HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - UPDATED HAZ MITIGATION PLAN (2)6
Agenda Item:5
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: September 14, 2021
ADOPTION OF THE UPDATED HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN IN
SUBJECT:
ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL DISASTER MITIGATION
ACT OF 2000 (PUBLIC LAW 106-390)
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Roger Willcox
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the updated City of Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in
accordance with the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
BACKGROUND
-made hazards. It
provides the foundation for a long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and increase
preparedness through risk identification and mitigation.
Per the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) all state, county, and local
agencies must have a Hazard Mitigation Plan (Plan). This Plan must be adopted by the governing
body for the agency to be eligible to receive pre- and post-disaster federal funding.
however, to comply with Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) guidelines,
the Plan should be reviewed, updated, and approved every five years. Therefore, the City
recently engaged in the process of revising the Plan according to compliancy standards set forth
by FEMA. The local mitigation plan process places emphasis on reducing risks and ensuing
effects from natural and man-made hazards through pre-event risk identification, assessment, and
mitigation.
The updated Hazard Mitigation Plan encompassed a comprehensive process that included a
collaborative effort among City of Santa Clarita staff and local residents, and representatives
from local school districts, utility companies, Los Angeles County emergency services, and non-
profit organizations. Public participation played a key role in the development of goals and
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action items. Interviews were conducted with stakeholders across the City, a public survey,
which included input from 380 local residents, was used to gather hazard risk and mitigation
data, and a public workshop was held for residents. This effort resulted in the updated Hazard
Mitigation Plan, which contains an updated five-year action plan matrix; background on the
purpose and methodology used to develop the Plan; an updated profile of the City; sections on
natural, man-made, and technological hazards; and a number of appendices.
Steering Committee List
Utility Companies:
1. Southern California Gas Company
2. Santa Clarita Valley Water
3. Southern California Edison
4. Los Angeles County Sanitation District
School/District:
1. William S. Hart Union High School District
2. Sulphur Springs School District
3. Saugus Union School District
4. Castaic Union School District
5.
6. College of the Canyons
7. Cal Arts
Outside Government Agency:
1. Los Angeles County Fire Department
2. nt
3. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
4. California Highway Patrol
5. California Department of Transportation District 7
Non-Government Agency:
1. Building Industry Association of Southern California
2. Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
3. National Weather Service
4. Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce
5. Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center
6. Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
7. Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation
8. Valley Industrial Association Santa Clarita
9. The Sanctuary Church
As seen in the hazard lis
-19
pn-
2015 Hazard List
1. Wildfire
2. Climate Change: Drought
3. Earthquake
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4. Hazardous Material Release
5. Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence
6. Severe Weather: Heat and Wind
7. Cyber Attack
8. Energy Disruption
9. Flood
10. Terrorism
2021 Hazard List
1. Wildfire
2. Earthquake
3. Energy Disruption
4. Drought
5. Severe Weather: Extreme Heat and Extreme Wind
6. Pandemic
7. Man-Made Hazards: Cyber Attack, Terrorism
8. Hazardous Material Release
9. Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence
10. Flood
The Hazard Mitigation Plan requires monitoring, evaluating, and updating to ensure mitigation
actions are implemented. To facilitate the implementation of this Plan and adhere to regulatory
requirements, the Plan and the developed goals and action items will be reviewed annually and
any revisions will be incorporated into the next five-year update.
As the 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is approved by the City Council, it will be submitted
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
2021 SCHMP_ Admin Draft_Final (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Santa Clarita Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan
04.10.2021
Interwest Consulting Group
1500 South Haven Avenue, Suite 220
Ontario, CA 91761
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION 5
1.1 PLAN PURPOSE 5-16
1.2 PLANNING APPROACH 6
1.3 HAZARD LAND USE POLICY IN CALIFORNIA 7
1.4 STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS IN HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING ....7-18
1.5 STATE AND FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR HAZARD MITIGATION PLANS 8
1.6 ORGANIZATION OF THIS PLAN 8-19
2.0 PLANNING PROCESS 20
2.1 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT 1-24
2.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT4
2.2.1 Media Announcem5
2.2.2 ..26
2.2.3 6
2.2.4 2021 Hazard Mitigation Survey 6-31
2.3 CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT EXISTING PROCESSES AND PROGRAMS31
2.3.1 Administrative and Technical Capac..31-32
2.3.2 Fiscal Resources.... 32-33
2.3.3 Existing 33
2.3.3.1 Incorporation into .. 33
2.3.4 ..-34
2.4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION34
3.0 COMMUNITY PROFILE 35
3.1 PLANNING AREA/BRIEF HISTORY OF SANTA CLARITA 35
3.1.1 Parks Located in Santa Clarita35
3.1.2 Brief History of Sa35-36
3.1.3 6-39
3.2 POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT TRENDS40
3.2.1 40
3.2.2 Population Strengths and Vulnerabil41-42
3.2.3 42
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
3.2.3.1 Annexations 42
3.2.3.2 Major Development Projects under Construction in Santa Clarita 44
3.2.3.3 Major Development Projects Awaiting Construction 44
3.2.3.4 Development Projects Under Review 45
3.2.4 45
3.3 CRITICAL FACILITIES6
3.3.1 Capital Improvement Projects in San6
3.3.2 Critical Facilities and Infrastruct6
3.3.2.1 City Operated Critical Facilities 6-47
3.3.2.2 Bridge Inventory Santa Clarita Public Works Department as Responsible
Agencies 7-48
3.3.2.3 Bridge Inventory CalTrans District 7 as Responsible Agency 8
3.3.2.4 Critical Facilities under County, State, or Regional Authority 9
4.0 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT 51
4.1 WILDFIRE54
4.1.1 54
4.1.2 55
4.1.3 55
4.1.4 Wildfire Factor: Climate Chan55
4.1.5 Wildfire Factor: Growth and Development in t6
4.1.5.1 Designated Hazard Areas 6-57
4.1.6 Southern California Wildfire Histor8
4.1.6.1 Top 20 Most Destructive California Wildfires 8
4.1.6.2 Santa Clarita Fires 9
4.1.7 Wildfire Probability, Frequency, an61
4.1.7.1 Wildfire Magnitude and Potential Damage 61
4.2 EARTHQUAKE63
4.2.1 Earthquake 63-65
4.2.2 Earthquake Impacts and Failure6-68
4.2.3 .....8
4.2.3.1 Northridge Earthquake Impact on Santa Clarita... 70
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4.2.4 Earthquake Probability, Frequency, a71
4.2.4.1 Earthquake Probability 71-72
4.2.4.2 ShakeMap Scenario: Great Southern California ShakeOut 72-73
4.2.4.3 Magnitude and Scale 73-74
4.2.5 Exposure to Earthquakes HAZUS A75
4.2.5.1 Building Inventory 75-76
4.2.5.2 Building Related Losses 6
4.2.5.3 Building Damage 6
4.2.5.4 Critical Facility Inventory 6
4.2.5.5 Transportation and Utility Lifeline Inventory 6-77
4.2.5.6 Utility Lifeline Losses .7
4.2.5.7 Casualties 7-78
4.2.5.8 Shelter Requirement 8
4.2.5.9 Total Economic Losses 8
4.3 ENERGY DISRUPTION ..80
4.3.1 Energy Overview..80
4.3.1.1 Electricity..80
4.3.1.2 Natural Gas..80
4.3.2 Energy Disruption Hazard: Location and Extent..80
4.3.2.1 Injuries 81
4.3.2.2 Personal Safety..81
4.3.2.3 Power Outages..81
4.3.3 Energy Disruption Hazard: Communit..81
4.3.3.1 Transportation Infrastructure..81
4.3.3.2 Pipelines... 81-82
4.3.3.3 Lifelines 82
4.3.3.4 Services 82-83
4.3.3.5 Economy 83
4.3.4 ....83-84
4.3.5 Energy Disruption Probability, Frequen84-86
4.3.5.1 Deliberate Attacks. 86
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4.3.5.2 Natural Disasters 86
4.3.5.3 Accidental Events 86-87
4.3.5.4 Systemic Threats.... 87
4.4 DROUGHT88
4.4.1 88-89
4.4.2 Drought Probability, Frequency, and 89-90
4.4.2.1 Drought Magnitude and Scale 1
4.4.2.2 Drought Probability, Frequency, and Location ..1
4.4.3 Drought Vulnerabilities 2
4.5 SEVERE WEATHER: EXTREME HEAT & EXTREME WIND93
4.5.1 Extreme Heat Information, Background and Location ...93
4.5.1.1 Extreme Heat Risk: Vulnerability and Extent 94-95
4.5.2 95
4.5.2.1 Health Impacts of Excessive Heat 95-96
4.5.2.2 Other Impacts of Excessive Heat 96
4.5.3 .. 96-97
4.5.4 Extreme Heat Probability, Frequency, and .... 97
4.5.5 Extreme Wind Information, Background, and Location .......... 98-99
4.5.6 100
4.5.7 Extreme Wind Effects: Vulnerability and 101
4.5.7.1 Life and Property..... 101-102
4.5.7.2 Utilities/Infrastructure. 102
4.5.7.3 Increased Wildfire Threat..102
4.5.7.4 Transportation... 102-103
4.5.8 Extreme Wind Probability, Frequenc.103
4.5.8.1 Wind Damage Scale: Magnitude 103
4.6 PANDEMICS05
4.6.1 05-107
4.6.2 07
4.6.3 Pandemic Probability, Frequency, an07-108
4.7 MAD-MADE HAZARDS: CYBER-ATTACK AND TERRORISM09
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4.7.1 Cyber-Attack Information and Back09
4.7.1.1 Cyber-Attack Threats 09-110
4.7.1.2 Threats to Utilities/Critical Infrastructure 10
4.7.2 History of Cyber-10
4.7.3 Cyber-.............11
4.7.4 Terrorism Information and Backgro. 112
4.7.5 12-113
4.7.6 Terrorism Impact on the Community: .13
4.7.7 History of Terrorist and Active Shooter 15
4.7.8 Terrorism Event Probability, Frequency, 17-118
4.7.8.1 Active Shooter Incidents..18
4.8 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE119
4.8.1 Hazardous Materials Release: Informati119-120
4.8.1.1 Cleanup Sites in Santa Clarita 120
4.8.2 Community Assets Vulnerable to Hazardou121
4.8.2.1 Pipelines. 121-122
4.8.2.2 People 122
4.8.2.3 Economy.122
4.8.3 Hazardous Materials Releas.123
4.8.3.1 History of Oil and Fuel Events in Southern California 123
4.8.3.2 Historic Losses and Impacts.123-124
4.8.4 Hazardous Materials Release Probability, Fre... 126
4.8.4.1 Hazardous Materials Release Probability and Frequency 126
4.8.4.2 Hazardous Materials Release Magnitude Potential Damage 126-127
4.8.5 Hazardous Materials Release Vulner127-129
4.9 LANDSLIDE/MUDSLIDE/SUBSIDENCE.130
4.9.1 Landslides, Debris Flows, and Mudslides: 130-131
4.9.2 .132
4.9.2.1 1971 Juvenile Hall, San Fernando, California.132
4.9.2.2 1994 Northridge, California Earthquake Landslides 132
4.9.2.3 2004-2005 Mudslides 133
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4.9.3 Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Probability, Frequency, and Magnitude............. 133-135
4.9.3.1 Landslide Vulnerabilities ..135-136
4.9.3.2 Critical Facilities and Infrastructure 136
4.9.4 Potential Magnitude of Earthquake Induced La136-137
4.10 FLOOD38
4.10.1 Flood Hazard Location and Exten38-139
4.10.1.1 Reservoirs and Dams.39-140
4.10.2 National Flood Insurance Program41-142
4.10.2.1 Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM).42
4.10.2.2 Repetitive Loss Properties in Santa Clarita.43-144
4.10.3 44-146
4.10.4 Flood Probability, Frequency and 46
4.10.4.1 100-Year and 500-Year Flood Probability and Frequency 46
4.10.4.2 Potential Magnitude of Floods..146-147
4.10.4.3 Potential Flood Damages 47
5.0 MITIGATION STRATEGIES 48
5.1 GENERAL PLAN OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES RELATED TO SAFETY AND HAZARD MITIGATION ...... 148
5.2 WILDFIRE EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES AND WILDFIRE SERVICES 57
5.2.1 57
5.2.2 Los Angeles County Fire Departme57
5.2.2.1 Fire Prevention Activities 57
5.2.2.2 Prescribed Burning 57-158
5.2.2.3 Ready!Set!Go! 58
5.2.2.4 Emergency Preparedness Programs 58
5.2.2.5 Santa Clarita CERT and SECURE Programs 58
5.2.2.6 Additional Fire Education and Emergency Preparedness Programs 58-159
5.2.2.7 Local Fire Codes 9
5.2.3 9
5.2.3.1 Fire Suppression Assistance Grants 160
5.2.3.2 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 60
5.2.3.3 National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Protection Program 60
5.2.3.4 US Forest Service 60
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
5.2.3.5 Firewise 160-161
5.2.4 Wildfire Mitigation Strategies and Ac61-165
5.3 EARTHQUAKE EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES 70
5.3.1 California Earthquake Mitigation Legi70-171
5.3.2 71
5.3.3 Requirements for New Development 71-172
5.3.4 72
5.3.5 72-173
5.3.6 University Research and Education P73
5.3.7 Los Ange73
5.3.8 Santa Clarita Emergency Manageme73
5.3.9 . 174
5.4 ENERGY DISRUPTION EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES77
5.4.1 State Building Codes 77
5.4.2 Electric Utility Pole Replacement Program 77
5.4.3 8
5.4.4 . 179
5.5 DROUGHT EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES 80
5.5.1 State and Federal Water Management 80
5.5.2 Santa Clarita Drought Program80-181
5.5.3 82
5.5.4 Drought Mitigation Strategies and Act82
5.6 SEVERE WEATHER: EXTREME HEAT/WIND EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES 83
5.6.1 Santa Clarita Heat Emergency 83
5.6.2 Severe Wind Emergency Response and Vol3
5.6.3 3
5.6.4 Hazardous Tree Mapping and Rem4
5.6.5 4
5.6.6 Severe Weather: Extreme Heat/Wind Strat..............4
5.7 PANDEMICS EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES 88
5.7.1 CDC Guidance for Reducing Covid-19 88
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
5.7.1.1 Level of Mitigation Needed by Level of Community Transmission and
Community Characteristics .88
5.7.1.2 Factors to Consider for Determining Mitigation Strategies ..189
5.7.1.3 Overview of Possible Mitigation Strategies to Consider in Communities with
Local COVID-19 Transmission Across Settings and Sectors ..189-190
5.7.2 Santa Clarita Covid-19 Response and Mi190
5.7.2.1 Santa Clarita Safer Business Commitment Shop Local Initiative 190
5.7.3 Pandemic Strategies and Action P191
5.8 MAN-MADE HAZARDS: CYBER-ATTACK/TERRORISM EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES93
5.8.1 Cyber-93
5.8.2 93
5.8.2.1 Santa Clarita Terrorism Mitigation Efforts 93
5.8.2.2 93-194
5.8.2.3 Los Angeles County Fire Department 194-195
5.8.2.4 Joint Regional Intelligence Center 95
5.8.3 95
5.8.4 Man-Made Hazards: Cyber-Attack/Terrorism Strategies and Action Pla........6
5.9 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES 203
5.9.1 Department of Toxic Substance Co203
5.9.2 203-204
5.9.3 Business Re204
5.9.4 204
5.9.5 Hazardous Materials Release Mitigation Stra205
5.10 LANDSLIDE/MUDSLIDE/SUBSIDENCE EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES 206
5.10.1 206
5.10.2 City Codes and General Plan Pol206
5.10.3 Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Mitigation Strategi.207
5.11 FLOOD EXISTING MITIGATION 212
5.11.1 Santa Clarita Floodplain Maintenance and Fl213
5.11.1.1 Santa Clara River Plan 213
5.11.1.2 Emergency Preparedness Coordinator 213
5.11.1.3 Community Rating System . 213-214
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
5.11.1.4 Development Services Division: Public Works Department ..214
5.11.2 214
5.11.3 Los Angeles County Flood Control District ....214-215
5.11.4 California Department of Water Res215
5.11.5 Federal Resources National Flood Insura215
5.11.6 Flood Strategies and Action Pla. 216
5.12 MULTI-HAZARD EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES 18
5.12.1 18
5.12.2 Multi-18
5.13 PRIORITIZATION OF MITIGATION PROJECTS 21
5.13.1 22
5.13.2 Economic Analysis of 22
5.13.2.1 Benefit-Cost Review 23
5.13.2.2 Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) .. 223
5.13.2.3 Benefit-Cost Methodology Utilized 224
6.0 PLAN REVIEW, EVALUATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND MAINTENANCE 25
6.1 CHANGES IN PRIORITIES .. 225-226
6.2 MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES 27
6.3 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATES AND ONGOING FORMAL REVIEW PROCESS.. 227
6.4 CONTINUED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT .. 227-228
7.0 PLAN ADOPTION 29
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2-1 Planning Phases Timeline................................................................................................. 20
Table 2-2 Hazard Mitigation Planning Team (City Staff)............................................................. 21-22
Table 2-3 Steering Committee Members................................................................................... 22-24
Table 2-4 Santa Clarita Administrative and Technical Capabilities.................................................. 32
Table 3-1 40
Table 3-2 Population Characteristics for Santa Clarita, LA County & United States................... 40-41
Table 3-3 Annexations (Since 2012)........................................................................................... 43-44
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Table 3-4 45
Table 3-5 City Owned & Non-City Owned Facilities.................................................................... 49-50
Table 4-1 Summary of CPRI Categories and Risk Levels............................................................. 51-53
Table 4-2 Wildfire Hazard Identification Rating System............................................................. 56-57
Table 4-3 Top 20 Most Destructive California Wildfires.................................................................. 59
Table 4-4 60
Table 4-5 Wildfire CPRI Rating......................................................................................................... 61
Table 4-6 VHFHSZ Potential Building Count and Valuation by General Occupancy........................ 62
Table 4-7 Major Faults in the Santa Clarita Area........................................................................ 65-66
Table 4-8 Significant Earthqu....... 69
Table 4-9 71
Table 4-10 Earthquake Size (Magnitude and Scale)..................................................................... 74-75
Table 4-11 Expected Building Damage - HAZUS................................................................................ 76
Table 4-12 Expected Utility System Pipeline Losses (Site Specific) - HAZUS...................................... 77
Table 4-13 Potable Water and Electric Power System Performance - HAZUS................................... 77
Table 4-14 Casualty Estimates 8
Table 4-15 Economic Losses (Millions) 9
Table 4-16 . 84
Table 4-17 Energy ... 84
Table 4-18 Palmer Drought Severity Index (California 1895 2020)................................................. 89
Table 4-19 Drought CPRI Rating......................................................................................................... 89
Table 4-20 National Weather Service HeatRisk Forecast .................................................................. 94
Table 4-21 Possible Heat Disorders for People in High Risk Groups.................................................. 95
Table 4-22 Extreme Heat CPRI .... 97
Table 4-23 Extreme Heat Data for the Santa Clarita Valley............................................................... 98
Table 4-24 Significant Wind Events > 65 MPH Since 2007....................................................... 100-101
Table 4-25 3
Table 4-26 ..3-104
Table 4-27 07
Table 4-28 Cyber-1
Table 4-29 14-115
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Table 4-30 Domestic Terrorist/Active Shooter Events (2001-15-116
Table 4-31 17
Table 4-32 Hazardous Materials Incident for Santa Clarita (2019 2020)............................... 124-125
Table 4-33 126
Table 4-34 Hazardous Materials Potential Building Count and Valuation by General Occupancy
................................................................................ 127
Table 4-35 131-132
Table 4-36 133
Table 4-37 Landslide and Liquefaction Potential Building Count and Valuation by General
Occupancy Type............................................................................................................. 137
Table 4-38 FEMA Community Book Report: 42
Table 4-39 46
Table 4-40 47
Table 5-1 8-156
Table 5-2 62-169
Table 5-3 74-176
Table 5-4 Energy Disruption Mitigation Goals and Action Items .. 179
Table 5-5 82
Table 5-6 83
Table 5-7 Severe Weather
84-187
Table 5-8 COVID-19 Community Transmission Mitigatio88
Table 5-9 .. 191-192
Table 5-10 Man-Made Hazards Cyber-Attack/Terrorism Mitigation Goals and Action Items
196-202
Table 5-11 .205
Table 5-12 .. 207-211
Table 5-13 212-213
Table 5-14 216-217
Table 5-15 Multi-18-221
Table 5-16 21
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Table 5-17 22
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Public Outreach: Press 5
Figure 2 Public Outreach: 7-31
Figure 3 70
Figure 4 70
Figure 5 Infrastructure Interdependencies.................................................................................... 85
Figure 6 US Drought Monitor California..................................................................................... 90
Figure 7 HeatRisk Southern California 93
Figure 8 ... 99
Figure 9 . 140
Figure 10 Bouquet Reservoir......................................................................................................... 140
Figure 11 Strom Drain Debris Mitigation....................................................................................... 214
LIST OF MAPS
Map 1 43
Map 2 8
Map 3 60
Map 4 3
Map 5 San Andreas and Other Major Faults - 4
Map 6 5
Map 7 2
Map 8 3
Map 9 Shake Intensity Map San Gabriel M 7.2 - 79
Map 10 ..80
Map 11 Cleanup Site in .121
Map 12 .122
Map 13 .128
Map 14 USGS - .130
Map 15 Seismic Hazard Zones Landslide and Liquefaction Hazard.134
Map 16 .135
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Map 17 Dam Inundation 41
Map 18 Flood Zone Map 43
Map 19 SCE Pole Replacement Map Santa 78
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A Bibliography and References
Appendix B Acronyms
Appendix C Glossary
Appendix D -- Public Outreach Survey and Results
Appendix E HAZUS Report
Appendix F Plan Adoption Documents
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Over the past several decades, natural and manmade disasters in the U.S. have led to increasing levels of
fatalities, injuries, property damage, and interruption of business and government services. The impact
on families and individuals can be significant and the impacts to local businesses can have severe regional
economic effects. The time, money and effort required to respond to and recover from these disasters
also divert public resources and attention from other important programs and problems.
