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Annex A: Hazard Identification and Analysis <br />I. Purpose. <br />To identify and analyze the types of natural hazards that could threaten Cabarrus County. <br />II. Situations and Assumptions. <br />A. Cabarrus County is vulnerable to a number of natural hazards at various times. These <br />hazards including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, inland hurricane effects, flooding, and <br />severe winter weather /ice storms. Each hazard is unique to Cabarrus County in terms of <br />impact, frequency, and likelihood of occurrence. <br />B. The towns of Mount Pleasant, Harrisburg, and Midland are subject to the same hazards as <br />the remainder of the county. The identification and analysis of these hazards for the county <br />apply equally to these municipalities. <br />III. Concept. <br />A. The following sections describe and discuss the natural hazards that can effect Cabarrus <br />County. Climatic and historic data were used to identify the potential for each of the hazards. <br />The last section summarizes the hazards and rates each on its potential to cause a natural <br />disaster in Cabarrus County. Tables A -8 to A -11 at the end of this section summarize data on <br />significant past storm events that have had an impact on Cabarrus County. 1J <br />B. Natural Hazards <br />1. Hurricanes. <br />(a) Hurricanes are the most devastating natural events on the east coast of the United <br />States. Basically, a hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a low- pressure <br />system that generally forms in the tropics. Hurricanes have a number of conditions <br />necessary to occur. This includes a pre- existing weather disturbance, warm tropical <br />oceans, moisture, and relatively light winds aloft. If these all come together, they can <br />produce a hurricane which can lead to violent winds, high waves, torrential rains, <br />storm surge, tornadoes, and floods. A typical hurricane drops 6 — 12 inches of water <br />on the area it crosses. Tornadoes often form on the fringes of the storm. The Saffir- <br />Simpson Hurricane Scale defines hurricane strength. <br />Table A -1: Saffir- Simpson Hurricane Scale <br />Category <br />Definition- Effects <br />1 <br />Winds: 74 -95 mph (64 -82 kt) <br />No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, <br />and trees. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage. <br />2 <br />Winds: 96 -110 mph (83 -95 kt) <br />Some roofing material, door, and window damage. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile <br />homes, etc. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their <br />moorings. <br />Annex A Hazard Identification and Analysis A -1 1 DecetahctirMMmber 5 <br />F -6 Page 105 <br />