location.
Duration
Response to a river flood event is usually extensive and requires from days to even years to adequately respond to the needs of residents. On the other hand, response to a flash flood event is usually shorter term relative to a river flood event, requiring just days or weeks depending on the severity of the event.
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Sinkholes
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for sinkholes is relatively limited in Johnson County. There are no documented sinkholes in the county, but there are areas with potential karst topography that can develop sinkholes. Refer to Figure 7.8. This potential hazard area is notably an estimate, because sinkholes could potentially occur anywhere in Johnson County.
Historical Occurrences
There are no documented sinkholes in Johnson County. The nearest sinkhole is located in Cedar County, which is west of Johnson County. Refer to Figure 7.8.
Probability
Historically, there have been no sinkholes in Johnson County. Potential karst topography indicates the potential for sinkholes to develop, because karst topography is characterized by the dissolution of layers of soluble bedrock. Areas of Johnson County have potential karst topography so there is a potential but unlikely probability of sinkholes to develop.
Magnitude and Severity
Sinkholes can aggravate flooding potential, collapses due to the sudden formation of sinkholes or the collapse of an abandoned mine may destroy buildings, roads and utilities. Damage consists primarily of direct structural damage, property loss, and depreciation of land values. Generally, land subsidence poses a greater risk to property than to life. Damage to property, facilities, and infrastructure would only occur if the event undermined foundations.
In Johnson County, areas that could potentially be affected by sinkholes are likely limited to areas with potential karst topography. In Johnson County, the areas the areas near waterways in central and northeastern areas of Johnson County are the primary areas with potential karst topography. Refer to Figure 7.7 for the location of potential karst topography.
Warning Time
Regional lowering occurs gradually over time, while the collapse of abandoned mines can occur suddenly. It is possible for a sinkhole to form over time but not be detected until sudden or major collapse so warning time can be quite minimal.
Duration
The response tied to sinkholes is related to securing the immediate threat to life and property including immediate reroute of traffic from the affected infrastructure and search and rescue in the case of structural collapse.
Sinkholes Description The loss of surface elevation due to the removal of subsurface support defines a sinkhole. Sinkholes range from broad, regional lowering of the land surface to localized collapse. The primary causes of most subsidence are human activities such as underground mining, groundwater or petroleum withdraw, and drainage of organic soils. Sinkholes are also caused by erosion of limestone in subsurface areas.
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Figure 7.8: Potential Karst Topography
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Landslide
Potential Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for landslides in Johnson County is fairly limited to areas of the county with steep slopes. Refer to Figure 7.9 for the location of fairly steep slopes throughout Johnson County. It should be noted that steep slopes are merely an estimate of the potential hazard area, because a landslide could occur in other areas of Johnson County.
Historical Occurrences
There is limited data available for landslides in Johnson County. Overall, there have been minor landslides that have occurred throughout Johnson County. The most recently documented occurrence of a landslide in Johnson County was in April 2013 at the University of Iowa. The incident involved a mudslide behind the Mayflower residence hall, which was caused by heavy rains and steep topography. The incident did not cause any injuries or deaths, but there was property damage and a temporary shutdown of parking facilities behind the residence hall.
Probability
Parts of Iowa are moderately susceptible to landslides. In northeastern Iowa, along the Silurian Escarpment you can find blocks of dolomite slumped onto the underlying Maquoketa Shale. In the hilly terrain of central Iowa, areas of Pennsylvanian Shale are susceptible to slides where it is overlain by loess or till. Susceptible areas are found along the adjacent steep terrain associated with the major river valleys such as the Mississippi, Missouri, Des Moines and Iowa River valleys and in the Loess Hills of western Iowa.
Landslides typically do not occur in Johnson County because the specific soil and topographic conditions are not present. For this risk assessment, steep slopes are considered a potential risk for landslide type events. Overall, the probability of a landslide occurring in Johnson County is possible but generally low.
Magnitude and Severity
People occupying structures overlooking steep slopes or located at the bottom of a steep slope are vulnerable. These types of structures are a small percentage of homes and commercially occupied structures in Iowa. Injuries and deaths are unlikely unless a landslide occurred suddenly leaving no time to evacuate. Historic landslide events in Iowa have affected just the immediate surrounding area with no widespread impacts. Refer to Figure 7.9 for the location of relatively steep slopes in Johnson County.
Landslide Description A landslide is when susceptible rock, earth, or debris moves down a slope under the force of gravity and water. Landslides may be very small or very large, and can move at slow to very high speeds. A natural phenomenon, small scale landslides have been occurring in slide-prone areas of Iowa long before human occupation. New landslides can occur because of rainstorms, fires, earthquakes, and various human activities that modify slope and drainage.
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Figure 7.9: Steep Slopes*
*Important Note: A slope category of 14% and greater is the steepest slope category available in existing data. A 14% slope is not necessarily the type of slope that has a potential for a landslide event. The purpose of this map is show the fairly steep slopes are located throughout the county.
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Warning Time
Landslides are often involved in or triggered by other natural hazards. Landslides and flooding are often related because precipitation, runoff, and ground saturation combine to destabilize soil and rock. For this reason, landslides can be detected if high potential landslide areas are monitored.
Duration
Response to a landslide is usually limited to the site where the landslide occurred unless a transportation route is involved. Traffic must be redirected and facilities must be restored, which can prolong the amount of time the landslide affects a community. For the fairly minor landslides that can occur in Iowa, the duration is most likely short term.
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Expansive Soils
Potential Hazard Area
Generally, Iowa is not considered a state with an expansive soil issue. It is possible that certain areas in Johnson County may have clay soils that swell and shrink due to changes in moisture, but there are no areas with documented issues. Expansive soils could be present throughout Johnson County, but there is no defined area that is considered a potential hazard area.
Historical Occurrences
There are no documented expansive soil events for the state or Johnson County. The availability of data on expansive soils varies greatly. In or near metropolitan areas and at dam sites, abundant information on the amount of clay generally is available but the clay content does not necessarily indicate expansive soils. Refer to Figure 7.10 for clay soils in Johnson County.
Probability
For expansive soils, an estimate of probability based on frequency is not possible. However, based on the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan and local knowledge, the probability of expansive soils occurring in Johnson is estimated to be occasional, which is 10% to 20% probability of occurring in any given year.
Magnitude and Severity
In an expansive soil occurrence, there is minimal if any direct human impacts. Impacts commonly involve swelling clays beneath areas covered by buildings, slabs of concrete, and/or asphalt. The most extensive damage from expansive soils occurs to highways and streets.
Houses and one-story commercial buildings are more susceptible to be damaged from expansive soils than multi-story buildings, which are usually heavy enough to counter swelling pressure. The most obvious indication of damage to buildings are sticking doors, uneven floors, and cracked foundations, floors, walls, ceilings, and windows.
Warning Time
The warning time for expansive soils is consistent with other geologic hazards that occur slowly over time.
Duration
The response to expansive soils is limited in Iowa with the most severe cases resulting in washed out roads. Response to expansive soils in Iowa is usually coupled with response to river and flash flood events.
Expansive Soils Description Soils and soft rock that tend to swell or shrink excessively due to changes in moisture content are commonly known as expansive soils. The effects of expansive soils are most prevalent in regions of moderate to high precipitation, where prolonged periods of drought are followed by long periods of rainfall.
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Figure 7.10: High Clay Content Soils
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Dam and Levee Failure
Potential Hazard Area
Dams are located throughout Johnson County and surrounding counties. See Figure 7.11. In Johnson County, the potential hazard area for dam and levee failure is generally the areas surrounding and downstream of the dam or levee structure. People and structures located in the designated 100 year floodplain are vulnerable and will most likely be impacted. For information about designated 100 year floodplain areas in Johnson County, refer to the river and flash flood assessment. It should be noted that most dams in Johnson County are low hazard dams that, if failed, could cause damage to surrounding property. On the other hand, there are five high hazard and five significant dams that could result in injuries, death, and property damage beyond the surrounding area if failure were to occur. The most high profile dam in Johnson County is the Coralville Dam, which could cause death and extensive property damage in Coralville, Iowa City, and the University of Iowa campus. See Figures 7.12 and 7.13. There is also a potential for major flooding in downstream communities including Hills and unincorporated areas of the county. There are currently no levee structures in Johnson County, but there are flood protection projects in progress in Coralville, Iowa City, and the University of Iowa. In the future, levee failure will be a potential hazard.
Historical Occurrences
There have been no failures of high hazard or significant dams in Johnson County. Having no levees, Johnson County does not have a history of levee failure.
Dam and Levee Failure Description Dam failure is the uncontrolled release of impounded water resulting in downstream flooding, which can affect life and property. Dams are constructed for a variety of uses, including flood control, erosion control, water supply impoundment, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. Dams are classified as a high, moderate, or low hazard to indicate the potential impacts of failure. Classification descriptions are:
o High Hazard – Failure may result in loss of life and extensive property damage
o Moderate (Significant) Hazard – Failure may damage isolated homes or cabins, industrial or commercial buildings, moderately traveled roads, interrupt major utility services, but are without substantial risk of loss of human life. Or, the dam and its impoundment are of public importance, such as water supply, public recreation, or a feature in a private development complex.
o Low Hazard – Failure would be limited to loss of the dam, livestock, farm outbuildings, agricultural lands and lesser used roads and where loss of human life is considered unlikely
Levee failure can be attributed to the loss of structural integrity of a flood wall, dike, berm, or elevated soil by erosion, piping, saturation, or under seepage causing water to inundate normally dry areas.
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Figure 7.11: Countywide Dams by Potential Hazard Level
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Figure 7.12: Iowa City Metropolitan Area Dams
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Figure 7.13: Coralville Reservoir and Lake Macbride
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Probability
Floodwaters passed over the Coralville Reservoir Dam spillway in 1993 and in 2008, causing extensive damage to areas downstream including Coralville, Iowa City, the University of Iowa and unincorporated areas of the county. However, in both instances the 1,400 foot long earth filled embankment did not fail. It is extremely unlikely that the Coralville Reservoir Dam would ever fail due to close monitoring and regular maintenance by the Army Corps of Engineers. The other high risk and significant dams in Johnson County are also regularly inspected and maintained to prevent failure. Privately owned dams are more likely to be at risk of failure due to potential inspection and maintenance issues. As for levee failure, future levee structures in Johnson County will be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent failure.
Magnitude and Severity
Most of the dams in Johnson County are low risk so failure would likely only result in flooding of the surrounding 100 year floodplain. However, failure of the Coralville Reservoir Dam would result in disastrous flooding. Preliminary estimates from the United States Army Corp of Engineers show that if the Coralville Dam were to fail, the flooding would reach the sixth floor of the Mayflower residence hall located on Dubuque Street in Iowa City. A very rough estimate of this elevation is around 700 feet above sea level, which would result in flooding in Coralville, Iowa, and the majority of University of Iowa facilities.
Warning Time
There is usually little to no warning in the event of a dam or levee break. Because of close monitoring, if the Coralville Reservoir Dam were to fail, there would be approximately two hours for people in the surrounding area to evacuate.
Duration
Response to a dam or levee failure would be extensive and require wide ranging recovery efforts for reconstruction of the original flood control structures and any damaged property.
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Grass or Wildland Fire
Hazard Area
The potential hazard area for a grass or wildland fire is limited to areas of Johnson County with a large expanse of vegetation. This hazard is most likely to affect the sparsely developed and rural areas of the county. A grass or wildland fire could occur in the urban areas of Johnson County but is less likely.
Historical Occurrences
In Iowa, there have been no grass or wildland fire events that would be considered historically significant. Grass fires are reported throughout Johnson County every year, but none of these fires were substantial enough to be a major threat to life and property. Prescribed burning is used in Johnson County to manage vegetation but also the risk of major grass fire events.
Probability
Manageable grass fires will occur in Johnson County on a regular basis, but the probability of a major grass fire that threatens life and property is estimated to be occasional. There is a 10% to 20% probability of a grass or wildland fire occurring. It should be noted that the probability of occurrence is high during dry and drought conditions.
Magnitude and Severity
Wildfires are most destructive in the western United States, but this particular hazard has become a frequent and damaging phenomenon nationwide. People choosing to live in wildland settings are extremely vulnerable to wildfires. In addition, the emergency response personnel for wildfires are also extremely vulnerable.
Iowa is most often affected by grass fires, which are usually contained and extinguished before there is a threat to life and developed property. Most grass fires are contained to highway and rail right-of-way ditches and are less than a few acres in size. Wind can turn a small flame into a multi-acre grassfire within a matter of minutes. Fires often burn large portions of field crops during harvest. A dry field can ignite easily from a spark or overheated equipment. Overall, the potential extent is dependent upon conditions such as moisture, wind, and land cover.
Warning Time
Most wildfires occur without warning and spread quickly but the event depends upon conditions such as moisture, wind, and land cover. Methods for forecasting fire potential have become more accurate, and a useful outlook is issued by the National Interagency Fire Center and the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
Duration
The majority of Iowa wildfires occur within a short duration in grassy areas. Approximately half of the fires are prescribed burns that are supervised by trained experts.
Grass or Wildland Fire Description A grass or wildland fire is an uncontrolled fire that threatens life and property in a rural or wooded area. Grass and wildland fires can occur when conditions are favorable, such as periods of drought when natural vegetation would be drier and subject to combustibility.
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Johnson County Disaster Declarations
Since 1965, Johnson County has experienced 19 natural disasters severe enough to be Presidential Disaster Declarations. The most common type of disaster involves severe storms and flooding. Tornado and winter storm type disasters are less common, although these hazard events can reach disaster severity. Refer to Table 7.29.
Table 7.29: Johnson County Disaster Declarations 1965 - 2013
Number Declaration Date Description Start Date End Date
DR-193 4/22/1965 Flooding 4/22/1965 4/22/1965
DR-240 5/29/1968 Tornadoes and Severe Storms 5/29/1968 5/29/1968
DR-269 8/14/1969 Heavy Rains and Flooding 8/14/1969 8/14/1969
DR-348 8/18/1972 Severe Storms and Flooding 8/18/1972 8/18/1972
DR-386 5/23/1973 Severe Storms and Flooding 5/23/1973 5/23/1973
DR-443 6/24/1974 Severe Storms and Flooding 6/24/1974 6/24/1974
DR-868 5/26/1990 Severe Storms and Flooding 5/18/1990 7/6/1990
DR-879 9/6/1990 Severe Storms and Flooding 7/25/1990 8/31/1990
DR-911 7/12/1991 Severe Storms and Flooding 6/1/1991 6/15/1991
DR-996 7/9/1993 Severe Storms and Flooding 4/13/1993 10/1/1993
DR-1121 6/24/1996 Severe Storms and Flooding 5/8/1996 5/28/1996
DR-1230 7/2/1998 Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding 6/13/1998 7/15/1998
DR-1420 6/19/2002 Severe Storms and Flooding 6/3/2002 6/25/2002
DR-1518 5/25/2004 Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding 5/19/2004 6/24/2004
DR-1688 3/14/2007 Severe Winter Storms 2/23/2007 3/2/2007
DR-1737 1/4/2008 Sever Winter Storm 12/10/2007 12/11/2007
DR-1763 5/27/2008 Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding 5/25/2008 8/13/2008
DR-4119 5/31/2013 Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding 4/17/2013 4/30/2013
DR-4126 7/2/2013 Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding 5/19/2013 6/14/2013
TOTAL 19 disasters
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency, July 2013
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Hazard Prioritization To determine the extent a mitigation strategy should focus on hazards, the full set of hazards that can potentially affect Johnson County were prioritized using the criteria in the 2010 Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan. The assessment is based on hazard probability, magnitude, severity, warning time, and duration. Each element of assessment is detailed in the following tables, Tables 7.30 through 7.33. In the hazard profiles, each element of the assessment is discussed in the context of Johnson County. Probability reflects the likelihood of the hazard occurring again in the future, considering both the hazard’s historical occurrence and the projected likelihood of the hazard occurring in any given year. See scoring criteria in Table 7.30.
Table 7.30: Probability Scoring Criteria
Score Description
1 Unlikely
Less than 10% probability in any given year, history of events is less than 10%, or event is unlikely but there is a possibility of occurrence
2 Occasional
Between 10% and 19% probability in any given year, history of events is between 10% and 19%, or the event could possibly occur
3 Likely
Between 20% and 33% probability in any given year, history of events is between 20% and 33%, or the event is likely to occur
4 Highly Likely
More than 33% probability in any given year, history of events is greater than 33% likely, or the event is highly likely to occur
The magnitude and severity of the impacts of a hazard event is related directly to the extent that a hazard affects the community. It is measured using technical measures specific to the hazard, which are ideally determined with standard scientific scales. This is also a function of when the event occurs, year-round or seasonal, the location affected, the resilience of the community, and the effectiveness of emergency response and disaster recovery efforts. See scoring criteria in Table 7.31.
Table 7.31: Magnitude/Severity Scoring Criteria
Score Description
1 Negligible
Less than 10% of property severely damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for less than 24 hours, and/or injuries/illnesses treatable with first aid
2 Limited
10% to 25% of property severely damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for more than a week, and/or injuries/illnesses that do not result in permanent disability
3 Critical
25% to 50% of property severely damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for at least 2 weeks, and/or injuries/illnesses that result in permanent disability
4 Catastrophic
More than 50% of property severely damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for more than 30 days, and/or multiple deaths
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Warning time or the speed of onset is the amount of warning time available before a hazard occurs. The average rather than shortest or longest warning time is considered in the hazard assessment. For many natural hazards, there is a considerable amount of warning time as opposed to the human caused hazards that occur instantaneously or without any significant warning time. See scoring criteria in Table 7.32.
Table 7.32: Warning Time Scoring Criteria
Score Description
1 More than 24 hours warning time
2 12 to 24 hours warning time
3 6 to 12 hours warning time
4 Minimal or no warning (up to 6 hours warning) Duration is the typical amount of time that the community is impacted by a hazard. As an example, a snowstorm will likely last several hours, whereas a lightning strike would last less than a second. See scoring criteria in Table 7.33.
Table 7.33: Duration Scoring Criteria
Score Description
1 Less than 6 hours
2 Less than 1 day
3 Less than 1 week
4 More than 1 week The sum of the assessment criteria is used to determine the priority level of each hazard. The priority level determines how much focus is given to the hazard in the overall mitigation strategy. See Table 7.34 for the description of each priority level. Please note, the priority level determined for each hazard may not completely reflect the description of each hazard priority level. The priority level that most accurately fits a hazard is applied, or due to local conditions and the firsthand knowledge of Planning Team members, priority level may be adjusted.
Table 7.34: Hazard Priority Levels
Hazard Priority Description
1 High
Hazards most likely to occur or the severity of an occurrence has the potential to be severe; the Planning Team will consider mitigation actions for these hazards; risk assessment scores are high relative to other hazards; hazards may have occurred recently with severe impacts and subsequent long-term recovery
2 Medium
Hazards likely to occur but with less probability relative to high priority hazards or the severity of an occurrence has the potential to be severe but less severe relative to high priority hazards; the Planning Team will consider mitigation actions for these hazards; the risk assessment score is mid-range (approximately 10 or less); mitigation actions for hazards may already be complete or in progress
3 Low
Hazards have minimal probability of occurring or the severity of occurrence has the potential to be minimal; the Planning Team may or may not consider mitigation actions; the risk assessment score is low (less than 10); mitigation actions for hazards may already be complete
The hazard risk assessment results for Johnson County are included in Table 7.35. The assessment was used by each jurisdiction in the planning area as a base for their specific hazard risk assessment. Each jurisdiction was given an opportunity to modify the priority level of hazards to reflect local conditions and priorities.
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Table 7.35: Johnson County Countywide Hazard Risk Assessment
Hazard Probability Severity Warning Time Duration Total Priority Level
River and Flash Flooding 4 4 1 4 13
1
Dam and Levee Failure 1 4 4 4 13
Radiological 1 4 4 4 13
Tornado and Windstorm 4 4 4 1 13
Hazardous Materials 2 2 4 4 12
Severe Winter Storms 4 2 1 4 11
Human Disease 1 4 2 4 11
Infrastructure Failure 1 2 4 4 11
Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm
4 2 2 2 10
2 Transportation Incident 2 2 4 2 10
Drought 2 2 1 4 9
Extreme Heat 2 1 1 4 8
Terrorism 1 1 4 2 8
Animal/Plant/Crop Disease 1 1 1 4 7
3
Earthquakes 1 1 4 1 7
Landslide 2 1 2 1 6
Grass or Wild Land Fire 2 2 1 1 6
Sinkholes 1 1 2 1 5
Expansive Soils 2 1 1 1 5
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Key Considerations
In a multi-jurisdictional plan, it is important to identify conditions and priorities that differ among participating jurisdictions. These differences are important to consider before identifying a jurisdiction’s final mitigation strategy. Despite a relatively small planning area based on county boundaries, variation in topography, hydrology, etc. result in different risks for each jurisdiction. In addition, the jurisdiction’s capabilities, population, and development patterns factor into how a jurisdiction should approach a hazard. The purpose of this section in plan is to identify the key considerations related to hazard mitigation for each participating jurisdiction. The relevant issues for each jurisdiction are discussed, which includes specialized issues discussed in the plan development process, vulnerable populations, and critical facilities. As there is variation among jurisdictions, the specialized issues in each jurisdiction will also differ.