The C
leadership understands that understanding the hazards facing Santa Clarita and planning for disasters is
a long-term, cost effective way to reduce the impact of these hazards by mitigating their effects.
mitigation focuses attention and resources on actions that will limit or eliminate long-term risks to human
life or property from hazards. Hazard mitigation can reduce the cost of disasters to property owners and
all levels of government. In addition, it can reduce injuries, protect critical community facilities, reduce
exposure to liability, and minimize community disruption.
Federal and State legislation has provided funding for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
However, history has demonstrated that it less expensive to mitigate against future disaster damage than
to repeatedly repair damage in the aftermath. The impact of expected, yet often unpredictable natural
and manmade events, can be reduced through mitigation planning. A mitigation plan states the
aspirations and specific courses of action jurisdictions intend to follow to reduce vulnerability and
exposure to future hazard events. Hazard mitigation strategies help to eliminate losses by limiting new
exposures in identified hazard areas, diverting a hazard by reducing its impact, and developing an
awareness of hazard area locations to plan responsibly for future development.
1.1 PLAN PURPOSE
The primary purpose of this Santa Clarita HMP is to document known hazards and identify potential
community actions that can be implemented over the short- and long-term that will result in a reduction
in risk and potential future losses citywide. This is be accomplished by assessing and analyzing hazards
that affect the City of Santa Clarita, setting clear goals and objectives, identifying and implementing
appropriate actions, and keeping the Plan current.
The Santa Clarita HMP is an integral part of a multi-faceted approach to minimizing personal injury and
property damage from natural and manmade hazards. It is designed to complement other planning
documents and regulatory authorities governing pre-disaster land use planning and post-disaster
response and recovery. This Plan sets the tone for the implementation of hazard mitigation practices that
will build a resilient and sustainable community.
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
This HMP was prepared in response to Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000). DMA 2000 (also
known as Public Law 106-390) requires state and local governments to prepare mitigation plans to
document their mitigation planning process, and identify hazards, potential losses, mitigation needs,
rehensive land use planning and
emergency management planning programs. This document is a federally mandated update to the City of
Santa Clarita 2010 Hazard Mitigation Plan and ensures continuing eligibility for Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program (HMGP) funding.
DMA 2000 was designed to establish a national program for pre-disaster mitigation, streamline disaster
relief at the federal and state levels, and control federal disaster assistance costs. Congress believed these
requirements would produce the following benefits:
Reduce loss of life and property, human suffering, economic disruption, and disaster costs.
Prioritize hazard mitigation at the local level with increased emphasis on planning and
public involvement, assessing risks, implementing loss reduction measures, and ensuring
critical facilities/services survive a disaster.
Promote education and economic incentives to form community-based partnerships and
leverage non-federal resources to commit to and implement long-term hazard mitigation
activities.
1.2 PLANNING APPROACH
The four-step
-3) was used to develop this
plan:
1. Develop mitigation goals and objectives - The risk assessment (hazard characteristics,
inventory, and findings), along with municipal policy documents, were utilized to develop
mitigation goals and objectives.
2. Identify and prioritize mitigation actions - Based on the risk assessment, goals and
objectives, existing literature/resources, and input from participating entities, mitigation
activities were identified for each hazard. Activities were 1) qualitatively evaluated against
the goals and objectives, and other criteria; 2) identified as high, medium, or low priority;
and 3) presented in a series of hazard-specific tables.
3. Prepare implementation strategy - Generally, high priority activities are recommended for
implementation first. However, based on community needs and goals, project costs, and
available funding, some medium or low priority activities may be implemented before
some high priority items.
4. Document mitigation planning process - The mitigation planning process is documented
throughout this plan
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
1.3 HAZARD LAND USE POLICY IN CALIFORNIA
California cities and counties are required to have General Plans and the implementing ordinances
(Zoning Codes, etc.) that are required to comply with statewide land use planning legislation.
The continuing challenge faced by local officials and state government is to keep the network of
communities, particularly in light of the very active seismic region in which Santa Clarita is located.
Planning for hazards requires a thorough understanding of the various hazards facing the City and
the structures and facilities
that reside in Santa Clarita. These inventories should include the compendium of hazards facing
the City, the built environment at risk, the personal property that may be damaged by hazard
events and most of all, the people who live in the shadow of these hazards. Such an analysis is
found in this hazard mitigation plan.
1.4 STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS IN HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING
Mitigation is primary done at the local level. Local jurisdictions are responsible for the development
of policies and implementation of risk reduction strategies. Local jurisdictions, however, are not
alone. Partners and resources exist at the regional, state and federal levels. Numerous California
state agencies have a role in hazards and hazard mitigation. Some of the key agencies include:
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is responsible for disaster mitigation,
preparedness, response, recovery, and the administration of federal funds after a major
disaster declaration;
Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) gathers information about earthquakes,
integrates information on earthquake phenomena, and communicates this to end-users
and the general public to increase earthquake awareness, reduce economic losses, and
save lives.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is responsible for all
aspects of wildland fire protection on private and state properties, and administers forest
practices regulations, including landslide mitigation, on non-federal lands.
California Division of Mines and Geology (DMG) is responsible for geologic hazard
characterization, public education, and the development of partnerships aimed at
reducing risk.
California Division of Water Resources (DWR) plans, designs, constructs, operates, and
maintains the State Water Project; regulates dams; provides flood protection and assists
in emergency management. It also educates the public, serves local water needs by
providing technical assistance.
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides hazard mitigation guidance,
resource materials, and educational materials to support implementation of the
capitalized DMA 2000.
United States Census Bureau (USCB) provides demographic data on the populations
affected by natural disasters.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides data on matters pertaining to
land management.
1.5 STATE AND FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR HAZARD
MITIGATION PLANS
The following requirements for approval of a Hazard Mitigation Plan are needed to meet State and Federal
Guidelines:
Open public involvement, with public meetings that introduce the process and project
requirements.
The public must be afforded opportunities for involvement in the following: identifying
and assessing risk, drafting a plan, and public involvement in approval stages of the plan.
Community cooperation, with opportunity for other local government agencies, the
business community, educational institutions, and nonprofits to participate in the process.
Incorporation of local documents, including the local General Plan, the Zoning Ordinance,
the Building Codes, and other pertinent documents.
The following components must be part of the planning process:
Complete documentation of the planning process
A detailed risk assessment on hazard exposures in the community
A comprehensive mitigation strategy, which describes the goals & objectives, including
proposed strategies, programs & actions to avoid long-term vulnerabilities.
A plan maintenance process, which describes the method and schedule of monitoring,
evaluating and updating the plan and integration of the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan into
other planning mechanisms.
Formal adoption by the City Council.
Plan Review by both Cal OES and FEMA
1.6 ORGANIZATION OF THIS PLAN
The City of Santa Clarita 2021
Plan Review Tool. The HMP structure includes the following sections:
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Section 2 Planning Process - Provides a record of the public process and the methodology used in the
development of this Plan. Section 2 identifies committee members and stakeholders and outlines their
and how they were incorporated into the HMP and outlines a plan update method and schedule.
Section 3 Community Profile - Presents the history, geography, demographics, and socioeconomics of the
City of Santa Clarita. It serves as a tool to provide an historical perspective of natural, man-made, and
technological hazards in the City. Section 3 also lists the city-owned and city-related critical facilities
included in this plan.
Section 4 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment - Provides information on hazard identification,
vulnerability and risk associated with natural, man-made, and technological hazards in the City of Santa
Clarita. Specific information and mitigation strategies for the top 10 hazards to the City of Santa Clarita
are addressed in this Plan, listed in order of importance.
Section 5 Mitigation Strategy - Describes existing mitigation and how the mitigation strategies and action
items were selected, prioritized, and reviewed. This section provides information on the process used to
develop goals and action items, including a discussion of the financial analysis process used to determine
the final list of strategies and action items included in this HMP.
Section 6 Plan Review, Evaluation and Implementation - Provides information on plan implementation,
monitoring and evaluation.
Section 7 Plan Adoption Explains plan adoption procedure.
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
2.0 PLANNING PROCESS
HMP followed the concepts and
(CPG) 101. The City followed its traditional approach to developing policy documents, which included
preparation of a First Draft Plan for internal review by the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee
(consisting of various City divisions), who served as the primary stakeholders. Next, following any
necessary revisions, a Second Draft Plan was shared with secondary stakeholders (external agencies
serving on the Steering Committee and general public) during the plan writing phase. The comments
gathered from the secondary stakeholders were incorporated into a Third Draft Plan which was submitted
to Cal OES and FEMA for review.
Foll
standard practices in advance of the City Council meeting. Any questions or comments gathered in
advance of the City Council meeting were incorporated into the City Council Staff Report. Following
with a request for final approval. The planning process and phases of work is shown in more detail below
in Table 2 - 1: Planning Phases Timeline.
Table 2- 1: Planning Phases Timeline
Plan Writing Phase (First Plan Review Phase Plan Adoption Phase Plan Approval Plan
and Second Draft Plan (Third Draft Plan) (Final Draft Plan) Phase (Final Plan) Implementation
Phase
Planning Committee Third Draft Post Final Draft Receive Conduct
Input - research, Plan sent to Plan along with FEMA final annual
meetings, writing, Cal OES and public notice of approval Planning
review of First Draft FEMA for City Council (TBD) Team
Plan (February, 2020 meeting (TBD) meetings
Incorporate
through March, 2021) Pending (November,
Present Final FEMA
2021)
Incorporate input Draft Plan to approval
(April 21,
from the Planning the City Council into the Integrate
2021)
Committee into (TBD) Final Plan mitigation
Second Draft Plan Address any (TBD) action items
City Council
(April, 2021) mandated into budget,
Adopted Plan
revisions CIP and other
Invite general public (TBD)
identified by funding and
and external agencies
Submit Proof of
Cal OES and strategic
to comment and
Adoption to
FEMA into documents (1
provide input on the
FEMA with
Final Draft to five years)
Second Draft Plan
request for final
Plan (TBD)
(April 2 to April 22,
approval (TBD)
2021)
Incorporate input and
comments into the
Third Draft Plan (April,
2021 no comments
received)
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2.1 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT
which the City of
Santa Clarita staff worked with citizens, public agencies, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and
regional and state organizations.
Public participation played a key role in development of goals and action items. Interviews were
conducted with stakeholders across the city, and a public survey was used to gather hazard risk and
mitigation data. Due to the concerns posed by the Coronavirus Pandemic, it was not possible to hold
public meetings for the outreach process, but the public survey was heavily promoted, and the survey
feedback period was extended to allow as much public participation as possible during the pandemic.
Additional data was obtained from various City departments and through research on specific hazard
details.
A Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee comprised of City staff was tasked with leading the project to
completion, and a project Steering Committee was comprised of partner agencies and organizations who
provided guidance throughout the HMP update process. Below is a table showing the members of City
staff who served on the Planning Team. The Chair of the Planning Team was Rebecca Bernstorff,
Management Analyst for the City of Santa Clarita, and was passed to Jerrid McKenna, Interim Director of
Neighborhood Services.
Table 2 2: Hazard Mitigation Planning Team (City Staff)
PLANNING TEAM MEMBERS TITLE/POSITION
Jerrid McKenna Interim Director of Neighborhood Services
Roya Hickman Emergency Operations Analyst
Rebecca Bernstorff Management Analyst
Raymond Abdel-Messih Building & Safety, Assistant Building Official
John Caprarelli Building & Safety, Building Official
Mike Marshall Community Development, Assistant Planner II
Curtis Williams Environmental Services, Administrator
Anthony Calderon GIS, Technician
Andrew Allevato GIS, IT Analyst
Matt Hults Landscape Maintenance Specialist
Tyler Pledger Recreation & Community Service, Management Analyst
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Nelson Vasquez Public Works, Administrator
Adam Lewis Public Works, Associate Engineer
Terry Brice Public Works, Associate Engineer
Archie Dornidon Public Works, Engineer
Ervan Jaramilla Public Works, Engineer
Corie Zamora Transit, Administrative Analyst
Kevin Strauss Communications Specialist
Susan Nelson Neighborhood Services, Parks Manager
Shown below are the members of the Steering Committee, which included representatives from various
partners and organizations in the local community.
Table 2 -3: Steering Committee Members
Steering Committee Team - Utilities
Organization Utility Company Name Title
Southern California Gas Company Tony Tartaglia, Region Manager
Southern California Gas Company Marisol Espinoza, Public Affairs Manager
Santa Clarita Valley Water William Cooper, President
Santa Clarita Valley Water Eunie Kang, Executive Assistant
Santa Clarita Valley Water Mike Alvord, Director of Operations & Maintenance
Southern California Edison Elizabeth Seelman, Local Affairs Region Manager
Southern California Edison Chad Edison, Deputy Secretary for Transportation
LA County Sanitation Districts Brian Louie, Assistant Department Head,
Wastewater Management Department
LA County Sanitation Districts Tim Pfeiffer, Environmental Health & Safety
Supervisor
Steering Committee Team - School Districts and Higher Education
Organization School/District Name Title
William S. Hart Union High School District Michael Otavka
William S. Hart Union High School District Debbie Dunn, Executive Assistant
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
William S. Hart Union High School District Mike Kuhlman, Superintendent
Bill Bolde, ED Community Relations
Sulphur Springs School District Michele Gookins
Sulphur Springs School District Dr. Catherine Kawaguchi, Superintendent
Sulphur Springs School District Marie Carrillo, Executive Secretary
College of the Canyons Eric Harnish, PIO
Saugus Union School District Dr. Colleen Hawkins, Superintendent
Saugus Union School District Pam Dall, Secretary to Superintendent
Castaic Union School District Charmin Ortega, Assistant to Superintendent
Castaic Union School District Steve Doyle, Superintendent
Cal Arts Jesse Smith
Steering Committee Team - Outside (Non-City) Agencies
Organization Outside Govt. Agency Name Title
LA County Fire Department Maria Grycan, Community Services Representative
LA County Fire Department Anderson Mackey, Assistant Fire Chief
LA County Sheriff Justin Diez, Santa Clarita Captain
LA County Department of Public Works Steve Frasher, Community Engagement Liaison
California Highway Patrol Josh Greengard, Public Information Officer
CalTrans District 7 Tiara Schmidt, Transportation Planner
CalTrans District 7 Gary T. Slater, Deputy District Director
CalTrans District 7 Robert Wong, Area Chief
Steering Committee Team Non-Govt. Agencies
Organization Non-Govt. Agency Name Title
Building Industry Association of Southern CA Christine Rangel, Senior Director of Government
Affairs
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Terry Stone
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Nancy Robinson, Executive Assistant
National Weather Service Eric Boldt, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service Mark Jackson, Meteorologist-in-Charge
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce John Musella
Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center Jennifer De Haven, Executive Assistant
Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center Kevin Mac Donald, Executive Director
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Paul Edelman, Deputy Director
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Joe Edmiston, Executive Director
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Rory Skei, Chief Deputy Director
SCV Economic Development Corporation Sue Arellano, Business Assistance Manager
SCV Economic Development Corporation Holly Schroder, President CEO
Valley Industrial Association Santa Clarita Kathy Norris
The Sanctuary Church Mike Logan
2.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Public involvement is a critical element to the strategic planning processes. Public participation offers
citizens the chance to voice their ideas, interests, and opinions.
The City used a variety of methods for public input into the planning process and to distribute hazard
mitigation information, including the following:
Media outlets such as local newspapers, English and Spanish; radio stations, the City of Santa
Clarita website, and HMP survey flyers posted at public facilities
Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) member announcements
City-managed social media outlets including the City Briefs Blog, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter,
Flickr, Snapchat, and Instagram
Nixle Community Information Service eNotify Email Notification System
Santa Clarita Emergency Communications Team (SCECT) Amateur radio volunteer
Extended public survey period (due to cancellation of public gatherings following COVID 19
protocols) to identify community hazards, obtain ideas regarding hazard mitigation goals and
actions for the plan, and to distribute current risk and mitigation information
On-site
Public involvement ensures that the HMP and strategies reflect local community issues, concerns, and
views. The Federal Emergency Management Agency requires public input during the development of
mitigation plans. Due to COVID 19, public outreach was limited to a survey taken by phone, hard copy
available at community centers, or online.
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2.2.1 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following sample provides an example of media announcements related to hazards and mitigation
planning. The press release was published or received airtime in both English and Spanish in the Santa
Clarita Valley Signal, KHTS Radio, SCVNews.com, Hoy Los Angeles, Nueva Vida Radio Los Angeles,
Spectrum News 1, Santa Clarita Magazine, San Fernando Valley Business Journal,
LosAngelesLifeAndStyle.com. LA Parent, Inside SCV Magazine, Los Angeles Daily News, AV Press, KCET,
LAist, ABC 7, CBS 2/KCAL 9, and Fox 11.
Figure 1 - Public Outreach: Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kevin Strauss
January 4, 2021 (661) 255-4385
CITY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO TAKE public survey for
2021 local hazard mitigation plan update
tigation
Plan survey, which is available now through January 25. The City needs your help to plan ahead
and reduce the potential impacts of natural and man-made disasters. Input from residents will
help the City develop the 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), a wide-ranging plan that
identifies hazards affecting Santa Clarita and ways that the City can work independently and
with other agencies to reduce damage to life and property.
Every five years, as part of a public process, the City evaluates what can be done through
event of an emergency.
Taking the survey is easy and can be done from the safety of your own home using a computer
or smartphone. To take the online survey, please visit santa-clarita.com/LHMP.
Paper copies of the survey are also available at several City facilities, including:
City Hall, Suite 120; 23920 Valencia Boulevard
Valencia Library; 23743 West Valencia Boulevard
Canyon Country Library; 18601 Soledad Canyon Road
Old Town Newhall Library; 24500 Main Street
The Centre; 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway
Analyst Roya Hickman at (661)286-4093 or rhickman@santa-clarita.com.
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2.2.2 SOCIAL MEDIA
The City of Santa Clarita utilizes multiple forms of social media to exchange information with the
public. Methods of communication using social media outlets included the City Briefs Blog, Facebook,
YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. These methods provide a means for quickly promoting hazard
mitigation and keeping the public up to date in the event of a major disaster.
2.2.3 CERT PROGRAM
The City of Santa Clarita works with the Los Angeles County Fire Department to manage its Community
Emergency Response Training (CERT) Teams. In addition to adding to local emergency response
capabilities, CERT provides the City with an opportunity to distribute and promote hazard mitigation
actions via public volunteers.
2.2.4 2021 HAZARD MITIGATION SURVEY
In January 2021, the City of Santa Clarita posted and advertised a public survey with a response period
of three weeks. The purpose of the survey was to provide the public with an opportunity to provide
input into the 2021 HMP. The survey was used to gather current information from the community
related to hazard risks, concerns, experiences, personal preparedness levels, and potential mitigation
strategies. In total, the survey resulted in 524 individual responses, of which 144 respondents did not
answer questions related to Hazard Mitigation and preparedness, leaving 380 responses to consider
for the purposes of this Hazard Mitigation Plan. The results of the survey aided in the ranking of
hazards as detailed in Section 6 of this HMP.
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Figure 2 Public Outreach: Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey
1. Zip Code _____________ and Community Name or Location ___________________
2. Do you: Live or Work in Santa Clarita?3. If you live in Santa Clarita, do you: Own or Rent?
4. If you live in Santa Clarita, how many years? ___________________
5. If you have lived in Santa Clarita for 5 years or more, have you or someone in your household directly
experienced a natural disaster such as an earthquake, severe windstorm, flood, wildfire, or other type of
natural disaster while in Santa Clarita?
Yes No (IF NO, skip to question 7)
6. , which of these natural disasters have you or someone in your household experienced in the
past five years? (Please check all that apply)
Drought Hazardous Materials Release
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat Telecommunications (IT) Failure
Severe Weather: Extreme Wind Civil Disturbance
Flood Terrorism
Landslide/Mudslide
Cyber Attack
Dam Failure
Energy Disruption: Gas/Electric Power
Severe Storm/Rain
Utility Failure: Water
Pandemic/Epidemic
Climate Change
Earthquake
Sinkholes
Wildfire
Liquefaction
Other: _______________________
Other: ____________________________
7. What is the most effective way for you to receive information? (Please check up to three
Newspapers, Television, Radio: Other Methods:
Newspaper stories/ads Mail/Utility Bill
!Television news/ads Fire Department
Radio News/ads Fact sheet/Brochure
Internet: Library
Email newsletters!! Public workshops/Meetings
Online news outlets
City web site College/University/Schools
Social media (e.g. Facebook, Outdoor advertisements (billboards, etc.)
Twitter, Instagram, etc.) Other: _____________________________
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8. How concerned are you about the following hazards?
Very Somewhat Neutral Not Very Not
Natural Disaster
Concerned Concerned Concerned Concerned
Drought
Severe Weather: Heat
Severe Weather: Wind
Flood
Landslide/Mudslide
Dam Failure
Severe Storm/Rain
Pandemic/Epidemic
Earthquake
Wildfire
Hazardous Materials Release
Telecommunications (IT) Failure
Civil Disturbance
Terrorism
Cyber Attack
Energy Disruption: Gas/Electric
Power
Utility Failure: Water
Climate Change
Sinkholes
Liquefaction
Other:
Other:
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9. Planning ahead for responding to disasters can help lessen their impact. To help the City prioritize its
disaster preparedness efforts, please tell us how important each of the following goals is to you.
Very Somewhat Neutral Not Very Not
Goal
Important Important Important Important
Protecting private property
Protecting critical facilities
(hospitals, fire stations, etc.)
