Orange County NC Website
5. Hazard Historical Summarv <br /> Hurricanes have affected Orange County, including the Town of Carrboro and Town of <br /> Hillsborough, with the most recent being Floyd(1999) with property damage exceeding <br /> $1,000,000,though Fran in 1996 was the most severe. In addition,Floyd inflicted over <br /> $10,000 in direct recovery costs on Orange County. Furthermore, it caused major damage <br /> to property,businesses and infrastructure that impacted the economy. ' <br /> Flooding,which historically has caused the largest damage in terms of dollaz amounts in <br /> Orange County, is caused when drainage basins are not capable of withstanding large <br /> amounts of rain in a short period of time(thunderstorms). <br /> Tornados have struck with little or no warning to alert citizens to protect themselves. A <br /> tornado occurred in May 2000, which damaged 55 mobile homes, 80 site-built homes and <br /> caused several tons of debris. <br /> Severe winter storms can quickly impact and immobilize the county and its' municipalities. <br /> With roads blocked,power outages and possible loss of critical services, it can pose an <br /> immediate threat to loss of life. The last severe winter storm to impact the county was <br /> January 2000, when 20 inches of snow and ice fell. Direct recovery costs for Orange <br /> County due to the storm event totaled approximately$45,500. <br /> With increased home development in vulnerable wooded areas, a wildfire can cause heavy <br /> losses to homes and forestry. 5tructures in close proximity of wooded areas are at a greater <br /> risk to wildfires than homes in urban areas. <br /> Technological hazards can impact the county in many ways including road closures,power <br /> outages,evacuations, and water use restrictions. <br /> The following table depicts natural hazards,for which there is a record, that have affected <br /> Orange County,including the Town of Carrboro and Town of Hillsborough,from 1956 <br /> through 2008. <br /> Orange County Hazard History <br /> 1956-2008 <br /> Property&Crop <br /> Date T e of Event Ma nitude" Deaths*` In'uries*" Dama e $ "* <br /> 7/22/1998 Excessive Heat N/ <br /> 1/15/1994 Extreme Cold N/A 3 500,000 <br /> 1/19/1994 Extreme Cold N/A 6 <br /> 2/3/1996 Extreme Cold N/A <br /> 3/23/1993 Flash Flood N/ <br /> 8/27/1995 Flash Flood N/ 300,000 <br /> 8/27/1995 Flash Flood N/ 750,000 <br /> 31 <br />