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Cabarrus County Hazard Mitigation Plan <br />I. Purpose <br />This plan defines the actions and techniques necessary to reduce the vulnerability of people and <br />property of Cabarrus County to natural and man -made hazards. <br />II. Situation and Assumptions <br />A. Natural hazards are features of the earth's natural systems. These hazards, such as severe <br />weather, flooding, and geological disturbances, are generally not predictable and the results <br />can damage the earth's environment. Despite this, the environment recovers from these <br />episodes, but at its own pace. <br />B. Our man -made or "built" environment, however, is not as resilient. Natural disasters occur <br />when human activity in the form of buildings, infrastructure, agriculture and other land uses <br />are located in the path of the destructive forces of nature. The man -made environment is <br />more susceptible to natural hazards and cannot recuperate in the same manner as the natural <br />environment. Communities that bear the brunt of a natural hazard often recover only over a <br />long period of time and at great social and economic cost. <br />C. In recent years, the frequency and impact of natural disasters has increased not because <br />natural hazards occur more frequently but because more people are choosing to live and work <br />%W in locations that put them and their property at risk. Additionally, businesses utilizing <br />hazardous substances are becoming more common and are in closer proximity to residential <br />areas than in the past. <br />D. While natural hazards cannot be prevented, local communities can use various means to <br />reduce the vulnerability of people and property to damage. Communities can reduce <br />exposure to future natural hazards by managing the location and characteristics of both the <br />existing and future built environment. By utilizing location and construction techniques, a <br />community can mitigate negative impacts and reduce future damage to both human lives and <br />property. <br />E. Preparing for natural hazards involves establishing a comprehensive emergency <br />management system consisting of the following four component strategies: <br />1. Preparedness strategies are those undertaken to improve a community's ability to <br />respond immediately after a disaster. Preparedness strategies include the development <br />of response procedures, design and installation of warning systems, exercises to test <br />emergency operational procedures, and training of emergency services personnel. <br />2. Response strategies designed to meet the urgent needs of disaster victims. Response <br />strategies occur during the disaster and include rescue operations, evacuation, <br />emergency medical care, and shelter programs. <br />3. Recovery strategies designed to rebuild after a disaster. These strategies include <br />repairs to damaged public facilities such as roads and bridges, restoration of public <br />Hazard Mitigation Plan 1 1 December 2009 <br />Attachment number 4 <br />F -6 Page 72 <br />