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Unincorporated Johnson County Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Like several jurisdictions in Johnson County, the unincorporated areas continue to recover from the major eastern Iowa flood in 2008. The flood event caused extensive property damage and disrupted the provision of service, especially transportation facilities in the unincorporated areas. Moving forward, reducing vulnerability to river and flash flood is a high priority. Johnson County will continue to remove structures from the floodplain and protect critical facilities and infrastructure. A persistent issue and concern throughout the county is the loss of power to critical facilities. Power generator projects will be a high priority for Johnson County buildings. With the increased use of technology for communications and general operations in Johnson County, it is extremely important to maintain consistent power. Another important issue in the unincorporated areas of Johnson County is providing advanced warning and shelter for severe weather events such as tornado, windstorm, hailstorm, and lightning. Expanding warning siren coverage is an ongoing priority as development throughout the county increases. Moving forward, constructing safe room facilities throughout the county, especially in recreation areas such as F.W. Kent Park, will be high priority. Across Johnson County, a major focus of hazard mitigation is emergency planning and exercises. Testing and practicing plans through exercises can reduce uncertainty and enhance emergency response during hazard events. The Johnson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is the primary coordinator of emergency planning and exercises, and as a countywide agency, the EMA coordinates multi-community and agency training.
Update Issues
Unincorporated Johnson County has an existing single jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan. As this plan is technically an update for this participating jurisdiction, changes in priorities and local conditions should be noted. For most jurisdictions with existing hazard mitigation plans, the overall plan has not changed significantly. For Unincorporated Johnson County, major priorities of have not changed because a hazard mitigation strategy is long-term in nature. The County’s hazard mitigation goals were modified to more accurately reflect the broad purpose of hazard mitigation. Specific language that was more so a mitigation action rather than goal is what was primarily modified. The County’s existing risk assessment and mitigation strategy were used as a base for discussion. New hazard data did not significantly change which hazards are considered a high priority. Any changes to the mitigation strategy were to reflect progress, additional priorities, or errors. For certain mitigation actions, the project was more specifically defined. For each hazard, progress is described in the County’s mitigation strategy. It should be noted that a specific goal to prepare and review a post disaster report was omitted in this plan because disaster reviews are completed both formally and informally as standard procedure of operation. The only omissions from the existing mitigation strategy are incorrect information like utility regulation requirements and certain ordinances.
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As for changes in local conditions, much of the progress in completing the County’s hazard mitigation strategy has contributed to reduced vulnerability. Flood prone properties have been acquired and demolished, a floodplain ordinance prevents flood prone development, and general planning practices discourage new development in flood prone areas. Development patterns have not significantly changed as a long-term land use plan guides development. Johnson County’s population is increasing, but the County is scaling services to support the larger population.
Vulnerable Populations
In the unincorporated areas of Johnson County, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For the county, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Mobile home, slab home, and apartment building
residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations throughout Johnson County. With appropriate warning, individuals with special needs are more likely to be prepared for hazards events. A major concern is the vulnerability of people who live in mobile or slab homes. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable. Another major concern is providing shelter to people outdoors, especially crowds at events.
Critical Facilities
All existing and future Johnson County buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. Existing facilities provide essential services throughout the county so the majority of facilities are critical to all jurisdictions. Johnson County maintains several buildings to provide essential services throughout the county. The majority of buildings are located in Iowa City, which is the county seat. The county does not maintain water or waste water infrastructure, but the county does maintain transportation, storm water, and communications infrastructure. See Table 8.0 for all critical facilities. It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the county, are considered critical facilities to the unincorporated areas of Johnson County. All hospitals, medical clinics, and school facilities are critical because residents in the unincorporated areas depend on these facilities for essential services. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City, and medical clinics are located throughout the county. School facilities are also located throughout the entire county.
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Table 8.0: Johnson County Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
Administration Building Contains the majority of the County’s departments and staff, essential services, and records
Courthouse Contains essential services and records
Sheriff’s Office Provides essential emergency response to unincorporated areas and cities
Ambulance Building Provides essential emergency medical response to the entire county
Fire Departments Fire departments throughout the county provide emergency fire and hazardous materials response
Secondary Roads Contains Secondary Roads department and staff, essential services, records, and road maintenance and snow removal equipment
Secondary Roads Swisher Shop Contains road maintenance and snow removal equipment
Secondary Roads 120th Street Shop Contains road maintenance and snow removal equipment
Secondary Roads Solon Shed Contains road maintenance and snow removal equipment
Joint Emergency Communications Center Contains emergency response communications, activates outdoor warning sirens, and coordinates emergency planning and exercise
F.W. Kent Park Johnson County Conservation Administration Building is a potential shelter facility and the park is a major recreation asset
Johnson County Fairground Designated shelter facility
Clear Creek Amana High School Designated shelter facility
Roads and bridges Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Storm water infrastructure (includes dams) Protects buildings, infrastructure, and property from storm water damage
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
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Coralville Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Like several jurisdictions in Johnson County, Coralville continues to recover from the major eastern Iowa flood in 2008. The flood event caused extensive property damage and disrupted the provision of services. Moving forward, reducing vulnerability to river and flash flood is a high priority. Coralville will continue to remove structures from the floodplain and protect critical facilities and infrastructure. A major concern in Coralville is the loss of power to critical facilities. A power generator project will be a high priority for Coralville City Hall. Aside from containing all City departments, staff, and operations, the City maintains a communication system and data that are essential to emergency response. With the increased use of technology for communications and general operations, it is extremely important to maintain consistent power in all City buildings. Transportation and hazardous materials incidents are also a major concern in Coralville because Interstate 80 and 380 are major travel routes with several interchanges through and near Coralville. A major incident often results in traffic delays and redirection of traffic into Coralville, which can result in secondary accidents. In addition, if hazardous materials are involved, the incident can have an impact far beyond the immediate surrounding area. Although the only hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City, a University of Iowa medical facility is located in Coralville’s Iowa River Landing. This facility provides medical services to a regional population so it is extremely important to maintain access. As for other University of Iowa facilities, there are research facilities located in Coralville.
Update Issues
Coralville has an existing single jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan. As this plan is technically an update for this participating jurisdiction, changes in priorities and local conditions should be noted. For most jurisdictions with existing hazard mitigation plans, the overall plan has not changed significantly. For Coralville, major priorities of have not changed because a hazard mitigation strategy is long-term in nature. The City’s hazard mitigation goals were modified to more accurately reflect the broad purpose of hazard mitigation. Specific language that was more so a mitigation action rather than goal is what was primarily modified. The City’s existing risk assessment and mitigation strategy were used as a base for discussion. New hazard data did not significantly change which hazards are considered a high priority. Any changes to the mitigation strategy were to reflect progress, additional priorities, or errors. For certain mitigation actions, the project was more specifically defined. For each hazard, progress is described in the City’s mitigation strategy. It should be noted that a specific goal to prepare and review a post disaster report was omitted in this plan because disaster reviews are completed both formally and informally as standard procedure of operation. The only omissions from the existing mitigation strategy are incorrect information like utility regulation requirements and certain ordinances.
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As for changes in local conditions, much of the progress in completing the City’s hazard mitigation strategy has contributed to reduced vulnerability. Flood prone properties have been acquired and demolished, a floodplain ordinance prevents flood prone development, and general planning practices discourage new development in flood prone areas. The City continues to aggressively reduce vulnerability to river and flash flood with structural projects. Development patterns have not significantly changed as a long-term land use plan guides development, although the City does continue to develop at a fast pace. Overall, Johnson County’s population is increasing. Coralville provides services beyond its residents as it contains regional commercial, medical, and institutional centers. The City continues to scale utilities to support overall population and visitor increases. In the City’s mitigation strategy, keeping pace is an evident priority.
Vulnerable Populations
In Coralville, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Coralville, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Mobile home, slab home, and apartment building
residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events o Major commercial centers
In Johnson County, a major commercial center is unique to Coralville. The Coral Ridge Mall is a regional shopping mall located along Interstate 80 in Coralville. The mall has several million visitors annually. During business hours, especially in peak shopping seasons, the mall can have several thousand visitors. With a high concentration of visitor, the mall is vulnerable to any hazard but primarily hazards with intent to harm humans. In addition to the mall, Coralville has a high concentration of commercial development that also draws visitors from the region. Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in Coralville. A major concern is the vulnerability of people who live in mobile homes, slab homes, and apartments. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Coralville buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City maintains water, waste water, storm water, and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.1 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.1: Coralville Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall Contains the majority of the City’s departments and staff, essential services, communications, data, and records
Fire Station 1 and 2 Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Police Station Provides essential emergency response to unincorporated areas and cities
Transit, Parks, and Building Maintenance Facility Contains equipment necessary to provide essential services
Library Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and vulnerable populations
Roads, bridges, and maintenance facilities Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Water infrastructure and facilities Provides potable water for residents and businesses
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats wastewater to maintain public and environmental health
Storm water infrastructure and facilities Protects buildings, infrastructure, and property from storm water damage
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
Parks and recreation facilities Indoor facilities are potential shelter facilities and contain City staff and vulnerable populations
Intermodal Facility (future facility) Will contain City Departments and staff, essential services, and records It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to Coralville. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Joint Emergency Communications Center and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Coralville. The Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. All hospitals and medical clinics are considered critical facilities because residents in Coralville depend on these facilities for medical services. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City, but several clinics including a major University of Iowa clinic facility are located in Coralville. In addition, Iowa City Community school district facilities located in Coralville are considered critical facilities.
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Hills Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Hills is completely surrounded by floodplain, which makes the entire city vulnerable to flood events. During the major flood event in 2008, the City initiated a major sandbagging effort to protect vulnerable areas along the end of the city. Fortunately, Hills was not flooded because the water in the Coralville Reservoir subsided to a manageable level. In the future, flooding will continue to be an issue for Hills. The city is located along a U.S. 218 interchange, which provides convenient transportation access, but flood events can limit access. Hills is close to Iowa City, and most residents use the services including medical, grocery, etc. An elementary school is located in Hills, and students beyond elementary school attend school in Iowa City. In addition, emergency response from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Ambulance can be delayed, and often, response time is critical to positive outcomes. The City is currently constructing water infrastructure and facilities. Looking toward the future, identifying any potential hazard risks will be a high priority. Since the system is new and designed for current conditions, it is unlikely there will be immediate mitigation actions except regular maintenance. Power generators for critical facilities will be a hazard mitigation priority in Hills. For many jurisdictions, essentially obsolete generators are being used in critical facilities. In Hills, the Fire Station has an outdated generator that should be replaced. A large transportation and agricultural business facility is located along the railroad track in Hills, and there is concern about how potential incidents at the facility would be handled by the company. Communication between the City and the company regarding risks to public are the primary concern.
Vulnerable Populations
In Coralville, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Hills, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Apartment building residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events
A potentially vulnerable facility identified in Hills is the assisted living facility for seniors. Mobility may be limited for certain residents so moving residents to shelter may be difficult. Another concern is lack of shelter for residents who live in apartment buildings. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Hills buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City maintains water, wastewater, storm water, and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.2 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.2: Hills Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Clerk’s Office/Maintenance Building Contains City staff, essential services, records, and equipment
Fire Station Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Hills Community Center Potential shelter facility and may contain vulnerable populations
Roads and maintenance facility Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Water infrastructure and facilities (currently being constructed)
Provides potable water for residents and businesses
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats wastewater to maintain public and environmental health
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to Hills. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Hills. Since the City of Hills does not maintain a police department, the City contracts with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for emergency response and enforcement. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. All hospitals are considered critical facilities because residents in Hills depend on these facilities for medical services. For regular medical services, residents depend on medical clinics located in other cities. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City. The Hills Elementary School, which is part of the Iowa City Community School District, is located on Main Street in Hills. This facility is critical to Hills because children in the community attend this school, and the facility is a major center of activity in the city. The other school district facilities that students in Hills would attend are also considered critical facilities even though they are located in Iowa City.
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Iowa City Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Like several jurisdictions in Johnson County, Iowa City continues to recover from the major eastern Iowa flood in 2008. The flood event caused extensive property damage and disrupted the provision of services. Moving forward, reducing vulnerability to river and flash flood is a high priority. Iowa City will continue to remove structures from the floodplain and protect critical facilities and infrastructure. Looking toward the future, the City plans to coordinate certain elements of flood recovery with the University of Iowa and other jurisdictions in the planning area. Since the main University of Iowa campus is located within Iowa City, there are major opportunities for coordination including lift stations in common areas that are vulnerable to river and flash flood events. Another coordinated effort is the planned relocation of the animal shelter, which involves Johnson County, Coralville, University Heights, and the University of Iowa. A persistent issue and concern throughout the county is the loss of power to critical facilities. Power generator projects will be a high priority for Iowa City buildings and infrastructure. For many jurisdictions, essentially obsolete generators are being used in critical facilities. In Iowa City, generator replacement with also be a high priority. Overall, with the increased use of technology for communications and general operations in Iowa City, it is extremely important to maintain consistent power.
Update Issues
Iowa City has an existing single jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan. As this plan is technically an update for this participating jurisdiction, changes in priorities and local conditions should be noted. For most jurisdictions with existing hazard mitigation plans, the overall plan has not changed significantly. For Iowa City, major priorities of have not changed because a hazard mitigation strategy is long-term in nature. The City’s hazard mitigation goals were modified to more accurately reflect the broad purpose of hazard mitigation. Specific language that was more so a mitigation action rather than goal is what was primarily modified. The City’s existing risk assessment and mitigation strategy were used as a base for discussion. New hazard data did not significantly change which hazards are considered a high priority. Any changes to the mitigation strategy were to reflect progress, additional priorities, or errors. For certain mitigation actions, the project was more specifically defined. For each hazard, progress is described in the City’s mitigation strategy. The only omissions from the existing mitigation strategy are incorrect information like utility regulation requirements and certain ordinances. As for changes in local conditions, much of the progress in completing the City’s hazard mitigation strategy has contributed to reduced vulnerability. Flood prone properties have been acquired and demolished, a floodplain ordinance prevents flood prone development, and general planning practices discourage new development in flood prone areas. The City continues to aggressively reduce vulnerability to river and flash flood with structural projects. Development patterns have not significantly changed as a long-term land use plan guides development.
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The City is focusing on future redevelopment in the downtown and areas along the river. A large redevelopment project is proposed along Riverside Drive, which could be vulnerable to a river and flash flood event. Plans do include flood abatement to avoid costly damage from future flood events as it is likely to occur again. Overall, Johnson County’s population is increasing. Iowa City provides services beyond its residents as it contains the majority of University of Iowa facilities, which includes major medical centers that provide care to patients from around the Midwest. The City continues to scale utilities to support overall population and visitor increases. In the City’s mitigation strategy, keeping pace is an evident priority.
Vulnerable Populations
In Iowa City, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Iowa City, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Mobile home, slab home, and apartment building
residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events o College students
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in Iowa City. A major concern is the vulnerability of people who live in mobile homes, slab homes,
and apartment buildings. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable. Because the University of Iowa and a large community college are located in Iowa City, there is a large population of college students living in the city. There is concern that students, who are new to the community or even the United States, may not fully understand warning systems and resources available during a hazard event. For this issue, it is important for the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and adjacent communities to coordinate public education.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Iowa City buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City maintains water, waste water, storm water, and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.3 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.3: Iowa City Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall Contains the majority of the City’s departments and staff, essential services, and records
Police Station (in City Hall) Provides essential emergency response to unincorporated areas and cities
Fire Station 1, 2, 3, 4, and Training Center Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Public Works Complex Contains City departments and staff, essential services, and equipment
City Complex (includes Iowa City Transit) Contains City departments and staff, essential services, and equipment
Parks and Forestry Office Contains a City department, staff, and essential services
Recreation Center Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and vulnerable populations
Library Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and vulnerable populations
Senior Center Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and a vulnerable population
Airport Maintains air transportation access
Roads and bridges Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Water infrastructure and facilities Provides potable water for residents and businesses
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats waste water to maintain public and environmental health
Storm water infrastructure and facilities Protects buildings, infrastructure, and property from storm water damage
Communications infrastructure (includes outdoor warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
Landfill and Recycling Center Provides an outlet for waste materials to all Johnson County It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities. The Joint Emergency Communications Center and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Iowa City. The Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. These countywide facilities are located throughout Iowa City. All local hospitals and medical clinics are considered critical facilities because residents depend on these facilities for major medical services. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City. In addition, Iowa City Community School District facilities located throughout the city and are considered critical facilities.
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Lone Tree Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Unlike most jurisdictions in the planning area, Lone Tree did not experience major flooding in 2008. Lone Tree does have flood issues, but they are due to Prairie Creek. The City park is used as an overflow area when the creek periodically exceeds its banks. Removing debris from the creek and maintaining its capacity are a high priority. Power generators for critical facilities are a hazard mitigation priority in Lone Tree. The City’s outdoor warning sirens do not have a backup source of power. In addition, the City maintains generators at the Fire Station and water plant, but these generators may become obsolete. Similar to all jurisdictions, maintaining infrastructure, especially water infrastructure, is a high priority. Wastewater and storm water facilities are especially vulnerable in areas with flood issues. Small cracks occur in water infrastructure as it ages, which allows inflow and infiltration from heavy rains and flooding. The increased flow can cause additional damage to the infrastructure and the potential for backup in properties.
Vulnerable Populations
In Lone Tree, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Lone Tree, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Mobile home and slab home residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in Lone Tree. A major concern is the vulnerability of people who live in mobile and slab homes. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Lone Tree buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City maintains water, wastewater, storm water, and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.4 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.4: Lone Tree Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall Contains City staff, essential services, records, and equipment
Fire Station Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Roads and maintenance facility Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Water infrastructure and facilities (currently being constructed)
Provides potable water for residents and businesses
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats wastewater to maintain public and environmental health
Storm water infrastructure and facilities Protects buildings, infrastructure, and property from storm water damage
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to Lone Tree. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Lone Tree. Since the City of Lone Tree does not maintain a police department, the City contracts with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for emergency response and enforcement. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county.
All local hospitals are considered critical facilities because residents in Lone Tree depend on these facilities for major medical services. For regular medical services, residents depend on medical clinics located in other cities. The nearest medical clinic is a University of Iowa Clinic located in Riverside, which is approximately ten minutes from Lone Tree. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City.
Lone Tree Community School District facilities are located completely within the city on Linn and Devoe Street. All of the school district facilities are considered critical. The school facilities are a major activity center for the city because all of the students in Lone Tree and surrounding areas attend these facilities the majority of the day and year.
A final facility to include as a critical facility is the Legion Hall located in Lone Tree. This facility is a potential shelter site and is used regularly for events.
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North Liberty Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
North Liberty is a quickly growing city located north of Iowa City and Coralville. Looking toward the future, the City’s hazard mitigation strategy will involve maintaining current services and infrastructure but also expansion into the western areas of the city toward Interstate 380. As the city is developed, infrastructure, emergency response, and the outdoor warning siren system must be scaled to a larger population. Like most jurisdictions in the planning area, North Liberty can be affected by river and flash flood events, but flood issues are minor compared to cities like Iowa City and Coralville. North Liberty is affected by flooding in creeks rather than rivers so designated flood zones are not far beyond the banks of each creek that runs through the city. The city usually experiences flash flooding issues, such as flooded streets, due to heavy rains. An important issue to note is that North Liberty is located along Interstate 380 with an interchange on the northwest side of the city. The nearby major travel routes provides convenient access to other areas of the county and state, but transportation incidents on Interstate 380 can increase traffic through the city and result in secondary accidents. Being located near the major interstate may not be a major concern until the eastern areas of the city are more developed.
Update Issues
North Liberty has an existing single jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan. As this plan is technically an update for this participating jurisdiction, changes in priorities and local conditions should be noted. For most jurisdictions with existing hazard mitigation plans, the overall plan has not changed significantly.
For North Liberty, major priorities of have not changed because a hazard mitigation strategy is long-term in nature. The City’s hazard mitigation goals were modified to more accurately reflect the broad purpose of hazard mitigation. Specific language that was more so a mitigation action rather than goal is what was primarily modified. The City’s existing risk assessment and mitigation strategy were used as a base for discussion. New hazard data did not significantly change which hazards are considered a high priority. Any changes to the mitigation strategy were to reflect progress, additional priorities, or errors. For certain mitigation actions, the project was more specifically defined. For each hazard, progress is described in the City’s mitigation strategy. It should be noted that a specific goal to prepare and review a post disaster report was omitted in this plan because disaster reviews are completed both formally and informally as standard procedure of operation. In addition, reducing reliance on other levels of government for assistance after a disaster was also a listed goal. This particular goal is recognized as a basic element of every mitigation strategy so it was not specifically listed as a goal. The main omissions from the existing mitigation strategy are incorrect information like utility regulation requirements, certain ordinances, and projects that are not feasible. As for changes in local conditions, North Liberty is growing at a fast pace. New development is primarily in the eastern areas of the city, and the City plans to scale services to provide adequate levels to new residents and businesses. Overall, Johnson County is growing in population the entire county is expanding service provision.
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Vulnerable Populations
In North Liberty, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For North Liberty, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Mobile home, slab home, and apartment residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in North Liberty. A major concern is the vulnerability of people who live in mobile homes, slab homes, and apartment buildings. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable to tornado, windstorm, and hailstorm events.
Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of North Liberty buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City maintains water, wastewater, storm water, and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.5 for all critical facilities. It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to North Liberty. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of North Liberty. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. All local hospitals are considered critical facilities because residents in North Liberty depend on these facilities for major medical services. For regular medical services, residents depend on medical clinics located in North Liberty and other nearby cities. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City, which approximately 10 minutes from North Liberty. A Clear Creek Community School District elementary school is located in North Liberty. Generally, all of the school district facilities are considered critical. Students beyond elementary school attend middle and high school at facilities located in Tiffin, which is east of North Liberty approximately ten minutes.
