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Cost-benefit review was given emphasis due to its possible use in environmental reviews for <br /> HMGP,FMA and other federal hazard mitigation projects. <br /> With limited financial and staff resources to dedicate to hazard mitigation, it is essential that <br /> those hazards with the highest likelihood of occurrence and the greatest potential impact receive <br /> the highest investment of County resources. Through hazard identification and analysis and <br /> vulnerability assessment, it has been determined that Orange County,including the Town of <br /> Carrboro and Town of Hillsborough, is susceptible to the impact of certain natural hazards <br /> more so than others (as shown in the"Orange County Hazard Identification and Analysis" table <br /> located in a previous section). <br /> Moderate and High Hazard Threats <br /> Floods <br /> Flooding is often associated with hurricanes and coastal storms (most often general flooding) as <br /> well as with severe summer storms (typically flash flooding). Floods are the easiest hazard to <br /> quantify and isolate as flooding occurs only in known locations. The severity of a flood is <br /> generally dependent upon the amount of rainfall and prior soil conditions (including ground <br /> cover). <br /> Orange County, Carrboro, and Hillsborough all participate in FEMA's National Flood <br /> Insurance Program(NFIP). At this time, none of the communities participate in the voluntary <br /> National Community Rating System(CRS)program. However, Orange County has begun <br /> assessing the feasibility of participating in the CRS and Carrboro intends to apply for the <br /> program in the near future. Orange County effectively disallows new construction in special <br /> flood hazard areas through provisions in the Zoning Ordinance relating to stream buffers. The <br /> Town of Carrboro allows very limited development within special flood hazard areas and all <br /> development must be constructed with a finished elevation above flood levels. In accordance <br /> with State regulations,The Town of Hillsborough allows construction within special flood <br /> hazard areas provided the finished elevation is above flood levels. None of the local <br /> governments are considering changes to these practices at this time. In addition, there are no <br /> repetitive loss structures within the partner jurisdictions. <br /> In addition to the continued assessment and modifications of development regulations, Orange <br /> County and the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough,undertake activities to ensure continued <br /> compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP). The County has identified <br /> every property within Orange County that is located wholly or partially located within a special <br /> flood hazard area, and has developed a program to flag those properties for added review when <br /> any development and/or construction activity is proposed on site. In addition, the County <br /> participates in an on-going map maintenance program through the North Carolina Division of <br /> Emergency Management. Every five years, staff works with emergency management <br /> specialists at the State level to ensure the special flood hazard azea maps are as accurate and up <br /> to date as possible. Additionally, each jurisdiction makes NFIP maps available to persons <br /> interested in determining if properties are located in special flood hazard areas. Finally, County <br /> and municipal flood plain managers obtain a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education <br /> credits every two years to maintain Certified Floodplain Manager certifications. <br /> 46 <br />