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Annex A: Hazard IdentificatiOn and Analysis <br /> <br />I. Purpose. To identify and analyze the types of natural hazards that could threaten Cabarrus <br />County. <br /> <br />H. Situations and Assumptions. Before Cabarrus County can determine how best to utilize <br />time and resources on hazard mitigation, it is necessary to determine which specific hazards <br />present the greatest potential for a natural disaster. Factors, such as geography, topography, <br />climate and natural features, must be considered. Cabarrus County is vulnerable to a number of <br />natural hazards at various times. These hazards including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, <br />inland hunicane effects, flooding, and severe winter weather/ice storms. Each hazard is unique <br />to Cabarrus County in terms of impact, frequency, and likelihood of occurrence. <br /> <br />III. Concept. <br /> <br /> A. The following sections describe and discuss the natural hazards that can effect Cabarms <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 disaster <br />in Cabarms County. Tables A-5 to A-8 at the end of this section summarize data on significant <br />past storm events that have had an impact on Cabarrus County.. <br /> <br />B. Natural Hazards <br /> <br />1. Hurricanes. <br /> <br /> (a) These storms have long threatened the North Carolina coastal plain, but Cabarrus <br />County has occasionally felt the effects of hurricanes that have retained their force after landfall. <br />Generally, these storms are not those that cross the North Carolina coast, but those that make <br />landfall farther to the south. It is not unusual to receive the effects of hurricanes from as far <br />south as the Gulf coast. Typically these storms bring heavy rains and some high winds. This can <br />cause flooding in some areas of the county. Cabarrus County has experienced development in <br />high-risk areas such as river and stream floodplains' that are vulnerable to flooding caused by <br />inland hurricane effects. Cabarrus County also has a number of manufactured homes that are <br />vulnerable to flooding. ' <br /> <br /> (b) According to historical data, North Carolina has experienced landfall hurricanes <br />more frequently in recent years, each having a measurable impact on some area of the State. A <br />major landfall hurricane can have a tremendous adverse impact on Cabarrus County in terms of <br />property damage, loss of life, and economic impacts from business closures. Hurricane Hugo in <br />1989 had a serious impact on the county, and is an example of the damage possible from inland <br />hurricane effects. <br /> <br />C. Floods (Map A-1 Cabarrus County Multi-Hazards) <br /> <br /> 1. Flooding is normally the result of a larger event such as a hurricane, thunderstorm or <br />prolonged rainfall. Flooding is caused by excessive precipitation and can be generally considered <br />in two categories: flash floods and general floods. Flash floods are the product of localized, high- <br />intensity precipitation over a short time period in small drainage basins. General floods are <br /> <br />Draft Annex A v. 3.1 A-1 1 July 2002 <br /> <br /> <br />