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Table 8.5: North Liberty Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall Contains City staff, essential services, records, and equipment
Police Station Provides essential emergency response to unincorporated areas and cities
Fire Station Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Recreation Center Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and vulnerable populations
Library Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and vulnerable populations
Roads, bridges, and maintenance facilities Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Water infrastructure and facilities Provides potable water for residents and businesses
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats wastewater to maintain public and environmental health
Storm water infrastructure and facilities Protects buildings, infrastructure, and property from storm water damage
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
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Oxford Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Power generators for critical facilities will be a hazard mitigation priority in Oxford. The City’s outdoor warning sirens do not have a backup source of power. In addition, the City maintains generators at the Fire Station, water plant, and sewer plant, but these generators may become obsolete. Similar to all jurisdictions, maintaining infrastructure, especially water infrastructure, is a high priority. Wastewater and storm water facilities are especially vulnerable in areas with flood issues, although Oxford has limited issues with flooding. Small cracks occur in water infrastructure as it ages, which allows inflow and infiltration from heavy rains and flooding. The increased flow can cause additional damage to the infrastructure and the potential for backup in properties. Moving forward, increased City Code enforcement will be a priority for the City. Code enforcement has major implications for hazard mitigation. Regular and proper maintenance of structures can potentially reduce damage caused by various hazards and also prevent hazards like structural fire and structural failure. The City does not have a history of hazards related to structural issues, but as structures in the city continue to age, issues may emerge.
Vulnerable Populations
In Oxford, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Oxford, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Mobile home and slab home residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in Oxford. A major concern is the vulnerability of people who live in mobile and slab homes. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Oxford buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City maintains water, wastewater, storm water, and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.6 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.6: Oxford Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall Contains City staff, essential services, records, and equipment
Fire Station Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
City Shop Contains equipment to provide essential services
Roads Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Water infrastructure and facilities (currently being constructed)
Provides potable water for residents and businesses
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats wastewater to maintain public and environmental health
Storm water infrastructure and facilities Protects buildings, infrastructure, and property from storm water damage
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to Oxford. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Oxford. Since the City of Oxford does not maintain a police department, the City contracts with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for emergency response and enforcement. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. All local hospitals are considered critical facilities because residents in Oxford depend on these facilities for major medical services. For regular medical services, residents depend on medical clinics located in other cities. The nearest medical clinics are in the Iowa City metropolitan area, which is approximately 15 minutes from Oxford. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City. The Clear Creek Amana Community School District administrative office and one of three elementary schools is located in Oxford. For the city, all school district facilities are considered critical because students beyond elementary attend school at middle and high school facilities in Tiffin. Other critical facilities to note are the Legion Hall and St. Mary’s Church, which are potential shelter facilities for residents and visitors. The church is typically left open in the case of severe weather events.
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Shueyville Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Power generators for critical facilities will be a hazard mitigation priority in Shueyville. The City has one main building, which is the Shueyville Community Center. This building contains City operations and space for events so it is the most ideal facility to function as a shelter, if needed, so a generator for this building is a high priority. Shueyville is located near an Interstate 380 interchange so residents can easily access nearby cities. Due to its rural character and convenient location, Shueyville steadily grows with new housing developed each year. As the city expands, transportation infrastructure and the outdoor warning siren system will need to expand to the appropriate scale.
Vulnerable Populations
In Shueyville, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Shueyville, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in Shueyville. The daycare at the United Methodist Church was identified specifically as vulnerable due to a concentration of children at facility most of the day.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Shueyville buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City does not maintain water infrastructure, but the City does maintain transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.7 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.7: Shueyville Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall/Community Center Contains City staff, essential services, records, and equipment and is a potential shelter facility
Fire Station (located in Swisher) Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Roads Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
City Hall/Community Center water well Provides potable water to a critical facility
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to Shueyville. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Oxford. Since the City of Shueyville does not maintain a police department, the City contracts with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for emergency response and enforcement. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. All local hospitals are considered critical facilities because residents in Shueyville depend on these facilities for major medical services. For regular medical services, residents depend on medical clinics located in other cities. The nearest medical clinics are in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, which is approximately 15 minutes north, located in Linn County. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City. Considering Shueyville’s location in northern Johnson County, it is likely residents use the medical facilities in either the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City area. There are no school facilities located in Shueyville. Students in Shueyville and the northern areas of Johnson County attend school at the College Community School District, which is located in south Cedar Rapids. The College Community School District facilities will be included in the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan for Linn County.
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Solon Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Solon is periodically affected by flooding, and a persistent issue is losing access to the City’s wastewater treatment plant. Securing permanent access to the facility is a high priority. Flash flooding rather than river flooding is the primary issue in Solon. Heavy rains can cause a sudden rise in creek level. The City’s park has been damaged multiple times, and the City in considering alternative park facilities. Similar to all jurisdictions, maintaining infrastructure, especially water infrastructure, is a high priority. Wastewater and storm water facilities are especially vulnerable in areas with flood issues. Small cracks occur in water infrastructure as it ages, which allows inflow and infiltration from heavy rains and flooding. The increased flow can cause additional damage to the infrastructure and the potential for backup in properties. Power generators for critical facilities are a hazard mitigation priority in Solon. The City’s outdoor warning sirens and City Hall do not have backup power. In addition, the City maintains generators at the Fire Station, wastewater plant, water wells, and one lift station, but these generators may become obsolete.
Vulnerable Populations
In Solon, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Solon, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Mobile home, slab home, and apartment building
residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in Solon. A major concern is the vulnerability of people who live in mobile homes, slab homes, and apartment buildings. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable. Several facilities located throughout the city have a concentrated population of seniors or elderly. An assisted living, care facility, and retirement housing operation in Solon. Residents of the these facilities may be vulnerable due to mobility issues
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Solon buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City maintains water, wastewater, storm water, and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.8 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.8: Solon Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall Contains City staff, essential services, records, and equipment
Fire Station Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Public Works Building Contains City staff, essential services, and equipment
Library Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and vulnerable populations
Roads Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Water infrastructure and facilities (currently being constructed)
Provides potable water for residents and businesses
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats wastewater to maintain public and environmental health
Storm water infrastructure and facilities Protects buildings, infrastructure, and property from storm water damage
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to Solon. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Lone Tree. Since the City of Solon does not maintain a police department, the City contracts with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for emergency response and enforcement. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. All local hospitals are considered critical facilities because residents in Solon depend on these facilities for major medical services. For regular medical services, residents depend on the medical clinic located in Solon. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City. Considering Solon’s location, some residents may go to Cedar Rapids for hospital care. Solon Community School District facilities are located completely within the city. All of the school district facilities are considered critical. The school facilities are a major activity center for the city because all of the students in Solon and surrounding areas attend these facilities the majority of the day and year.
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Swisher Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Swisher is located near an Interstate 380 interchange so residents can easily access nearby cities. Due to its rural character and convenient location, Swisher steadily grows with new housing developed each year. As the city expands, wastewater infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and the outdoor warning siren system will need to expand to the appropriate scale. Hazard mitigation priorities involve the typical impacts of tornado, windstorm, and hailstorm events. Major projects include a safe room in the City’s park and a power generator for City Hall. People who use outdoor recreation facilities are vulnerable, and if power failure was to occur, City Hall could function as an emergency operations center for the City.
Vulnerable Populations
In Swisher, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Swisher, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in Shueyville. An assisted living facility located in Swisher was specifically identified as potentially vulnerable. Residents may have mobility issues that make them vulnerable during a hazard event.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Swisher buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City does not maintain potable water infrastructure, but the City does maintain wastewater and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.9 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.9: Swisher Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall Contains City staff, essential services, records, and equipment and is a potential shelter facility
Fire Station Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Roads and maintenance facility Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats wastewater to maintain public and environmental health
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to Swisher. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Swisher. Since the City of Swisher does not maintain a police department, the City contracts with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for emergency response and enforcement. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. All local hospitals are considered critical facilities because residents in Swisher depend on these facilities for major medical services. For regular medical services, residents depend on medical clinics located in other cities. The nearest medical clinics are in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, which is approximately 15 minutes north, located in Linn County. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City. Considering Swisher’s location in northern Johnson County, it is likely residents use the medical facilities in either the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City area. There are no school facilities located in Swisher. Students in Swisher and the northern areas of Johnson County attend school at the College Community School District, which is located in south Cedar Rapids. The College Community School District facilities will be included in the multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan for Linn County.
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Tiffin Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Tiffin is an extremely fast growing jurisdiction in Johnson County. The city is located near an Interstate 80 interchange just west of the Iowa City metropolitan area. The City is currently planning for additional growth, considering the ideal areas to develop, infrastructure, services, outdoor warning sirens, etc. In a recent water infrastructure project, the City significantly expanded water supply. Moving forward, providing local emergency response through a City police department and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) are priorities. An immediate issue is the City’s outdoor warning siren. The outdoor warning is outdated with no backup power capabilities, and as the city is developed, coverage may not be appropriate. Of all hazard mitigation priorities, replacing the current outdoor warning siren is the highest priority. A persistent issue and concern throughout the county is the loss of power to critical facilities. Power generator projects will be a high priority for Tiffin buildings and infrastructure. The City is currently building a new City Hall, and this building is an ideal emergency operations site for the City during a hazard event. Tiffin does have generators for limited facilities. Eventually, generator replacement with be a high priority. Overall, with the increased use of technology and mechanical systems, consistent power is extremely important. Another high priority is providing shelter to residents, especially vulnerable populations. The City plans to work with the local church to determine procedures for opening the facility for shelter. A safe room project is a long-term priority for the City of Tiffin.
Vulnerable Populations
In Tiffin, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For Tiffin, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Mobile home, slab home, and apartment residents o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations in Tiffin. A major concern is the vulnerability of people who live in mobile homes, slab homes, and apartment buildings. If appropriate shelter is not available within a reasonable distance, these people are extremely vulnerable to tornado, windstorm, and hailstorm events.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of Tiffin buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City maintains water, wastewater, storm water, and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.10 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.10: Tiffin Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall (existing and future) Contains City staff, essential services, records, and equipment
Fire Station Provides essential emergency fire and hazardous materials response to unincorporated areas and cities
Recreation Center Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and vulnerable populations
Library Potential shelter facility and contains City staff and vulnerable populations
Roads, bridges, and maintenance facility Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders
Water infrastructure and facilities Provides potable water for residents and businesses
Wastewater infrastructure and facilities Removes and treats wastewater to maintain public and environmental health
Storm water infrastructure and facilities Protects buildings, infrastructure, and property from storm water damage
Communications infrastructure (includes warning sirens)
Provides essential communication capabilities to emergency responders and warnings to residents
It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to Tiffin. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of Tiffin. Since the City of Tiffin does not maintain a police department, the City contracts with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for emergency response and enforcement. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. All local hospitals are considered critical facilities because residents in Tiffin depend on these facilities for major medical services. For regular medical services, residents depend on medical clinics located in Iowa City and Coralville. All hospitals in Johnson County are located in Iowa City, which is approximately 10 minutes from Tiffin. The Clear Creek Community School District middle school and high school facilities are located in Tiffin. Generally, all of the school district facilities are considered critical. The Clear Creek Amana High School is especially critical because it is a designate shelter facility in Johnson County.
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University Heights Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
University Heights is a unique jurisdiction in Johnson County because it is completely surrounded by Iowa City and located next to the medical and sports facilities on the west side of the University of Iowa. The City independently maintains limited services and infrastructure including roads and storm water infrastructure. Water and wastewater services and infrastructure are maintained by the City of Iowa City. The City of Coralville provides fire protection services. In addition, Iowa City maintains the traffic signals in University Heights. The City does not own any buildings or facilities beyond infrastructure. The City Hall space, which also serves as the base for the police department, is rented. The building that contains City Hall does have a generator so the space can function as an emergency operations center during a hazard event. When City meetings will likely exceed City Hall capacity, though, the City uses space at the University Athletic Club. The major hazard mitigation priority in University Heights is preventing power failure that is caused by damaged trees during hazard events like tornado, windstorm, hailstorm, and sever winter storm. Managing but also preserving trees in University Heights is a consideration, because the City and public also value the large trees throughout the city. An urban forest management plan is a potential method for reducing damage and power failure while preserving the City’s natural assets. Another major hazard mitigation priority is expanding storm water infrastructure to handle heavy rains. Several areas have been identified for improvements, and the primary area is along Melrose Avenue, which carries the largest amount of traffic through the city. Potential damage to the street and adjacent properties is the main concern.
Overall, for the City of University Heights, coordinating with adjacent and nearby cities is extremely important for hazard mitigation. Certain infrastructure and services are provided by other cities so an ongoing priority is working closely with adjacent cities, especially Iowa City and Coralville. It should be noted, there is a high level of collaboration among the emergency response agencies throughout Johnson County, which is coordinate by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency.
Vulnerable Populations
In University Heights, several groups were identified as especially vulnerable to hazard events. Most jurisdictions in the planning area identified similar groups of people. For University Heights, vulnerable populations include:
o Young and elderly o Physically impaired individuals o Cognitively impaired individuals o Individuals with medical conditions o Non-English speaking individuals o Residents in apartment buildings o Outdoor workers o Outdoor recreation facility users o Visitors at outdoor events
Effective early warning systems, appropriate response, and general public education are major priorities for protecting vulnerable populations. In University Heights, early warning systems are maintained by adjacent cities, but the City does regularly provide information to residents.
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Critical Facilities
All existing and future City of University Heights buildings, infrastructure, and property are considered critical facilities. The City does not independently maintain water and wastewater infrastructure. This infrastructure and associated facilities, although not maintained by the City, are critical to the residents of University Heights. The City of Iowa City maintains the water, wastewater, and traffic signals in University Heights. The City does maintain storm water and transportation infrastructure. See Table 8.11 for all critical facilities.
Table 8.11: University Heights Critical Facilities
Facility Justification
City Hall (rented facility) Contains City staff, essential services, and records
Roads Provides transportation routes for residents, businesses, and emergency responders It should be noted that other facilities, not maintained by the City, are considered critical facilities to University Heights. Facilities maintained for the entire county including the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), and the Johnson County Ambulance facility are critical to residents of University Heights. The Joint Emergency Communications Center is the clearinghouse for all emergency response in the county, and the outdoor warning siren system is activated by the JECC. The Johnson County Ambulance provides service to the entire county. The City of University maintains a local police department, but the City contracts with the City of Coralville for emergency fire and hazardous materials response. Considering this partnership, Fire Station 1 in Coralville is a critical facility for the City of University Heights. In addition, the City does not maintain and outdoor warning siren system, but the system for Iowa City and the University of Iowa provide complete coverage for University Heights. All local hospitals and medical clinics are considered critical facilities because residents depend on these facilities for major medical services. Nearby medical clinics and all hospitals are located in Iowa City. In addition, one Iowa City Community School District elementary school is located in University Heights and is considered critical facilities. Generally, all school district facilities are considered critical because students in University Heights beyond elementary attend school at other facilities located in Iowa City.
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School District Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
School districts throughout the planning area have similar priorities, which are primarily generators and safe rooms in their facilities. Being able to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors while using facilities is the highest hazard mitigation priority. A safe room provides safe shelter during severe weather including tornado, windstorm, and hailstorm events. In addition, having backup power generators maintains the school district’s ability to communicate and heat and cool facilities, if power failure were to occur. Flooding is not a major issue for school district facilities in Johnson County, but the transportation-related issues due to flooding are a concern. Even if facilities are not directly affected, inaccessibility disrupts operations. In some school facilities insufficient storm water infrastructure is an issue, but this infrastructure is maintained by the surrounding city jurisdiction. Human caused hazards have become a major concern in school districts due to recent intruder events in other areas of the United States. Increasing security with controlled entrance, security cameras, and/or visitor protocol is ongoing at all school districts. In addition, school districts are completing intruder training to prepare faculty and staff for potential intruder events. Another hazard mitigation priority for school districts is hardening school facilities to withstand severe weather such as tornados, windstorms, thunderstorm, lightning, and hailstorms. Most school districts have aging facilities that are vulnerable to natural hazards. General protection of buildings is a major and ongoing priority.
Vulnerable Populations
For school districts, vulnerable populations are simply students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Every person who uses school facilities regardless of whether is to attend school, educate, volunteer, or attend events is to be protected by the school district. Providing early warning and shelter during a hazard event are essential to protecting students, faculty, staff, and visitors in any type of hazard event.
Critical Facilities
All school facilities, grounds, and property located throughout each school district are considered critical facilities. Any undeveloped land owned by a school district is considered critical because it could the site a future school facility. School facilities vary from administrative buildings to school buildings to recreation facilities, and all types are critical to maintain basic operations. For the location of school facilities throughout the county, see Figures 8.0 and 8.1 on the following pages.
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Figure 8.0: School Facilities in the Iowa City Metropolitan Area
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Figure 8.1: School Facilities in Johnson County
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University of Iowa Key Considerations
Specialized Issues
Like several jurisdictions in Johnson County, the University of Iowa continues to recover from the major eastern Iowa flood in 2008. The flood event caused extensive property damage and disrupted the provision of services. Moving forward, reducing vulnerability to river and flash flood is a high priority. The University of Iowa will continue to remove structures from the floodplain and protect critical facilities and infrastructure. Collaboration within the watershed will be extremely important to the University’s recovery and mitigation for future flood events. The Iowa Flood Center is located at the University, and the University is coordinating flood recovery and mitigation projects with surrounding jurisdictions. A major hazard mitigation priority for the University is to build redundancies into utility systems. The University maintains its own power and water system to provide services to campus buildings. Certain facilities are vulnerable to hazards so relocation and protections projects are an ongoing priority. Another major hazard mitigation priority for the University of Iowa is continued emergency planning and exercise. Existing plans will be enhanced to reflect changes throughout campus. In addition, continuity of operations plans for individual buildings and departments is a major priority. Currently, there are limited building or department plans in place.
Update Issues
The University of Iowa has an existing single jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan. As this plan is technically an update for this participating jurisdiction, changes in priorities and local
conditions should be noted. For most jurisdictions with existing hazard mitigation plans, the overall plan has not changed significantly. For the University, major priorities of have not changed because a hazard mitigation strategy is long-term in nature. The university’s hazard mitigation goals were modified to more accurately reflect the broad purpose of hazard mitigation. Specific language that was more so a mitigation action rather than goal is what was primarily modified. The City’s existing risk assessment and mitigation strategy were used as a base for discussion. New hazard data did not significantly change which hazards are considered a high priority. Any changes to the mitigation strategy were to reflect progress, additional priorities, or errors. For certain mitigation actions, the project was more specifically defined or multiple mitigation were combined. For each hazard, progress is described in the City’s mitigation strategy. It should be noted that all goals were modified to reflect the general purpose of hazard mitigation rather than specific language that is more appropriate in a mitigation strategy. The only omissions from the existing mitigation strategy are incorrect information regarding capabilities and responsibilities at the University. As for changes in local conditions, much of the progress in completing the university’s hazard mitigation strategy has contributed to reduced vulnerability. Flood prone properties have been acquired and demolished, a floodplain ordinance prevents flood prone development, and general planning practices discourage new development in flood prone areas. The University continues to aggressively reduce vulnerability to river
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and flash flood with structural projects. Development patterns have not significantly changed as a long-term campus planning process guides development. New facilities have been constructed within the existing campus, and a new medical facility opened in Coralville at the Iowa River Landing. Overall, Johnson County’s population is increasing. Iowa City provides services beyond its residents as it contains the majority of University of Iowa facilities, which includes major medical centers that provide care to patients from around the Midwest. The City continues to scale utilities to support overall population and visitor increases. In the City’s mitigation strategy, keeping pace is an evident priority
Vulnerable Populations
For school districts, vulnerable populations are simply students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Every person who uses school facilities regardless of whether is to attend school, educate, volunteer, or attend events is to be protected by the school district. Providing early warning and shelter during a hazard event are essential to protecting students, faculty, staff, and visitors in any type of hazard event.
Critical Facilities
At the University of Iowa, all university facilities, grounds, and property located throughout the main campus in Iowa City, in areas of Coralville, and throughout Johnson County are considered critical facilities. It should be noted that critical facilities are not limited to academic facilities but also medical, research, or any other services provided by the institution. Property that may not be developed is considered critical because it may be the site of a future building or it may be involved in floodplain management. It should also be noted that the University of Iowa maintains an extensive infrastructure network to provide utilities to its facilities, and all infrastructure and associated systems are considered critical facilities. See a map of major critical in Figure 8.3 on the following page. For the most recent campus maps, refer to the University of Iowa website.
176
Figure 8.3: University of Iowa Major Critical Facilities
Source: University of Iowa Website
177
Mitigation Strategy
A mitigation strategy is a set of mitigation actions meant to prevent the potential impacts of hazards. There are several types of mitigation actions with a different method of reducing vulnerability. Types of mitigation actions include prevention, property protection, public education and awareness, natural resource protection, emergency services, and structural projects. Each jurisdiction in the planning area identified the sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions for each of the hazards identified as having the potential to affect the jurisdiction. For proposed mitigation actions, the planning team in each jurisdiction considered each type of mitigation action before identifying mitigation actions to include their final mitigation strategy. The mitigation strategy of each jurisdiction is included in this section of the plan. It should be noted that for the jurisdictions with existing single jurisdictions plans, the existing mitigation strategy was used as a base for the mitigation strategy in this plan. Jurisdictions with an existing plan include Unincorporated Johnson County, Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, and the University of Iowa. In each jurisdiction’s strategy, mitigation actions are categorized as sustained or proposed. Inclusion in the existing plan is identified, and completed mitigation actions are identified as progress toward completing current proposed mitigation actions.
Source: Hanna Rosman, May 2013
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Unincorporated Johnson County Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the Unincorporated Johnson County Planning Team discussed the assessment and decided that hazard priority levels did reflect overall conditions. The planning team did decide to exclude one hazard from the mitigation strategy due to minimal risk. For the hazard priority levels and excluded hazard see Tables 9.0 and 9.1.
Table 9.0: Unincorporated Johnson County Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Dam and Levee Failure Radiological Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Drought Thunderstorm and Lightning Transportation Incident Extreme Heat Terrorism
Earthquake Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Landslide Grass or Wildland Fire Sinkholes
Table 9.1: Unincorporated Johnson County Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Expansive Soils* No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
*Note: This hazard was not excluded in the existing single jurisdiction plan.
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in the unincorporated areas of Johnson County, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the County’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the County’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.3 through 9.21.