Preventing development in hazard
areas
Protecting natural environment
Protecting historical/cultural
landmarks/museums
Promoting cooperation among
public and private organizations,
and citizens
Protecting and reducing damage
to utilities
Strengthening emergency services
(police, fire, ambulance)
Protecting major employers
Protecting small businesses
Protecting K-12 schools
Protecting Colleges/Universities
Other:
10. Community assets are features, characteristics, or resources that either make a community unique or
allow the community to function. In your opinion, how important is it to protect the following
community assets?
Community Assets: Potential Very Somewhat Neutral Not Very Not
Disaster Impact Important Important Important Important
Human: Loss of life and/or injuries
Economic: Business closures and/or
job losses
Infrastructure: Damage or loss of
bridges, utilities, schools, etc.
Cultural Historic: Damage or loss of
libraries, museums, fairgrounds,
etc.
Environmental: Damage or loss of
forests, rangeland, waterways, etc.
Governance: Ability to maintain
order and/or provide public
amenities and services
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11. What actions have you taken to prepare for your household from potential disasters? Check all that apply.
Purchased homeowners/Renters insurance Attended meetings or received written
information on natural disasters or emergency
Purchased flood insurance
preparedness
Floodproofing (elevating furnace, water heaters, Talked with family members about what to do in
electric panels case of a disaster or emergency
Installed retrofits such as high impact windows or
doors to withstand high winds; fire resistant siding
roofing or window screens, etc. the event of a disaster
Installed/maintained firebreaks around the
home water, batteries, medications, first aid, etc.)
12. In order to help local government agencies prioritize the mitigation project types to reduce disruptions of
services and to strengthen the community. Please let us know how you rank the following strategies to
address pre- and post-disaster damage.
Strategy Very Somewhat Neutral Not Very Not
Important Important Important Important
Retrofit and strengthen essential
facilities such as police, fire,
emergency medical services,
hospitals, schools, etc.
Replace inadequate or vulnerable
bridges and causeways
Install or improve protective
structures, such as floodwalls or
levees
Government buys flood-prone
properties and returns them to a
natural condition
Assist property owners with securing
funding to mitigate impacts to their
property caused by disasters
Work on improving the damage
resistance of utilities (electricity,
communications, water/wastewater
facilities, etc.
Strengthen City codes, ordinances,
and plans to require high risk
management standards
Provide better information about
hazard risk and high-hazard areas
Inform property owners of ways they
can mitigate damage to their
properties
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13. Please feel free to provide any additional comments:
2.3 CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT EXISTING PROCESSES AND PROGRAMS
This section identifies current capabilities (administrative, technical, legal and fiscal) available for
implementing hazard mitigation activities within the City. Capabilities examined included the following:
Administrative and Technical Capacity
Fiscal Resources
Existing Institutions, Plans, Policies, and Ordinances (Planning/Regulatory)
Education and Outreach
The following Sections outline
expansion of capabilities is addressed in the Mitigation Goals and Action Items tables in Section 5
(Mitigation Strategies) as follows:
Administrative and Technical Capacity expansion addressed under Mitigation Goals: WF001,
WF003, WF007, E002, ED001, ED002, ED004, D001, SW-EH001, MM-CA001, MM-CA003, MM-
CA004, MM-CA005, MM-CA006, AND MH002
Fiscal Resources capabilities expansion addressed under Mitigation Goals: E001 and WF002
Planning/Regulatory capabilities expansion addressed under Mitigation Goals: WF006, E006,
D002, SW-EW001, SW-EW003, P001, MM-CA002, MM-T003, MM-T004, HM002, L003, L004, L005,
F003, AND MH003
Education and Outreach capabilities expansion addressed under Mitigation Goals: WF004,
WF005, E003, E004, E005, SW-EH002, SW-EH003, SW-EW002, SW-EW004, P002-01, MM-T002,
HM001, L001, L002, and F002
2.3.1 ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL CAPACITY
The following is a summary of existing departments in the City and their responsibilities related to
hazard mitigation planning and implementation, as well as existing planning documents and
regulations related to mitigation efforts within the City.
The administrative and technical capabilities of Santa Clarita are shown in Table 2-4 below. Table 2-4
identifies City staff, personnel, and department resources available to implement the mitigation
actions identified in the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Goals and Actions in each of the hazard sections.
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Table 2 4: Santa Clarita Administrative and Technical Capabilities
Staff/Personnel Resources Y/Department/Agency and Position
N
Planner(s) or engineer(s) with Y
Community Development - Housing, Redevelopment
knowledge of land development and
Manager, Planning Division Manager
land management practices.
Engineer(s) or professional(s) trained in
Y Public Works Department City Engineer, Public
construction practices related to
Works Director, Building Official and Public Works
buildings and/or infrastructure.
Building and Safety Inspectors
Planners or Engineer(s) with an Public Works Development Services Division, City
Y
understanding of natural and/or Engineer, Building & Safety Division, Building Official
manmade hazards
Floodplain manager
Y
Public Works- Director of Public Works
Surveyors Public Works Development Services Division, Sr. Engineer
Y
Y
Community Development- Housing, Redevelopment
Staff with education or expertise to
Manager, Planning Division Manager, Public Works
Department City Engineer, Public Works Director,
hazards.
Building Official and Public Works Building and Safety
Inspectors
Personnel skilled in GIS and/or Hazus
Y Administrative Services Department, Information
Technology Services Division, GIS Group, GIS
Coordinator, and GIS Technician
Y
Scientists familiar with the hazards of Private/Public Consultants
the community.
Y
Emergency manager Emergency Services Manager, Emergency Services
Supervisor
Y
Grant writers All Departments Management analyst, administrative
analyst
Specific resources reviewed include those involving technical personnel such as planners/engineers
with knowledge of land development and land management practices, engineers trained in
construction practices related to building and infrastructure, planners and engineers with an
understanding of natural or manmade hazards, floodplain managers, surveyors, personnel with GIS
skills and scientists familiar with hazards in the City.
2.3.2 FISCAL RESOURCES
The following financial and budgetary tools available to the City of Santa Clarita for Hazard Mitigation
Planning:
Community Development Block Grants
Capital Improvements Project Funding
Authority to Levy Taxes for Specific Purposes
Fees for Water
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Fees for Sewer/Industrial Waste
Impact Fees for Homebuyers or Developers for New Developments/Homes
Incur Debt through General Obligation Bonds
Incur Debt through Special Tax and Revenue Bonds
Incur Debt through Private Activity Bonds
Withhold Spending in Hazard-Prone Areas
Other Grants
2.3.3 EXISTING PLANS, POLICIES, AND ORDINANCES
The following are existing City plans, policies, and ordinances that affect the physical or built
environment of the City:
Zoning Ordinance
Subdivision Ordinance or Regulations
Building Code
Special Purpose Ordinances (floodplain management, storm water management, hillside or
steep slope ordinances, wildfire ordinances, hazard setback requirements)
Site Plan Review Requirements
General Plan
Capital Improvements Plan
Economic Development Element of General Plan
Emergency Operations Plan
Real Estate Disclosure Requirement
2.3.3.1 INCORPORATION INTO OTHER PLANNING MECHANISMS
The Santa Clarita 2020 Emergency operation Plan incorporates the existing Santa Clarita
Hazard Mitigation Plan
existing hazard mitigation efforts. Additionally, Santa Clarita is currently working on an
update to the Safety Element of the General Plan and will incorporate relevant
information from the from the 2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to ensure
consistency in planning for and mitigating hazards to the city.
2.3.4 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
In addition to several regional, state, and federal programs that Santa Clarita participates in, the City
has also implemented the following education and outreach programs to ensure the safety of
residents:
Fire Safety programs including Ready!Set!Go!, Emergency Preparedness Programs, and
Santa Clarita CERT and SECURE Programs (see Sections 5.2.2.3, 5.2.2.4, and 5.2.2.5)
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Earthquake Safety Programs including Santa Clarita Emergency Management Program (see
Section 5.3.8)
Santa Clarita Drought Programs (see Section 5.5.2)
Extreme Weather Programs including Santa Clarita Heat Emergency Plan, Severe Wind
Emergency Response and Volunteer Weather Spotters, Hazardous Tree Mapping and
Removal Program (see Sections 5.6.1, 5.6.2, and 5.6.4)
Pandemic: Santa Clarita Safer Business Commitment-Shop Local Initiative (see Section
5.7.2.1)
Santa Clarita Terrorism Mitigation Efforts (see Section 5.8.2.1)
Hazardous Materials Release: programs include public outreach by Santa Clarita and include
information on handling hazardous materials and how residents should respond in the event
of a catastrophic release (see Section 5.9)
Flood: Community Rating System (CRS) voluntary program for NFIP participating
communities (see Section 5.11.1.3)
2.4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The City of Santa Clarita is dedicated to involving the public directly in the continual review and updates
of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Copies of the plan are catalogued and made available at City Hall and on-
line at www.santa-clarita.com. The existence and location of these copies is advertised to the public in a
manner consistent with City policy. The plan also includes the address and the phone number of the
department responsible for keeping track of public comments on the HMP. In addition, copies of the HMP
and any proposed changes will be posted on the City website. This web site also contains an e-mail
address and phone number to which people can direct their comments and concerns.
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3.0 COMMUNITY PROFILE
population characteristics, development trends, and critical facilities operated by the City and other
agencies.
Detailed information on physical features such as topography, drainage, vegetation, etc., is provided in
Section 4 of this Plan.
3.1 PLANNING AREA/BRIEF HISTORY OF SANTA CLARITA
The City of Santa Clarita has an area of 70.87\[1\] square miles and is located in northern Los Angeles
County. Santa Clarita is situated approximately 1,200 to 1,400 feet above sea level and has a mild Southern
California Mediterranean climate.
The terrain of the city consists mainly of Santa Clara River valley and surrounded by the Santa Susana and
San Gabriel Mountain ranges.
3.1.1 PARKS LOCATED IN SANTA CLARITA
There are approximately 35 parks located in the city limits of Santa Clarita, 4 of which are owned and
operated by the County of Los Angeles. Some of these parks contain community centers identified by
hat park facilities provide for residents, the open space
and terrain of parks can aid in watershed during severe storms, and can also be used for staging
interactive map: http://gis.santa-clarita.com/html5/MasterPUB.html.
3.1.2 BRIEF HISTORY OF SANTA CLARITA
The area now known as Santa Clarita was first settled by the Tataviam Indians in
approximately 450 AD.
The Portola expedition of Spaniards settled in the area in August 1769 and named the river
and surrounding valley after Saint Clare.
Successful real estate and railroad businessman, Henry Mayo Newhall, settled in the area
s purchasing Rancho San Francisco and granting access to the Southern Pacific
Company allowing for the first railroad connection between San Francisco and Los Angeles,
and established the town, of Saugus named after his birthplace, and the town of Newhall
established around the newly developed railroad.
Gold was first discovered in California on March 9, 1842 in Santa Clarita by Jose Francisco
de Gracia Lopez.
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In 1876 Charles Alexander Mentry began pumping oil from "Pico No. 4," which was the first
successful oil well in the West and remains the oldest existing refinery in the world.
On March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the Santa Clarita Valley, killing
approximately 450 people making it the second worst disaster in California history next to
the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
Established in 1976, approximately 50% of the 700 acre Honor Rancho Natural Gas Storage
Facility is located in the City of Santa Clarita, while the rest of the facility is located in Aliso
Canyon.
The City of Santa Clarita incorporated on December 15, 1987 as a General Law city with a
Council-Manager form of government with five elected Council Members serving four year
terms and an appointed City Manager and City Attorney.
3.1.3 HISTORIC RESOURCES
Although Santa Clarita did not incorporate until 1987, the area has a rich history and there are many
structures of historic importance in the city. These structures are not considered critical to emergency
operations, but the city is dedicated to preserving these structures and would seek to repair them to
the greatest extent possible if damage is sustained in a hazard event. The following is a list and brief
explanation of the significance of these structures:
Newhall Ice Company: located at 22502-22510 5th
Street, is significant for its association with commercial
development in Santa Clarita. It was built in 1922 by
Fred Lamkin as a warehouse and storage yard. Lamkin
came to Newhall in 1917 and opened a garage facing
San Fernando Road. Shortly after construction the
warehouse was converted into an icehouse which is still
in operation.
Sheriff Substation #6: located at 24238 Main Street, it
was built in 1926 as a sheriff substation. The Newhall
Station housed a company of eight sheriff's deputies
commanded by Captain Jeb Stewart, serving Soledad
Township and the Newhall area for four decades. The
Newhall Signal newspaper took over the building in
1968, using it as a "back shop" until they relocated in
1986.
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Tom Mix Cottages #1 & #2: located at 24247-24251.
Tom Mix Cottage #1 was built in 1919 by Halsey W.
Russell. Cottage #2 was built in 1922, forming a motor
court catering to drivers on the old Ridge Route. The
structures were used as lodging by people in the motion
picture industry during local filming. Tom Mix used one
cottage as a dressing room on several occasions.
Melody Ranch: located at 24757 Oakcreek Avenue, the
Ranch is a collection of authentic Western buildings
developed in the 1920s as a film set by pioneer
filmmakers Ernie Hickson and Trem Carr of Monogram
Pictures. In the mid-1930s the buildings were moved to
their current location. In 1952 it was purchased by actor
Gene Autry. The property was used for many early
television programs including Gunsmoke.
California Oil Company and Standard Oil House:
located at 24148 Pine Street and sometimes called "The
Newhall Cottage", this residence was built in 1878 by
California Star Oil Company as a guest house for visiting
officials. In 1915 Standard Oil sold the property to
longtime Pico Canyon employee Josh Woodbridge who
lived there until his death in 1950.
Santa Clarita Courthouse: located at 24307 Railroad
Avenue, construction began in 1931 by the Newhall
Masonic Building Company, Ltd. George Chapman of
Van Nuys was hired to build this two-story structure, it
opened in 1932. The County Courthouse occupied the
ground floor and the Masonic Lodge the second floor.
The County relocated the court to Valencia in 1968 and
the first floor was renovated for office uses.
Old Newhall Jail: located at 24522 Spruce Street,
completed in 1906. Records from the Newhall Sheriff's
Station (Substation #6) indicate that the jail housed an
estimated 250 prisoners between January and October
1939 after which time it was no longer used. It served as
the jail and constable's office until 1926 when the
sheriff's substation was opened. The structure retains
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the original barred windows and may also retain the cell
doors.
American Legion Hall/American Theater Company:
located at 24527 Spruce Street, it was built in 1940 with
a donation from William S. Hart, and designed by
theater architect S. Charles Lee. He commissioned the
theater building and donated the property to the
American Legion Post to hold and administer. The
Legion leased the property to the theater. It was the first
movie house in the valley. The theater closed in 1965,
and the American Legion Post 507 converted it to their
meeting and entertainment center.
HERITAGE JUNCTION HISTORIC PARK: 24151 NEWHALL AVENUE
built in 1927 to resemble a one-
room schoolhouse as part of Mission Village, Robert E.
Callahan's 1920s western town and amusement area in
Santa Monica. It was relocated to Mint Canyon (Saugus)
when the freeway was built in 1963 and renamed
Callahan's Old West. In 1987 it was donated by
Callahan's widow Marion and relocated to Heritage
Junction Historic Park in William S. Hart Park.
Edison House: built in 1919 as part of a group of houses
provided for Edison workers assigned to the Saugus
substation. After years of use by Edison employees the
structures were acquired by the Newhall Land & Farming
Company which demolished six of the cottages. This
structure was in the best condition and preserved. In
1989 it was relocated to Heritage Junction Historic Park
in William S. Hart Park.
Kingsbury House: built in 1878 at 8th Street and San
Fernando Road. In 1883 this residence was occupied by
Lyman Stewart, a founder of the Union Oil Company. In
1911 it was moved to Walnut Street near Market. In 1987
it was relocated to Heritage Junction Historic Park in
William S. Hart Park and decorated in historic style by the
Questers.
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Mitchell Adobe Schoolhouse: built in the 1860s by
Colonel Thomas Mitchell, officer of the Mexican-
American War, in Sulphur Springs, this adobe building
served as the family home. One room was used as a
schoolhouse for the local children, making it the first
school in the area and home of the second oldest school
district in Los Angeles County. In 1986 the adobe was
dismantled and rebuilt in Heritage Junction Historic Park
in William S. Hart Park.
Newhall Ranch House: built in 1861 as the headquarters
of Rancho San Francisco. After 1875, the Ranch was
owned by Henry Mayo Newhall and administered by his
son George. The ranch house was originally located
within sight of the Estancia de San Francisco Xavier (now
Six Flags Magic Mountain property); it was enlarged in
1891/1893. In 1990 it was relocated to Heritage Junction
Historic Park in William S. Hart Park.
Pardee House: built c. 1890 as a Good Templar's Lodge
and originally located on Pine Street, in 1893 the
building was moved to 629 E. Walnut Street the
"triangle" of Newhall Avenue, Market and Walnut
streets by Ed Pardee, who enlarged it and used it as his
home. In 1946 Ed Pardee's daughter, Pearl Russell, sold
the house to the Pacific Telephone Co. (later Pacific
Bell). In 1992 Pacific Bell donated the historic home to
the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, which moved
it to Heritage Junction Historic Park.
Ramona Chapel: built in 1926 to resemble the chapel at
Rancho Camulos made famous in Helen Hunt Jackson's
novel Ramona. It was originally built as part of Mission
Village, in Santa Monica. The Chapel was designed by
noted composer Carrie Jacobs Bond. The interior wall
paintings are by Frank Tinney Johnson, and the altar is
said to be over 200 years old. The wooden pews date
back to 1858. In 1987 it was donated by Callahan's widow
Marion and relocated to Heritage Junction Historic Park
in William S. Hart Park.
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3.2 POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT TRENDS
3.2.1 POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS
Santa Clarita is the third-largest City in Los Angeles County, with 212,979 residents (in 2019).
Consequently, Santa Clarita plays an important role in Los Angeles County based on its size.
The population of Santa Clarita is 47.5% white, not Hispanic or Latino, and 33.5% Hispanic. By
comparison, Los Angeles County as a whole is 26.1% white, not Hispanic or Latino, and 48.6% Hispanic.
As of 2018 there were 67,583 households in Santa Clarita, with an average household size of 3.07.
is higher than the national rates, but lower than the state and county rates. Spanish is the
predominant language, other than English, spoken by the residents of Santa Clarita.
Table 3 - 1: Santa Clarita/Los Angeles County Demographics
Racial/Ethnic Group Santa Clarita Los Angeles County
Total Population 212,979 10,2039,107
White (alone) 70.1% 70.8%
Hispanic or Latino 33.5% 48.6%
Asian (alone) 11.1% 15.4%
Black/ African American (alone) 4.0% 9.0%
American Indian/Alaska Native (alone) 0.8% 1.4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (alone) 0.1% 0.4%
Two or More Races 6.7% 3.1%
White, not Hispanic or Latino 47.5% 26.1%
Table 3 - 2: Population Characteristics for Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, California, and the United States
Los
Santa Clarita
Angeles
Population Characteristics city, California United States
County,
California
California
Population estimates, July 1, 2019, (V2019) 212,979 10,039,107 39,512,223 328,239,523
Households, 2014-2018 67,583 3,306,109 12,965,435 119,730,128
Persons per household, 2014-2018 3.07 3.00 2.96 2.63
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Persons without health insurance, under
age 65 years, percent 7.5% 10.2% 8.3% 10.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of
35.5% 31.8% 33.3% 31.5%
persons age 25 years+, 2014-2018
Median household income (in 2018 dollars),
$94,282 $64,251 $71,228 $60,293
2014-2018
Persons in poverty, percent
8.6% 14.2% 12.8% 11.8%
Households with a computer, percent,
95.1% 90.4% 91.7% 88.8%
2014-2018
Language other than English spoken at
home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 31.0% 56.6% 44.1% 21.5%
2014-2018
3.2.2 POPULATION STRENGTHS AND VULNERABILITIES
well-educated, with low rates of people living in poverty or experiencing homelessness. The median
age is 36.9 years old. Approximately 90.5 % of the population has graduated High School, and
approximately 35.5% has a degree or higher. The median household income is $94,282,
which is higher than the County and State average. Furthermore, approximately 68% of households
in Santa Clarita are owner-occupied, which is higher than the County, State, and National rates of
homeownership.
resources, the community also has segments of the population that would be vulnerable to the
with a disability, and 7.5% of residents under the age of 65 do not have health insurance. Also,
approximately 8.6% of the Santa
of Santa Clarita identified 256 people experiencing homelessness within the City.
The City of Santa Clarita also participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary system
of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Participation in the CRS has resulted in significant
reductions in flood insurance rates, which increases the likelihood that residents will obtain flood
insurance.
A variety of factors in Santa Clarita--higher than average median income, college education, and flood
insurance; lower than average rate of disabilities, poverty, and homelessnesscombine to mean that
the severity of impacts or length of time that residents may be impacted by a hazard event may be
reduced.
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City populations with disabilities, living in poverty, lacking insurance, experiencing homelessness, the
elderly, and non-English speakers may require more government assistance following a major hazard
event, which may be addressed through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
Program established to aid the recovery efforts of communities, particularly in low-income areas,
following a federally declared disaster, and use a formula for determining recovery needs unmet by
other federal relief programs.
3.2.3 POPULATION GROWTH
According to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the population of Santa
Clarita increased by 59,000 from 151,088 to 210,089 in the eighteen-year period from 2000 to 2018,
mostly as the result of annexations (which added residential areas to the incorporated city limits).
-
47,000 persons who were already living in the annexed areas.
growth rate (State Department of Finance Population and Housing Estimates). Excluding annexations,
the city likely grew at a rate similar to other local communities.
3.2.3.1 ANNEXATIONS
Since incorporation in 1987, approximately 40 communities adjacent to the City have been
annexed into Santa Clarita, adding a total of 31.1 square miles into the City. More than half of this
area--18.2 square mileshas been annexed since 2012. The map and table below show the areas
that have been annexed into the Santa Clarita since 2012.
