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<br />WEST PIEDMONT <br />REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN - 2006 <br />Frequently Asked Questions <br /> <br />Q. Why do we need this plan? <br /> <br />A. Hazard mitigation plans, which are required by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 <br />(DMA2K), help local governments to determine their risks and vulnerabilities and <br />identify mitigation projects that will reduce these risks. The law requires that local <br />governments adopt jurisdiction-wide hazard mitigation plans as a condition of <br />receiving Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) project grants and other forms <br />of non-emergency disaster assistance (e.g., Pre-Disaster Mitigation grants). Local <br />governments must review and, if necessary, update the mitigation plan every five <br />years from the original date of the plan to continue their eligibility for these grant <br />programs. <br /> <br />Q. What is most important part of th is plan? <br /> <br />A. The most important part of the plan is the Hazard Identification and Risk <br />Assessment (HIRA). The HlRA provides a detailed assessment of the hazards that <br />could affect our area, as well as their potential impacts. The mitigation strategy <br />section outlines actions we need to take to reduce the impacts outlined in the HIRA. <br />Finally, implementation of the projects listed in this plan is crucial to the success of <br />mitigation efforts in our area. <br /> <br />Q. What are the top risk areas or hazards? <br /> <br />A. According to the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, winter storms, <br />flooding and high winds are likely to cause the most impact on the West Piedmont <br />region. Ice storms generally have greater impact than snow storms, and ice is more <br />likely in the northwest portions of the region than in the southeastern part. <br /> <br />Riverine flooding is most likely to occur along the Roanoke River and the Roanoke <br />River Basin's tributaries such as the Banister River, Dan River, South Mayo River, <br />and Magodee Creek. Localized flooding may occur in the narrow mountain valleys <br />and in urbanized areas due to drainage issues. <br /> <br />Wind damages are more likely to result from tornadoes or from thunderstorm winds <br />then from hurricanes, though the extent of damages due to hurricanes likely would <br />be more widespread. <br /> <br />Q. Where is the greatest potential for loss of life? <br /> <br />A. Although loss of life is a major consequence of disasters, this hazard mitigation plan <br />does not address it. It is not addressed because of the complexity of, and data that <br />would be required for, such an analysis. Where possible, however, historical data on <br />deaths from previous disasters has been included in the plan. For instance, one <br />person was killed and another seriously injured during heavy rains in November <br />