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Table 9.3: Unincorporated Johnson County River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises, especially the Flood Emergency Plan
Sustained X Previously "Develop a Flood Emergency Operations Plan," component of the County's floodplain management program
The plan was developed and incorporated into regular emergency planning and exercises
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Encompasses "Education and outreach"
Johnson County code enforcement and maintenance, especially the Floodplain Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance
Sustained X Maintains NFIP compliance and is a component of the County's floodplain management program
Maintain power generators Sustained
Maintain completed flood mitigation projects
Sustained
Component of the County's floodplain management program
Maintenance of flood mitigation projects has become an Sustained component of County operations
Identify and monitor flood risk at the local level and watershed level through river/creek gauges, floodplain studies and mapping, and cooperation within the watershed
Sustained X
Encompasses "River gauges and flood level monitoring, 'Additional floodplain studies and mapping,' and 'Multi-Jurisdictional cooperation within watershed" and is component of the County’s floodplain management program
Maintain the County Assistance Team (CAT)
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained X
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information and access to the Damage Report System
Sustained
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Table 9.3: Unincorporated Johnson County River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Improve, and/or expand storm water systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Proposed X
Encompasses "Environmental protection and storm water management," continued improvement of the County's floodplain management program
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate additional flood prone structures
Proposed X Previously split into multiple mitigation actions, continued improvement of the County's floodplain management program
Flood damaged property buyout program
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities
Proposed X
Encompasses "Dry flood proofing" and "Wet flood proofing," continued improvement of the County's floodplain management program
Establish a flood protected travel corridor between Linn and Johnson County
Proposed
Continued improvement of the County's floodplain management program
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed X Previously "Back Up Generators"
Generators were added to the Sheriff's Office, Johnson County ambulance facility, the Joint Emergency Communications Center, and portable generators were purchased to use in critical facilities
Add pumps to critical facilities
Proposed
Elevate and/or protect transportation infrastructure
Proposed X
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Table 9.4: Unincorporated Johnson County Dam and Levee Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained Encompasses "Expanded public education programs on dam safety" and "Expand emergency notification capabilities"
No major progress in general education because dam safety education programs from other government agencies is considered sufficient, emergency notification was expanded through the development of the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and completion of the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Coordinate with the Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and private property owners
Sustained
Encompasses "Dam and infrastructure maintenance" because major dams located in Johnson County are not County property and encompasses "Map dam failure areas" because the Army Corp of Engineers completes this analysis
The Army Corps of Engineers completed dam failure area maps
Maintain National Flood Insurance Program compliance
Sustained X Includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Johnson County code enforcement and maintenance, especially the Floodplain Ordinance
Sustained
Maintain completed flood mitigation projects
Sustained X Encompasses "Studies and updates/maintenance of existing structural flood mitigation projects"
Vegetation control and abatement
Sustained
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Table 9.4: Unincorporated Johnson County Dam and Levee Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Identify and monitor flood risk at the local level and watershed level through river/creek gauges, floodplain studies and mapping, and cooperation within the watershed
Sustained X Encompasses previous action "Floodplain studies and mapping"
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained Encompasses "Expand emergency notification capabilities"
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities
Proposed X Encompasses "Studies and updates/maintenance of existing structural flood mitigation projects"
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Table 9.5: Unincorporated Johnson County Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained X
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Maintain the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained X Previously "Employee Training"
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with rail companies
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained X Previously "Employee Training"
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
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Table 9.6: Unincorporated Johnson County Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability
Sustained X System was expanded and improved, see proposed mitigation action for the County's warning siren system
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained Encompasses "Trained Weather Spotters"
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X Encompasses "Trained Weather Spotters" and "Fire Department"
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Enforce Johnson County code regulations, especially building codes
Sustained X Previously "Building Codes"
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Previously "Utility Tree Maintenance" and changed to reflect the County's limited capabilities, which includes right-of-way management
Maintain power generators Sustained
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Table 9.6: Unincorporated Johnson County Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Bury power lines, where applicable, in County improvement projects
Sustained
Administer weather radio subsidy program
Sustained X Previously "Increase the number of residents with access to a Weather Radio" and encompasses "Weather Radios"
Weather radio subsidy program was developed
Maintain County Assistance Team (CAT)
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed X Previously "Purchase back-up generators to provide power to essential public facility"
Generators were added to the Sheriff's Office, Johnson County ambulance facility, the Joint Emergency Communications Center, and portable generators were purchased to use in critical facilities
Expand warning siren system coverage
Proposed
New warning sirens were added to the system and a new control system was implemented to allow remote control at the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Construct community safe rooms with backup power generators
Proposed X Previously "Create Safe Rooms to increase access to public shelters"
Priorities and available funding limited the County's ability to construct safe rooms
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Previously "Implement an Emergency Assistance Registry to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities, or other special needs during or after events" and encompasses "Local Media StormCasts"
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Bury power lines for critical facilities
Proposed
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Table 9.7: Unincorporated Johnson County Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained X Encompasses “Johnson County EMA maintains Tier II report”
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X Previously “Response from various fire departments”
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained X
Previously “Maintain contact with Johnson County area HAZMAT Response Team,” encompasses “Some County staff trained in response and materials identification” and “Obtain better supplies for immediate containment of spills”
Maintaining the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team involves purchasing equipment and supplies, if needed
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with rail and pipeline companies that operate in Johnson County
Sustained
Necessary staff and officials complete National Incident Management System and hazardous materials training
Sustained X Encompasses “Some County staff are also trained in response and materials identification”
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
187
Table 9.8: Unincorporated Johnson County Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained Encompasses “Identify backup heat sources”
Emergency planning identifies procedures for energy failure during severe winter storms
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained X Encompasses “Encourage safe winter driving practices”
Driving regulations enforcement and general education outreach from the Sheriff’s Office is considered sufficient
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X Previously “Johnson County EMA assistance”
The Joint Emergency Communications Center in Johnson County was built and currently operates
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain snow removal program
Sustained X Encompasses “Use of salt and saline solutions” and “Snow Emergency Ordinance”
Enforce Johnson County code regulations, especially building codes
Sustained
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Maintain power generators Sustained
Bury power lines, where applicable, in County improvement projects
Sustained X Previously “Buried power lines in newer areas”
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Table 9.8: Unincorporated Johnson County Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Administer weather radio subsidy program
Sustained Weather radio subsidy program was developed
Maintain County Assistance Team (CAT)
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and safety improvements
Sustained X Previously “Improvements to road and road design”
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed X
Generators were added to the Sheriff's Office, Johnson County ambulance facility, the Joint Emergency Communications Center, and portable generators were purchased to use in critical facilities throughout the county
Bury power lines for critical facilities
Proposed X Previously “Bury power lines” Buried power lines are a component of new and improvement projects for County facilities
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses "Code Red” and “Implement an Emergency Assistance Registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs during or after events”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
189
Table 9.10: Unincorporated Johnson County Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained X Encompasses “Media,”“Code Red,” and “Public education”
The county maintains a procedure for communicating health-related information to the public
Maintain Johnson County Public Health and Bio-Emergency Plan
Sustained X
Previously “County public health department and existing pandemic influenza plans” and “Support and updates to county health plans”
The public health department is responsible for public education and considered sufficient
Maintain the Johnson County Medical Examiner and Mass Fatality Plan
Encompasses “Support and updates to county health plans”
Issue well and septic tank permits, test water, and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to maintain potable water
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff and materials identification training
Sustained X
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained X Encompasses “Public education”
190
Table 9.11: Unincorporated Johnson County Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained X Previously “Multiple forms of communication”
Maintain and improve infrastructure
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Encompasses “Fire prevention education in schools,” “Continue or expand fire prevention education programs,” “Smoke detectors,” “Encourage residents to properly clean chimneys to prevent fire,” “Encourage installation of additional sprinkler systems and supporting infrastructure,” and “Identify unmet needs of fire departments and pursue funding”
Local fire departments provide fire education and are responsible for maintaining training and equipment
Encourage the inclusion of dry hydrants during the land planning process
Sustained X
Encompasses “Add and update fire hydrants” and “Improve or maintain water system infrastructure to ensure proper response capability”
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Encompasses “Construction of the Joint Emergency Communications Center” and “Continue to support the Joint Emergency Communications Center”
The Joint Emergency Communications Center in Johnson County was built and currently operates
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
191
Table 9.11: Unincorporated Johnson County Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Johnson County code enforcement and maintenance, especially building codes
Sustained X
Encompasses “Building codes,” “Fire codes,” “Subdivision ordinances,” “Continue to adopt new buildings codes,” and “Encourage installation of additional sprinkler systems and supporting infrastructure”
Adopting to new building codes is included in maintaining County regulations, during the building process businesses and residents are encouraged to add extra fire suppression capability
Provide rental inspections Sustained X
Administer housing rehabilitation programs as funding is available
Sustained X Encompasses “Update and retrofit older homes”
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X Previously “Utilities provide tree management services where trees come near utility lines”
Maintain power generators Sustained
Bury power lines, where applicable, in County improvement projects
Sustained X Previously “Bury power lines”
Maintain technology and communication infrastructure
Sustained X Previously “Standards compliant radio communication” and “Update radio communications as standards change”
Communication infrastructure is continuously updated
Coordinate with rail and pipeline companies
Sustained
Coordinate with the Iowa Pipeline Association
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
192
Table 9.11: Unincorporated Johnson County Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed X
Generators were added to the Sheriff's Office, Johnson County ambulance facility, the Joint Emergency Communications Center, and portable generators were purchased to use in critical facilities throughout the county
Improve and/or expand storm water systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Proposed A storm water management plan was developed for County facilities
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X Previously “Code Red” and “Expand emergency notification capabilities”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Bury power lines for critical facilities
Proposed X Previously “Bury power lines” Buried power lines are a component of new and improvement projects for County facilities
193
Table 9.12: Unincorporated Johnson County Drought Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X Previously “Coordination with DNR regarding burning regulations”
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan, specifically inform residents of water conservation measures, if needed
Sustained X Encompasses “Public education and awareness of water saving techniques”
Issue well and septic tank permits, test water, and provide technical assistance
Sustained X Previously “Continue to offer or expand technical advice on wells and irrigation/drainage techniques”
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
194
Table 9.13: Unincorporated Johnson County Thunderstorm and Lightning Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained X Encompasses “Local media StormCasts”
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability
Sustained X System was expanded and improved, see proposed mitigation action for the County's warning siren system
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Enforce Johnson County code regulations, especially building codes
Sustained X Previously “International Building Code”
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Maintain power generators Sustained
195
Table 9.13: Unincorporated Johnson County Thunderstorm and Lightning Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Bury power lines, where applicable, in County improvement projects
Sustained
Administer weather radio subsidy program
Sustained X Previously “Increase the number of residents with access to a weather radio”
Weather radio subsidy program was developed
Maintain County Assistance Team (CAT)
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed X
Generators were added to the Sheriff's Office, Johnson County ambulance facility, the Joint Emergency Communications Center, and portable generators were purchased to use in critical facilities throughout the county
Expand warning siren system coverage
Proposed X
New warning sirens were added to the system and a new control system was implemented to allow remote control at the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Construct community safe rooms with backup power generators
Proposed X Priorities and available funding limited the County's ability to construct safe rooms
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Previously “Expand Code Red capabilities for faster notification times” and “Implement an Emergency Assistance Registry to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Bury power lines for critical facilities
Proposed
196
Table 9.14: Unincorporated Johnson County Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and safety improvements
Sustained X
Encompasses “Improved infrastructure design,” “County enforces road design standards to decrease likelihood of transportation incidents,” and “County improves roadway infrastructure as possible, according to funding restrictions”
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained X
Encompasses “Response personnel,” “Police enforcement of speed limits,” “Response personnel and training,” and “Driver safety education”
Training and public education is a sustained activity of operation of a law enforcement agency
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Previously “Johnson County EMA assistance” and encompasses “Update and maintain a list of hazardous goods transported through the county”
The Joint Emergency Communications Center in Johnson County was built and currently operates
Maintain the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained X Previously “HAZMAT response” and encompasses “Response personnel”
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Previously “Response from various fire departments” and encompasses “Response personnel” and “Response personnel and training”
Training is sustained activity of operation for local fire departments
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained Encompasses “Response personnel” and “Response personnel and training”
Training is a sustained activity of operation for EMTs
Maintain County Assistance Team (CAT)
Sustained
197
Table 9.14: Unincorporated Johnson County Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Coordinate with rail and pipeline companies that operate in Johnson County
Sustained X
Encompasses “Continue to work with rail companies to ensure safe multi-modal rail crossings” and “Continue to educate the public about railroad safety”
Public education from railroad and pipelines companies and associations is considered sufficient
Participate in the regional Multi-Disciplinary Safety Team
Sustained County engineer hosts and participates in monthly meetings
Maintain Geographic Information System (GIS) database of transportation infrastructure
Sustained X
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
198
Table 9.15: Unincorporated Johnson County Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained X Encompasses “Public education” and “Weather Radios”
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained
The Joint Emergency Communications Center in Johnson County was built and currently operates
Maintain power generators Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed
Generators were added to the Sheriff's Office, Johnson County ambulance facility, the Joint Emergency Communications Center, and portable generators were purchased to use in critical facilities throughout the county
Identify cooling centers Proposed X No notable progress
199
Table 9.16: Unincorporated Johnson County Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained X Includes Threat Hazard Index and Risk Assessment, encompasses “Risk Analysis” and “Emergency operations planning”
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X Encompasses “Staff training programs” Training is a sustained activity of the Sheriff’s Office
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
The Joint Emergency Communications Center in Johnson County was built and currently operates
Maintain the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain Johnson County Public Health and Bio-Emergency Plan
Sustained
Maintain Johnson County Medical Examiner and Mass Casualty Plan
Sustained
Technology and communication updates
Sustained X Encompasses “Computer software updates”
County employee background checks
Sustained X
200
Table 9.16: Unincorporated Johnson County Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
201
Table 9.17: Unincorporated Johnson County Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained X Encompasses “Educate the public”
Maintain and improve infrastructure
Sustained X Previously “Strengthen critical infrastructure”
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained
The Joint Emergency Communications Center in Johnson County was built and currently operates
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain and enforce Johnson County code regulations, building codes increase likelihood of structures withstanding earthquake events
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained X Encompasses “Educate the public”
202
Table 9.18: Unincorporated Johnson County Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises, specifically Foreign Animal Disease Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain Johnson County Public Health and Bio-Emergency Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County Medical Examiner and Mass Fatality Plan
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff and materials identification training
Sustained
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
203
Table 9.19: Unincorporated Johnson County Landslide Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County Conservation Board
Sustained
Maintain Johnson County Engineer department
Sustained
Johnson County code enforcement and maintenance, especially Sensitive Areas Ordinance
Sustained X
Maintain vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X Encompasses “Property maintenance”
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
204
Table 9.20: Unincorporated Johnson County Grass or Wildland Fire Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Coordinate with Iowa’s state fire marshal
Sustained
Coordinate with the National Weather Service (fuel data)
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County's Sheriff's Office and staff
Sustained X Encompasses “Personnel and incident training”
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments and burning restrictions
Sustained X Encompasses “Personnel and incident training” and “Public education”
Training and education are sustained activities of operation for local fire departments
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
The Joint Emergency Communications Center in Johnson County was built and currently operates
Encourage the inclusion of dry hydrants during the land planning process
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained X Encompasses “Personnel and incident training”
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
205
Table 9.21: Unincorporated Johnson County Sinkhole Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain the Crisis and Risk Communication Plan
Sustained
Maintain the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained
The Joint Emergency Communications Center in Johnson County was built and currently operates
Maintain and improve the County's website to provide information
Sustained
206
Coralville Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in Coralville modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.22 and 9.23.
Table 9.22: Coralville Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Dam and Levee Failure Radiological Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Drought* Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Transportation Incident Extreme Heat* Terrorism
Earthquake
*Note: These hazards were upgraded to Priority 2. These hazards are Priority 3 in the existing single jurisdiction plan.
Table 9.23: Coralville Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Grass or Wildland Fire Risk is minimal due to a general lack of fuel
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Current mitigation actions are sufficient and risk is acceptable
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in Coralville, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.24 through 9.37.
207
Table 9.24: Coralville River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Floodplain Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance, which requires storm water management
Sustained X Maintains National Flood Insurance Program compliance and component of floodplain management program
Maintain National Flood Insurance Program compliance
Sustained X Includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Acquisition of flood prone properties
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
Maintain water, sanitary sewer, and storm water systems to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Sustained Component of floodplain management program
Identify and monitor flood risk at the local and watershed level through river/creek gauges, floodplain studies and mapping, and cooperation within the watershed and the Iowa Flood Center
Sustained X Combines several mitigation actions, components of floodplain management program
Provide timely public education regarding flood risk and resources available
Sustained X Previously “Education and outreach”
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
208
Table 9.24: Coralville River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and update the Flood Emergency Operations Plan
Proposed X Previously “Develop a flood emergency operations plan”
The plan was developed and the City plans to maintain and update with more detailed information
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities, includes dry and wet flood proofing Example: Reconstruct Coral Ridge Avenue with green storm water infrastructure
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions and enhances floodplain management program
Completed projects include: o Reconstruction of 1st Avenue
bridge over Clear Creek o Reconstruction of 1st Avenue o 1st Avenue Flood Recovery
and Protection o Iowa River Landing Flood
Recovery and Wetland Park Improvement
o Flood mitigation on Biscuit Creek and Clear Creek
o CRANDIC Rail Corridor Flood Protection
o Storm Water Pump Stations Project
Improve and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions and enhances floodplain management program
The City’s Backflow Prevention Project was completed
209
Table 9.24: Coralville River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures Example: Animal Shelter Relocation Project with Iowa City, University of Iowa, Johnson County, and University Heights
Proposed X Enhances floodplain management program
The City acquired flooded properties after the 2008 flood
Identify and complete backflow prevention projects to protect property
Proposed X Enhances floodplain management program
The City has completed one major backflow prevention project
Dedicate a trailer to flood events that is preloaded with necessary signage and equipment
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X Encompasses “Education and outreach”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the County administers a weather radio subsidy program
210
Table 9.25: Coralville Dam and Levee Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency operations plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Coordinate with the Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies involved in the management of the reservoir and dam
Sustained X
Component of floodplain management program, encompasses “Floodplain studies and mapping” and “Map dam failure areas”
The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for dam maintenance and failure area mapping
Maintain National Flood Insurance Program compliance
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially the Floodplain Ordinance
Sustained Component of floodplain management program
Identify and monitor flood risk at the local and watershed level through river/creek gauges, floodplain studies and mapping, and cooperation within the local watershed
Sustained Component of floodplain management program
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
211
Table 9.25: Coralville Dam and Levee Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Provide timely public education regarding flood risk and resources available through the City website and news releases
Sustained X Previously “Expanded public education program on dam safety”
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain flood mitigation projects that include levee structures
Proposed X New flood mitigation projects in the City will include levee structures
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X Previously “Expand emergency notification capabilities”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
212
Table 9.26: Coralville Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency operations plans and complete exercises
Sustained X
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
213
Table 9.27: Coralville Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Trained weather spotters”
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially building codes
Sustained X
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X Previously “Utility tree maintenance”
Maintain power generators Sustained
Bury power lines, where applicable, in City projects
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
214
Table 9.27: Coralville Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed X
Expand warning siren system coverage, primarily in the north west areas
Proposed
New warning sirens were added to the system and a new control system was implemented to allow remote control at the Joint Emergency Communications Center and local control by officials
Construct community safe rooms with backup power generators
Proposed Priorities and available funding limited the City's ability to construct safe rooms
Purchase and install backup power in traffic signals
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Previously “Local media StormCasts,” “Weather radios,” and “Increase the number of residents with access to a weather radio”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the County administers a weather radio subsidy program
Determine feasibility of ordinance to require underground power lines
Proposed
215
Table 9.28: Coralville Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency operations plans and complete exercises
Sustained X
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Fire department HAZMAT facilities planning
Facilities planning is a sustained operations of the City’s fire department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Johnson County Emergency Management Agency maintains Tier II report”
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with rail and pipeline companies that operate in the Coralville area
Sustained
Provide timely information through the City website and news releases
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Assess capability for immediate containment of hazardous materials and purchase necessary supplies and equipment, as needed
Proposed X Previously “Obtain better supplies for immediate containment of spills to reduce contamination”
216
Table 9.28: Coralville Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Identify and complete projects to reduce hazardous material incidents on I-380, I-80, and the I-80/1st Avenue Interchange
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
217
Table 9.29: Coralville Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain snow removal program
Sustained X Encompasses “Use of sand and brine solutions” and “Enact snow emergency ordinance”
Maintain and improve transportation infrastructure
Sustained X Previously “Improvements to roads and road design”
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Encourage safe winter driving practices”
Enforcement and general education from the Coralville Police Department is sufficient
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Identify backup heat sources”
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially building codes
Sustained X
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Bury power lines, where applicable, in City improvement projects
Sustained X Encompasses “Buried power lines in newer areas”
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
218
Table 9.29: Coralville Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Provide timely information through the City website and news releases
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed X
Purchase and install backup power in traffic signals
Proposed
Increase storage capacity for sand and salt
Proposed
Replace or purchase additional snow removal and treatment equipment
Proposed
Review and update snow removal routes
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Determine feasibility of ordinance to require underground power lines
Proposed
219
Table 9.30: Coralville Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Timely provide information through the City website and news releases
Sustained X Previously “Public education”
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notifications System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
220
Table 9.31: Coralville Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain and improve infrastructure
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance
Sustained X Encompasses “Continue to adopt new building codes”
Rental property inspections Sustained X
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Fire Department, fire education programs, and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Encompasses “Encourage installation of additional sprinkler systems and supporting infrastructure,” “Encourage residents to property clean chimneys,” and “Smoke detectors”
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Bury power lines, where applicable, in City improvement projects
Sustained X
Administer housing rehabilitation program, as funding is available
Sustained
Technology and communication updates
Sustained
221
Table 9.31: Coralville Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
GIS database of infrastructure
Sustained X
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Provide timely information through the City website and news releases
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed
Purchase and install backup power in traffic signals
Proposed
Improve, and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water sewer systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Proposed X Encompasses “Add and update hydrants”
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed X
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Determine feasibility of ordinance to require underground power lines
Proposed
222
Table 9.32: Coralville Drought Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Inform residents of water conservation measures, if needed, through the City website and news releases
Sustained X Previously “Public education”
Increase water supply, as needed
Sustained Constructed two wells adding 1,000 gallons/minute to the water supply
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
223
Table 9.33: Coralville Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
City Code enforcement and regulation, especially building codes
Sustained X
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Maintain power generators Sustained
Bury power lines, where applicable, in City projects
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
224
Table 9.33: Coralville Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed X
Expand warning siren system coverage, primarily in the north west areas
Proposed
New warning sirens were added to the system and a new control system was implemented to allow remote control at the Joint Emergency Communications Center and local control by officials
Construct community safe rooms with backup power generators
Proposed Priorities and available funding limited the City's ability to construct safe rooms
Purchase and install backup power in traffic signals
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Implement an Emergency Assistance Registration to monitor people with illness, disabilities or special needs during or after events,” “Local media StormCasts,” “Weather radios,” and “Increase the number of residents with access to a weather radio”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the County administers a weather radio subsidy program
Determine feasibility of ordinance to require underground power lines
Proposed
225
Table 9.34: Coralville Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain and improve transportation infrastructure
Sustained X
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Previously “Response personnel and training” and encompasses “Public education” and “Police enforcement of speed limits”
Enforcement and safe driving education is a sustained operation of the Coralville Police Department
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Previously “Response personnel and training”
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Implement interoperability of radio communications”
The Joint Emergency Communications Center was constructed and operates to coordinate communications
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained Previously “Response personnel and training”
Coordinate with rail and pipeline companies that operate in the Coralville area
Sustained Encompasses “Continue to work with rail companies to ensure safe multi-modal rail crossings” and “Public education”
Rail and pipeline safety is a sustained activity of rail and pipeline companies and associations, which is considered sufficient
Cooperate with communities within the watershed, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X Combines several water incident mitigation actions
The City’s capabilities to mitigate water incidents are fairly limited
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Provide timely information through the City website and news releases
Sustained
226
Table 9.34: Coralville Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed
Purchase and install backup power in traffic signals
Proposed
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed X
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
227
Table 9.35: Coralville Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Coordinate with the Johnson Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Provide timely information through the City website and news releases
Sustained X Encompasses “Public education”
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for additional critical facilities and replace obsolete generators
Proposed
Identify potential cooling centers
Proposed X Encompasses “Public education” This mitigation action has not yet been completed
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
228
Table 9.36: Coralville Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained X Encompasses “Risk analysis” and “Staffing training programs”
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with the Johnson Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Provide timely information through the City website and news releases
Sustained
Technology and communication infrastructure updates
Sustained X
Complete City employee background checks
Sustained X
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
229
Table 9.37: Coralville Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain emergency plans and complete exercises
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Coralville Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, building codes increases the likelihood of structures withstanding earthquake events
Sustained
Provide timely information through the City website and news releases
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
230
Hills Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in Hills modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.38 and 9.39.