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Map 1: Recent Annexation Areas (since 2012)
Table 3 - 3: Annexations (Since 2012)
Name of Date Size (rounded to Description of Annexation Area
the nearest
Annexation Area Annexed
whole acre)
Soledad Commons June 14, 2012 8 acres Site of 60,000 square foot commercial
development.
Elsmere Canyon June 14, 2012 807 acres Open space annexation.
Copperstone June 14, 2012 69 acres Site for 428 homes and approximately
1,284 residents.
Fair Oaks Ranch / September 11, 2,436 acres Site for 14,895 residents and existing 6,625
West Sand Canyon 2012 residential units. In addition, a City-
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approved project totaling 1,110 residents
and up to 950,000 square feet for
commercial uses.
North Copperhill November 29, 2,475 acres Site for 9,543 residents and 3,305
2012 residential units.
South Sand Canyon April 10, 2013 692 acres Site for 40 residents and two filming
ranches totaling 540 acres.
Norland Road August 15, 203 acres Open space annexation, pending 40-unit
2013 residential development.
North Saugus October 14, 824 acres Open space annexation, site for three
2014 filming areas.
West Creek/West November 15, 1,017 acres Site of 579 units to be built with 2,300
Hills 2016 single and multi-family homes.
North Sand November 15, 3,118 acres Site will include 1,220 single family lots, 25
Canyon/Plum 2018 open space lots, 10 park lots and more.
Canyon/ Skyline
Ranch
3.2.3.2 MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN SANTA CLARITA
Several large scale projects have received planning entitlements, and have pulled the requisite
grading, building, and other applicable permits. The projects include approximately 2,000 mixed
residential units, approximately 980,000 square feet of commercial/retail space, approximately
4.6 million square feet of business park/industrial space, several hotels adding several hundred
rooms and other amenities for temporary lodging, a YMCA Fitness Center and Senior Living
Facility, approximately 140,000 square feet of office space, recreation centers, public park, and
trailheads, and approximately 900 acres of Open Space.
3.2.3.3 MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AWAITING CONSTRUCTION
Three major projects have received planning entitlements, but are not yet under construction:
The Master's University Master Plan, which will include 42 residential units, dedicated open
space, and 240,000 square feet of new college buildings (chapel, dorm, and classrooms) to
accommodate an increase of 600 students,
A hotel project that will include 134 rooms, and
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A 4,000 square-foot restaurant pad and a mixed use development project that will include
center.
3.2.3.4 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDER REVIEW
Eight major projects have been formally submitted by the project applicants to the city, and are
currently undergoing the discretionary review process. The projects will include a total of
approximately 2,106 mixed residential units, 37 acres of open space, a 17 acre park, several trails,
a 384 room hotel and wedding venue, and a 680,000 square foot commercial center.
3.2.4 TOP LOCAL AREA EMPLOYERS
The following table details the top ten largest employers in the Santa Clarita Valley i.e., Santa Clarita
and adjacent communities (Santa Clarita Community Development Corporation 2019 Economic
Outlook).
Table 3 - 4: Santa Clarita Top 10 Employers
Rank Company Number of Employees
1 Six Flags Magic Mountain 3,200
2 Princess Cruises 2,177
3 College of the Canyons 2,115
4 Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital 1,982
5 William S. Hart Union School District 1,923
6 Saugus Union School District 1,612
7 U.S. Postal Service 1,010
8 Boston Scientific 900
9 City of Santa Clarita 879
10 Newhall School District 785
Mitigation activities are needed at the business level to ensure safety and welfare of workers and limit
damage to industrial infrastructure. Employees at the industrial and business centers in Santa Clarita
for the most part commute into Santa Clarita from surrounding areas, creating a dependency on
roads, communications, accessibility, and emergency plans to reunite people with their families.
Before a natural hazard event, small to large businesses can develop strategies to prepare for natural
hazards, respond efficiently, and prevent loss of life and property. When area employers are impacted
The top two area employers, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Princess Cruises are both
entertainment/recreation industries that have been severely impacted by the 2020 COVID-19
pandemic, affecting City revenues and placing area residents in need of economic assistance.
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3.3 CRITICAL FACILITIES
3.3.1 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN SANTA CLARITA
Capital Improvement Projects include such things as roadways, public-rights-of-way, storm drains,
curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and public access ramps, traffic signals, and city-owned and operated public
safety facilities, recreation facilities, community centers, and parks and trail systems. City
Roadway infrastructure will need to be upgraded and maintained on a regular basis to ensure that
emergency responders have adequate access to locations impacted in a hazard event. Stormwater
facilities are necessary to prevent and reduce the hazards caused by severe storms and flooding. City
administration and public safety facilities are critical for emergency response coordination activities.
Recreation facilities and community centers are often used as temporary triage centers and
emergency shelters following significant hazard events.
Capital improvement projects consist of regular infrastructure maintenance, but also include the
square foot main station building and detention facility, along with a 4,165 square foot vehicle
maintenance facility, a communications tower and a helipad expected to open in 2021, and the
Canyon Country Community Center which will include recreation and fitness rooms, a demonstration
kitchen (for teaching), and flexible outdoor spaces for events, and play area. The final construction
phase is expected to begin in the summer of 2020.
3.3.2 CRITICAL FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Facilities critical to government response and sustainability (i.e., life safety and property and
fire stations, public works facilities, sewer and water facilities, hospitals, bridges and roads, and
shelters. Facilities that, if damaged, could cause serious secondary impacts may also be considered
emergency.
3.3.2.1 CITY OPERATED CRITICAL FACILITIES
The following is a comprehensive listing of all City-owned and operated critical facilities identified
estimated monetary value will be analyzed in Section 4):
Santa Clarita City Hall
George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex Gymnasium
Public Works Corporate Yard (W. Ave. Stanford)
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Santa Clarita Aquatics Center
Newhall Community Center
Canyon Country Community Center
Central Park Maintenance building, offices and fitness center
Santa Clarita Transit Maintenance Facility
Metrolink Stations: Santa Clarita, Via Princessa, and Newhall
Valencia Public Library
Old Town Newhall Library
Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library
The Cube Santa Clarita
3.3.2.2 BRIDGE INVENTORY - SANTA CLARITA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AS
RESPONSIBLE AGENCY
jurisdictional authority (potential hazard impacts to these facilities and estimated monetary value
will be analyzed in Section 4):
Bridge No. 53C1522 Avenida Rotella Bridge No. 53C1937 Grandview Drive I
Bridge No. 53C1521 Avenida Rondel Bridge No. 53C1940 Fairview Drive
Bridge No. 2027 Avenida Escalera Bridge No. 53C1939 Hillsborough Parkway I
Bridge No. 53C0838 Orchard Village Road Bridge No. 53C1938 Hillsborough Parkway II
Bridge No. 2242 Avenida Navarre Bridge No. 53C2168 Grandview Parkway II
Bridge No. 53C2312 Alta Madera Drive Bridge No. 53C1941 Decoro Drive
Bridge No. 53C2357 John Russell Drive Bridge No. 53C2089 Grandview Drive III
Bridge No. 53C2311 Carrizo Drive Bridge No. 53C2103 McBean Parkway (Northbridge)
Bridge No. 53C2348 El Paseo Drive Bridge No. 53C2084 Newhall Ranch Road
Bridge No. 53C2349 Del Monte Drive Bridge No. 53C2085 McBean Parkway (Bridgeport)
Bridge No. 53C2375 McBean Parkway (Summit) Bridge No. 53C2090 McBean Parkway (Sunset Hills)
Bridge No. 53C1935 Arroyo Park Drive Bridge No. 53C2087 Copper Hill Drive (Northpark)
Bridge No. 53C2313 Goldcrest Drive Bridge No. 53C2281 Decoro Drive (Valencia H.S.)
Bridge No. 53C1837 Del Monte (Goldcrest) Bridge No. 0 Copper Hill Drive (Westcreek /West Hills)
Bridge No. 53C2002 Valencia Boulevard Bridge No. 0 Soledad Canyon Road (Villa Metro)
Bridge No. 53C2088 McBean Parkway (Bus Station) Bridge No. 0 Sierra Highway (Golden Valley Road)
Bridge No. 53C2315 Magic Mountain Parkway (Mall) Bridge No. 0 Copper Hill Drive (Calex/Canterbury)
Bridge No. 53C2001 Creekside Road Bridge No. 3548 Tourney Road (TPC)
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Street Bridges
Bridge No. 3828 Lost Canyon Rd (SPRR/Metrolink) Bridge No. 53C1776 Sierra Hwy (Solemint SPTCO)
Bridge No. 53C0296 Sierra Hwy (Mint CW) Bridge No. 53C1777L Sierra Hwy S. (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C0378 Bouquet Canyon Rd (SCR - BJ) Bridge No. 53C1777R Sierra Hwy N. (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C0379 Bouquet Canyon Rd (BCCr - SR) Bridge No. 53C1799 Scherzinger Ln (Mint CW)
Bridge No. 53C0380 Bouquet Canyon Rd (BCCr - Benz Rd) Bridge No. 53C1807 Everett Dr (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C0469 Soledad Canyon Rd (SCR) Bridge No. 53C1836 Newhall Ranch Rd (Bouquet CC)
Bridge No. 53C0478 Bouquet Canyon Rd Bridge No. 53C1840 McBean Pkwy (Santa Clara River)
(BCCr - Alamagordo) Bridge No. 53C1860 Haskell Canyon Rd (Bouquet CC)
Bridge No. 53C0479 Bouquet Canyon Rd (Plum CCh) Bridge No. 53C1936 Valle Del Oro (Newhall Creek)
Bridge No. 53C0554 Soledad Canyon Rd (Mint CCh) Bridge No. 53C1993 Golden Valley Rd (Soledad Cyn
BridgeSt No. 53C0826 Wiley Canyon Rd (Pico CCh) Rd/SPRR)
Bridge No. 53C0840 Orchard Village Rd (SCR) Bridge No. 53C1999 Whites Canyon Rd (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C0855 Wiley Canyon Rd (SCR) Bridge No. 53C2000 Whites Canyon Rd (SPRR)
Bridge No. 53C0988 Adon Ave (Mint CW) Bridge No. 53C2086 Avenue Scott (SFCC)
Bridge No. 53C0992 Sand Canyon Rd (SCR) Bridge No. 53C2096 Avenue Crocker (Unnamed Wash)
Bridge No. 53C1024 Lost Canyon Rd (Santa CW) Bridge No. 53C2097 Avenue Stanford (Unnamed Wash)
Bridge No. 53C1028 Sand Canyon Rd (Iron CCr) Bridge No. 53C2164 Newhall Ranch Rd (SFCr)
Bridge No. 53C1434 Placerita Canyon Rd (Sand CW) Bridge No. 53C2165 Atwood Blvd (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C1488L Valencia Blvd N. (SCR) Bridge No. 53C2166 De Wolfe Rd (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C1488R Valencia Blvd S. (SCR) Bridge No. 53C2167 Decoro Dr (SFCr)
Bridge No. 53C1490 Urbandale Ave (BCCr) Bridge No. 53C2170 Copper Hill Dr (SFCr)
Bridge No. 53C1492 Clearlake Dr (Unnamed Wash) Bridge No. 53C2209 Copper Hill Dr (Haskell CC)
Bridge No. 53C1528 Garzota Dr (Dry CC) Bridge No. 53C2222 Via Princessa (Unnamed Wash)
Bridge No. 53C1529 Decoro Dr (Dry CC) Bridge No. 53C2316 Magic Mountain Pkwy (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C1533 Begonias Ln (Private Drain 771) Bridge No. 53C2317 Via Princessa (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C1544 15th St (Newhall Creek) Bridge No. 53C2318 Railroad Ave (Placerita Creek)
Bridge No. 53C1548 Centurion Wy (BCCr) Bridge No. 53C2319 Railroad Ave (Newhall Creek)
Bridge No. 53C1550 Pamplico Dr (Dry CC) Bridge No. 53C2320 Newhall Ave (Elsmere Creek)
Bridge No. 53C1554 Tournament Rd (Pico CC) Bridge No. 4009 Golden Valley Rd N. (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C1586 Tupelo Dr (Dry CC) Bridge No. 4022 Golden Valley Rd S. (SCR)
Bridge No. 53C1621 Benz Rd (BCCr/Private Drain 3250) Bridge No. 3961 Banyan Pl (Private Drain 1954)
Bridge No. 53C1625 14th St (Newhall Creek) Bridge No. 3962 Boxwood Ln (Private Drain 1954)
Bridge No. 53C1681 Ridgegrove Dr (Haskell CC) Bridge No. 3875 Camp Plenty Rd (Private Drain 43)
Bridge No. 53C1728 Rodgers Dr (Plum CC) Bridge No. 3105 Esterbrook Ave (Private Drain 266)
Pedestrian Bridges over and under City streets
Street Bridge Under Railroad Jurisdiction
Bridge No. 53C1409 Sand Canyon Road under SPRR/UPRR
3.3.2.3 BRIDGE INVENTORY CALTRANS DISTRICT 7 AS RESPONSIBLE AGENCY
Bridge No. 53_0687L/R Interstate5 over Santa Clara River
Bridge No. 53_0688 Interstate5 over Santa Clara OH
Bridge No. 53_1539 Oak Spring Canyon Road over State Route14
Bridge No. 53_1621 Lost Canyon Road under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_1626 Interstate5/State Route126 Separation OC/UC
Bridge No. 53_1688 Rye Canyon Road under Interstate5
Bridge No. 53_1783 Pico Canyon Road/Lyons Avenue over Interstate5
Bridge No. 53_1729L/R Calgrove Boulevard under Interstate5
Bridge No. 53_1936 Sierra Highway under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2027 Jakes Way under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2029 Humphreys OC under State Route14
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Bridge No. 53_2057 McBean Parkway over Interstate5
Bridge No. 53_2066 Golden Valley Road over State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2070 Newhall Avenue under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2076 Placerita Canyon Road under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2096 Los Pinetos Road under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2146 LA Aqueduct under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2166 Via Princessa under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2167 Canyon Park Boulevard under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2161 State Route14 over Elsmere Creek
Bridge No. 53_2171 Cedar Valley Way under State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2779 Newhall Ranch Road over State Route126
Bridge No. 53_2788 State Route126 over Newhall Creek
Bridge No. 53_2816 Sand Canyon Road over State Route14
Bridge No. 53_2927 Valencia Boulevard over Interstate5
Bridge No. 53_2928 Magic Mountain Parkway under Interstate5
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3.3.2.4 - CRITICAL FACILITIES UNDER COUNTY, STATE, OR REGIONAL AUTHORITY
The following facilities are responsible for services to Santa Clarita residents that are not
the general public and work in close coordination with City Administration:
Fire and Law Enforcement Facilities - Since Santa Clarita is a contract city with the County of Los
Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff, those station facilities are under the
County of
the County of Los Angeles.
Water Facilities - The water provided in Santa Clarita is owned by a separate public agency, the
Castaic Lake Water Agency. This agency is a wholesaler of water, and its critical facilities are not
is provided by three independent water retailers: Santa Clarita Water Company, Newhall County
Water, and Valencia Water Company.
Energy Facilities - Southern California Edison (SCE) is the main electric provider for Santa Clarita
and is responsible for maintaining its substations and the electric power grid in the area. Similarly,
the Southern California Gas (SCG) Company is responsible for supplying natural gas to the City and
its residents.
School Facilities - The four school districts within the City: Acton/Agua Dulce Unified School
District, Castaic Union School District, Newhall School District, Saugus Union School District,
Sulphur Springs School District, and the William S. Hart School District.
Wastewater Facilities - Wastewater treatment is provided by the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation
District, a special district serving the City of Santa Clarita and unincorporated Los Angeles County.
The wastewater treatment plants are operated by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts
under the Amended Joint Administration Agreement.
Table 3 - 5: City Owned & Non-City Owned Facilities
Name of Facility Value of
n
Property
o
r
i
e
t
(City-owned
h
p
k
t
u
c
a
r
e
a
only)
s
s
e
ss
kt
i
c
s
t
u
ei
l
a
m
t
D
W
o
d
eAs
a
u
i
im
i
h
r
l
dy
e
r
i
r
qr
e
g
r
s
r
f
g
ed
eo
h
d
uar
de
d
tr
t
bo
l
z
en
or
rv
in
a
y
o
ra
a
ane
e
l
a
C
WDEHMLS ETFP
City Owned Facilities
Santa Clarita City Hall X X X X X X X $19,908,685
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George A. Caravalho X X X X X X X X $6,042,355
Santa Clarita Sports
Complex/Gymnasium
City of Santa Clarita X X X X X X X X $4,088,460
The Centre
Public Works X X X X X X X X X $7,795,774
Corporate Yard
Santa Clarita Aquatics X X X X X X X X $5,526,358
Center
Newhall Community X X X X X X X X $4,506,031
Center
Central Park X X X X X X X X $779,863
Maintenance Building
Santa Clarita Transit X X X X X X X X $5,086,835
Maintenance Facility
Metrolink Station-X X X X X X X X $2,036,988
Santa Clarita
Metrolink Station-Via X X X X X X X X $1,892,063
Princessa
Metrolink Station-X X X X X X X X $241,379
Newhall
Non-City Owned Facilities
Henry Mayo Newhall X X X X X X X X X
Hospital
LA County Fire Stations X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
Station
Golden Valley High X X X X X X X
School
Canyon High School X X X X X X X
Saugus High School X X X X X X X
Hart High School X X X X X X X
Bowman High School X X X X X X X
Valencia High School X X X X X X X
College of the Canyons X X X X X X X X
California Institute of X X X X X X X X
the Arts
X X X X X X X X
Valencia Water X X X X X X X X X
Reclamation Plant
Saugus Reclamation X X X X X X X X X
Plant
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4.0 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT
This section of the Hazard Mitigation Plan describes the hazards (manmade and natural) that affect Santa
Clarita, and examines the risks to the city associated with each. The following hazards are discussed, listed
in order of their potential to affect Santa Clarita:
1. Wildfire
2. Earthquake
3. Energy Disruption
4. Drought
5. Severe Weather: Extreme Heat & Extreme Wind
6. Pandemic
7. Man-Made Hazards: Cyber Attack, and Terrorism
8. Hazardous Material Release
9. Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence
10. Flood
Hazard identification consists of (1) defining the study area in terms of scale and coverage; and (2)
collecting and compiling a list of prevalent hazards in the study area to help narrow the focus of the
analysis. Profiling hazard events describes the causes and characteristics of each hazard, how it has
environment has historically been vulnerable to each specific hazard. The Calculated Priority Risk Index
(CPRI) was used to evaluate individual hazards and rank them according to an indexing system. The CPRI
value is obtained by assigning varying degrees of risk to four (4) categories for each hazard: probability,
severity/magnitude, warning time, and duration, and then calculating an index value based on a weighting
scheme of 45% for probability, 30% for severity/magnitude, 15% for warning time, and 10% for duration.
It is duly noted that there is a high degree of subjectivity in the assigning of various levels of severity to
each CPRI category for a given hazard. A score of 4 is characterized as Severe; scores of 3.00 to 3.99 are
characterized as High; scores of 2.00 to 2.99 are characterized as Moderate; and scores of 1.00 to 1.99
are characterized as Low using the CPRI rating system.
Table 4 - 1: Summary of CPRI Categories and Risk Levels
Category Level ID Degree of Risk Description Value Weighting
Factor
Unlikely
Extremely rare with no documented history
Probability of occurrences or events. 1 45%
Annual probability of less than 0.001.
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Possible
Rare occurrences with at least one
documented or anecdotal historic event.
2
Annual probability that is between 0.01 and
0.001.
Likely
Occasional occurrences with at least two or
more documented historic events.
3
Annual probability that is between 0.1 and
0.01.
Highly Likely
Frequent events with well-documented
history of occurrence. 4
Annual probability that is greater than 0.1.
Negligible
Negligible property damages (less than 5% of
critical and non-critical facilities and
infrastructure).
Injuries or illnesses are treatable with first aid
1
and there are no deaths.
Negligible quality of life lost.
Shut down of critical facilities for less than 24
hours.
Limited
Slight property damages (greater than 5 % of
critical and non-critical facilities and
infrastructure).
Injuries or illnesses do not result in
2
permanent disability and there are no deaths.
Moderate quality of life lost.
Severity/
Shutdown of critical facilities for more than 1
30%
Magnitude
day and less than 1 week.
Critical
Moderate property damages (greater than
25% and less than 50% of critical and non-
critical facilities and infrastructure).
3
Injuries or illnesses result in permanent
disability and at least one death.
Shutdown of critical facilities for more than 1
week and less than 1 month.
Catastrophic
Severe property damages (greater than 50%
of critical and non-critical facilities and
infrastructure).
4
Injuries or illnesses result in permanent
disability and multiple deaths.
Shut down of critical facilities for more than 1
month.
Less than 6
4
hours
Warning
N/A, self-explanatory. 15%
Time
6 to 12
3
hours
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
12 to 24
2
hours
More than
1
24 hours
More than 1
Duration 4
week
Less than 1
3
week
N/A, self-explanatory. 10%
Less than 24
2
hours
Less than 6
1
hours
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4.1 WILDFIRE
The City of Santa Clarita is susceptible to wildland fires due to hilly terrain, dry weather conditions, and
the generally flammable vegetation that covers much of the terrain. According to the Fire Department,
80 to 90 percent of the planning area is located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which is the
highest classification for areas subject to wildfires. Areas subject to wildland fire danger include portions
of Newhall and Canyon Country, Sand Canyon, Pico Canyon, Placerita Canyon, Hasley Canyo
Canyon, Bouquet Canyon, and all areas along the interface between urban development and natural
vegetation in hillside areas.
A variety of natural factors combine in Santa Clarita to create a high potential for wildfires and resulting
damage to life and property. Wildfires are particularly a threat to the Santa Clarita Valley because of its
natural topography. The Santa Clarita Valley is surrounded by mountains and is in between two major
freeways (14 Freeway and Interstate 5 Freeway). This layout can create obstacles to access emergency
resources from outside of the Santa Clarita Valley and facilitate evacuation during a severe fire storm. The
City ensures that these obstacles are addressed through collaboration with Los Angeles County Fire and
S
and environmental analysis of development projects.
