Introduction
Union County is at risk of damage from a variety of natural hazards: flooding, winter storms, tornado or windstorms, wildfire, earthquake, land subsidence, landslide, hurricanes, and drought. This plan explains a rigorous analysis of the potential effects of these natural hazards on the structures and infrastructure within Union County and proposes hazard mitigation measures to reduce the risk of a natural hazard leading to a disaster with property loss, business disruption, or even loss of life.
The emergency management community, citizens, elected officials and others in Union County recognize the potential impacts of natural hazards on their community and have developed this plan to mitigate potential damages and reduce future losses. Hazard mitigation actions reduce the potential for loss of life and destruction of property. Mitigation actions are taken in advance of the occurrence of a potential hazard and are essential for breaking the disaster cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.
Accordingly, the Union County Hazard Mitigation Planning Team (HMPT), composed of government leaders from Union County, in cooperation with elected officials of the County and its municipalities have prepared this Hazard Vulnerability Assessment and Mitigation Plan Update. The plan is the result of work by citizens of the County to develop a pre-disaster multi-hazard mitigation plan that will not only guide the County towards greater disaster resistance, but will also respect the character and needs of the community.