Table 9.38: Hills Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials River and Flash Flood Severe Winter Storm
Grass or Wildland Fire Earthquake Transportation Incident Terrorism Drought Dam and Levee Failure Infrastructure Failure
Radiological Thunderstorm, Lighting, and Hailstorm Extreme Heat Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Human Disease
Table 9.39: Hills Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in Hills, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.40 through 9.55.
231
Table 9.40: Hills Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Construct a safe room in conjunction with a new City Hall building
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain generator at the Hills Fire Station
Maintain generator at the City's sanitary sewer plant
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and collaborate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
232
Table 9.41: Hills Hazardous Materials Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Establish a communication plan between the City and Stutsmans
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.42: Hills River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
National Flood Insurance Program participation, which includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Floodplain Ordinance enforcement and maintenance
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
233
Table 9.43: Hills Severe Winter Storm Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain snow removal program
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.44: Hills Grass or Wildland Fire Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Enforce burning restrictions
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
234
Table 9.45: Hills Earthquake Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.46: Hills Transportation Incident Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
235
Table 9.47: Hills Terrorism Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.48: Hills Drought Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Inform residents of water conservation measures,
if needed
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.49: Hills Dam and Levee Failure Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
National Flood Insurance Program participation Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Floodplain Ordinance enforcement and maintenance
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
236
Table 9.50: Hills Infrastructure Failure Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
City Code enforcement and maintenance
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Maintain generator at the Hills Fire Station
Maintain generator at the City's sanitary sewer plant
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.51: Hills Radiological Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
237
Table 9.52: Hills Thunderstorm, Lighting, and Hailstorm Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Construct a safe room in conjunction with a new City Hall building
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain generator at the Hills Fire Station
Maintain generator at the City's sanitary sewer plant
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.53: Hills Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Maintain the Hills Fire Department and mutual
aid agreements Inform residents about the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
238
Table 9.54: Hills Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.55: Hills Human Disease Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
239
Iowa City Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in Iowa City modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.56 and 9.57.
Table 9.56: Iowa City Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Dam and Levee Failure Radiological Tornado and Windstorm* Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Drought Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Transportation Incident Extreme Heat Terrorism**
Earthquake Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Grass or Wildland Fire***
*Note: Tornado was upgraded to Priority 1. The hazard is Priority 2 in the existing single jurisdiction plan.
**Note: This hazard was upgraded to Priority 2. The hazard is a Priority 3 in the existing single jurisdiction plan. ***Note: This hazard was downgraded to Priority 3. The hazard is Priority 2 in the existing single jurisdiction plan.
Table 9.57: Iowa City Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in Iowa City, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.58 through 9.73.
240
Table 9.58: Iowa City River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Floodplain Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance, which requires storm water management, and Sensitive Areas Ordinance
Sustained X Maintains National Flood Insurance Program compliance and component of floodplain management program
Maintain National Flood Insurance Program compliance
Sustained Includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Acquisition of flood prone properties
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
Maintain water, sanitary sewer, and storm water systems to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Sustained Component of floodplain management program
Identify and monitor flood risk at the local and watershed level through river/creek gauges, floodplain studies and mapping, and cooperation within the watershed and the Iowa Flood Center
Sustained X Combines several mitigation actions, components of floodplain management program
Maintain generators in critical facilities
Sustained
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Provide timely public education regarding flood risk and resources available through the City website and news releases
Sustained X Previously “Education and outreach”
241
Table 9.58: Iowa City River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Maintain and update the Flood Emergency Operations Plan
Proposed X Previously “Develop a flood emergency operations plan”
The plan was developed and the City plans to maintain and update with more detailed information; a volunteer coordination plan was also developed in with the United Way
Update floodplain maps Proposed
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities, includes dry and wet flood proofing Examples: Construct West Side Levee, elevate the Normandy/Manor street intersection, secure access to the Peninsula neighborhood, and the Gateway Project
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions and enhances floodplain management program
Plans for the Gateway Project are underway, which includes elevating Dubuque Street and replacing the Park Road bridge
242
Table 9.58: Iowa City River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Improve and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property Examples: Lift station and flood gates at Rocky Shore Drive and lift station at River Street in the University of Iowa Arts Campus
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions and enhances floodplain management program
Completed a water source protection project
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures Example: North Waste Water Facility Relocation Project, Animal Shelter Relocation Project with Coralville, University of Iowa, Johnson County, and University Heights
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions and enhances floodplain management program
City acquired and demolished 93 properties flooded in the 2008 flood; City acquired property in the floodplain; City relocated the Fire Training Center
Construct single-family homes outside of the floodplain to replace homes removed
Proposed Constructed 22 rental homes to reduce loss of residential property
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
243
Table 9.58: Iowa City River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X Encompasses “Education and outreach”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
244
Table 9.59: Iowa City Dam and Levee Failure Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
Coordinate with the Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies involved in dam management
Sustained Encompasses “Dam and infrastructure maintenance” and “Map dam failure areas”
Maintenance of major dams is the responsibility of the Army Corps of Engineers; the Corps completed a dam failure area study
City Code enforcement and maintenance (Floodplain Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance requires storm water management)
Sustained
National Flood Insurance Program participation
Sustained X See River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy for floodplain management program components
City meets requirements and is actively improving floodplain management through flood mitigation projects, see River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy
Identify and monitor flood risk at the local and watershed level through river/creek gauges, floodplain studies and mapping, and cooperation within the watershed and Iowa Flood Center
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
245
Table 9.59: Iowa City Dam and Levee Failure Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely public education regarding flood risk and resources available via City website and new releases
Sustained X Encompasses “Expanded public education programs on dam safety” and “Expand emergency notification capabilities”
Generally, agencies responsible for dam management provide education, as needed; the Johnson County Emergency Notification is available for providing warning
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
Construct and maintain West Side Levee
Proposed
Potential levee failure will become a concern when levee structures are constructed and encompasses “Studies and maintenance of flood mitigation projects”
246
Table 9.60: Iowa City Radiological Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with rail companies
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Coordinate with Dale Arnold Energy Center
Sustained Designated relocation site for potential incidents
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
247
Table 9.61: Iowa City Tornado and Windstorm Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Sustained Joint Emergency Communications Centers was constructed and currently operates
Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Trained weather spotters”
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Increase the number of residents with access to weather radios”
Administers weather radio subsidy program
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance
Sustained
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and collaborate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained Previously “Utility tree maintenance”
Maintain generators in critical facilities
Sustained
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Bury power lines, where applicable, in municipal improvement projects
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
248
Table 9.61: Iowa City Tornado and Windstorm Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Construct community safe rooms
Proposed X Funding was the major delay to completing this mitigation action
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Implement an emergency assistance registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs during or after events”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Update and/or expand coverage of the outdoor warning siren system
Proposed
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
249
Table 9.62: Iowa City Hazardous Materials Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Some City staff trained in response and materials identification”
Training involves hazardous materials incidents
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Some City staff trained in response and materials identification”
Training involves hazardous materials incidents
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Johnson County EMA maintains Tier II report”
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with rail companies
Sustained
Coordinate with facilities that use and/or store hazardous materials
Sustained X Previously “Relocation of fixed hazards to less populated areas”
Existing facilities cannot be relocated, but zoning can prevent the location of future facilities near populated areas
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Assess capability for immediate containment of hazardous materials and purchase necessary supplies and equipment, as needed
Proposed X
250
Table 9.62: Iowa City Hazardous Materials Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
251
Table 9.63: Iowa City Severe Winter Storm Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Building Code
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained Encompasses “Encourage safe winter driving practices”
Police Department enforcement and education is considered sufficient
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain generators in critical facilities
Sustained
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain snow removal program Sustained X
Previously “Use of salt and brine solutions” and “Snow Emergency Ordinance”
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Sustained X Previously “Improvements to roads and road design”
Bury power lines, where applicable, in municipal improvement projects
Sustained X Previously “Bury power lines”
252
Table 9.63: Iowa City Severe Winter Storm Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X Encompasses “Identify backup heat sources”
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp; generators ensure facilities will be heated
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Previously “CodeRed” and “Implement an emergency assistance registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs during or after events”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
Develop an emergency action plan for extreme winter storm events
Proposed X Mitigation action was not addressed
253
Table 9.64: Iowa City Human Disease Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health
Sustained X
Coordinate with the University of Iowa
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and staff
Sustained
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Implement an emergency assistance registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs during or after events”
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed
254
Table 9.65: Iowa City Infrastructure Failure Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Building Code and Fire Code
Sustained X Encompasses “Continue to adopt new building codes”
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X The Joint Emergency Communications Center was constructed and currently operates
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Bury power lines, where applicable, in municipal improvement projects
Sustained X Previously “Bury power lines”
Fire prevention and suppression education program (residential and commercial)
Sustained X
Encompasses “Fire prevention education in schools,” “Encourage installation of additional sprinkler systems and supporting infrastructure,” “Encourage residents to properly clean chimneys to prevent fire,” and “Smoke detectors”
Fire department provides fire education and works with builders and businesses to add additional fire suppression systems
255
Table 9.65: Iowa City Infrastructure Failure Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Housing rehabilitation programs, as funding is available
Sustained X Encompasses “Housing rehabilitation programs” and “Update and retrofit older homes”
Rental property inspection Sustained X
Maintain generators in critical facilities
Sustained
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Technology and communication infrastructure updates
Sustained
Coordinate with rail companies
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Improve, and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water sewer systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Proposed X See River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
256
Table 9.65: Iowa City Infrastructure Failure Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Determine feasibility of ordinance to require underground power lines
Proposed
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed X Encompasses “Continue to expand fire prevention education programs”
Added Fire Station #4
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures
Proposed X See River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities, includes dry and wet flood proofing
Proposed X See River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy
257
Table 9.66: Iowa City Drought Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Inform residents of water conservation measures, if needed
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
258
Table 9.67: Iowa City Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Sustained X
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Increase number of residents with access to weather radios”
Administer weather radio subsidy program
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Bury power lines, where applicable, in municipal improvement projects
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Building Code
Sustained
Maintain generators in critical facilities
Sustained
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
259
Table 9.67: Iowa City Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Expand CodeRed capabilities for faster notification times” and “Implement an emergency assistance registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs during or after events”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Construct community safe rooms
Proposed X Funding is a major obstacle for this mitigation action
Update and/or expand coverage of the outdoor warning siren system
Proposed X
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
260
Table 9.68: Iowa City Transportation Incident Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements, including the municipal airport
Sustained X
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Encompasses “Update and maintain a list of hazardous goods transported”
Regular emergency planning involves information about materials
Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with rail and pipeline companies that operate in the Iowa City area
Sustained X Encompasses “Public education” Rail and pipeline companies provide education programs, which are considered sufficient
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Implement an emergency assistance registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs during or after events”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
261
Table 9.69: Iowa City Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain and improve infrastructure
Sustained X Encompasses “Continue to reinforce infrastructure”
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health
Sustained Encompasses “Public outreach” Public health provides resources during extreme heat events
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained Encompasses “Public outreach” Police department responds to medical/welfare calls
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained Encompasses “Public outreach” Police department responds to medical/welfare calls
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Maintain generators in critical facilities
Sustained
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained Encompasses “Public outreach”
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Sustained X
City maintains generators in water facilities, City Hall, fire stations, the communications tower, and the City’s parking ramp
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Implement an emergency assistance registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs during or after events”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
262
Table 9.69: Iowa City Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
263
Table 9.70: Iowa City Terrorism Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Encompasses “Risk assessment” Risk assessment is part of regular emergency planning
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
City employee background checks
Sustained
Technology and communication infrastructure updates
Sustained X Encompasses “Strengthen critical infrastructure”
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
264
Table 9.71: Iowa City Earthquake Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance; Building Code increases likelihood of structures withstanding hazard events
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and staff
Sustained
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X Encompasses “Public education”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed Added Fire Station #4
265
Table 9.72: Iowa City Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained City is planning for emerald ash borer
Animal control program Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
266
Table 9.73: Iowa City Grass or Wildland Fire Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain Iowa City Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Response personnel”
Burning restrictions Sustained X
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Identify unmet needs of the fire department and pursue funding
Proposed X Added Fire Station #4
267
Lone Tree Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in Lone Tree modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.74 and 9.75.
Table 9.74: Lone Tree Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Radiological Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Drought Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Transportation Incident Extreme Heat Terrorism
Earthquake Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Grass or Wildland Fire
Table 9.75: Lone Tree Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in Lone Tree, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.76 through 9.90.
268
Table 9.76: Lone Tree River and Flash Flood Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance and maintenance, especially the Subdivision Ordinance, which requires storm water management in new development
Prairie Creek improvement program to increase flow, reduce debris, the City will coordinate with adjacent property owners
Use Dougherty Park as an overflow area for Prairie Creek
Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements to increase capacity and prevent system backup into structures
National Flood Insurance Program participation, which includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Floodplain Ordinance enforcement and maintenance
Table 9.77: Lone Tree Radiological Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Discuss the potential use of local school facilities and the American Legion Hall as a shelter facility after a hazard event
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and
mutual aid agreements Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
269
Table 9.78: Lone Tree Tornado and Windstorm Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Backup power for outdoor warning sirens
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Backup generators for critical facilities
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Encourage residents to properly trim vegetation on their property
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Discuss the potential use of local school facilities and the American Legion Hall as a shelter facility after a hazard event
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain generator at the Lone Tree Fire Station
Maintain generator at the City's water plant
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Table 9.79: Lone Tree Hazardous Materials Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Discuss the potential use of local school facilities and the American Legion Hall as a shelter facility after a hazard event
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and
mutual aid agreements Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
270
Table 9.80: Lone Tree Severe Winter Storm Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Backup generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generator)
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Increase storage capacity for sand and salt
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Discuss the potential use of local school facilities and the American Legion Hall as a shelter facility after a hazard event
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain snow removal program
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Table 9.81: Lone Tree Human Disease Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance
Service
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
271
Table 9.82: Lone Tree Infrastructure Failure Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Backup generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generator)
City Code enforcement and maintenance and maintenance
Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements to increase capacity and prevent system backup into structures
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Discuss the potential use of local school facilities and the American Legion Hall as a shelter facility after a hazard event
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Maintain generator at the Lone Tree Fire Station
Maintain generator at the City's water plant
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and collaborate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry
Table 9.83: Lone Tree Drought Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Inform residents of water conservation measures, if needed
272
Table 9.84: Lone Tree Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Backup power for warning sirens
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Backup generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generator)
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Discuss the potential use of local school facilities and the American Legion Hall as a shelter facility after a hazard event
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain generator at the Lone Tree Fire Station
Maintain generator at the City's water plant
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Table 9.85: Lone Tree Transportation Incident Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
273
Table 9.86: Lone Tree Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Backup generators for critical facilities
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Identify potential cooling centers and provide information to residents
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Inform residents about the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Table 9.87: Lone Tree Terrorism Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and
mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
274
Table 9.88: Lone Tree Earthquake Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance and maintenance, building codes may increase the likelihood structures will withstand earthquake events
Discuss the potential use of local school facilities and the American Legion Hall as a shelter facility after a hazard event
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Table 9.89: Lone Tree Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Table 9.90: Lone Tree Grass or Wildland Fire Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain the Lone Tree Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Enforce burning restrictions
275
North Liberty Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in North Liberty modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.91 and 9.92.
Table 9.91: North Liberty Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
Radiological Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease* Infrastructure Failure River and Flash Flood
Drought Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm*** Transportation Incident*** Extreme Heat Terrorism
Earthquake**** Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Grass or Wildland Fire
*Note: River Flood is upgraded from Priority 3 because it is combined with Flash Flood.
**Note: This hazard is upgraded from Priority 2 to Priority 1 from the existing single jurisdiction plan. ***Note: This hazard is downgraded to Priority 2 from Priority 1 in the existing single jurisdiction plan. Hailstorm is upgraded.
****Note: This hazard was downgraded to Priority 3. This hazard is Priority 1 in the existing single jurisdiction plan.
Table 9.92: North Liberty Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in North Liberty, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.93 through 9.107.