The following factors that expose the Santa Clarita community to wildfire events are examined in this
section:
Fuel
Topography
Weather
Drought
Growth and Development in the Wildland Urban Interface
4.1.1 WILDFIRE FACTOR: FUEL
Fuel is the material that feeds a fire and is classified by volume and by type. Volume is described in
terms of "fuel loading", or the amount of available vegetative fuel. The type of fuel also influences
wildfire.
The hills of Santa Clarita are covered with highly flammable plant communities consisting of variable
mixtures of woody shrubs and herbaceous species, such as chaparral and sage vegetation, which allow
fires to spread easily on hillsides and in canyons.
Chaparral is a primary fuel of Southern California wildfires. Chaparral habitat ranges in elevation from
near sea level to over 5,000 in Southern California. Many species of chaparral have adapted to
tion of dormant
seeds.
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4.1.2 WILDFIRE FACTOR: TOPOGRAPHY
Santa Clarita is surrounded by the Santa Susana Mountains to the south and west, the San Gabriel
Mountains to the southeast, and the Sierra Pelona Mountains to the north, all of which are part of
the Transverse Ranges. Smaller hills and ridgelines bisect the valley floor, which contains the drainage
courses of the Santa Clara River and its tributaries. About 45 percent of the planning area (168,345
acres) contains land with slopes greater than 10 percent, and 7,866 acres of land contain slopes of 25
percent or greater.
tend to direct airflow, creating wind patterns that speed the spread of embers and fires, 2) fires tend
to move faster on hillsides than over flat ground, and 3) steep terrain makes it more difficult for fire
crews to establish fire lines and fight fires. Gulches and Canyons can funnel air and act as chimneys,
which intensifies fire behavior and causes the fire to spread faster. Solar heating of dry, south facing
slopes produce up slope drafts that can complicate fire behavior. Steep slopes also increase fire
severity: if the percentage of an uphill slope doubles, the rate of wildfire spread will likely double.
4.1.3 WILDFIRE FACTOR: WEATHER
Weather patterns combined with geographic features can create a favorable climate for wildfire
activity. Areas where annual precipitation is less than 30 inches are extremely fire susceptible. High-
risk areas such as Santa Clarita Valley generally have a hot, dry season in late summer and early fall
when high temperatures and low humidity favor fire activity. The "Santa Ana" winds, which are heated
by compression as they flow down to Southern California from Utah create a particularly high risk, as
they can rapidly spread what might otherwise be a small fire. Wind has been the predominant factor
in recent wildfires that have resulted in the largest losses of structures and human lives.
4.1.4 WILDFIRE FACTOR: CLIMATE CHANGE
Recent concerns about the effects of climate change, particularly drought effects, are contributing to
concerns about wildfire vulnerability. The term drought is applied to a period in which an unusual
scarcity of rain causes a serious hydrological imbalance. Unusually dry winters, or significantly less
rainfall than normal, can lead to relatively drier conditions and leave reservoirs and water tables
lower. With periods of drought the fuel moisture drops significantly adding to increased fire danger.
Whereas usually we expect low moisture content in the fuels during summer months, with drought
conditions, the fuels reach these same low numbers earlier in the year, prolonging the high fire danger
period. Although, not currently experiencing drought conditions, cycles of drought are a common
cyclical feature of the Southern California climate, and climate change has increased the frequency
and length of drought cycles making all communities in the region susceptible to extreme wildfire
events, particularly communities like Santa Clarita that are located within hilly chaparral covered
areas.
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4.1.5 WILDFIRE FACTOR: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE WILDLAND URBAN
INTERFACE
The wildland urban interface is defined as an area where human made structures, including power
lines and other utility structures, are located within or adjacent to areas prone to wildfire events. The
hills and mountainous areas of Santa Clarita are considered to be interface areas. The development
of homes and other structures is encroaching onto the wildlands and is expanding the wildland urban
interface. The increased "interface" between urban/suburban areas and the open spaces created by
this expansion has produced a significant increase in threats to life and property from fires.
Furthermore, owners often prefer homes that are private, have scenic views, are nestled in vegetation
and use natural materials. Private homes may be far from public roads, or hidden behind a narrow,
curving driveway. These conditions, while desirable to many homeowners, make evacuation and
firefighting difficult. Mountain ridges offer scenic views, but can also mean areas of dangerous
topography. Natural vegetation contributes to scenic beauty, but it may also provide a ready trail of
fuel leading a fire directly to the combustible fuels of the home itself. Finally, many human activities
increase the incidence of fire ignition and potential damage.
4.1.5.1 DESIGNATED HAZARD AREAS
Wildfire hazard areas are commonly identified in regions of the wildland/urban interface. The
wildfire hazard is also magnified by several factors related to fire suppression/control such as the
surrounding fuel load, weather, topography and property characteristics, which are used in
identification rating systems.
The following table illustrates the rating system to identify wildfire hazard risk, with a score of 3
equaling the most danger and a score of 1 equaling the least danger. The scores from each
category are totaled for a potential score of 4 -12, with a score of 4 demonstrating the safest
conditions.
Table 4 - 2: Wildfire Hazard Identification Rating System
Category Indicator Rating
Roads and Steep; narrow; poorly signed 3
Signage
One or two of the above 2
Meets all requirements (not steep, narrow, or poorly signed) 1
Water Supply None, except domestic 3
Hydrant, tank, of pool over 500 feet away 2
Hydrant, tank, or pool within 500 feet 1
Location of the Top of steep slope with brush/grass below 3
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Structure
Mid-slope with clearance 2
Level, surrounded by lawn; or watered groundcover 1
Exterior Combustible roofing, open eaves, combustible siding 3
Construction
One or two of the above 2
Non-combustible roof, boxed eaves, non-combustible siding 1
In order to determine the "base hazard factor" of specific wildfire hazard sites and interface
regions, several factors must be taken into account. Categories used to assess the base hazard
factor include:
Topographic location, characteristics, and fuels
Site/building construction and design
Site/region fuel profile (landscaping)
Defensible space
Accessibility
Fire protection response
Water availability
and City of
Fire Zones Map (below). The Fire Zones Map depicts the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
within and surrounding the City (see Appendix D: Maps - Fire Zone Map for an expanded view).
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Map 2: Santa Clarita Fire Hazard Zones
4.1.6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE HISTORY
Records from the U.S. Department of Forestry reveal that wildland fires occur on a regular basis
almost every year, while large fires occur fairly regularly every ten years. The occurrence of major
wildfires in a particular region corresponds to the age of its vegetation. Often, renewed growth of
vegetation after a major fire tends to pose a lesser risk during the first ten years of growth. However,
as dead vegetation accumulates, the potential for a major wildfire increases as these materials are
more susceptible to ignition and facilitate the spreading of flames.
4.1.6.1 TOP 20 MOST DESTRUCTIVE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
The table below summarizes the Top 20 Wildfires in California. Summaries of the significant
wildfires that have impacted the Santa Clarita area are provided in the following subsections.
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Table 4 3: Top 20 Most Destructive California Wildfires
FIRE NAME (CAUSE) DATE COUNTY ACRES STRUCTURES DEATHS
CAMP FIRE (Powerlines) November 2018 Butte County 153,336 18,804 85
TUBBS (Electrical) October 2017 Napa & Sonoma 36,807 5,636 22
TUNNEL - Oakland Hills October 1991 Alameda 1,600 2,900 25
(Rekindle)
CEDAR (Human Related) October 2003 San Diego 273,246 2,820 15
NORTH COMPLEX (Under August 2020 Butte, Plumas & Yuba 318,930 2,352 15
Investigation)
VALLEY (Electrical) September Lake, Napa & Sonoma 76,067 1,955 4
2015
WITCH (Powerlines) October 2007 San Diego 197,990 1,650 2
WOOLSEY (Under November 2018 Ventura 96,949 1,643 3
Investigation)
CARR (Human Related) July 2018 Shasta County, Trinity County 229,651 1,614 8
GLASS (Under September Napa & Sonoma 67,484 1,545 0
Investigation) 2020
LNU LIGHTNING COMPLEX August 2020 Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo & 363,220 1,491 6
(Under Investigation) Solano
CZU LIGHTNING COMPLEX August 2020 Santa Cruz & San Mateo 86,509 1,490 1
(Lightning)
NUNS (Powerline) October 2017 Sonoma 54,382 1,355 3
THOMAS (Powerline) December 2017 Ventura & Santa Barbara 281,893 1,063 2
OLD (Human Related) October 2003 San Bernardino 91,281 1,003 6
JONES (Undetermined) October 1999 Shasta 26,200 954 1
AUGUST COMPLEX (Under September Mendocino, Humboldt, 1,021,476 923 1
Investigation 2015 Trinity, Tehama, Glenn, Lake
& Colusa
BUTTE (Powerlines) September Amador & Calaveras 70,868 921 2
2015
CREEK (Under September Fresno & Madera 330,899 856 0
Investigation) 2020
ATLAS (Powerline) October 2017 Napa & Solano 51,624 783 6
* "Structures" include homes, outbuildings (barns, garages, sheds, etc.) and commercial properties
destroyed.
**This list does not include fire jurisdiction. These are the Top 20 regardless of
whether they were state, federal, or local responsibility.
4.1.6.2 SANTA CLARITA FIRES
The table below summarizes significant fires that have occurred in the Santa Clarita area since
2003.
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Table 4 - 4: Significant Fires in or near Santa Clarita
NAME DATE ACRES STRUCTURES INJURIES/ DEATHS
LOST
TICK October 2019 4,615 22 3 injuries
POWERHOUSE May June 2013 30,274 58 10 injuries
STATION August October 2009 160,557 209 134 injuries
2 deaths
RANCH October 2007 58,401 10 8 injuries
BUCKWEED October 2007 38,356 63 1 injury
MAGIC October 2007 2,284 0 0
VERDALE October 2003 8,650 1 0
SIMI October November 108,204 315 0
2003
Map 3: Santa Clarita Valley 15 Year Fire History
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4.1.7 WILDFIRE PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 5: Wildfire CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 4 x 0.45 = 1.8 Highly Likely Severe
High
Magnitude/Severity 2 x 0.3 = 0.6 Limited
Moderate
Warning Time 4 x 0.15 = 0.9 6 to 12 hours
Low
Duration 3 x 0.1 = 0.3 Less than 1 week
CPRI Rating 3.30 High
According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) and CAL FIRE (CAL FIRE, 2012),
approximately 80 to 90 percent of the Santa Clarita Valley is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
areas prone to wildfires. The probability
majority of wildfires are contained relatively quickly and do not cause severe damage to critical
facilities or result in injury or death. Warning Time carrie
wildfire will usually take several hours to several days to contain, except in the most severe cases.
Climate Change continues to increase the probability, magnitude, and duration of Wildfires, which
4.1.7.1 WILDFIRE POTENTIAL DAMAGE
own building records to identify the structures that lie within the fire hazard zones. It is
understood that if a structure is identified in a fire hazard area that it has a higher probability of
being impacted by a fire than a structure that is not in the fire hazard area. The following table
structures.
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Table 4 - 6: VHFHSZ Potential Building Count and Valuation by General Occupancy
Occupancy Type Number of Buildings in Very Valuation of Buildings in Very
High Fire Hazard Severity Zones High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Commercial 281 $302,653,395
Industrial 364 $529,669,663
Mixed Use 268 $79,358,279
Residential 19,002 $9,402,193,457
Specific Plan 2,098 $1,185,661,034
Open Space 213 $51,197,434
Other (Public/Institutional) 367 $30,058,013
TOTAL 22,593 $11,580,791,275
The number of buildings is less than the actual number of buildings. This is because some of the
buildings are not within the parcels layer that should be.
22,586 < 22, 592 (buildings from building layer).
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4.2 EARTHQUAKE
shaking and radiated
seismic energy caused by a slip, or by volcanic or magmatic activity, and other sudden stress changes in
as terrifying, unpredictable catastrophes that can in mere moments destroy homes and lives, change the
landscape, and result in long-term impacts to lives and livelihoods.
Although seismic waves radiate from their source like
ripples on a pond, the radiation is not uniform due to the
complex nature of an earthquake rupture, the different
paths the waves follow through the earth, and the
Large earthquakes begin to rupture at their hypocenter
deep in the earth and the fault ruptures outward from
that point. Because the speed of an earthquake rupture
on a fault is similar to the speed of seismic waves, waves
closer to the epicenter can be compounded by waves
from farther along the rupture, creating a pulse of very
strong seismic waves that moves along the fault in the
direction of the fault rupture. Seismic waves may also be
seismic waves approach the ground surface, they
commonly enter areas of loose soils where the waves
travel more slowly. As the waves slow down, their
amplitude increases, resulting in larger waves with
frequencies that are more likely to damage structures.
Waves can also be trapped within soft sediments
between the ground surface and deep, hard basement rocks, their destructive energy multiplying as they
bounce back and forth, producing much greater shaking at the ground surface.
4.2.1 - EARTHQUAKE FAULTS
relative to one
another. The tectonic boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate in California
is along the San Andreas Fault, where the plates are sliding horizontally past one another.
The risk of earthquakes in Southern California is exacerbated by the fact that the two plates are
Andreas, the fault curves to the west then curves back to the north. This creates a barrier to simple
lateral motion. This bend is a convergent (restraining) bend, creating a localized collision of tectonic
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
plates, generating a tremendous amount of compression stress. To release this stress, additional
Andreas Fault is thought to be responsible
for much of the complexity of faulting in Southern California.
The map below depicts several parallel faults to the San Andreas Fault (SCEC, 2011). These four faults:
the San Andreas Fault (already mentioned), the San Jacinto Fault, the Elsinore Fault, and the Imperial
Fault are considered to be responsible for approximately half of the significant earthquakes in the
region.
Map 5: San Andreas and Other Major Faults SCEC
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Map 6: Southern California Fault Map
Santa Clarita lies within the Transverse Ranges Geomorphic Province, an area that is traversed or near
a number of known active earthquake faults. Large known faults in or near the Transverse Ranges
Geomorphic Province include the San Andreas, Oak Ridge, Holder, San Fernando, Santa Susana, Red
Mountain, Garlock, Newport-Inglewood, and Malibu Coast Faults. The table below provides a
summary of major fault in the area (source: Southern California Earthquake Data Center and the
Department of Conservation Division of Mines and Geology).
Table 4 - 7: Major Faults in the Santa Clarita Area
FAULT NAME LOCATION AND SEISMICITY
Holser Fault The Holser Fault trends along the northern border of the Santa Clarita River Valley,
but it has not been determined if this fault runs through the City. The Fault is an
east-west trending fault that dips to the North. It is modeled as being capable of
generating a maximum moment magnitude of 6.5. The interval between major
ruptures on this fault is uncertain.
Oak Ridge Fault The Oak Ridge Fault is located seven miles west of the City. The fault is a steep
south-dipping Fault that forms the boundary between Oak Ridge to the south and
the Santa Clara River to the north. The magnitude 6.7 Northridge Earthquake
(1994) was thought to have occurred along the eastern end of the Oak Ridge Fault.
The interval between major ruptures on this fault is unknown.
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San Andreas Fault The San Andreas Fault is the dominant active Fault in California. It is located 16
miles northeast of the City. There have been numerous historic earthquakes along
the San Andreas Fault. The Fault can produce a moment magnitude of 8-8.5
magnitude. Geologists estimate the recurrence interval of a major quake along this
fault to be 130-140 years.
San Fernando The San Fernando Fault is located six miles south of the City. The Fault is modeled
Fault
that this fault will experience a major rupture approximately every 200 years.
San Gabriel Fault The San Gabriel Fault Zone is primarily right-lateral strike-slip with an estimated
magnitude of 7.2 and approximately 140 km long. Intervals between major
ruptures on this fault is unknown.
Santa Susana Fault The Santa Susana Fault is an active Fault located one mile south of the City and
extends from the northern edge of Simi Valley through the northern end of the San
Fernando Valley. This Fault has a length of roughly 16 miles and an estimated
maximum moment magnitude of 6.6. The intervals between major ruptures on this
fault is uncertain.
Sierra Madre Fault The Sierra Madre Fault is approximately 55 km long with a probable moment
magnitude of 6.0-7.0 and located southeast of Santa Clarita. The interval between
major ruptures on this fault is estimated at several thousand years.
4.2.2 EARTHQUAKE IMPACTS AND FAILURES
Earthquakes can have an extensive and devastating impact on the community, structures, and the
economy. The following section summarizes key vulnerabilities for the City of Santa Clarita.
Ground Failure: Fissuring, settlement, and permanent horizontal and vertical shifting of the
ground often accompany large earthquakes, and can significantly increase damage and under
certain circumstances can be the dominant cause of damage.
Fault Rupture: The sliding movement of earth on either side of a fault is called fault rupture, and
begins below the ground surface at the earthquake hypocenter, typically between three and ten
miles below the ground surface. If an earthquake is large enough, the fault rupture will actually
travel all the way to the ground surface, wreaking havoc on structures built across its path.
Liquefaction: This phenomenon turns the soil into a fluid, when ground shaking occurs, causing it
to lose the ability to support buildings and other structures. Areas in Santa Clarita susceptible to
liquefaction include places where sandy sediments have been deposited by the Santa Clara River.
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Several types of damaging ground failures can occur due to liquefaction, including lateral
spreading, ground settlement, and sinkholes.
Landslides: Landslides are the result of the down-slope movement of unstable hillside materials
under the influence of weathering and gravity over time, and can be triggered by heavy rainfall,
excavation of weak slopes, and earthquake shaking, among other factors (see SECTION 4.5
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence for additional details on landslide and subsidence risks).
Dam Failure: A dam failure is defined as the collapse, breach, or other failure resulting in
downstream flooding. Dam failures are considered secondary events to natural hazards. Both
earthquakes and landslides have the potential to cause dam failures. Earthquakes can undermine
the structure of dams and cause breaches or complete failures. There are two dams very near the
City of Santa Clarita: the Bouquet Canyon Dam and the Castaic Dam. Both are located in the
unincorporated area but, if a failure were to occur, areas of the City of Santa Clarita would be
severely impacted (see SECTION 4.8 Flood for additional details on Flood and Dam risks).
Fires: Fire following an earthquake can have devastating consequences, and can be a significant
problem in urban areas of southern California. The 2008 U.S. Geological Survey, California
Department of
the fatalities and economic losses, (Jones, 2008) which estimates that approximately 1,600
ignitions may occur as a result of downed power lines and broken gas mains, that will require the
response of a fire engine (see SECTION 4.1 Wildfire for additional details on fire risks).
Utility Failure / Energy Disruption: Power outages and other utility disruptions caused by
earthquakes are secondary effects that can exacerbate primary hazards and prolong response
activities. The hydroelectric-power plants located on the California and Los Angeles Aqueducts in
the area will be out of service for an extended period of time due to major damage to both of
these aqueduct systems. Numerous damaged or collapsed towers are expected along
transmission routes. The Santa Clarita, Saugus, Pardee, and Sylmar substations would shut down
due to damage caused by liquefaction and intense ground shaking (see SECTION 4.7.4 Energy
Disruption for additional data on utility risks).
Pipeline Failure: Fault rupture could sever the pipelines carrying natural gas and crude oil supplies
that cross the fault near Tejon Pass. These lines will be shut off automatically. More damage could
occur to those pipes crossing Castaic Creek and the Santa Clara River. The petroleum producing
area parallel to the Santa Clara River between Newhall and Saugus may incur some damage, which
could have minor effects on the industry (see SECTION 4.4 Hazardous Materials Release and
SECTION 4.7.4 Energy Disruption for additional details on pipeline risks).
Lifeline Infrastructure (Communication and Energy Networks and Pipelines): Lifelines are the
connections between communities and outside services. They include water, waste water,
electrical delivery systems, and communication networks. Ground shaking and amplification can
cause pipes to break open, power lines to fall, roads and railways to crack or move, and radio and
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telephone communication to cease. Lifelines need to be usable after earthquakes to allow for
recovery and rebuilding efforts as well as to relay important information to the public.
Transportation Infrastructure: Damaged infrastructure strongly affects the economy of the
community because it disconnects people from work, school, food, and leisure, and separates
businesses from their customers and suppliers. Residents in the City of Santa Clarita commute
frequently by automobiles and public transportation such as buses and light rail (Metrolink). An
earthquake can greatly damage bridges and roads, hampering emergency response efforts and
the normal movement of people and goods.
Debris: Debris removal is a key support requirement for the clean-up of brick, glass, wood, steel
or concrete building elements, office and home contents, and other materials. Developing a
strong debris management strategy is essential in post-disaster recovery. Note: In a major disaster
that includes implementation of the National Response Plan, one of the primary missions of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is debris removal. Consequently if such an event occurs,
the City of Santa Clarita will need to work closely with USACE.
Buildings: The built environment is susceptible to damage from earthquakes. Buildings that
collapse can trap and bury people. Lives are at risk and the cost to repair damages is great. Though
structures built before 1993 (when building codes related to seismic safety were improved) are
at greatest risk, all buildings are at risk to some extent. Critical facilities including police stations,
fire stations, hospitals, shelters, and other sites provide important services to the community.
These facilities and their services need to be functional after an earthquake event.
Businesses and the Economy: Seismic activity can cause great loss to businesses, both large-scale
corporations and small retail shops. When a company is forced to stop production for just a day,
the economic loss can be tremendous, especially when its market is at a national or global level.
Seismic events can create economic loss that presents a burden to large and small shop owners
who may have difficulty recovering their businesses.
Death and Injury: Death and injury can occur both inside and outside of buildings due to collapsed
buildings falling equipment, furniture, debris, and structural materials. Downed power lines and
broken water and gas lines can also endanger human life.
