|
|
 |
What potential hazards threaten Lucas County?
|
What potential hazards threaten Lucas County?
|
Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Tornadoes, floods, lightening, large hail, high winds, heavy rains, snow and ice often result from severe storms. Severe storms have occurred with significant frequency. The impact of severe storms is usually widespread and can cause disruptions of normal communications, travel and delivery of routine services. Storms disrupt our normal routines and can endanger citizens who are unprepared or who disregard the harmful conditions. In the case of Tornadoes, the affected area may be relatively small, however, the resulting impact may see near total destruction. The most recent Tornado to strike Lucas County was on July 12, 1992. This F-2 storm lasted only minutes but caused over 2 million dollars in property damage with no loss of life.
Flooding
Flooding threatens eight of the twenty-two sub-divisions in Lucas County. Flooding may be as a result of above average rainfall, or combined with a rapid snow melt with frozen ground conditions. In addition, a major storm surge can be caused by sustained high on-shore winds in the western Lake Erie basin. Past damaging floods have occurred on the Maumee and Ottawa Rivers, Swan Creek as well as other minor drains and all along the shoreline of Lake Erie’s western basin.
Resource Shortage
Disruptions of utility services due to a loss or reduction in availability of electricity, water, natural or LP gas, home heating or transportation fuels may result in a short to long term crisis situation. One or more of the above conditions may occur as a result of a larger natural disaster such as snow or ice storms, technological accidents or global conflicts. Any loss of utility services is of serious concern due to the impact to the public and private sectors. It is particularly serious when such disruptions occur during seasonal extremes or if of an extended duration. Disruptions can be life threatening to some population groups and have a detrimental affect on local economies.
Earthquake
Even a moderate (R-5) earthquake in Lucas County could pose a hazard to people, homes, office buildings and industry given the historical record. A subterranean fault zone lies deep below Lucas County that was last influenced by the largest earthquake to occur in North America at the turn of the century; The New Madrid Earthquake. Local tremors are rare, short-lived and relatively mild ( 1.0 - 3.5 on the Richter Scale ) in our region. Severe damage usually occurs at or near level 5 in masonry dwellings that were built prior to 1930 or buildings constructed on ‘back-filled’ parcels near former water front or swampy areas. This would apply to a relatively small but important portion of Lucas County along the Maumee River flooded way including the City of Toledo and Village of Waterville.
Hazardous Materials
Lucas County has a significant risk of a hazardous materials release, fire or explosion. This Hazardous Materials accident potential is due in large part to our geographical location that makes our county a transportation hub for inter-state highways, rail, air cargo and Great Lakes and trans-oceanic shipping. While transportation accidents are frequent, most are small. Potential releases from fixed facilities remain of concern due to the volume of material that is present and the fact that many of these facilities are in highly populated urban communities.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Chemical, Biological and Radiological weapons pose an increasing threat from domestic or international criminal elements. This situation is likely to continue so long as individuals or rouge states are willing to commit to the use of these weapons. Stockpiles of military weapons of mass destruction are vulnerable to terrorist organizations in several foreign nations. Increasingly the capability exist to readily manufacture relatively low-tech biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical and explosive devices that could cause massive loss of life or economic injury. All or a significant portion of the urban population of the county is at risk to exposure from nuclear, chemical or biological agents.
Threats to our larger national security and local community institutions may impact specific facilities, organizations and/or individuals in the form of acts of criminal terrorism. Recent acts of domestic and international terrorism have forced local communities to begin to plan and prepare for domestic threats within our region and across the nation. The vulnerability of many facilities and institutions, the unique destructiveness of these weapons, the demonstrated willingness of terrorist and criminals to employ these devices and the physical as well as psychological impact on the public makes this threat a serious concern to all jurisdictions.
Nuclear Power Facility Accident
A small portion of Jerusalem Township in Eastern Lucas County is located within ten miles of a commercial Nuclear Power Plant; The Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station near Port Clinton, Ohio. In addition, transportation or fixed facility accidents could threaten the public’s health due to exposure to radiological materials that are commonly transported, utilized and stored in industrial processes, medical procedures and research facilities in many communities throughout Lucas County.
|
|
|
|