276
Table 9.93: North Liberty Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with rail companies that operate in the North Liberty area
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained X
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained X
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
277
Table 9.94: North Liberty Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Trained weather spotters”
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Increase the number of residents with access to a weather radio”
Administers a weather radio subsidy program
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Building Code
Sustained X
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X Previously “Utility tree maintenance”
Maintain generator in critical facilities Sustained
City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
278
Table 9.94: North Liberty Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Bury power lines, where applicable, in municipal improvement projects
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Construct a community safe room
Proposed X Funding is a major obstacle to completing this mitigation action
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Implement an emergency assistance registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Expand coverage of the outdoor warning siren system, primarily as the west area of the City expands
Proposed
279
Table 9.95: North Liberty Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with rail companies that operate in the North Liberty area
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Assess capability for immediate containment and purchase necessary supplies and equipment, as needed
Proposed X
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
280
Table 9.96: North Liberty Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Building Code
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Encourage safe winter driving practices”
The Police Department enforcement and education program is considered sufficient
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain snow removal program
Sustained X Combines several mitigation actions
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Sustained X
Maintain generator in critical facilities Sustained
City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Bury power lines, where applicable, in municipal improvement projects
Sustained X
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
281
Table 9.96: North Liberty Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X Encompasses “Identify backup heat sources”
City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
Encompasses “Code Red” and “Implement an emergency assistance registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities or other special needs”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
282
Table 9.97: North Liberty Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health
Sustained X Encompasses “Support county health plans” and “Public education”
Johnson County Public Health provides education
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Personnel and incident training”
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Personnel and incident training”
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X Encompasses “Personnel and incident training”
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained X Encompasses “Public education”
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X Encompasses “CodeRed”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
283
Table 9.98: North Liberty Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Sustained X Encompasses “Add and update hydrants”
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Building Code and Fire Code
Sustained
Rental inspections Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Encompasses “Continue fire prevention education program,” “Encourage installation of additional sprinkler systems and supporting infrastructure,” “Encourage residents to properly clean chimneys,” and “Smoke detectors”
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X Encompasses “Continue to support the Joint Emergency Communications Center”
The Joint Emergency Communications Center was constructed and currently operates
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Bury power lines, where applicable, in municipal improvement projects
Sustained X Previously “Burly power lines”
284
Table 9.98: North Liberty Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Housing rehabilitation programs
Sustained X
Maintain generators in critical facilities
Sustained City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Technology and communication infrastructure updates
Sustained
Coordinate with rail companies that operate in the North Liberty area
Sustained X
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Improve, and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water sewer systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Proposed X
Identify unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding
Proposed X
285
Table 9.99: North Liberty River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercise
Sustained X Encompasses “Develop a flood emergency operations plan”
Flooding is included in all hazards planning
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Floodplain Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance requires storm water management
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
National Flood Insurance Program participation Sustained X
Includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Identify and monitor flood risk at the local and watershed level through river/creek gauges, floodplain studies and mapping, and cooperation within the local watershed and the Iowa Flood Center
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program and combines several mitigation actions
Maintain generators in critical facilities
Sustained City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Coordinate with the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Provide consistent and timely public education regarding flood risk and resources available via City website and news releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
286
Table 9.99: North Liberty River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Improve, and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water sewer systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions and enhances floodplain management program
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions and enhances floodplain management program
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities, includes dry and wet flood proofing
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions and enhances floodplain management program
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
287
Table 9.100: North Liberty Drought Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Inform residents of water conservation measures, if needed via City website and news release
Sustained X Encompasses “Public education and awareness of water saving techniques”
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
288
Table 9.101: North Liberty Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Increase the number of residents with access to a weather radio”
Administers a weather radio subsidy program
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained
Maintain generators in critical facilities Sustained X
City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Bury power lines, where applicable, in municipal improvement projects
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Building Code
Sustained X
289
Table 9.101: North Liberty Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Expand coverage of the outdoor warning siren system, primarily west areas of the city
Proposed X
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Construct a community safe room
Proposed X Previously “Create a community safe room to increase access to public shelters”
Funding is major obstacle to completing this mitigation action
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Expand CodeRed capabilities for faster notification” and “Implement an emergency registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities, or other special needs”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
290
Table 9.102: North Liberty Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Sustained X
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Response personnel training” and “Driving safety education”
The Police Department enforces regulations and provided public education programs
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X Encompasses “Response personnel training”
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X Encompasses “Response personnel training”
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained Encompasses “Response personnel training”
Coordinate with rail and pipeline companies
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed
291
Table 9.103: North Liberty Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercise
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained
Maintain power generator at critical facilities
Sustained City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Provide consistent and timely information via City website and new releases
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X City maintains generators in water and sewer plants, Community Center, and the Fire Station
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Implement an emergency registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities, or other special needs”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
292
Table 9.104: North Liberty Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X Encompasses “Continue to support the Joint Emergency Communications Center”
The Joint Emergency Communications Center was constructed and currently operates
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
City employee background checks
Sustained X
Technology and communication infrastructure updates
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained X
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X Encompasses “Expand emergency notification capabilities”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
293
Table 9.105: North Liberty Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained
City Code enforcement and maintenance; Building Code increases likelihood of structures withstanding hazard events
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained X
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed X
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Proposed X
Encompasses “Expand emergency notification capabilities” and “Implement an emergency registration to monitor people with illnesses, disabilities, or other special needs”
The new notification system and registry was developed by the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
294
Table 9.106: North Liberty Animal/Plant/Crop Hazard Mitigation Strategy Disease
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained Not applicable
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained Not applicable
Table 9.107: North Liberty Grass or Wildland Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain North Liberty Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Sustained X
Burning restrictions Sustained
National Incident Management System training for officials and/or staff
Sustained
Identify the unmet needs of the fire department and pursue funding for projects
Proposed
295
Oxford Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in Oxford modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.108 and 9.109.
Table 9.108: Oxford Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Radiological Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Drought Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Transportation Incident Extreme Heat Terrorism
Earthquake Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Grass or Wildland Fire
Table 9.109: Oxford Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in Oxford, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.110 through 9.124.
296
Table 9.110: Oxford River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially the Subdivision Ordinance, which requires storm water management in new development
Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements to increase capacity and prevent system backup into structures
National Flood Insurance Program participation, which includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Floodplain Ordinance enforcement and maintenance
Debris removal from Rhine and Clear Creek, as needed
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.111: Oxford Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
297
Table 9.112: Oxford Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Backup power for outdoor warning sirens
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Improve City Code enforcement
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Construct a multi-purpose safe room
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
For the local ballpark facilities, discuss severe weather event procedures with the Lions Club
Maintain generator at the Oxford Fire Station Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain generator at the City's water and sewer plants
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate
with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
298
Table 9.113: Oxford Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.114: Oxford Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Improve City Code enforcement
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain snow removal program
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
299
Table 9.115: Oxford Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.116: Oxford Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
City Code enforcement and maintenance Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements to increase capacity and prevent system backup into structures
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Improve City Code enforcement
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Maintain generator at the Oxford Fire Station
Maintain generator at the City's water and sewer plants
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
300
Table 9.117: Oxford Drought Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Inform residents of water conservation measures, if needed
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.118: Oxford Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Backup power for warning sirens
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
For the local ballpark facilities, discuss severe weather event procedures with the Lions Club
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Improve City Code enforcement
Maintain generator at the Oxford Fire Station Construct a multi-purpose safe room
Maintain generator at the City's water and sewer plants
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
301
Table 9.119: Oxford Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.120: Oxford Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual
aid agreements Establish cooling center procedure for City Hall
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Inform residents about the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
302
Table 9.121: Oxford Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.122: Oxford Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.123: Oxford Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Animal control program
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
303
Table 9.124: Oxford Grass or Wildland Fire Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain the Oxford Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Burning restrictions
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
304
Shueyville Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in Shueyville modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.125 and 9.126.
Table 9.125: Shueyville Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
Tornado and Windstorm Infrastructure Failure River and Flash Flood Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm
Earthquake Expansive Soils Radiological Landslide Sever Winter Storm Terrorism Transportation Incident
Drought Hazardous Materials Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Extreme Heat Grass or Wildland Fire Human Disease
Table 9.126: Shueyville Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in Shueyville, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.127 through 9.143.
305
Table 9.127: Shueyville Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Backup power generators for critical facilities
City Code enforcement and maintenance Retrofit the Community Center to function as a shelter and emergency operations center for the City
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Determine feasibility of a tree trimming ordinance Coordinate with Johnson County
Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
306
Table 9.128: Shueyville Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Backup power generators for critical facilities
City Code enforcement and maintenance Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Establish a communication plan with local emergency response and purchase communication equipment, if needed
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Determine feasibility of a tree trimming ordinance
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.129: Shueyville River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Backup power generators for critical facilities
City Code enforcement and maintenance, Subdivision Ordinance requires storm water management in new development
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
National Flood Insurance Program participation, which includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Acquire, relocate, or elevate structures in flood hazard areas
Floodplain Ordinance enforcement and maintenance
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
307
Table 9.130: Shueyville Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Backup power generators for critical facilities
City Code enforcement and maintenance Retrofit the Community Center to function as a shelter and emergency operations center for the City
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Determine feasibility of a tree trimming ordinance Coordinate with Johnson County
Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
308
Table 9.131: Shueyville Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Code enforcement and maintenance Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.132: Shueyville Expansive Soils Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
309
Table 9.133: Shueyville Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.134: Shueyville Landslide Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
310
Table 9.135: Shueyville Sever Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Backup power generators for critical facilities
City Code enforcement and maintenance Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Determine feasibility of a tree trimming ordinance
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain snow removal program
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
311
Table 9.136: Shueyville Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s
Office Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.137: Shueyville Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
312
Table 9.138: Shueyville Drought Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.139: Shueyville Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.140: Shueyville Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
313
Table 9.141: Shueyville Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Backup power generators for critical facilities Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and
maintain mutual aid agreements Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter Maintain National Incident Management System
(NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.142: Shueyville Grass or Wildland Fire Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Swisher Fire Department and
maintain mutual aid agreements Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Enforce burning restrictions
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
314
Table 9.143: Shueyville Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
315
Swisher Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in Swisher modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.144 and 9.145.
Table 9.144: Swisher Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
Earthquake Tornado and Windstorm Radiological River and Flash Flood Infrastructure Failure Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Severe Winter Storm Transportation Incident
Hazardous Materials Human Disease Terrorism
Drought Extreme Heat Grass or Wildland Fire Animal/Plant/Crop Disease
Table 9.145: Swisher Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in Swisher, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.146 through 9.160.
316
Table 9.146: Swisher Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Code enforcement and maintenance, building codes increase the likelihood of structures withstanding earthquake events
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
317
Table 9.147: Swisher Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes updating obsolete generators)
City Code enforcement and maintenance Construct a multi-purpose safe room in Castek Park
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
318
Table 9.148: Swisher Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
319
Table 9.149: Swisher River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes updating obsolete generators)
City Code enforcement and maintenance, Subdivision Ordinance requires storm water management
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
National Flood Insurance Program participation, which includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Acquire, relocate, or elevate structures in flood hazard areas
Floodplain Ordinance enforcement and maintenance
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
320
Table 9.150: Swisher Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes updating obsolete generators)
City Code enforcement and maintenance Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Establish a communication plan with local emergency response and purchase communication equipment, if needed
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
321
Table 9.151: Swisher Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Purchase and install backup power generators for critical facilities (includes updating obsolete generators)
City Code enforcement and maintenance Construct a multi-purpose safe room in Castek Park
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
322
Table 9.152: Swisher Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes updating obsolete generators)
City Code enforcement and maintenance Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Johnson County Sheriff's Department
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain snow removal program
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
323
Table 9.153: Swisher Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
324
Table 9.154: Swisher Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.155: Swisher Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Johnson County Public Health Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
325
Table 9.156: Swisher Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.157: Swisher Drought Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
326
Table 9.158: Swisher Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes updating obsolete generators)
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry Coordinate with Johnson County
Ambulance Service
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
Table 9.159: Swisher Grass or Wildland Fire Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Local emergency planning and exercise Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the Swisher Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Burning restrictions
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
327
Table 9.160: Swisher Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain City website to provide information
Maintain National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for officials and/or staff
328
Tiffin Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in Tiffin modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.161 and 9.162.
Table 9.161: Tiffin Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Radiological Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Infrastructure Failure Transportation Incident
Drought Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Extreme Heat Terrorism Human Disease
Earthquake Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Grass or Wildland Fire
Table 9.162: Tiffin Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in Tiffin, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.163 through 9.177.
329
Table 9.163: Tiffin River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance, especially Subdivision Ordinance, which requires storm water management
Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements to increase capacity and prevent system backup into structures
Lined main sanitary sewer lines throughout the city
National Flood Insurance participation, which includes includes ordinance, maps, floodplain manager, and general floodplain management
Purchase and install backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
Floodplain Ordinance enforcement and maintenance
Purchase additional trash pumps
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant Connect existing generator to lift station
Maintain City website to provide information
Initiate training for a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and establish procedures
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Table 9.164: Tiffin Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Develop a local police department
Maintain the Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Assess Fire Department needs and purchase necessary equipment, if needed
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT
Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
330
Table 9.165: Tiffin Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Update outdoor warning siren to an AC/DC siren with backup power and expand coverage, if needed
Maintain outdoor warning siren connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Purchase and install backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Connect existing generator to lift station
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Construct a multi-purpose safe room
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Develop a local police department
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Initiate training for a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and establish procedures
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Determine procedure for opening the Methodist Church to the public for shelter
Maintain City website to provide information
Complete an Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Audit
Employ a rental housing inspector
331
Table 9.166: Tiffin Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Develop a local police department
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Assess fire department’s needs and purchase necessary equipment, if needed
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
332
Table 9.167: Tiffin Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Add additional storage for sand and salt
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Purchase and install backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Connect existing generator to lift station
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Develop a local police department
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Initiate training for a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and establish procedures
Maintain snow removal program Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Determine procedure for opening the Methodist Church to the public for shelter
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Audit
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Employ a rental housing inspector
Maintain City website to provide information
333
Table 9.168: Tiffin Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Purchase and install backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Connect existing generator to lift station
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements to increase capacity and prevent system backup into structures
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Develop a local police department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Initiate training for a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and establish procedures
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Assess Fire Department needs and purchase necessary equipment, if needed
Maintain City website to provide information Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Audit
Employ a rental housing inspector
Table 9.169: Tiffin Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Assess fire department’s needs and purchase necessary equipment, if needed
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
334
Table 9.170: Tiffin Drought Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Water tower expansion Inform residents of water conservation measures,
if needed
Maintain City website to provide information
Table 9.171: Tiffin Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Update outdoor warning siren to an AC/DC siren with backup power and expand coverage, if needed
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Connect existing generator to lift station
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Construct a multi-purpose safe room
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Develop a local police department
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Initiate training for a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and establish procedures
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Determine procedure for opening the Methodist Church to the public for shelter
Maintain City website to provide information
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Audit
Employ a rental housing inspector
335
Table 9.172: Tiffin Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Identify potential cooling center location
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain City website to provide information
Table 9.173: Tiffin Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Develop a local police department
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Assess Fire Department needs and purchase necessary equipment, if needed Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance
Service
336
Table 9.174: Tiffin Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Additional trash pumps
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health
Backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain generator at the City's waste water plant
Maintain City website to provide information
Table 9.175: Tiffin Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Initiate training for a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and establish procedures
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Develop a local police department
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency
Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Table 9.176: Tiffin Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Audit
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
337
Table 9.177: Tiffin Grass or Wildland Fire Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain Tiffin Fire Department and mutual aid agreements
Develop a local police department
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office Assess Fire Department needs and purchase necessary equipment, if needed
Enforce burning restrictions
Trim and manage vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Maintain City website to provide information
338
University Heights Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team in University Heights modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the City’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.178 and 9.179.
Table 9.178: University Heights Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Radiological Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Transportation Incident Extreme Heat Terrorism
Earthquake Landslide Animal/Plant/Crop Disease
Table 9.179: University Heights Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Drought The City does maintain its own source of water
Grass or Wildland Fire No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in University Heights, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the City’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the City’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.180 through 9.193.
339
Table 9.180: University Heights River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance, Code requires storm water management in new development
Complete storm sewer system improvements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Complete Animal Shelter Relocation Project with Iowa City, University of Iowa, Coralville, and Johnson County
Table 9.181: University Heights Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
340
Table 9.182: University Heights Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center Important Note: Sirens are located in Iowa City and maintained by the City of Iowa City
Determine feasibility of an urban forest management plan
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department
and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Generator at City Hall is maintained by owner
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and collaborate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Table 9.183: University Heights Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
341
Table 9.184: University Heights Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Determine feasibility of an urban forest management plan
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Generator at City Hall is maintained by owner
Maintain snow removal program Important Note: Iowa City provides snow removal services
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Table 9.185: University Heights Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Important Note: Iowa City maintains water infrastructure
342
Table 9.186: University Heights Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City infrastructure maintenance and improvements Important Note: Iowa City maintains water infrastructure and traffic signals
Storm sewer system improvements
City Code enforcement and maintenance Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Determine feasibility of an urban forest management plan
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Generator at City Hall is maintained by owner
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Table 9.187: University Heights Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Trim vegetation in right-of-way and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
343
Table 9.188: University Heights Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Table 9.189: University Heights Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department
and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Table 9.190: University Heights Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
344
Table 9.191: University Heights Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
City Code enforcement and maintenance Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Maintain the University Heights Police Department and mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with the Coralville Fire Department and maintain mutual aid agreements
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Table 9.192: University Heights Landslide Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Sensitive Areas Ordinance
Table 9.193: University Heights Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
345
Clear Creek Amana School District Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team for the Clear Creek Amana Community School District modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the district’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.194 and 9.195.
Table 9.194: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Transportation Incident Extreme Heat Terrorism
Earthquake
Table 9.195: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
River and Flash Flood No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Drought The district does not maintain water supply
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Grass or Wildland Fire Risk is minimal due to a general lack of fuel
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Radiological No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Current mitigation actions are sufficient and risk is acceptable
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in the school district, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the district’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the district’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.196 through 9.205.
346
Table 9.196: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Tornado and severe weather drills Construct safe room in school facilities
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Weather radio in school facilities
Local outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with local fire departments (North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin)
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Office and North Liberty Police Department
School facilities and grounds maintenance
High School in Tiffin is a designated shelter for the county
Maintain generator in middle school in Tiffin
Maintain School District website to provide information
Table 9.197: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Staff training and proper disposal
Emergency Management Plan and training
Coordinate with local fire departments (North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
347
Table 9.198: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Maintain snow removal program
Coordinate with local fire departments (North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
School late start and cancellation
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Weather radio in school facilities
Maintain generator in middle school in Tiffin
Maintain School District website to provide information
Table 9.199: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Disease monitoring and reporting
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health
Maintain School District website to provide information
348
Table 9.200: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Fire drills
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and North Liberty Police Department
Coordinate with local fire departments (North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Maintain generator in middle school in Tiffin
Table 9.201: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Tornado and severe weather drills
Outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and North Liberty Police Department
Coordinate with local fire departments (North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Weather radio in school facilities
Maintain generator in middle school in Tiffin
Maintain School District website to provide information
349
Table 9.202: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training
Bus safety program and evacuation plan
Table 9.203: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Air conditioning in limited facilities Backup generator for critical facilities
Cancellation of school and events Air conditioning for non-air conditioned facilities
Maintain generator in middle school in Tiffin
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain School District website to provide information
Table 9.204: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and North Liberty Police Department
Coordinate with local fire departments (North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
350
Table 9.205: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and North Liberty Police Department
Coordinate with local fire departments (North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
351
Iowa City Community School District Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team for the Iowa City Community School District modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the district’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.206 and 9.207.
Table 9.206: Iowa City Community School District Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Transportation Incident Extreme Heat Terrorism
Earthquake
Table 9.207: Iowa City School District Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
River and Flash Flood No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Drought The district does not maintain water supply
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Grass or Wildland Fire Risk is minimal due to a general lack of fuel
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Radiological No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Current mitigation actions are sufficient and risk is acceptable
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in the school district, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the district’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the district’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.208 through 9.218.
352
Table 9.208: Iowa City Community School District River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Complete bus transportation plan with cities
In classroom Safety Flip Chart
Maintain School District website to share information
Table 9.209: Iowa City Community School District Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Tornado and severe weather drills Construct safe room in school facilities
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
In classroom Safety Flip Chart
Weather radio in school facilities
Outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with local fire departments (Iowa City, Coralville, Hills)
Coordinate with the Iowa City Police Department, Coralville Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Maintain School District website to share information
353
Table 9.210: Iowa City Community School District Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Staff training and proper disposal
Emergency Management Plan and training
In classroom Safety Flip Chart
Coordinate with local fire departments (Iowa City, Coralville, Hills)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Table 9.211: Iowa City Community School District Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
In classroom Safety Flip Chart
Maintain snow removal program
Coordinate with local fire departments (Iowa City, Coralville, Hills)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
School late start and cancellation
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Weather radio in school facilities
Maintain School District website to share information
354
Table 9.212: Iowa City Community School District Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
In classroom Safety Flip Chart
Disease monitoring and reporting
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health
Table 9.213: Iowa City Community School District Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
In classroom Safety Flip Chart Build redundancy into communications network
Fire drill
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Coordinate with the Iowa City Police Department, Coralville Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Coordinate with local fire departments (Iowa City, Coralville, Hills)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
355
Table 9.214: Iowa City Community School District Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Tornado and severe weather drills
Outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Coordinate with the Iowa City Police Department, Coralville Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Coordinate with local fire departments (Iowa City, Coralville, Hills)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Weather radio in school facilities
Table 9.215: Iowa City Community School District Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training
Bus safety program and evacuation plan
Table 9.216: Iowa City Community School District Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Air conditioning in limited facilities Backup generator for critical facilities
Cancellation of school and events Air conditioning for non-air conditioned facilities Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance
Service
356
Table 9.217: Iowa City Community School District Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training
In classroom Safety Flip Chart
Coordinate with the Iowa City Police Department, Coralville Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Coordinate with local fire departments (Iowa City, Coralville, Hills)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Visitor entrance system and protocol
Table 9.218: Iowa City Community School District Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Coordinate with the Iowa City Police Department, Coralville Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Coordinate with local fire departments (Iowa City, Coralville, Hills)
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
357
Solon Community School District Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team for the Solon Community School District modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the district’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.219 and 9.220.
Table 9.219: Solon Community School District Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
River and Flash Flood Radiological Tornado and Windstorm Hazardous Materials Severe Winter Storm Human Disease Infrastructure Failure
Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Transportation Incident Extreme Heat Terrorism
Earthquake
Table 9.220: Solon Community School District Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
River and Flash Flood No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Drought The district does not maintain water supply
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Grass or Wildland Fire Risk is minimal due to a general lack of fuel
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Animal/Plant/Crop Disease Current mitigation actions are sufficient and risk is acceptable
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in the school district, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the district’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the district’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.221 through 9.232.
358
Table 9.221: Solon Community School District River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Assess flood risk at each school facility and complete necessary mitigation projects
Maintain School District website to provide
information
Table 9.222: Solon Community School District Radiological Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Maintain School District website to provide information
Table 9.223: Solon Community School District Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Tornado and severe weather drills Construct a safe or retrofit existing facilities
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Weather radio in school facilities
Maintain School District website to provide information
Local outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Solon Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
School facilities and grounds maintenance
359
Table 9.224: Solon Community School District Hazardous Materials Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Staff training and proper disposal
Emergency Management Plan and training
Coordinate with Solon Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with the Johnson County HAZMAT Response Team
Table 9.225: Solon Community School District Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Maintain snow removal program
Coordinate with Solon Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain School District website to provide information
School late start and cancellation
School grounds maintenance
Weather radio in school facilities
Table 9.226: Solon Community School District Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Disease monitoring and reporting
Coordinate Johnson County Public Health
360
Table 9.227: Solon Community School District Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Fire drills
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Solon Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Table 9.228: Solon Community School District Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Backup generator for critical facilities
Tornado and severe weather drills Construct a safe or retrofit existing facilities
Maintain School District website to provide information
Outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Solon Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Weather radio in school facilities
361
Table 9.229: Solon Community School District Transportation Incident Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training
Bus safety program and evacuation plan
Maintain School District website to provide information
Table 9.230: Solon Community School District Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Air conditioning in limited facilities Backup generator for critical facilities
Maintain School District website to provide information
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Table 9.231: Solon Community School District Terrorism Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training
Maintain School District website to provide information
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Solon Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Visitor entrance system and protocol
362
Table 9.232: Solon Community School District Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Solon Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
363
Lone Tree Community School District Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team for the Lone Tree Community School District modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the district’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.233 and 9.234.