Individual Preparedness: Because the potential for earthquake occurrences and earthquake
related property damage is relatively high in the City of Santa Clarita, increasing individual
preparedness is a significant need. Strapping down heavy furniture, water heaters, and expensive
personal property, as well as being earthquake insured, and anchoring buildings to foundations
are just a few steps individuals can take to prepare for an earthquake.
4.2.3 EARTHQUAKE HISTORY
The table below provides examples of significant earthquakes of 5.0 Magnitude or greater in Southern
California (sources: Southern California Earthquake Data Center and USGS).
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The Northridge Earthquake of 1994 was the most impactful earthquake to Santa Clarita in recent
memory, and is highlighted after the table.
Table 4 - 8: Significa
LOCATION/NAME DATE MAGNITUDE
Big Bear Earthquake June 28, 1992 6.4
Borrego Mountain Earthquake April 8, 1968 6.5
Desert Hot Springs Earthquake December 4, 1948 6.0
El Mayor-Cucapa Earthquake April 4, 2010 7.2
Elsinore Earthquake May 15, 1910 6.0
Fish Creek Mountains Earthquake October 21, 1942 6.6
Hector Mine Earthquake October 16, 1999 7.1
1940 - Imperial Valley Earthquake May 18, 1940 6.9
1979 Imperial Valley Earthquake October 15, 1979 6.4
Joshua Tree Earthquake April 22, 1992 6.1
Kern County Earthquake July 21, 1952 7.5
Kern County Earthquake August 22, 1952 5.8
Landers Earthquake June 28, 1992 7.3
Lompoc Earthquake November 24, 1927 7.1
Long Beach Earthquake March 10, 1933 6.4
Manix Earthquake April 10, 1947 6.5
Mojave Earthquake July 11, 1992 5.7
North Palm Springs Earthquake July 8, 1986 5.6
Northridge Earthquake January 17, 1994 6.7
North San Jacinto Fault Earthquake July 22, 1923 6.3
Parkfield Earthquake June 27, 1966 6.0
Ridgecrest Mainshock September 20, 1995 5.8
2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake July 5, 2019 7.1
San Fernando Earthquake January 9, 1991 6.6
San Jacinto Earthquake April 21, 1918 6.8
1941 - Santa Barbara Earthquake June 30, 1941 5.5
Sierra Madre Earthquake June 28, 1991 5.8
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White Wash Earthquake February 25, 1980 5.5
Whittier Narrows Earthquake October 1, 1987 5.9
4.2.3.1 NORTHRIDGE EARTHQUAKE IMPACT ON SANTA CLARITA
On January 17, 1994 a magnitude 6.7
Figure 3: Santa Clarita City Hall Temporary Shelter
earthquake occurred at 4:31 A.M. on an
unknown fault near Northridge, California,
located approximately 13 miles southwest of
Santa Clarita. The Northridge Earthquake
was the most recent and damaging
earthquake to greatly affect the City of Santa
Clarita and its residents. The main shock was
followed by thousands of aftershocks
causing additional damage to affected
structures. In the greater Los Angeles Basin,
it has been estimated that approximately
d-
to enter. Among those buildings was the
Santa Clarita City Hall, forcing emergency operations to be conducted from a temporary shelter
In the area of the Los Angeles Basin impacted by the Northridge Earthquake, 60 people were
killed, more than 7,000 injured, and 20,000 were left homeless - no deaths were recorded in Santa
Clarita. For days afterward, thousands of homes and businesses were without electricity; tens of
thousands had no gas; and nearly 50,000 had little or no water. It has been estimated that the
cost of the earthquake exceeded $20 billion in losses (USGS).
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The City was not only impacted because of its
Figure 4: Freeway Collapsed Interchange
proximity to the epicenter, but also as a result of the
significant damage done to the surrounding
transportation infrastructure. Specifically, the
Antelope Valley Freeway (State Route 14) - Golden
State Freeway (I-5) interchange collapsed. These
failures created severe hardship for the residents of
Santa Clarita. The earthquake also damaged the
water distribution and filtration systems, natural gas
service, electrical services, and roads and bridges.
Other damage resulting from the earthquake
included a crude oil release from a pipeline rupture
and other hazardous materials spills. The total
disaster reimbursement to the City of Santa Clarita for the Northridge Earthquake was
approximately $27 million dollars.
4.2.4 EARTHQUAKE PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 9: Earthquake CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 3 x 0.45 = 1.35 Likely Severe
Magnitude/Severity 3 x 0.3 = 0.9 Critical High
Moderate
Warning Time 4 x 0.15 = 0.6 Less than 6 hours
Low
Duration 1 x 0.1 = 0.1 Less than 6 hours
CPRI Rating 2.95 Moderate
well-documented regular occurrence of earthquakes. Earthquake
and likelihood that injuries or deaths may occur during a large earthquake. Warning Time carries a
minutes. Climate Change is unlikely to have an impact on the probability/frequency,
magnitude/severity, or duration of earthquakes.
4.2.4.1 EARTHQUAKE PROBABILITY
Earthquake shaking hazards are calculated by projecting earthquake rates based on earthquake
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history and fault slip rates, the same data used for calculating earthquake probabilities. New fault
parameters have been developed for these calculations and are included in the report of the
Working Calculations of earthquake shaking hazard for California are part of a cooperative
project between USGS and CGS, and are part of the National Seismic Hazard Maps. CGS Map
Sheet 48 (revised 2008) shows potential seismic shaking based on National Seismic Hazard Map
calculations plus amplification of seismic shaking due to the near surface soils.
Contour maps have been developed for all 1 degree by 2 degree areas of California (State of
California Department of Conservation, 2008). The probabilistic seismic hazard map shows the
hazard from earthquakes that geologists and seismologists agree could occur in California. It is
probabilistic in the sense that the analysis takes into consideration the uncertainties in the size
and location of earthquakes and the resulting ground motions that can affect a particular site.
The maps are typically expressed in terms of probability of exceeding a certain ground motion.
For example, the 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years maps depict an annual probability of
1 in 475 of being exceeded each year. This level of ground shaking has been used for designing
buildings in high seismic areas. The maps for 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years show
ground motions that are not expected to be exceeded in the next 50 years. In fact, there is a 90%
chance that these ground motions will NOT be exceeded. This probability level allows engineers
to design buildings for larger ground motions than expected during a 50-year interval, which will
make buildings safer than if they were only designed for the ground motions that we expect to
occur in the next 50 years.
The map below indicates the probabilistic ground shaking (Peak Ground Acceleration \[PGA\] with
a 10% probability of being exceeded in 50 years, assuming a uniform soft rock site condition) for
the Santa Clarita area.
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Map 7: Probabilistic Ground Shaking Map
4.2.4.2 - SHAKEMAP SCENARIO: GREAT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHAKEOUT
Predicted ground shaking patterns throughout Southern California for hypothetical scenario
earthquakes are available from the United States Geological Survey as part of their on-going
essentially Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) estimated from instrumental ground motion
recordings. The following scenario depicts strong ground shaking patterns for a M 7.8 Earthquake
on the San Andreas Fault ShakeOut Scenario. Modeling various scenarios is useful in estimating
the likely impact to local populations, infrastructure, and facilities. This information can be used
to assist emergency managers and the public to better prepare for future events.
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A San Andreas Earthquake has been used as the scenario for the annual ShakeOut Earthquake
Exercise and also serves as a basis for statewide emergency response exercises. Over 300
scientists, engineers, and others led by Dr. Lucy Jones, developed the Great Southern California
ShakeOut to study the likely consequences of a
Map 8: Great Southern California ShakeOut Scenario
7.8 Mw earthquake on the San Andreas Fault with
an epicenter at Bombay Beach, on the Salton Sea
in Imperial County. The scenario estimates over
1,800 deaths, 50,000 injuries, $200 billion in
damages and other losses, and severe, long
lasting disruptions with regional implications.
Ground motion for the ShakeOut Scenario
earthquake 60 seconds after the southern San
Andreas Fault first begins rupturing. Yellow shows
the highest amplitudes of ground motion.
(Simulation by Rob Graves of URS Corporation for
the Southern California Earthquake Center on
high-performance computers at the University of
Southern California; image courtesy of Geoff Ely,
University of California San Diego/San Diego
Supercomputer Center.)
4.2.4.3 MAGNITUDE AND SCALE
The amount of energy released during an earthquake is usually expressed as a magnitude and is
magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimals (e.g., 6.8). Seismologists have developed
several magnitude scales. One of the first was the Richter Scale, developed in 1932 by the late Dr.
Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology. The most commonly used scale today
is the Moment Magnitude (Mw) Scale. Moment magnitude is related to the total area of the fault
that ruptured and the amount of offset (displacement) across the fault. It is a more uniform and
more precise measure of the energy released during an earthquake.
The other commonly used measure of earthquake severity is intensity. Intensity is an expression
of the amount of shaking at any given location on the ground surface. In general, it decreases
with distance from the source of an earthquake, but it may be increased or decreased by a
number of factors. The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is widely used to describe the impact of
shaking.
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Shaking intensity is often described using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, which rates an
uman observation. While an earthquake has only one magnitude
it may have many intensity values, which will generally decrease with distance from the epicenter.
The table below lists various intensity levels using the Mercalli Scale and the corresponding
Richter and Moment Magnitude Scales. The table also includes a description of the relative energy
released in terms of TNT Energy (South Carolina Earthquake Education and Preparedness).
Table 4 - 10: Earthquake Size (Magnitude and Scale)
I II-III IV V VI VII VIII IX X-XII
Intensity
Not Weak Light Moderate Strong Very Strong Severe Violent Extreme
Shaking
Felt
None None None Very Light Light Moderate ModerateHeavy Very Heavy
Damage
/Heavy
Richter TNT Energy Moment
Modified Mercalli Scale
Scale Magnitude
Only felt by instruments 2 pounds
I
1.5
13 pounds
2
1
Felt by few persons at rest, especially on 63 pounds
II
upper floors, delicate suspended
objects may swing
2.5
Felt indoors, but may not be recognized 123 pounds
III
as an earthquake, vibrations like a large
passing truck
2
Felt indoors by many, some outdoors, 347 pounds
IV
3
may awaken some sleeping persons;
1,000 pounds
dishes, windows, doors may move, cars
rock
3.5
Felt by most; some windows, dishes 2 tons
V
break: tall objects may fall
Felt by all, falling plaster and chimneys, 6 tons
VI 3
4
light damage but some fear.
Very noticeable, damage to weaker 32 tons
VII
4.5
buildings on fill; driving automobiles
62 tons
notice
5 199 tons 4
500 tons
5.5
2,000 tons
VIII
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Walls, monuments, chimneys, 6,270 tons 5
bookcases fall; liquefaction; driving is 6
difficult
Buildings shifted off foundations. 31,550 tons
IX
cracked and twisted; ground is cracked, 6.5
61,730 tons
5
and underground pipes are broken
Most structures severely damaged to 199,000 tons
X
destroyed: ground is cracked, rails are
7
bent, landslides on steep slopes
Few structures standing; bridges and 7.5 1,000,000 tons
XI
roads severely damaged or destroyed,
6,270,000 tons
large fissures in ground
Total damage; can see the earthquake 19,842,000 tons
XII
wave move through the ground; gravity 8
overcome and objects thrown into the 7
air
31,550,000 tons
8.5
61,729,400 tons
8
199,999,000 tons
1,984,160,360 tons
9
9
61,729,433,410
10
tons
4.2.5 EXPOSURE TO EARTHQUAKES HAZUS ANALYSIS
The data in this section was generated using the HAZUS-MH program for earthquakes. Once the
location and size of a hypothetical earthquake are identified, HAZUS-MH estimates the intensity
of the ground shaking, the number of buildings damaged, the number of casualties, the amount
of damage to transportation systems and utilities, the number of people displaced from their
homes, and the estimated cost of repair and clean up. The scenario that was analyzed was a 7.2
magnitude earthquake along the San Gabriel Fault just northwest of the City limits.
4.2.5.1 BUILDING INVENTORY
HAZUS estimates approximately 89% of the building stock within the City of Santa Clarita is
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residential housing consisting of wood frame construction. The remaining percentage is
distributed between other general building types such as steel, concrete, precast, etc.
4.2.5.2 BUILDING RELATED LOSSES
Building losses are broken into two categories: direct building losses and business interruption
losses. The direct building losses are the estimated costs to repair or replace the damage
caused to the building and its contents. The business interruption losses are the losses
associated with inability to operate a business because of the damage sustained during the
earthquake. Business interruption losses also include the temporary living expenses for those
people displaced from their homes because of the earthquake.
The total building-related losses from the analysis is 5,712.48 (millions of dollars). 13% of the
estimated losses were related to the business interruption of the region. By far, the largest
loss was sustained by the residential occupancies which made up over 63 % of the total loss.
4.2.5.3 BUILDING DAMAGE
HAZUS estimates that about 26,220 buildings will be at least moderately damaged. This is over
41% of the buildings in the region. There are an estimated 2,587 buildings that will be damaged
beyond repair. The table below shows the expected building damage ranging from no damage to
complete damage or destruction.
Table 4 - 11: Expected Building Damage - HAZUS
Damage Extent None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Total 12,581 24,632 18,961 4,671 2,588
4.2.5.4 CRITICAL FACILITY INVENTORY
HAZUS breaks critical facilities into two groups: essential facilities and high potential loss
facilities (HPL). Essential facilities include hospitals, medical clinics, schools, fire stations,
police stations and emergency operations facilities. High potential loss facilities include dams,
levees, military installations, nuclear power plants and hazardous material sites.
For essential facilities, there is one hospital in the region with a total bed capacity of 238 beds.
There are 72 schools, 8 fire stations, 2 police stations and 0 emergency operation facilities.
With respect to high potential loss facilities (HPL), there are no dams identified within the
inventory. The inventory also includes 18 hazardous material sites, no military installations
and no nuclear power plants.
4.2.5.5 TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITY LIFELINE INVENTORY
Within HAZUS, the lifeline inventory is divided between transportation and utility lifeline systems.
Transportation systems include highways, railways, light rail, bus, ports, ferry and airports. Utility
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systems include potable water, wastewater, natural gas, crude & refined oil, electric power and
communications.
Within HAZUS, the lifeline inventory is divided between transportation and utility lifeline systems.
There are seven transportation systems that include highways, railways, light rail, bus, ports, ferry
and airports. There are six utility systems that include potable water, wastewater, natural gas,
crude & refined oil, electric power and communications. The lifeline inventory data are provided
in Tables 1 and 2.
The total value of the lifeline inventory is over 5,368.00 (millions of dollars). This inventory
includes over 222.45 miles of highways, 137 bridges, and 3,282.08 miles of pipes.
4.2.5.6 UTILITY LIFELINE LOSSES
For the utility lifeline systems, HAZUS computes the direct repair cost for each component only.
There are no losses computed by HAZUS for business interruption due to lifeline outages. Table
4-14 provides a detailed breakdown in the expected utility system pipeline losses and Table 4-15
shows a breakdown of estimated households without utility service after an earthquake event.
Table 4 - 12: Expected Utility System Pipeline Losses (Site Specific) - HAZUS
System Total Pipelines Number of Number of
Length (miles)
Leaks Breaks
Potable Water
2,013 2,251 563
Waste Water
1,208 1,131 283
62 21 5
Natural Gas
0 0 0
Oil
Table 4 - 13: Potable Water and Electric Power System Performance - HAZUS
Number of Households without Service
Total # of
At Day 1 At Day 3 At Day 7 At Day 30 At Day
Households
90
53,740 50,804 43,303 0 0
Potable Water
74,175
51,923 33,024 14,131 2,850 70
Electric Power
4.2.5.7 CASUALTIES
HAZUS estimates the number of people that will be injured and killed by the earthquake. The
casualties are broken down into four severity levels that describe the extent of the injuries.
The levels are described as follows:
Severity Level 1: Injuries will require medical attention, but hospitalization is not
needed.
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Severity Level 2: Injuries will require hospitalization but are not considered life-
threatening.
Severity Level 3: Injuries will require hospitalization and can become life threatening if
not promptly treated.
Severity Level 4: Victims are killed by the earthquake.
The casualty estimates are provided for three (3) times of day: 2:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 5:00
PM. These times represent the periods of the day that different sectors of the community are
at their peak occupancy loads. The 2:00 AM estimate considers that the residential occupancy
load is maximum, the 2:00 PM estimate considers that the educational, commercial and
industrial sector loads are maximum and 5:00 PM represents peak commute time. Table 4-16
below represents a summary of casualties estimated for a San Gabriel M 7.2 earthquake
scenario.
Table 4 - 14: Casualty Estimates - HAZUS
Time Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
2 AM
843 182 18 34
2 PM 2,607 761 127 242
5 PM 1,765 528 140 160
Level 1: Injuries will require medical attention, but hospitalization is not needed.
Level 2: Will require hospitalization but are not considered life-threatening.
Level 3: Will require hospitalization and can become life threatening if not promptly treated.
Level 4: Victims are killed by earthquake.
4.2.5.8 SHELTER REQUIREMENT
HAZUS estimates the number of households that are expected to be displaced from their homes
due to the earthquake and the number of displaced people that will require accommodations in
temporary public shelters. The model estimates 3,986 households to be displaced due to the
earthquake. Of these, 2,606 people (out of a total population of 223,184) will seek temporary
shelter in public shelters.
4.2.5.9 TOTAL ECONOMIC LOSSES
The total economic loss estimated for the San Gabriel M7.2 earthquake scenario is $12,417.74
million dollars which includes building and lifeline related losses based on the region's available
inventory. The table below provides more detailed information about these losses.
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Table 4 - 15: Economic Losses (Millions) - HAZUS
Category Estimated Loss (millions)
Income $744.82
Capital Stock $5,712.48
Transportation Systems $4,004.46
Utility Systems $1,955.98
TOTAL $12,417.74
Map 9: Shake Intensity Map San Gabriel M 7.2 - HAZUS
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4.3 ENERGY DISRUPTION
Energy disruptions are defined as electric power outages lasting more than 24 hours.
4.3.1 ENERGY OVERVIEW
The City of Santa Clarita is supplied with energy by two primary providers:
Electricity: Southern California Edison
Natural Gas: Southern California Gas
Map 10: California Power Plants
4.3.1.1 ELECTRICITY
There are no electric power generating
plants in Santa Clarita. (California
Energy Commission, 2015). The nearby
Castaic Power Plant is operated by the
Los Angeles Department of Water and
Power and private solar power also
supplements the power grid but in
general does not provide for backup
power in the event of a power outage.
4.3.1.2 NATURAL GAS
Southern California Gas is the local area
supplier for natural gas in Santa Clarita.
SCG operates multiple natural gas
transmission and high pressure
distribution pipelines (Southern
California Gas Company, 2011).
4.3.2 ENERGY DISRUPTION HAZARD:
LOCATION AND EXTENT
The energy infrastructure in the United States consists of thousands of miles of electric transmission
lines, oil and natural gas pipelines, and other geographically dispersed energy related resources.
Energy infrastructure threats can be a result of natural or man-made disasters or a result of energy
related issues such as spikes in demand during peak energy use, unanticipated power plant or refinery
shutdowns, transmission system congestion, and equipment or system failures. Any of these events
can result in the reduction of supply and disrupt distribution.
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4.3.2.1 INJURIES
There is a potential for injuries both at home and on the roads during a power outage. Traffic
signals may not function in a severe power outage, creating the potential for automobile and
pedestrian accidents. If the outage occurs at night, streetlights will not work, increasing the
probability of accidents and corresponding injuries. Emergency responders will have difficulty
navigating traffic if the outage causes traffic issues on city streets, and police will be used to
manage traffic at high-volume intersections, reducing their ability to respond to accident sites.
Finally, injuries and fatalities as a result of smoke from household generators and fumes from
gas appliances or barbeque equipment are common during power outages.
4.3.2.2 PERSONAL SAFETY
There will be risks to personal safety during a prolonged power outage. A prolonged outage will
compromise medications that require refrigeration (such as diabetes medications) and access to
home medical equipment. Closed pharmacies mean lack of access to prescription refills. Stress
caused by power outages may exacerbate existing medical conditions such as respiratory disease,
asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Power outages may stress people trapped in elevators,
subways, mines, or other enclosed or isolated spaces (Bell, 2012). Home accidents such as food
and carbon monoxide poisoning increase, and heat related illness or hypothermia is a concern
depending on the location and date of the outage (Broder J, 2005).
4.3.2.3 POWER OUTAGES
The major energy disruption concern would be a large power outage in Santa Clarita that happens
during the hottest part of summer or the coldest part of winter since an event during these
periods would be especially likely to result in injury and possibly fatalities. Although an outage at
any time will disrupt roads, highways, lifelines, public services, and the general health of local
residents.
4.3.3 ENERGY DISRUPTION HAZARD: COMMUNITY ASSETS
4.3.3.1 TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Residents in the Santa Clarita area commute frequently by automobile and public transportation.
A power outage will affect usability of roads, railways, highways, and freeways. Traffic signals and
streetlights will not continue to operate over long periods of time even if supplied with emergency
backup batteries and Metrolink Train service to the Santa Clarita Valley will stop until power is
returned.
4.3.3.2 PIPELINES
There are numerous high volume water, natural gas, and petroleum pipelines that cross through
the City. See Hazardous Materials Releases Section of this HMP for additional information. This
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section includes a high level pipeline map as well as a history of incidents in the Santa Clarita area.
4.3.3.3 LIFELINES
Many lifelines are dependent on power including water pumping stations, food distribution,
telecommunications systems, some natural gas and fuel pipelines, and sewage systems. A power
outage will prevent these systems from running normally as they are reliant on electricity for
operations. A disruption to lifelines will impede the ability to distribute important information to
the public, as well as endanger public health and safety. Examples include:
Water pumping stations, wells, and sewage treatment plants dependent on electrical
power. While the pumping stations have backup generators in case of power outages, an
extended outage may affect the ability of the stations to provide or preserve the safety
of water.
