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Cabarrus County Hazard Mitigation Plan <br /> <br />I. Purpose. This plan defines the actions and techniques necessary reduce the vulnerability of <br />people and property of Cabarrus County to natural and man-made hazards. <br /> <br />II. Situation and Assumptions <br /> <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 predicable and the results can <br />damage the earth's environment. Despite this, the environment recovers from these episodes, but <br />at its own pace. <br /> <br /> B. Our man-made, or "built" environment, howeVer, is not as resilient. Natural disasters <br />occur when human activity in the form of buildings, infrastructure, agriculture and other land <br />uses 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 long <br />period of time and at great social and economic cost. <br /> <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 hve and work in <br />locations that put them and their property at risk. Additionally, businesses utilizing hazardous <br />substances are becoming more common and are in closer proximity to residential area that in the <br />past. <br /> <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 exposure to <br />future natural hazards by managing the location and characteristics of both the existing and <br />future built environment. By utilizing location and construction techniques, a community can <br />mitigate negative impacts and reduce future damage to both human 'lives and property. <br /> <br /> E. Preparing for natural hazards involves establishing a comprehensive emergency <br />management system consisting of the following four component activities: <br /> <br /> 1. Preparedness activities are those undertaken to improve a community's ability to respond <br />immediately after a disaster. Preparedness activities include the development of response <br />procedures, design and installation of warning systems, exercises to test emergency operational <br />procedures, and training of emergency services personnel. <br /> <br /> 2. Response activities designed to meet the urgent needs of disaster victims. Response' <br />activities occur during the disaster and include rescue operations, evacuation, ~emergency medical <br />care, and shelter programs. <br /> <br /> 3. Recovery activities designed to rebuild after a disaster. These activities include repairs to <br />damaged public facilities such as roads and bridges, restoration of public services such as power <br />and water, and other activities that help restore normal services to a community. <br /> <br />Draft Basic Plan v.3.1 ~-- 3. 1 1 July 2002 <br /> <br /> <br />