Table 9.233: Lone Tree Community School District Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
Tornado and Windstorm Severe Winter Storm Infrastructure Failure
Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Extreme Heat
Earthquake
Table 9.234: Lone Tree Community School District Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
River and Flash Flood No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Dam and Levee Failure No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Radiological No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Hazardous Materials Prevention and planning mechanisms exist at the district
Human Disease Prevention and planning mechanisms exist at the district
Transportation Incident Prevention and planning mechanisms exist at the district
Drought The district does not maintain water supply
Terrorism Prevention and planning mechanisms exist at the district
Grass or Wildland Fire Risk is minimal due to a general lack of fuel
Expansive Soils No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Landslide No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
Sinkholes No historical occurrences and risk is minimal
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in the school district, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the district’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the district’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.235 through 9.240.
364
Table 9.235: Lone Tree Community School District Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Tornado and severe weather drills Construct safe room addition to school facilities
Emergency Management Plan and training Purchase and install backup generator for critical facilities
Weather radio in school facility
City outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Lone Tree Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Maintain School District website to share information
Table 9.236: Lone Tree Community School District Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Purchase and install backup generator for critical facilities
Maintain snow removal program
Coordinate with the Lone Tree Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
School late start and cancellation
School grounds maintenance
Weather radio in school facility
Maintain School District website to share information
365
Table 9.237: Lone Tree Community School District Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Fire drills Purchase and install backup generator for critical facilities
Emergency Management Plan and training
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Coordinate with Johnson County Sheriff's Department
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Maintain School District website to share information
Table 9.238: Lone Tree Community School District Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Purchase and install backup generator for critical facilities
Tornado and severe weather drills
City outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Lone Tree Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Weather radio in school facility
Maintain School District website to share information
366
Table 9.239: Lone Tree Community School District Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training Purchase and install backup generator for critical facilities
Air conditioned classrooms
Cancellation of events
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain School District website to share information
Table 9.240: Lone Tree Community School District Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Sustained Mitigation Actions Proposed Mitigation Actions Completed Mitigation Actions
Emergency Management Plan and training
School facilities and grounds maintenance
Coordinate with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
Coordinate with Lone Tree Fire Department
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Maintain School District website to share information
367
University of Iowa Mitigation Strategy It should be noted that hazard priority levels vary among jurisdictions in the planning area. Using the overall planning area hazard risk assessment as a base for discussion, the planning team for the University of Iowa modified hazard priority levels to reflect local conditions. The local planning team also decided to exclude certain hazards from the university’s mitigation strategy. In most cases, the risk for a hazard to occur was minimal. See Tables 9.241 and 9.242.
Table 9.241: University of Iowa Hazard Prioritization
Priority 1 Hazards Priority 2 Hazards Priority 3 Hazards
Infrastructure Failure Tornado and Windstorm River and Flash Flood Severe Winter Storm Human Disease
Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Drought*
Extreme Heat Grass or Wildland Fire Landslide Earthquake Expansive Soils Dam and Levee Failure Sinkholes
*Note: This hazard is upgraded from Priority 3 in the existing single jurisdiction plan.
Table 9.242: University of Iowa Excluded Hazards
Hazard Justification
Radiological Prevention and planning mechanisms already exist at the university for this hazard
Hazardous Materials Prevention and planning mechanisms already exist at the university for this hazard
Transportation Incident Prevention and planning mechanisms already exist at the university for this hazard
Terrorism Prevention and planning mechanisms already exist at the university for this hazard
For each hazard that has a chance of occurring in the school district, sustained, proposed, and completed mitigation actions were identified to complete the university’s mitigation strategy and demonstrate progress. Hazards with a high priority level typically have a more detailed mitigation strategy. Low priority hazards with minimal risk typically have a very basic mitigation strategy because most mitigation actions are cost prohibitive. The mitigation strategy for each of the university’s identified hazards is summarized in the following tables, Tables 9.243 through 9.256.
368
Table 9.243: University of Iowa Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
University infrastructure maintenance and improvements
Sustained X Includes water, wastewater, storm water, energy, and communication infrastructure
Building Fire Code enforcement and maintenance
Sustained X
Maintain University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X
Includes University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, and Emergency Management Coordinator; encompasses response personnel communication related mitigation actions
The University hired an emergency management coordinator
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Manage vegetation and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Maintain power generators at critical facilities
Sustained X
Evacuation plans for research and operations facilities
Sustained X
369
Table 9.243: University of Iowa Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain the University’s Energy Control Center
Sustained The Energy Control Center monitors power, steam, and water generation throughout campus
University website, new releases, and Hawk Alert
Sustained X
Purchase and install backup power generators, permanent and portable, for critical facilities
Proposed X Includes replacing obsolete power generators
Purchased portable power generators to use throughout campus
Improve, and/or expand water, sewer, storm water, energy, and communication systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property Examples: Lift station and flood gates at Rocky Shore Drive and lift station at River Street and the University of Iowa Arts Campus coordinated with Iowa City
Proposed X
Completed projects include:
Extensions for manhole covers
Water tight doors for utility tunnels and bulkheads
Completed University of Iowa Power Plant improvements to prevent flooding from connected tunnels
Added additional pumps throughout campus to protect critical facilities
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Established area and provided utilities connections to use temporary boilers to maintain services; expanded capacity and increased redundancy of electrical distribution lines
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed X
370
Table 9.243: University of Iowa Infrastructure Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures and systems
Proposed X
Evaluate and maintain flood mitigation projects
Proposed X
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
Bridge strengthening Proposed Coordinate with Iowa City
Upgrade and/or expand early warning systems
Proposed Includes indoor systems, outdoor warning sirens, and Hawk Alert
Upgraded fire alarm panels
371
Table 9.244: University of Iowa Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Development and exercise of evacuation plan for Kinnick Stadium
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Department of Public Safety and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Maintain University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X
Includes University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, and Emergency Management Coordinator; encompasses response personnel communication related mitigation actions
The University hired an emergency management coordinator
Mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained X
Building Code enforcement and maintenance
Sustained X
Manage vegetation and collaborate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Maintain power generators at critical facilities
Sustained X
372
Table 9.244: University of Iowa Tornado and Windstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain University website, new releases, and Hawk Alert
Sustained X
Purchase and install backup power generators, permanent and portable, for critical facilities
Proposed X Includes replacing obsolete power generators
Purchased portable power generators to use throughout campus
Upgrade and/or expand early warning systems
Proposed X Includes indoor systems, outdoor warning sirens, and Hawk Alert
Upgraded fire alarm panels
Identify locations for safe rooms
Proposed Previously “Safe rooms” specifying construction on campus
Construction is a longer term mitigation action due to cost
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed Includes hardening structures against wind damage
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Completed projects include:
Established area and provided utilities connections to use temporary boilers to maintain services
Expanded capacity and increased redundancy of electrical distribution lines
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
Bridge strengthening Proposed X Coordinate with Iowa City
373
Table 9.245: University of Iowa River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X University maintains and regularly improves a Flood Emergency Plan
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Maintain University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X Includes University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, and Emergency Management Coordinator
The University hired an emergency management coordinator
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained X
Maintain Campus Master Planning and Committee
Sustained X Flood potential is considered in land use decisions; component of floodplain management program
Maintain floodplain and storm water management programs
Sustained X
National Flood Insurance Program participation
Sustained X Includes maps and general floodplain management
Maintain private flood insurance buildings and contents
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities, as needed
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
374
Table 9.245: University of Iowa River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
Maintain generators at critical facilities
Sustained X
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities and infrastructure
Proposed X Includes dry and wet flood proofing and structural projects; combines several mitigation actions
Completed projects include:
Develop and test HESCO barrier system for immediate flood protection
Added Art Building West invisible wall
Wet flood proof the University of Iowa Boat House
Improve, and/or expand water, sewer, storm water, energy, and communication systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Proposed X
Completed projects include:
Extensions for manhole covers
Water tight doors for utility tunnels and bulkheads
Completed University of Iowa Power Plant improvements to prevent flooding from connected tunnels
Added additional pumps throughout campus to protect critical facilities
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures and systems
Proposed X Combines several mitigation actions Elevated Iowa River Corridor sidewalks
Bridge strengthening Proposed X Coordinate with Iowa City
Upgrade and/or expand early warning systems
Proposed Primarily Hawk Alert
Improve Floodplain Management Program
Proposed X Recovery efforts include floodplain management as a major focus
375
Table 9.245: University of Iowa River and Flash Flood Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Increase multi-jurisdictional cooperation within the watershed
Proposed X University hosts the Iowa Flood Center
Purchase and install backup power generators, permanent and portable, for critical facilities
Proposed X Includes replacing obsolete power generators
Purchased portable power generators to use throughout campus
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Evaluate and maintain existing flood mitigation projects
Proposed X Enhances floodplain management program
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Art Building West Project Proposed Flood mitigation project was specifically identified and planned after the previous plan was completed
Art Building Replacement Project
Proposed Flood mitigation project was specifically identified and planned after the previous plan was completed
Hancher Performing Arts Building Replacement Project
Proposed Flood mitigation project was specifically identified and planned after the previous plan was completed
376
Table 9.246: University of Iowa Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Department of Public Safety and the Joint Emergency Communications Center
Sustained X
Maintain University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X
Includes University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, and Emergency Management Coordinator; encompasses response personnel communication related mitigation actions
The University hired an emergency management coordinator
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained X
Snow removal program Sustained X
Manage vegetation and collaborate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Maintain power generators at critical facilities
Sustained X
377
Table 9.246: University of Iowa Severe Winter Storm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain University website, new releases, and Hawk Alert
Sustained X
Purchase and install backup power generators, permanent and portable, for critical facilities, includes replacing obsolete power generators
Proposed X Purchased portable power generators to use throughout campus
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed X Includes hardening structures
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Upgrade and/or expand early warning systems
Proposed X Primarily Hawk Alert
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Completed projects include:
Established area and provided utilities connections to use temporary boilers to maintain services
Expanded capacity and increased redundancy of electrical distribution lines
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
378
Table 9.247: University of Iowa Human Disease Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Emerging Respiratory Virus Plan for University campus areas and Bio-Emergency Response Plan
Sustained X Applies to University Hospital and Clinics
Coordinate with Johnson County Public Health
Sustained Johnson County Public Health maintains a countywide Bio-Emergency Plan
Maintain University of Iowa Environmental Health and Safety Office
Sustained X
Coordinate with the Johnson County Public Health
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain water and sewer infrastructure and coordinate with Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Maintain University website, new releases, and Hawk Alert to provide information
Sustained X
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Individual Building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
379
Table 9.248: University of Iowa Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Development and exercise of evacuation plan for Kinnick Stadium
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Maintain outdoor warning sirens connected to the Joint Emergency Communications Center with local control capability, if needed
Sustained X
Maintain University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X
Includes University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, and Emergency Management Coordinator; encompasses response personnel communication related mitigation actions
University hired an emergency management coordinator
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Manage vegetation and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Maintain generators at critical facilities
Sustained X
Building Code enforcement and maintenance
Sustained X
380
Table 9.248: University of Iowa Thunderstorm, Lightning, and Hailstorm Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain University website, new releases, and Hawk Alert to provide information
Sustained X
Upgrade and/or expand early warning systems
Proposed X Includes outdoor warning sirens and Hawk Alert
Purchase and install backup power generators, permanent and portable, for critical facilities
Proposed X Includes replacing obsolete power generators
Purchased portable power generators to use throughout campus
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed X Includes hardening structures
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Identify locations for safe rooms
Proposed X Previously “Safe rooms” specifying construction on campus
Construction is a longer term mitigation action due to cost
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Completed projects include:
Established area and provided utilities connections to use temporary boilers to maintain services
Expanded capacity and increased redundancy of electrical distribution lines
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
381
Table 9.249: University of Iowa Drought Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain water infrastructure and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Enact water conservation measures, if needed
Sustained X
Maintain the University’s Energy Control Center
Sustained The Energy Control Center monitors power, steam, and water generation throughout campus
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
382
Table 9.250: University of Iowa Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, and Emergency Management Coordinator
University hired an emergency management coordinator
Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain generators at critical facilities
Sustained X
Maintain the University’s Energy Control Center
Sustained The Energy Control Center monitors power, steam, and water generation throughout campus
University website, new releases, and Hawk Alert to provide information
Sustained X
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed Includes hardening structures
Backup power generators, permanent and portable, for critical facilities
Proposed X Includes replacing obsolete power generators
Purchased portable power generators to use throughout campus
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
383
Table 9.250: University of Iowa Extreme Heat Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Completed projects include:
Established area and provided utilities connections to use temporary boilers to maintain services
Expanded capacity and increased redundancy of electrical distribution lines
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
384
Table 9.251: University of Iowa Grass or Wildland Fire Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Coordinate with Iowa's State Fire Marshall
Sustained X
Maintain University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X Includes University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, Emergency Management Coordinator
University hired an emergency management coordinator
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
385
Table 9.252: University of Iowa Landslide Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
During/after the landslide at Mayflower Residence Hall, procedures were enhanced and tested
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Maintain Campus Master Planning and Committee
Sustained X Conditions such as steep slopes are considered in land use decisions
Manage vegetation and coordinate with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sustained X
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed X Includes hardening structures
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
386
Table 9.253: University of Iowa Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Building Code enforcement and maintenance
Sustained X Building Code increases likelihood of structures withstanding hazard events
Maintain University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X Includes University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, and Emergency Management Coordinator
Mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X
Mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Loss estimation studies and insurance
Sustained X Encompasses “Seismic Hazard Mapping”
Purchase and install backup power generators, permanent and portable, for critical facilities
Proposed X Includes replacing obsolete power generators
Purchased portable power generators to use throughout campus
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed X Includes hardening structures
387
Table 9.253: University of Iowa Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Completed projects include:
Established area and provided utilities connections to use temporary boilers to maintain services
Expanded capacity and increased redundancy of electrical distribution lines
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
Table 9.254: University of Iowa Expansive Soils Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Maintain Campus Master Planning and Committee
Sustained X Soil conditions are considered in land use decisions
Complete soil testing before land development
Sustained X
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed X Includes hardening structures
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
388
Table 9.255: University of Iowa Dam and Levee Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Coordinate with the Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and private property owners
Sustained X Army Corps of Engineers mapped dam failure areas
National Flood Insurance Program participation
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
Maintain floodplain and storm water management programs
Sustained X
Maintain flood mitigation projects
Sustained X Component of floodplain management program
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities and infrastructure
Proposed X Includes dry and wet flood proofing and structural projects; enhances floodplain management program
Completed projects include:
Develop and test HESCO barrier system for immediate flood protection
Added Art Building West invisible wall
Wet flood proof the University of Iowa Boat House
Extensions for manhole covers
Water tight doors for utility tunnels and bulkheads
Completed University of Iowa Power Plant improvements to prevent flooding from connected tunnels
Added additional pumps
389
Table 9.255: University of Iowa Dam and Levee Failure Hazard Mitigation Strategy Continued
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Purchase and install backup power generators, permanent and portable, for critical facilities
Proposed X Includes replacing obsolete power generators
Purchased portable power generators to use throughout campus
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Upgrade and/or expand early warning systems
Proposed X Includes outdoor warning sirens and Hawk Alert
Evaluate existing flood mitigation projects
Proposed Enhances floodplain management program
Continue multi-jurisdictional cooperation within the watershed
Proposed X The University hosts the Iowa Flood Center
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
Proposed X
Completed projects include:
Established area and provided utilities connections to use temporary boilers to maintain services
Expanded capacity and increased redundancy of electrical distribution lines
Bridge strengthening Proposed X Coordinate with Iowa City
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
390
Table 9.256: University of Iowa Sinkholes Hazard Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Action Type Inclusion in
Previous Plan Notes Progress
Emergency planning and exercises
Sustained X Includes all academic and research campus areas, hospital, and clinics
Maintain Critical Incident Management Plan
Sustained X Includes Continuity of Operations Plan
Maintain University of Iowa Department of Public Safety
Sustained X Includes University of Iowa Police, Fire Safety Program, and Emergency Management Coordinator
The University hired an emergency management coordinator
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local police departments
Sustained X
Maintain mutual aid agreements with local fire departments
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Sustained X
Coordinate with Johnson County Ambulance Service
Sustained
Maintain Campus Master Planning and Committee
Sustained X Soil conditions are considered in land use decisions
Critical facility and infrastructure protection
Proposed X Includes hardening structures
Increase community outreach and education
Proposed X
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
Proposed X
Planning for several buildings has been initiated, and the University plans to expand planning to all buildings and departments
391
Action Plan and Timeline
To determine how a mitigation strategy should be completed, an action plan and timeline for mitigation actions was determined through a prioritization process that considered local priorities identified in the Key Considerations section of this plan, local capabilities identified in the Community Capabilities section of the plan, potential benefit, and estimated cost. Ultimately, mitigation actions were assigned a priority level, which determines the potential timeline for completion. Refer to Tables 10.0 and 10.0.1.
Table 10.0: Benefit vs. Cost Criteria
Type Benefit Cost High
Results are likely immediate and/or widespread reduction of risk from hazard(s) addressed; generally supported by the community; lead agency has capabilities
Existing funding is not adequate to complete the project; funding may only be available through grants/assistance; anticipated to cost greater than $100,000
Medium Results are likely a long-term reduction of risk from hazard(s) addressed and/or results are not widespread; potential community opposition; lead agency has capabilities
Requires amending the budget and/or requires a bond to complete the project; anticipated to cost between $10,000 and $100,000
Low Results are difficult to determine and/or may not result in long-term reduction of risk from hazard(s) addressed; definite community opposition; lead agency may encounter capability issues
Existing funding is adequate or the project can be completed through volunteer and/or staff time; anticipated to cost less than $10,000
Table 10.0.1: Mitigation Action Priority Level Criteria
Priority Level Potential Project Timeline
1 1 – 5 years
2 5 – 10 years
3 10 – 15 years For most jurisdictions, not all mitigation actions considered in the prioritization process met exact criteria. The planning team in each jurisdiction developed the final action plan to ensure priority levels reflect local priorities and capabilities. It should be noted, not all jurisdictions identified all three priority levels for mitigation actions. Some jurisdictions have adopted a shorter term focus for completing mitigation actions. The action plan for each jurisdiction is in the following pages in Table 10.1 through 10.17.
392
Unincorporated Johnson County Action Plan All proposed mitigation actions for Unincorporated Johnson County are considered high priority so all mitigation actions in the action plan will be considered for completion in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.1 for the 5-year action plan for the unincorporated areas of the county.
Table 10.1: Unincorporated Johnson County Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source Benefit Cost Notes
1
Improve, and/or expand storm water systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
County Engineer
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
County, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, Community Development Block Grant, others to identified
High High
1 Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures
Planning Dept.