Perishable foods and some medications are dependent on refrigeration provided by
electrical power. Without electricity, these foods and medications expire relatively
quickly, leading to the potential of foodborne illness and medical emergencies.
The telecommunications infrastructure is comprised in part of hard-wired telephone and
cable TV systems, microwave transmission stations, cellular telephone systems, and radio
systems. Industries dependent on the telecommunications sector include oil and gas,
electric power transportation, emergency services, government services, water, and
banking and finance. Most telecommunications providers have backup power plans and
agreements to procure the fuel needed to run during a power outage, although an
extended outage may impede the ability of telecommunications providers to continue to
deliver service to the dependent industries.
Some gas and fuel pipelines (as well as water pumping stations) may be dependent on
electricity at pumping and filtering stations. Utility offices and command centers may be
reliant on gas or other fuels to maintain continuity of operations.
4.3.3.4 SERVICES
Public facilities are electricity dependent and will be disrupted during a power outage. An
extended outage will affect the ability of some organizations to continue to provide public services
as well as affect the ability of residents to function normally. Examples include:
Most hospitals have backup generators to get through short power outages and plans
to get through longer outages and battery systems to keep critical equipment
functioning. Nevertheless, generators have been known to fail during power outages.
In the case of generator failures, hospitals may have to move patients to other facilities
and postpone scheduled non-emergency services.
Emergency call centers are dependent on electricity to run and to dispatch emergency
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services. During a power outage they may be out of service until the power returns.
An outage may cause pump failures that result in a loss of water pressure in some areas,
hampering firefighting efforts.
ATMs and banks rely on electricity to provide money and services. Credit card and point
of sale systems rely on electricity to process transactions. Without access to banks and
ATMs, cash may be in short supply during a power outage, and many stores will only be
able to accept cash transactions. Some stores will not be able function as cash registers,
inventory systems, and electronic entry doors are dependent on electricity.
Gas stations rely on electricity to power gas pumps; therefore, many gas stations will be
inoperable during a power outage.
Government services that rely on banking, transportation, or communications, such as
electronic checks, may be delayed during an outage.
4.3.3.5 ECONOMY
Direct economic impacts due to power outages include lost business output and productivity,
property damage, government overtime costs, and commodities losses caused by a lack of
refrigeration. Indirect impacts include diversion of capital investments into blackout protection
systems (Electricity Consumers Resource Council, 2004). Manufacturing companies may suffer
heavy losses from a power outage, caused by production line losses, equipment failure, and loss
of productivity. Companies outside of the manufacturing sector, i.e., service companies and retail
establishments will also suffer losses in a power outage. These losses will be in terms of lost
opportunity costs, customer dissatisfaction, and revenue loss. Small businesses are especially
vulnerable as they generally have fewer resources and are less likely to have prepared or planned
for such an event.
4.3.4 HISTORY OF POWER OUTAGES
Power outages are not uncommon in Southern California, and the region is at risk of outages caused
by seismic activity and windstorms. Santa Clarita is occasionally affected by localized unplanned
power outages. In addition, during the summer months when temperatures peak, rolling blackouts
and brownouts are a continual threat. The table below summarizes the history of large power outage
events in Southern California.
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Table 4 - 16: Large Power Outages in Southern California
Year Event Affected Areas Cause
2011 Southwest California San Diego, Orange, Man-made: Human error
Blackout Riverside, and Imperial Counties. Also
affected counties in Arizona and some
northern states in Mexico.
2005 Los Angeles The City of Los Angeles, San Fernando Man-made: Human error
Blackout Valley, and Hollywood
2000 - 2001 California California Man-made: shortages caused
Electricity by market manipulation,
Crisis regulation and deregulation.
1996 Western Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Man-made: trees too close to
North Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New power lines caused systemic
American Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, failures.
Blackouts Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and parts
of Canada and Mexico.
Santa Clarita was threatened with electricity shortages during the 2000 2001 Electricity Crisis. In
addition, large power outages in other areas of California have been caused by human error
(December 1998, San Francisco), structural failure (1982, Tracy, California), and earthquakes (1989
Loma Prieta Earthquake).
4.3.5 ENERGY DISRUPTION PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 17: Energy Disruption CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 2 x 0.45 = 0.9 Possible Severe
Magnitude/Severity 3 x 0.3 = 0.9 Critical High
Moderate
Warning Time 2 x 0.15 = 0.3 12 to 24 hours
Low
Duration 3 x 0.1 = 0.3 Less than 1 week
CPRI Rating 2.40 Moderate
to the fact that an energy disruption event can
have severe impacts on critical facilities and infrastructure and may lead to injury or death. Warning
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to
disruption can take several days to remedy. Climate Change may impact the frequency, magnitude,
and duration of energy disruption events, and the CPRI rating may re
future.
The major concern regarding the impact on communities from power outage events is the failure of
critical infrastructure and the danger to public health. Critical infrastructure failures may require days
or weeks to repair. The impact to business and industry can result in immediate and long term
economic loss. The diagram below depicts the complex interdependencies associated with the
electrical power grid (source: FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau). These
interdependencies can increase the severity of a hazard event and complicate emergency response.
Figure 5: Infrastructure Interdependencies
Energy threats can be categorized into four types of events (The National Association of State Energy
Officials - NASEO, 2009):
Deliberate attacks caused by people (e.g. terrorists, criminals, hackers, delinquents,
employees)
Natural disasters caused weather and geological events (e.g., floods, wind, earthquakes)
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Accidental events caused by technological failure (e.g., pipeline rupture, chemical spills,
nuclear system failure)
Systemic threats caused by the physical inability of the energy delivery system
(generation and distribution) to meet demand
4.3.5.1 DELIBERATE ATTACKS
Deliberate attacks are intentional, malicious acts caused by people that are aimed at personnel,
equipment, infrastructure, or computer systems (cyber-attacks). Many power plants and other
infrastructure are remotely controlled by supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
systems. SCADA systems are vulnerable to attack by hackers who can access the system and
perform acts of sabotage against a target, and an attack against SCADA can shut down an energy
it difficult for customers to access personal or billing information.
Deliberate attacks in the Santa Clarita Valley area can also include acts of vandalism, sabotage,
and the theft of equipment and cabling. Physical attacks can target distribution points,
transmission lines, and pipelines.
4.3.5.2 NATURAL DISASTERS
Natural hazard events have the potential to cause disruptions in the energy supply. In the Santa
Clarita area, the following types of events can cause outages or other energy events:
Drought (limiting hydroelectric generation)
Earthquakes
Flooding
Severe Storms
Subsidence (damaging underground power lines, utility vaults, and pipelines)
Wildfires
Windstorms
Santa Clarita is vulnerable to natural hazards that affect the power supply due to its proximity to
multiple earthquake faults, valley flooding, storms, high winds, brush fires inside and outside of
the city limits, and potential subsidence of the valley floor.
While the effects of any one of these natural events should be localized and effect only part of an
area, it is probable that a widespread event such as a drought, severe storm, or earthquake will
cause widespread energy outages and disrupt the delivery of electricity, natural gas, CNG,
petroleum, and other energy products.
4.3.5.3 ACCIDENTAL EVENTS
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Accidental events that cause energy disruptions can be due to technological failure, chemical
spills, nuclear contamination, pipeline rupture, nuclear system failure, or accidental actions or
inaction. Accidents can be a localized event such as a car crashing into a power pole or can be
more widespread such as the Southwest Blackout of 2011 that was caused by an employee
making repairs at an electrical substation. As the energy infrastructure ages, there is the possibility
of equipment failure that can cause intermittent power or pipeline failures.
4.3.5.4 SYSTEMIC THREATS
Systemic threats affect the entire energy distribution and production network, including
production plants and distribution infrastructure. Systemic events occur when energy delivery
systems are physically unable to meet demand. Examples of systemic threats include gasoline or
petroleum shortages, as well as electrical shortages caused when increased use strains the system
during peak events such as a heat wave.
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4.4 DROUGHT
When a region receives below-average precipitation for an extended period of time, a water shortage
often occurs. A drought is the condition that happens as a result of below-average precipitation with
extended shortages in its water supply. This occurs whether the water supply is provided by
atmospheric, surface, or ground water means. The type and quality of infrastructure can also be a factor in
supporting the water resource network including the transmission, distribution, and storage of water.
The extent and length of droughts are not easy to predict. Droughts can last for months or years or may
be declared after as few as 15 days. Drought and water shortages are a gradual phenomenon and
generally are not signified by one or two dry years. In California, this is largely due to its extensive system of
water supply infrastructure (reservoirs, groundwater basins, and inter-regional conveyance facilities) that
generally
Droughts are also largely due to the limited number of local water resources and reliance on water
resources coming beyond California. Santa Clarita receives the majority of its water supply by importing
water from the Colorado River and Northern California (State Water Project). However, it also depends
on water from two local aquifers: the Alluvium and another much deeper aquifer, the Saugus Formation.
The Saugus Formation is the deepest aquifer in the Santa Clarita Valley with several layers that comprise
the formation going down to 8,500 feet below the surface. There are several wells that produce water
from the Saugus Formation that are approximately 2,000 feet deep. Groundwater levels change year to
year depending on the level of precipitation and pumping of water from these aquifers. Over several
decades, there has been no evidence of any trend toward permanent water level or storage decline in the
Alluvium or the Saugus Formation (2018 SCV Water Report, 2018). This means that there will not be any
water shortages in the Santa Clarita Valley in the foreseeable future even with severe drought conditions
occurring again in California.
4.4.1 DROUGHT HISTORY
occurred from December 27, 2011 to March 5,
2019, lasting a total of 376 weeks. The most severe period of this drought cycle occurred during the
week of July 29, 2014 with 58.41 % of the State experiencing D4 Exceptional Drought conditions,
discussed further in Section 4.2.3.1 Drought Magnitude and Scale (National Integrated Drought
Information System, 2020).
On April 1, 2015, the California Department of Water Resources measured the statewide water
content of Sierra snowpack at five percent of average for April 1st. These levels are lower than any
year in records going back to 1950. The April 1 snowpack measurement is crucial because this is when
the snowpack is normally at its peak and begins to melt into streams and reservoirs. Snowpack,
through runoff, provides about one-third of the water used by California's cities and farms. California's
2014 Water Year, which ended September 30, 2014, was the third driest in 119 years of record. It also
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was the warmest year on record (USGS California Water Science Center, 2015).
The following table illustrates historic drought conditions in California from January 1895 to May
2020, using the Palmer Drought Severity Index, which uses air temperature and precipitation data to
estimate relative dryness and to quantify long-term drought conditions. The table below utilizes a -8
(dry) to +8 (wet) scale.
Table 4 - 18: Palmer Drought Severity Index (California 1895 2020)
4.4.2 DROUGHT PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 19: Drought CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 4 x 0.45 = 1.8 Highly Likely Severe
High
Magnitude/Severity 3 x 0.3 = 0.9 Critical
Moderate
Warning Time 1 x 0.15 = 0.15 More than 24 hours
Low
Duration 4 x 0.1 = 0.4 More than 1 week
CPRI Rating 3.25 High
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The CPRI rating for
-documented cyclical nature of droughts. Drought Magnitude/Severity has a
tical infrastructure.
Warning Time carries a score of 1 or
Figure 6: US Drought Monitor - California
usually predict when drought conditions
will occur due to records of low snowfall
and rainfall over the course of months or
years preceding a drought event. Duration
because drought conditions typically
persist for several months to several years.
Climate Change has impacted the
frequency, magnitude, and duration of
droughts. The CPRI rating is unlikely to
because the Warning Time will maintain a
U.S. Drought Monitor
California
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4.4.2.1 DROUGHT MAGNITUDE AND SCALE
The U.S. Drought Monitor, established in 1999, is a weekly map of drought conditions produced
jointly by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The map is based on measurements of climatic, hydrologic and soil conditions. Droughts are
generally categorized into five categories: 1) Abnormally Dry, 2) Moderate Drought; 3) Severe
Drought; 4) Extreme Drought; and, 5) Exceptional Drought. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor
Map for California (Figure 6), the City of Santa Clarita is not currently experiencing drought
conditions.
The following is a brief description of the U.S. Monitor Drought Scale:
D0 Abnormally Dry: characterized by short-term dryness slowing planting, and growth of
crops; some lingering water deficits; and pastures or crops not fully recovered.
D1 Moderate Drought: characterized by some damage to crops and pastures; some water
shortages developing; and, voluntary water-use restrictions requested.
D2 Severe Drought: characterized by likely crop and pasture losses; water shortages
become common; and, water restrictions imposed.
D3 Extreme Drought: characterized by major crop and pasture losses; and, widespread
water shortages and/or restrictions.
D4 Exceptional Drought: characterized by exceptional and widespread crop and pasture
losses; and, shortages of water creating water emergencies.
4.4.2.2 DROUGHT PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND LOCATION
The City of Santa Clarita has gone through periods of drought conditions over time like many areas
of California. In April 2017, the state of California, with a few exceptions, declared the Drought
State of Emergency over. However, the entire City of Santa Clarita is subject to drought conditions
and water shortages at any time.
Droughts are often a slow buildup of conditions over many years and depend on the amount of
precipitation that has fallen. To predict drought conditions, the best indicator is to look at El Niño
Southern Oscillation (ENSO) patterns, since these patterns bring with them conditions that create
higher levels of precipitation.
location and topographic make it susceptible to recurring periods of drought. Table 4-18: Palmer
Drought Severity Index (California 1895 2020) shows that droughts occur in California regularly,
every few years or more. Climate change has increased the frequency and duration of drought
events in the American Southwest.
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4.4.3 DROUGHT VULNERABILITIES AND EXTENT
Santa Clarita vulnerabilities to drought include:
Agriculture & Livestock
Wildfires
Energy
Damage to local natural habitats
Infrastructure
It should also be noted that excessive pumping of groundwater supplies, in response to water
shortages brought about by extended drought events, can result in subsidence. Though this has not
occurred in the City of Santa Clarita, in the California Central Valley, high water pumping activities has
led to significant subsidence with some ground levels sinking 10 inches or more (Tom G. Farr, Cathleen
Jones, Zhen Liu, 2015) causing concerns regarding damage to the local infrastructure including the
California Aqueduct, parts of which traverse through the City of Santa Clarita.
Drought also has the potential to affect Santa Clarita by influencing the maintenance of parks, green
belts, and other city horticulture. As the season dries out, landscaping requires a greater amount of
irrigation. If restrictions are placed on the amount of water any jurisdiction can use, irrigation is
usually the use that is cut back. Dry landscaping in urbanized areas located in the wildland urban
interface, which includes large areas developed hillsides in the City of Santa Clarita, greatly increases
the likelihood of wildfire spreading to residential areas, and greater impacts to particularly vulnerable
populations, such as the elderly or disabled persons that would require additional help in the event
of an emergency. Santa Clarita works with local water agencies to develop strategies for maintaining
water supplies times of drought, providing informational resources to residents on how to properly
store water and how to replace water intensive landscaping with drought tolerant landscaping.
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4.5 SEVERE WEATHER: EXTREME HEAT & EXTREME WIND
Extreme heat is defined as weather that is hotter than average at a given time and place and presents an
ongoing threat to health and safety. Extreme heat can lead to secondary events such as energy disruptions
due to high cooling demands, increased air pollution, and increased risk of wildfires. Extreme heat events
in Santa Clarita occur annually, with multiple days with temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Climate change induced extreme heat and drought affect the overall condition of vegetation throughout
the valley. Generally, under such conditions, vegetation tends to become dryer. This creates a risk of fire
, in addition
impacting health and property of the entire regional population. In addition, long periods of extreme heat
can affect the local water table and soil quality, making the risk of flash flooding prevalent.
4.5.1 EXTREME HEAT INFORMATION, BACKGROUND AND LOCATION
The entire City of Santa Clarita is subject to extreme heat and temperatures often exceed 100°F
between the month of July and September. Southern California experienced an extreme heat event
in early September of 2020 with recorded temperatures between 110 120 degrees Fahrenheit as
shown in Table 4 - 24 below. The HeatRisk forecast is explained in Section 4.6.1.1.
Figure 7: HeatRisk Southern California September 6, 2020
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4.5.1.1 EXTREME HEAT RISK: VULNERABILITY AND EXTENT
The National Weather Service has developed the experimental HeatRisk forecast system to
address heat risk and allow for preparation for upcoming heat events. The HeatRisk forecast
considers maximum temperatures, minimum temperatures, climatology, historical records (both
highs and lows), early season heat waves or unusual events, and duration of heat to assign
advisory levels of concern for a particular geographical location. A lead time of 12 24 hours is
given for Advisory Levels orange and red, and 24 48 hours for Advisory Levels red and magenta.
Forecasts are given for a seven day period.
Table 4 - 20: National Weather Service HeatRisk Forecast
HeatRisk Values Risk of Heat Effects Level of Heat Concern
When the HeatRisk is this value:
0 Very Low Green
1 Low Yellow
2 Medium Orange
3 High Red
4 Very High Magenta
The Advisory Levels are defined as follows:
Green - Level 0: No elevated risk
Yellow - Level 1: Low risk for those extremely sensitive to heat, especially those without
effective cooling and/or adequate hydration
Orange - Level 2: Moderate risk for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those
without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration
Red - Level 3: High risk for much of the population especially those who are heat
sensitive and those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration
Magenta - Level 4: Very high risk for entire population due to long duration heat, with
little to no relief overnight
The HeatRisk Forecast is intended to provide continuously available heat risk guidance for
decision makers and heat sensitive populations, which include:
The elderly and the very young
Those on certain medication and/or those with preexisting conditions which make them
more sensitive to heat
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Those working outdoors especially new workers, temporary workers, or those
returning to outdoor work after a week or more off
Those exercising or doing strenuous activities outdoors during the heat of the day
especially those not used to the level of heat expected, those who are not drinking
enough fluids, or those new to that type of activity
Those without a reliable source of cooling and/or hydration
Those not acclimated to the level of heat expected especially those who are new to a
much warmer climate
Some economic sectors that are affected by increasing levels of heat, such as energy,
agriculture, and transportation
Because extreme heat conditions are becoming more frequent and can impact so many people
living, working, and visiting the city as described above, Santa Clarita maintains cooling centers
throughout the city as detailed in Section 5.6.1 Santa Clarita Heat Emergency Plan.
Table 4 - 21: Possible Heat Disorders for People in High Risk Groups
Classification Heat Index Effect on the body
Caution 80°F - 90°F Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Extreme 90°F - 103°F Heat stroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion possible with
Caution prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Danger 103°F - 124°F Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible
with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Extreme 125°F or Heat stroke highly likely
Danger higher
4.5.2 EXTREME HEAT LOSSES AND IMPACTS
Extreme heat events occur annually in the City of Santa Clarita with multiple days with
temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It is expected that these hazards will continue to
occur seasonally, especially from June to September. Recently, on July 6th, 2018 a temperature
of 113°F was reported by the National Weather Service in Santa Clarita Valley, which exceeded a
48-year-old record of 105°F in the region.
4.5.2.1 HEALTH IMPACTS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT
Heat emergencies are often slow to develop. It could take several days of oppressive heat
for a heat wave to have a significant or quantifiable impact. Heat waves do not strike
victims immediately, but rather their cumulative effects slowly take the lives of vulnerable
populations, which include infants and small children, elderly people, low income
populations, people with underlying medical and psychological conditions, non-English
speaking, undocumented immigrants, communities of color, people working outdoors or
in extreme conditions, and pregnant women.
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Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is dehydrated resulting in an imbalance of
electrolytes. Symptoms can include headache, nausea, dizziness, cool and clammy skin,
pale face, cramps, weakness, profuse perspiration, and if left untreated, can lead to
heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when perspiration cannot occur and the body overheats.
Symptoms can include headache, nausea, face flushed, hot and dry skin, no perspiration,
body temperature over 101°F, chills, rapid pulse, and if left untreated can result in coma
or death.
Animals, including domestic pets, livestock, and poultry are also susceptible to extreme
heat. For example, dogs and cats are in danger of heat stroke in temperatures of 110
degrees Fahrenheit.
4.5.2.2 OTHER IMPACTS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT
In addition to being a public health threat, extreme heat can impact communities in
various ways including:
Transportation: Aircraft can lose lift in extreme temperatures causing flight
delays and even airport closures. Roadways can be damaged by extreme heat
through the softening of asphalt and buckling or lifting of concrete. Vehicle
cooling systems can become stressed and result in mechanical failures.
Agriculture: Livestock can be lost during heat waves, and milk production and
cattle reproduction may decrease. Extreme heat events during a crop growth
cycle can inhibit crop yields.
Energy: Heat can cause transmission lines to sag and short out. Increased demand
for electricity to cool structures can result in rolling black outs.
Water Resources: During heat waves, water is used to cool bridges and other
metal structures susceptible to failures causing increased demand for water
contributing to reduced water supply and pressure needed for fire suppression
activities. This increased demand can also lead to water ecosystems failure and
threats to aquatic species.
4.5.3 EXTREME HEAT HISTORY
Typical summer temperatures in California contribute to the deaths of 20 people on average per
year. For example:
July 2018 was characterized by higher than normal temperatures across the globe.
Los Angeles set a new record for the highest monthly minimum nighttime
temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
The September 2007 heat wave in the Los Angeles area resulted in 18 heat related
deaths.
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The July 2006 heat wave in California caused the death of at least 136 people over a
13-day period.
4.5.4 EXTREME HEAT PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 22: Extreme Heat CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 4 x 0.45 = 1.8 Highly Likely Severe
Magnitude/Severity 2 x 0.3 = 0.6 Limited High
Moderate
Warning Time 1 x 0.15 = 0.15 More than 24 hours
Low
Duration 3 x 0.1 = 0.3 Less than 1 Week
CPRI Rating 2.85 Moderate
The CPRI
-documented record of high temperatures in Southern California during
does not often result in damage to critical facilities and infrastructure, or injury and death. Warning
several days to s
extreme temperatures usually do not last more than a few consecutive days. Climate Change has
impacted the frequency, magnitude, and duration of extreme events. The CPRI rating is unlikely to
High temperatures are nearly always in excess of 90° F between the months of June and September.