Property owners County, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, others to identified
High High
1
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities (include dry and wet flood proofing)
County Engineer
Depends on the critical facility to be protected
County, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, others to identified
High High
1
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete power generators)
County Engineer
Johnson County EMA
County, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
Priority facilities include the Secondary Roads Campus, the Johnson County Jail, new Johnson County Ambulance facility, and the F. W. Kent Park administrative building
1 Construct community safe rooms
County Engineer
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, School Districts
County, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High The Johnson County Fairgrounds and F.W. Kent Park are priority areas
1 Expand coverage of the outdoor warning siren system
Johnson County EMA
Neighboring communities
County, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Bury power lines at critical facilities
County Engineer
Local utility providers
County, others to be identified
High High
393
Table 10.1: Unincorporated Johnson County Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead
Agency Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source Benefit Cost Notes
1 Identify cooling centers
Johnson County Public Health
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, School Districts
Not Applicable Medium Low
1 Pumps for critical facilities County
Engineer
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
County, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Elevate and protect transportation infrastructure
County Engineer
Iowa Department of Transportation, Johnson County Emergency Management
County, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1 Establish a flood protected travel corridor between Linn and Johnson County
County Engineer
Iowa Department of Transportation, Johnson County Emergency Management
County, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
394
Coralville Action Plan The planning team in Coralville prioritized mitigation actions for the next 15 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.2 for the 15-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.2: Coralville Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source Benefit Cost Notes
1 Update and enhance the City's flood emergency operations plan
Administration
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City High Low
1
Improve, and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water sewer systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Engineering Department
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, Community Development Block Grant, others to identified
High High
1 Reconstruction of Coral Ridge Avenue with green storm water infrastructure
Engineering Department
Not Applicable City, Watershed Improvement Review Board funding
High High
1 Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures
Building Department
Property owners City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, others to identified
High High
1
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities (include dry and wet flood proofing)
Engineering Department
Depends on the critical facility to be protected
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, others to identified
High High
1 Identify and complete backflow prevention projects to protect property
Engineering Department
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, Community Development Block Grant, others to identified
High High
1
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete power generators)
Public Works and Utilities Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
395
Table 10.2: Coralville Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source Benefit Cost Notes
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Administration CoralVision
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City High Low
1
Expand coverage of the outdoor warning siren system (primarily north and west areas of the city)
Administration Engineering Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Construct a community safe room
Engineering Department
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Fire Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Assistance to Firefighter Grants, others to be identified
High High
1
Assess capability for immediate containment of hazardous materials and purchase necessary supplies and equipment, as needed
Fire Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Assistance to Firefighter Grants, others to be identified
Medium Medium
1
Animal Shelter Relocation Project with Iowa City, University of Iowa, Johnson County, and University Heights
Administration
Iowa City, University of Iowa, Johnson County, and University Heights
Cities, Johnson County, University of Iowa, Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, others to be identified
Medium High
1 Review and update snow removal routes
Public Works Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Not applicable Medium Low
2
Dedicate a trailer to flood events that is preloaded with necessary signage and equipment
Public Works Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City Medium Medium
2 Backup power in traffic signals
Engineering Department
Iowa Department of Transportation
City, others to be identified
High Low Cost depends on the number of signals
396
Table 10.2: Coralville Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source Benefit Cost Notes
2 Determine feasibility of ordinance to require underground power lines
Building Department
Local utility providers
City High Low
2 Replace or purchase additional snow removal and treatment equipment
Public Works Department
City, others to be identified
Medium High
2 Identify potential cooling centers and provide information to residents
Administration
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City Medium Low
3
Identify and complete projects to reduce hazardous material incidents on I-380, I-80, and the I-80/1st Avenue Interchange
Police, Fire, and
Engineering Department
Iowa Department of Transportation, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Iowa Department of Transportation, others to be identified
High High
3 Increase storage capacity for sand and salt
Public Works Department
City Low Medium
397
Hills Action Plan The planning team in Hills prioritized mitigation actions for the next 15 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.3 for the 15-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.3: Hills Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Public Works
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Establish a communication plan between the City and Stutsmans
City Clerk and Fire
Department
Stutsmans, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Not applicable High Low
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local media
Not applicable High Low
2
Construct a safe room in conjunction with a new City Hall building
City Clerk To be identified
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
Medium High
398
Iowa City Action Plan The planning team in Iowa City prioritized mitigation actions for the next 15 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.4 for the 15-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.4: Iowa City Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Improve, and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water sewer systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Public Works Department
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, Community Development Block Grant, others to identified
High High
1 Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures
Planning and Community
Development Department
Property owners
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, others to identified
High High
1
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities (include dry and wet flood proofing)
Public Works Department
Depends on the critical facility to be protected
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, others to identified
High High
1
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete power generators)
Public Works Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Enhance the Flood Emergency Operations Plan
Public Works Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Not Applicable High Low
399
Table 10.4: Iowa City Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Gateway Project (Elevate Dubuque Street and replace the Park Road Bridge)
Public Works Department
Iowa Department of Transportation
City, Local Options Sales Tax revenue, Economic Development Administration funding, Department of Housing and Urban Development funding, Surface Transportation Fund
High High
1 North Waste Water Facility Relocation
Public Works Department
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Local Options Sales Tax revenue, Community Development Block Grant, I-JOBS
High High
1 Construct the West Side Levee
Public Works Department
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers
City, Community Development Block Grant
High High
1
Lift station and flood gates at Rocky Shore Drive (coordinate with the University of Iowa)
Public Works Department
/University of Iowa
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, University of Iowa, Community Development Block Grant
Medium High
1
Lift station at River Street and the University of Iowa Arts Campus (coordinate with the University of Iowa)
Public Works Department
/University of Iowa
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, University of Iowa, others to be identified
Medium High
1 Animal Shelter Relocation Project
Animal Services Department
University of Iowa, Coralville, Johnson County, and University Heights
Cities, Johnson County, University of Iowa, Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, others to be identified
High High
400
Table 10.4: Iowa City Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Manager
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City High Low
1 Construct a community safe room
Public Works Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa City Community School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1
Assess capability for immediate containment of hazardous materials and purchase necessary supplies and equipment, as needed
Fire Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Assistance to Firefighter Grants, others to be identified
Medium Medium
1
Expand coverage of the outdoor warning siren system (primarily as the east area of the City expands)
Public Works Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Police Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Assistance to Firefighter Grants, others to be identified
High High
1
Develop an emergency action plan for extreme winter storm events
Public Works Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City High Low
401
Table 10.4: Iowa City Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
2 Update floodplain mapping
Public Works Department
Federal Emergency Management Agency, adjacent jurisdictions
To be identified High High
Developing new floodplain maps is expensive and new flood protection may modify existing floodplain locations
2 Elevate the Normandy/Manor Intersection
Public Works Department
Not Applicable
To be identified Medium High
2 Secure access to the Peninsula neighborhood
Public Works Department
Not Applicable
To be identified Medium High
402
Lone Tree Action Plan The planning team in Lone Tree prioritized mitigation actions for the next 15 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.5 for the 15-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.5: Lone Tree Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Backup generators for critical facilities
Public Works
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Lone Tree Community School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium The Fire Station currently has a generator.
1 Backup power for outdoor warning sirens
Public Works
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Discuss the potential use of local school facilities and the American Legion Hall as a shelter facility after a hazard event
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Lone Tree Community School District, local American Legion Hall operator
Not applicable High Low
403
Table 10.5: Lone Tree Action Plan Continued Priority
Level Mitigation Action Lead
Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local media
Not applicable High Low
1
Encourage residents to properly trim vegetation on their property
Public Works
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Alliant Energy
Not applicable High Low
1
Prairie Creek improvement program to increase flow, reduce debris, and coordinate with adjacent property owners
Public Works
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Prairie Creek adjacent property owners, others to be identified
City, others to be identified
Medium Medium
2 Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements
Public Works
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Community Development Block Grant, others to be identified
High High
Infrastructure maintenance improvements are ongoing but major improvements are cost prohibitive.
2
Identify potential cooling centers and provide information to residents
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Lone Tree Community School District, others to be identified
Not applicable Medium Low
3 Increase storage capacity for sand and salt
Public Works
Johnson County Secondary Roads Department
City, others to be identified
Low Medium
404
North Liberty Action Plan The planning team in North Liberty prioritized mitigation actions for the next 15 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.6 for the 15-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.6: North Liberty Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Improve, and/or expand water, sanitary sewer, and storm water sewer systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
Water and Wastewater Department
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, Community Development Block Grant, others to identified
High High
1 Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures
Planning Department
Property owners
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, others to identified
High High
1
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities (include dry and wet flood proofing)
Water, Wastewater, and Streets Department
Depends on the critical facility to be protected
City, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, others to identified
High High
1
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete power generators)
Water and Wastewater Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Tele-communications
Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City High Low
1 Construct a community safe room
City Administration
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
405
Table 10.6: North Liberty Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Assess capability for immediate containment of hazardous materials and purchase necessary supplies and equipment, as needed
Fire Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Assistance to Firefighter Grants, others to be identified
Medium Medium
1
Identify the unmet needs of the police and fire department and pursue funding for projects
Police Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Assistance to Firefighter Grants, others to be identified
2
Expand coverage of the outdoor warning siren system (primarily as the west area of the City expands)
City Administration
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
406
Oxford Action Plan The planning team in Oxford prioritized mitigation actions for the next 15 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.7 for the 15-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.7: Oxford Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete generators)
Public Works
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Backup power for outdoor warning sirens
Public Works
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements
Public Works
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Community Development Block Grant, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local media
City High Low
1 Establish cooling center procedure for City Hall
City Clerk Not applicable City Medium Low
407
Table 10.7: Oxford Action Plan Continued Priority
Level Mitigation Action Lead
Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
For the local ballpark facilities, discuss severe weather event procedures with the Lions Club
City Clerk Lions Club Not applicable Medium Low
3 Construct a multi-purpose safe room
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Clear Creek Amana Community School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
408
Solon Action Plan The planning team in Solon prioritized mitigation actions for the next 10 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.8 for the 10-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.8: Solon Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
Public Works
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Solon Community School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Update, add backup power capability, and expand coverage of outdoor warning sirens
Public Works
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements to increase capacity and prevent system backup into structures
Public Works
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Community Development Block Grant, others to be identified
High High
1
Address access issue to wastewater treatment plant during flood events
Public Works
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High
1 Relocate or protect Randal Park from flood events
Public Works To be identified
City, others to be identified
Medium High
409
Table 10.8: Solon Action Plan Continued Priority
Level Mitigation Action Lead
Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Expand water tower storage
Public Works
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, others to be identified
High High
1 Develop an information recovery plan
City Administrator
To be identified
City High Low
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Administrator
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local media
City High Low
2 Construct a multi-purpose safe room
City Administrator
Solon Community School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High
2 Construct park shelters
City Administrator
To be identified
City, others to be identified
Medium Medium
2 Identify potential cooling center locations
City Administrator
Solon Community School District City
Medium Low
2
Assess Fire Department needs and purchase necessary equipment, if needed
Fire Department
To be identified
City, Assistance to Firefighter Grants, others to be identified
High High
410
Shueyville Action Plan The planning team in Shueyville prioritized mitigation actions for the next 15 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.9 for the 15-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.9: Shueyville Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Backup power generators for critical facilities
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Solon Community School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Establish a communication plan with local emergency response and purchase communication equipment, if needed
City Clerk
Swisher Fire Department, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, others to be identified
High Low
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local media
City High Low
1 Include hazard-related articles in the City newsletter
City Clerk Not Applicable City High Low
2
Retrofit the Community Center to function as a shelter and emergency operations center
City Clerk To be identified
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High
3 Acquire, relocate, or elevate structures in flood hazard areas
City Clerk Property owners
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
411
Swisher Action Plan The planning team in Swisher prioritized mitigation actions for the next 15 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.10 for the 15-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.10: Swisher Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Backup power generators for critical facilities (includes updating obsolete generators)
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Solon Community School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Establish a communication plan with local emergency response and purchase communication equipment, if needed
City Clerk and Fire
Department
Swisher Fire Department, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City High Low
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Clerk
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local media
City High Low
2 Construct a multi-purpose safe room in Castek Park
City Clerk To be identified
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High
3 Acquire, relocate, or elevate structures in flood hazard areas
City Clerk Property owners
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
412
Tiffin Action Plan The planning team in Tiffin prioritized mitigation actions for the next 10 years, but the majority of mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.11 for the 10-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.11: Tiffin Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Backup generators for critical facilities (includes updating generators)
Public Works
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Solon Community School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium City Hall and Fire Station are high priority.
1
Update outdoor warning siren to an AC/DC siren with backup power and expand coverage, if needed
Public Works
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium
1
Storm and sanitary sewer system improvements to increase capacity and prevent system backup into structures
Public Works
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Community Development Block Grant, others to be identified
High High
1 Additional trash pumps
Public Works Not applicable City High Low
1 Connect existing generator to lift station
Public Works Not applicable City High Low
413
Table 10.11: Tiffin Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Initiate training for a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and establish procedures
City Administrator
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Not applicable High Low
1
Determine procedure for opening the Methodist Church to the public for shelter
City Administrator
Methodist Church
Not applicable Medium Low
1 Employ a rental housing inspector
City Administrator
Nearby cities City Medium Medium
1 Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Audit
City Administrator
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Not applicable High Low
2
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
City Administrator
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local media
City High Low
2 Construct a multi-purpose safe room
City Administrator
Clear Creek Amana School District
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High Residents living in mobile homes and apartments were identified as vulnerable.
2 Develop a local police department
City Administrator
Johnson County Sheriff's Department, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City High High
414
Table 10.11: Tiffin Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
2 Identify a potential cooling center location
City Administrator
Clear Creek Amana School District, Methodist Church City
Medium Low
2
Assess Fire Department needs and purchase necessary equipment, if needed
Fire Department
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Assistance to Firefighter Grants, others to be identified
High High
415
University Heights Action Plan The planning team in University Heights prioritized mitigation actions for the next 5 years. All mitigation actions are high priority to be addressed in the next five years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.12 for the 10-year action plan for the City.
Table 10.12: University Heights Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Storm sewer system improvements
City Engineer
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
City, Community Development Block Grant, others to be identified
High High
Several storm water improvement projects have been identified for the City. The first priority improvement project involves increasing the capacity to drain storm water on Melrose Avenue in front of the University Club. Several residential homes are located below street elevation on the south side of the street, and standing water has consistently been observed in this area during heavy rain events. Regular assessments of the storm water system will be completed to identify other priority improvement projects.
1
Animal Shelter Relocation Project with Iowa City, University of Iowa, Coralville, and Johnson County
Mayor
Iowa City, University of Iowa, Coralville, and Johnson County
Cities, Johnson County, University of Iowa, Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, others to be identified
High High
1
Promote the Johnson County Emergency Notification System and Emergency Assistance Registry
Mayor
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local media
City High Low The City can provide information through its website and annual resident guide.
416
Table 10.12: University Heights Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Determine feasibility of an urban forest management plan
Mayor
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, others to be identified
City, others to be identified
Medium Medium
Preventing damage caused by large and old trees is a major concern, but preserving the City's trees is also a priority.
417
Clear Creek Amana Community School District Action Plan The school district’s planning team prioritized mitigation actions for the next 5 years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.13 for the 5-year action plan for the school district.
Table 10.13: Clear Creek Amana Community School District Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Backup generator for critical facilities
Superintendent
City, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium The high school facility in Tiffin is priority
1 Construct safe room in school facilities
Superintendent
City, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High
1 Air conditioning for non-air conditioned facilities
Superintendent Not applicable School District High High
418
Iowa City Community School District Action Plan The school district’s planning team prioritized mitigation actions for the next 5 years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.14 for the 5-year action plan for the school district.
Table 10.14: Iowa City Community School District Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Backup generator for critical facilities
Superintendent
City, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Construct safe room in school facilities
Superintendent
City, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High
1 Air conditioning for non-air conditioned facilities
Superintendent Not applicable School District High High
419
Solon Community School District Action Plan The school district’s planning team prioritized mitigation actions for the next 5 years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.15 for the 5-year action plan for the school district.
Table 10.15: Solon Community School District Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Backup generator for critical facilities
Superintendent
City, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Construct a safe or retrofit existing facilities
Superintendent
City, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High
1
Assess flood risk at each school facility and complete necessary mitigation projects
Superintendent City, University of Iowa
School District High High
420
Lone Tree School District Action Plan The school district’s planning team prioritized mitigation actions for the next 5 years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.16 for the 5-year action plan for the school district.
Table 10.16: Lone Tree Community School District Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Backup generator for critical facilities
Superintendent
City, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High Medium
1 Construct safe room addition to school facilities
Superintendent
City, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, others to be identified
High High A safe room would be an addition to school facilities.
421
University of Iowa Action Plan The University of Iowa Planning Team prioritized mitigation actions for the next 10 years. For the majority of mitigation actions, availability of funding will be the main determinant of whether or not a mitigation action will be completed. See Table 10.17 for the 10-year action plan for the university.
Table 10.17: University of Iowa Action Plan
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Backup power generators (permanent and portable) for critical facilities (includes replacing obsolete power generators)
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Facilities Management, other departments
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Variable Cost depends on the type and size of power generator.
1 Increase community outreach and education
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Department of Safety, Department of Risk Management, Facilities Management, other departments
Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson County, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local organizations, local media, others to be identified
University, others to be identified
High Medium
Cost depends on the type of outreach and communication and whether or not the University uses existing communication capabilities.
1
Critical facility and infrastructure protection (includes hardening structures)
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Facilities Management, other departments
Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson County, Johnson County
University, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High Costs will vary but all facility and infrastructure protection projects are generally very expensive.
422
Table 10.17: University of Iowa Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Upgrade and/or expand early warning systems (includes outdoor warning sirens and Hawk Alert)
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Department of Public Safety
Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson County, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, local organizations, others to be identified
University, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High Variable
Cost depends on the type of upgrade or expansion and whether or not the University uses existing early warning systems.
1
Acquire, relocate, and/or elevate flood prone structures and systems
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Facilities Management, other departments
Iowa City, Coralville, others to be identified
University, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1
Evaluate and maintain existing flood mitigation projects
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Facilities Management, other departments
Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Flood Center, others to be identified
University, others to be identified
High High
1 Floodplain management
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Facilities Management, other departments
Iowa City, Coralville, Army Corps of Engineers, others to be identified
University, others to be identified
High High
423
Table 10.17: University of Iowa Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Identify and complete flood mitigation projects to protect critical facilities and infrastructure (includes dry and wet flood proofing and structural projects)
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Facilities Management, other departments
Iowa City, Coralville, Army Corps of Engineers, others to be identified
University, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1 Multi-jurisdictional cooperation within the watershed
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Department of Safety, Department of Risk Management, Facilities Management, other departments
Cities throughout watershed, Johnson County, Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Flood Center, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, others to be identified
University, others to be identified
High Variable
The cost depends on the level of cooperation. The cost can be low if the University just contributes staff and faculty time to participate in local initiatives.
1 Identify locations for safe rooms
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Facilities Management, other departments
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, others to be identified
High Low Requires primarily staff time to identify ideal locations
1
Individual building and University department emergency and continuity of operations planning
All University of Iowa departments
Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, others to be identified
High Medium Requires primarily staff time to prepare plans
424
Table 10.17: University of Iowa Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Improve, and/or expand water, sewer, storm water, energy, and communication systems, as needed, to prevent damage to critical facilities, infrastructure, and property
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Department of Safety, Department of Risk Management, Facilities Management, other departments
Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson County, Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, local utility providers, others to be identified
University, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1
Create redundancies in University infrastructure to prevent loss of service
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Facilities Management
Iowa City, Coralville, Johnson County, local utility providers, others to be identified
University, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1 Art Building West Project
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
425
Table 10.17: University of Iowa Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Art Building Replacement Project
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
1 Hancher Performing Arts Building Replacement Project
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
1 Iowa Advanced Technology Lab Project
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
1 School of Music Replacement Project
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
426
Table 10.17: University of Iowa Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1 Iowa Memorial Union Project
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
1 Mayflower Residence Hall Project
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
1 Theatre Building Project
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
1 Utility System Project University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Federal Emergency Management Agency
High High In progress
427
Table 10.17: University of Iowa Action Plan Continued
Priority Level
Mitigation Action Lead Potential Partners
Potential Funding Source
Benefit Cost Notes
1
Lift station and flood gates at Rocky Shore Drive (coordinate with Iowa City)
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Iowa City, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Iowa City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
1
Lift station at River Street and the University of Iowa Arts Campus (coordinate with Iowa City)
University of Iowa Facilities Management
Iowa City, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Iowa City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
2 Construct safe rooms University of Iowa Facilities Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, others to be identified
University, Iowa City, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, others to be identified
High High
2 Bridge strengthening University of Iowa Facilities Management
Iowa Department of Transportation
University, others to be identified
High High
428
Plan Incorporation and
MaintenanceIn order for a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan to be effective and ultimately a worthwhile use of resources in each participating jurisdiction, there must be an established procedure to incorporate into existing mechanisms, monitor, evaluate, and update the plan. As indicated throughout this plan, jurisdictions in Johnson County vary in type and size so plan incorporation and maintenance procedures will also vary. For example, larger jurisdictions may establish formal requirements while others may complete a periodic, informal plan review. Overall, local preferences determine plan incorporation and maintenance. In each jurisdiction, a particular department or staff member is responsible for remaining aware of the jurisdiction’s mitigation strategy and encouraging the completion of mitigation actions. In addition, this department or staff member will also be responsible for completing a periodic review, formal or informal. If an update for a specific jurisdiction is needed during the five year life of this plan, the specified department or staff member will initiate an amendment process with the planning consultant, which is the East Central Iowa Council of Governments. In addition, the planning consultant will be involved in periodic plan reviews by providing information about funding opportunities and a reminder of the established maintenance procedure. The planning consultant will either attend review meetings, or the jurisdiction will provide relevant information to the planning consultant. As the regional planning agency, the planning consultant works with each participating jurisdiction on a regular basis.
Since the plan is multi-jurisdictional and the county initiated this particular plan, a complete plan update will be initiated by Johnson County approximately three years from plan approval date. The Johnson County Emergency Management Agency is traditionally responsible for complete plan updates. Future plan updates will likely be funded with Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding and prepared by a planning consultant that coordinates with Johnson County and participating jurisdictions. For the plan maintenance procedure in each participating jurisdiction, refer to Table 11.0 in the following pages. Evaluation of the plan will occur during the complete plan update process. Whether or not mitigation actions are completed will determine the overall effectiveness of the plan. The impacts of hazards events during the 5 year life of the plan and results of mitigation actions will determine whether or not an effective mitigation strategy was established for each jurisdiction. Through plan monitoring, evaluation, and update, jurisdictions will continue to seek public input. Each jurisdiction will make the plan available to the public for review at any time. Grant applications or reallocation of funding to complete mitigation actions must be approved by local officials, which will occur at public meetings and ensure the public is able to provide input. In addition, a complete plan update will involve at least one hazard mitigation planning meeting that is open to the public in each participating jurisdiction.
429
Table 11.0: Jurisdiction Plan Incorporation and Maintenance Procedures
Jurisdiction Department/Staff
Member Incorporation Monitor and Review Evaluation and
Update
Coralville Assistant City Administrator
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review in April approximately every two years
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Hills City Clerk
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review during the plan update process
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Iowa City Planning and Community Development
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review annually
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Lone Tree City Clerk
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review in September every two years
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
North Liberty Assistant City Administrator
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review during the plan update process
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
430
Table 11.0: Jurisdiction Plan Incorporation and Maintenance Procedures
Jurisdiction Department/Staff
Member Incorporation Monitor and Review Evaluation and
Update
Shueyville City Clerk
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review during the plan update process
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Solon City Administrator
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review in September before budget review every two years
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Swisher City Clerk
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review during the plan update process
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Tiffin City Administrator
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review annually
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
University Heights Mayor
Formal adoption as a City planning document and the monitor and review process that will focus completing the mitigation strategy as priorities and funding allow
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review annually in December before budget review
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
431
Table 11.0: Jurisdiction Plan Incorporation and Maintenance Procedures
Jurisdiction Department/Staff
Member Incorporation Monitor and Review Evaluation and
Update
Clear Creek Amana Community School
District Superintendent
Formal adoption as a District planning document and incorporating the mitigation strategy into the facilities planning process (primarily safe rooms and generators)
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review in March annually
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Iowa City Community School
District Operations Department
Formal adoption as a District planning document and incorporating the mitigation strategy into the facilities planning process (primarily safe rooms and generators)
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review approximately two years after approval
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Solon Community School District
Superintendent
Formal adoption as a District planning document and incorporating the mitigation strategy into the facilities planning process (primarily safe rooms and generators)
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and formal review approximately two years after approval
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
Lone Tree Community School
District Superintendent
Formal adoption as a District planning document and incorporating the mitigation strategy into the facilities planning process (primarily safe rooms and generators)
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are available and discuss regularly during school facility meetings and board meetings
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
University of Iowa University of Iowa Risk Management
Formal adoption as a University planning document and specific goal of incorporating the mitigation strategy into campus planning activities
Internal review of the plan as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds are made available and internal review annually
To begin approximately three years after plan approval
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