As a result, the population is subjected to an extended period where outdoor activity can lead to a
variety of heat related ailments including heat stroke, heat cramps, and fatigue. It is estimated that
the local hospital, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, treats multiple cases of heat-related illness per year
in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Although recent heat waves have not resulted in any fatalities in the City of Santa Clarita, in California
extreme periods of heat have resulted in fatalities. For example in 2006 a severe heat wave was
documented to have resulted in 140 heat related deaths (California Department of Health Services,
Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch, 2007), although a later study conducted by
the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment put the figure at two to three times
higher at 350 to 450 deaths (Chong, 2009). While most of the fatalities occurred in the California
Central Valley, the event provides valuable lessons regarding the risk to public health during extreme
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heat. For example, 90% of the heat related deaths were from socio economically depressed areas (i.e.,
zip codes where more than 50 percent of the residents live under the Federal Poverty threshold).
Table 4 - 23: Extreme Heat Data for the Santa Clarita Valley (2007 2008)
Magnitude
Deaths/
Date (Temperature Event Summary
Injuries
in Fahrenheit)
The combination of strong high pressure centered over
Arizona and weak offshore flow generated extreme
6/20/08 100F to 114F 0/0
heat conditions across Central and Southern California.
to
Across many sections of the area, afternoon
6/21/08
temperatures climbed to between 100 and 114 degrees
which set numerous high temperature records. The
extreme heat resulted in several power outages due to
excessive electrical use.
The heat wave which started at the end of August
continued into the first few days of September. The
9/1/07 105F to 112F 0/0
combination of above normal temperatures and
to 9/3/7
relative humidity continued to produce excessive heat
conditions across sections of Southern California. At the
end of the heat wave, 18 heat-related deaths were
reported across Los Angeles county.
From the 29th through the 31st, strong high pressure
built over the southwest United States. With this
8/30/07 105F to 112F 0/0
pattern, above normal temperatures developed across
the mountains and valleys of Southern California. An
influx of monsoonal moisture from northern Mexico
increased the relative humidity across the area. The
combination of very hot temperatures and increased
relative humidity produce heat index values between
105 and 112 degrees. The excessive heat resulted in
numerous heat- related injuries and deaths. The heat
wave extended into the first few days of September
4.5.5 EXTREME WIND INFORMATION, BACKGROUND, AND LOCATION
Severe winds present a threat to health and safety as a result of energy disruptions caused by
downed power lines, hazardous materials releases from tanker trucks overturned by strong
winds, and other events. Severe wind events impact entire regions and are not limited to Santa
Clarita.
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The entire City of Santa Clarita is subject to continual strong winds, and to occasional episodes of
ery strong, dry winds that
spread wildfires and cause extensive wind-related damage.
The Santa Anas Winds are dry, warm (often hot) winds that blow westward through Southern
California toward the coast. These winds typically occur between October and March and peak in
December. They originate when high pressure systems form over the high-elevation deserts of
clockwise, so winds on the southern side of the system push west towards the Pacific Ocean.
The winds pass over the mountains
Figure 8: Santa Ana Wind Patterns
between coastal California and the
inland deserts, where the City of Santa
Clarita is in the direct path of the
ocean-bound Santa Ana winds. As they
flow downslope, the air gets
compressed and rises in temperature
at a rate of almost 29 degrees per mile
of descent. While air's temperature
rises, its relative humidity drops,
commonly to less than 20 percent and
sometimes to even less than 10
percent. The winds also increase
dramatically in speed when they're
forced through narrow mountain
passes and canyons and can cause a
great deal of damage. The fast, hot winds cause the drying vegetation and plant life, increasing
the risk of wildfires. Once the fires start, the winds fan the flames and accelerate their spread.
Santa Clarita can and does experience high winds at any time of the year. While local winds are
generally below 50 MPH, or a Beaufort Force of between 8 and 9 on the Beaufort Scale discussed
further in this section, higher velocities sustained winds exceeding 70 MPH (with higher wind
Common effects of high winds in Santa Clarita include the overturning of trees, and creating
unsafe driving conditions for motorists on the local roads and freeways. In some cases, strong
winds can reach a force great enough to threaten above ground utilities. Consequently the
potential for utility failure is a realistic threat. This is compounded by the fact that most of the
high wind events occur during the summer months when the demand on the power grid is at its
height. Based on the history of the region; windstorm events can be expected annually across
widespread areas of the region.
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4.5.6 EXTREME WIND HISTORY
Santa Clarita is subject to continual strong winds. Between the months of October and March,
winds can reach speeds of over 65 miles-per-hour and occasional very high wind events have
occurred in the past. A windstorm in the region can range from short term microburst activity
lasting only minutes to a long duration, sustained wind event. Significant peak wind events
identified by the National Weather Service (National Weather Service, National Climate Data
Center, 2015) are listed in the appendices to this HMP. There were no reported property or crop
damages for any of the events listed in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Table 4-24: Significant Wind Events > 65 MPH Since 2007
Magnitude Deaths/
Date Event Summary
(MPH) Injuries
After the Tick Fire burned 4,600 acres in the Los Angeles Region,
10/27/19 50-70 0/5 the Santa Ana Winds which fueled the fire brought winds as fast
as 50-70 MPH. Five firefighting personal suffered minor injuries.
Strong Santa Ana winds impacted the Santa Clarita Valley in Los
Angeles county. Some wind reports from the area include:
10/9/17 67 0/0
Newhall Pass (gusts up to 67 MPH) and Saugus (gusts up to 58
MPH).
2/17/17 66 0/0 Strong southerly winds were reported in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Some wind gusts from local RAWS stations include: Saugus (gust
66 MPH) and Newhall Pass (gust 61 MPH).
3/28/16 50 0/28 Mountain wave activity produced winds in excess of 50 mph that
generated a dust storm with near zero visibility along Highway 247
in Lucerne Valley. A multicar pileup ensued, involving more than a
dozen vehicles and injuring 28 people.
11/15/15 71 0/0 Strong northerly wind developed across the Santa Clarita Valley.
The RAWS sensor at Saugus reported northerly wind gusts of 71
MPH while the sensor at Del Valle reported gusts to 68 MPH.
4/8/13 79 0/0 An extended northerly wind event developed across Southwestern
California. The combination of strong northerly (offshore) pressure
gradient and strong winds above the surface produced northerly
wind gusts between 65 and 85 MPH across sections of Ventura and
Los Angeles counties.
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12/1/11 67 0/0 On December 1st, a strong north to northeast wind event, which
developed on November 30th, Widespread wind gusts between 60
and 70 MPH were reported across the mountains of Ventura
county as well as the mountains and valleys of Los Angeles county
through December 1st. Widespread power outages were reported,
especially across the San Gabriel Valley where over 350,000
residents lost power. In the city of Pasadena, significant wind
damage was reported with at least 42 buildings red-tagged due to
wind damage. Along with the power outages, numerous trees
were uprooted or severely damaged from La Canada-Flintridge to
Monrovia.
3/7/11 71 0/0 Strong northwest to north winds developed across sections of
Southwestern California. The strongest winds occurred in the
mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the Antelope
Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley. Sustained winds as high as 59
MPH were reported along with gusts as high as 76 MPH.
1/10/09 72 0/0 The combination of strong surface high pressure over the Great
Basin and a ridge aloft produced strong and gusty Santa Ana winds
across Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Across the higher terrain,
wind gusts as high as 73 MPH were reported.
4.5.7 EXTREME WIND EFFECTS: VULNERABILITY AND EXTENT
Based on the history of the region, windstorm events can be expected annually, across
widespread areas of the City which can be adversely impacted during a windstorm event. Extreme
winds severely impact life and property, utilities and infrastructure, transportation, and can
increase wildfire threats as detailed below, requiring the City to take action following an extreme
wind event. But the City has also identified mitigation goals and action items to prevent the
severity of extreme wind events such as: partnering with Urban Forestry Division of the Los
Angeles County Public Works Department on a program to help the City and its residents identify
hazardous trees; management of debris removal; requiring the undergrounding of utilities for
new development projects where appropriate, and; hosting national weather service spotter
training as detailed in Mitigation Goals and Action Items SW-EW001 SW-EW004 of Table 5-7.
4.5.7.1 LIFE AND PROPERTY
Both residential and commercial structures with weak reinforcement are susceptible to
damage. Wind pressure can create a direct and frontal assault on a structure, pushing
walls, doors, and windows inward. Conversely, passing currents can create lift suction
forces that pull building components and surfaces outward. With extreme wind forces,
the roof or entire building can fail causing considerable damage.
Debris carried along by extreme winds can directly contribute to loss of life and indirectly
to the failure of protective building envelopes, siding, or walls. When severe windstorms
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strike a community, downed trees, power lines, and damaged property can be major
hindrances to emergency response and disaster recovery.
4.5.7.2 UTILITIES/INFRASTRUCTURE
Historically, falling trees have been the major cause of power outages in the region.
Windstorms such as strong microbursts and Santa Ana Wind conditions can cause flying
debris and downed utility lines. Overhead power lines can be damaged even in relatively
minor windstorm events. Falling trees can bring electric power lines down to the
pavement, creating the possibility of lethal electric shock. Rising population growth and
new infrastructure in the region creates a higher probability for damage to occur from
windstorms as more life and property are exposed to risk.
Windstorms can result in collapsed or damaged buildings, power lines, or blocked roads
and bridges, damaged traffic signals, streetlights, and parks, among others. Roads blocked
by fallen trees during a windstorm may have severe consequences to people who need
access to emergency services. Emergency response operations can be complicated when
roads are blocked or when power supplies are interrupted. Industry and commerce can
suffer losses from interruptions in electric services and from extended road closures. They
can also sustain direct losses to buildings, personnel, and other vital equipment. There
are direct consequences to the local economy resulting from windstorms related to both
physical damages and interrupted services.
4.5.7.3 INCREASED WILDFIRE THREAT
Perhaps the greatest danger from windstorm activity in Southern California comes from
the combination of the Santa Ana winds with the major fires that occur every few years
in the urban/wildland interface. With the Santa Ana winds driving the flames, the speed
and reach of the flames is even greater than in times of calm wind conditions. The higher
fire hazard raised by a Santa Ana wind condition requires that even more care and
attention be paid to proper brush clearances on property in the wildland/urban interface
areas.
4.5.7.4 TRANSPORTATION
Windstorm activity can have an impact on local transportation. The problems caused by
downed trees and electrical wires blocking streets and highways, are just a few problems
caused by windstorms. During periods of extremely strong Santa Ana winds, major
highways can be temporarily closed to truck and recreational vehicle traffic. However,
when they do occur, nor do they carry a severe long-term economic impact on the region.
Nevertheless, the risk remains, and the situation could become a major disaster in the
event of a hazardous materials accident caused by extreme winds.
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4.5.8 EXTREME WIND PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 25: Extreme Wind CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 2 x 0.45 = 0.9 Possible Severe
Magnitude/Severity 2 x 0.3 = 0.6 Limited High
Warning Time 1 x 0.15 = 0.15 More than 24 hours Moderate
Duration 2 x 0.1 = 0.2 Less than 24 hours
Low
CPRI Rating 1.85 Low
that reached a Beaufort Force of 12, the highest on the Beaufort Scale. Extreme Wind
infrastructure, and the rarity of injury or death that have been caused by wind events in Santa
Clarita. Warning Time carries a score
patterns, including extreme wind events can be predicted a few days to a few weeks in advance.
short bursts of not more than a few consecutive hours. Climate Change may impact the frequency,
4.5.8.1 WIND DAMAGE SCALE: MAGNITUDE
Various scales for estimating the potential damage caused by various wind speeds have
been developed. The Beaufort Scale developed by Sir Francis Beaufort in 1805 is
commonly used and illustrates the effects that varying wind speeds can have on sea
swells and structures.
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Table 4 - 26: Beaufort Scale
Beaufort Speed
Wind Description Effects on Land
Force (MHP)
0 < 1 Calm - Smoke rises vertically
1 1 3 Light - Air Ripples look like scales - Smoke drift shows direction of wind, but wind
vanes do not
2 4 7 Light Breeze - Wind vanes move; Leaves rustle; Wind can be felt
3 8 12 Gentle Breeze - Leaves and small twigs move constantly; Small, light flags are
extended
4 13 18 Moderate Breeze - Wind lifts dust and loose paper; Small branches move
5 19 24 Fresh Breeze - Small trees with leaves begin to move
6 25 31 Strong Breeze - Large branches move; Telegraph wires whistle; Hard to hold
umbrellas
7 32 38 Near Gale - Whole trees move; Resistance felt walking into wind
8 39 46 Gale - Twigs and small branches break off trees; Difficult to walk
9 47 54 Strong Gale - Slight structural damage
10 55 63 Storm - Trees broken or uprooted; Considerable structural damage
11 64 73 Violent Storm - Seldom experienced inland; Considerable structural damage
12 > 74 Hurricane - Widespread damage. Very rarely experienced on land.
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4.6 PANDEMICS
As this HMP is being prepared in 2020, Santa Clarita and the world are in the midst of a worldwide
pandemic created by the COVID-19 virus. The United States is currently on track to have more than
100,000 deaths attributed to the virus, which has sparked nationwide stay-at-home orders, sickened
hundreds of thousands of Americans, and caused economic damage not seen since the Great Depression
of the 1920s and 30s.
Pandemics are defined as large-scale outbreaks of infectious disease for which there is little or no human
immunity. Pandemics cause disease and death over a wide geographic area and cause significant
economic disruption. Evidence suggests that the likelihood of pandemics has increased over the past 100
years because of increased global travel and integration, urbanization, changes in land use, and greater
exploitation of the natural environment. These trends likely will continue and will intensify.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
have identified seasonal influenza and viral disease pandemics as specific hazards that would have a
significant impact throughout Santa Clarita.
4.6.1 PANDEMIC HISTORY
The United States and the world have been affected by four worldwide pandemics over the past 100
years:
The 1918-1919 Spanish Flu was
estimated to have sickened 20%-
Over 20 million people lost their lives. Between September 1918
and April 1919, 500,000 Americans died. The flu spread rapidly;
many died within a few days of infection; others from secondary
complications. The attack rate and mortality were highest among
adults 20-50 years old; the reasons for this are uncertain. By late
September 1918, over 35,000 people throughout California had
contracted the Spanish Flu. According to state officials, influenza
was most prevalent in the southern part of California, but the death toll was high across the
state.
1957-This virus was quickly identified due to advances in
technology, and a vaccine was produced. Infection rates were highest among school children,
young adults, and pregnant women. The elderly had the highest rates of death. A second wave
was developed in 1958 and in total, there were about 70,000 deaths in the United States.
Worldwide deaths were estimated between roughly 1 and 2 million.
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1968-The strain of the H3N2
Hong Kong Flu caused approximately 34,000 deaths in the United
States and more than 700,000 deaths globally. It was first detected
in Hong Kong in early 1968 and spread to the United States later
that year. Those over the age of 65 were most likely to die. This
virus returned in 1970 and 1972 and still circulates today.
2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus The first influenza pandemic of the 21st century occurred in
20092010 and was caused by an influenza A (H1N1) virus. It was the first pandemic for which
many member States had developed comprehensive pandemic plans describing the public
health measures to be taken, aimed at reducing illness and fatalities. For the first time,
pandemic vaccinations were developed, produced and deployed in multiple countries during
its first year.
While most cases of pandemic H1N1 were mild, globally it is estimated that the 2009
pandemic caused between 100,000400,000 deaths in the first year alone. Children and
young adults were disproportionately affected in comparison to seasonal influenza, which
causes severe disease mainly in the elderly, persons with chronic conditions, and pregnant
women.
2019--1 The world is currently facing
a global viral pandemic called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-
19), caused by a novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Coronaviruses
are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild respiratory
disease, such as the common cold, but can also cause more serious
illness. Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in most countries
worldwide, and on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization
characterized the outbreak as a pandemic.
According to Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, as of October 7, 2020
there are roughly 35.9 million confirmed cases globally, 7.5 million confirmed cases in the
United States, 831,225 confirmed cases in California, 275,849 cases in Los Angeles County,
and 3,637 confirmed coronavirus cases in the City of Santa Clarita, and the numbers continue
to rise. The virus that causes the Coronavirus is passed from person to person through
respiratory secretions such as saliva or discharge from the nose when one coughs or
sneezes. Experts currently researching the virus believe that the virus can also be spread when
a through aerosols. Those infected can experience symptoms such as high fever, cough, and
difficulty breathing.
The severity of COVID-19 symptoms ranges from mild to severe and affects different people
in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover
without hospitalization. Some of the most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, and
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fatigue. Less common symptoms include aches and pains, nasal congestion, sore throat,
diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or discoloration of
fingers or toes. The most serious symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,
chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement.
4.6.2 PANDEMICS: EXTENT
As this Hazard Mitigation Plan is currently being written, the United States, as well as the rest of the
world is facing the Novel Coronavirus/ COVID-19 Pandemic, impacting the entire population of Santa
Clarita. Santa Clarita, as well as other cities and regions across the world, are facing high levels of
illness, mortality, social disruption, political instability, mass unemployment, and economic losses.
Current impacts range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic essential
services such as public transportation, health care/first aid, and the delivery of food and essential
medicines to those in need.
4.6.3 PANDEMIC PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 27: Pandemic CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 2 x 0.45 = 0.9 Possible Severe
Magnitude/Severity 4 x 0.3 = 1.2 Catastrophic High
Moderate
Warning Time 1 x 0.15 = 0.15 More than 24 hours
Low
Duration 4 x 0.1 = 0.4 More than 1 Week
CPRI Rating 2.65 Moderate
The CPRI
ct that pandemics are typically
because most pandemics start as outbreaks before rising to the level of pandemic which can take
weeks or months to occur. D
typically last several months to several years. Climate Change is unlikely to impact the frequency,
magnitude, and duration of pandemic events.
On March 4, 2020, Los Angeles County declared a local state of emergency to ensure that it will have
the authority to take measures necessary to protect and preserve public health and safety, including
seeking aid from state and federal authorities as necessary. On March 13, 2020, Santa Clarita issued
a local emergency declaration in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This emergency declaration
is a preparedness measure and allows the city to access resources and recover costs. Santa Clarita is
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currently (May 2020) in a state of emergency and is working closely with the Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health (DPH) to monitor the spread of the disease in the city.
The precise timing of a pandemic scale health related emergency is uncertain. Pandemic occurrences
are most likely when a virus makes a dramatic change, or antigenic shift, that results in a new or
there are ecological changes, the pathogen mutates, or the pathogen is introduced into an
unprepared host population.
According to the World Bank, increased exposure to wildlife increases the risk to health, biosafety and
global security. The current SARS-CoV-2 originated in wildlife; the virus managed to break the species
barrier into humans, a phenomenon called zoonosis. Numerous other emerging vector-borne diseases
also originated in wildlife and we transmitted to humans.
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4.7 MAN-MADE HAZARDS: CYBER-ATTACK AND TERRORISM
4.7.1 CYBER-ATTACK INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND
Local governments such as Santa Clarita are increasingly targeted by cyber criminals because they
have fewer resources to defend themselves and an obligation to restore normal services as quickly as
possible. In October of 2019, CNN reported that more than 140 local governments, police stations and
hospitals had been the victim of ransomware attacks in a ten month period.
Cyber infrastructure is vulnerable to a wide range of attacks, which target computer information
systems, infrastructures, computer networks or personal computer devices to perform theft, fraud,
and abuse. While cyber-attacks threaten individuals, global infrastructure is increasingly reliant on
cyber networks, exposing large numbers of people by disrupting, destroying, or threatening the
delivery of critical services. (CISA Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of
Homeland Security).
Cybercrime follows only government corruption and narcotics trafficking as the third most expensive
crime in dollar value globally. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates that
cybercrime costs the world approximately $600 billion annually. The rate of cybercrimes has increased
dramatically in recent years. Among the reasons for this increase are the availability and quick
adoption of new technologies by criminals, the growth in the number of new users who may not be
security savvy or reside in countries with weak cyber security capabilities, and the growth of
cybercrime black markets supported by the introduction of cryptocurrencies, which are not as easy
to trace as standard currencies. (Romanow, 2020)
National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace (CISA
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, 2003) and the
Cyberspace Policy Review (CISA Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of
Homeland Security, 2009), recognition of the potential threats and liabilities posed by cyber-attacks
have increased in parallel with the concomitant sophistication and availability of technological tools.
However, this presents a fundamental challenge as the techniques, methods, and tools used to
operate and manage computer networks are constantly evolving, and therefore the cyber-attack
landscape evolves with them.
4.7.1.1 CYBER-ATTACK THREATS
Cyber-attacks represent a major security risk and can increase vulnerabilities to economic
disruption, critical infrastructure damage, privacy violations, and identity theft. In an increasingly
interconnected world, cyber vulnerabilities are therefore magnified. As a consequence, the
cybersecurity threats poses a continuing challenge in the face of the increased use of networked
technologies in local government, as well as the ongoing maintenance and system upgrades made
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to critical infrastructure. Recent trends suggest that persistent cyber intrusions are commonplace
for many organizations and continue to increase every year, including the public sector.
Cybersecurity attacks include the following general types:
Active Attacks - Blatant aggressive data breaches that are often detected immediately as
the damage is done;
Passive Attacks - Non-disruptive, covert breaches intended to collect large amounts of
data over longer periods of time without being detected;
External Threats - Attacks originating outside of established networks, often state-
sponsored actors using Advanced Persistent Threats or a series of cascading attacks that
can breach some of the most secure networks; or
Internal/Insider Threats - Attacks originating from users within an existing network
resulting from either an unintended mishandling of sensitive information, or a deliberate
attack from current or former employees, contractors, or partners with access to the
organizations networks.
In addition to the different ways an attacker can gain access to a network, there are several types
of hacks including viruses, Denial of Service attacks, worms, malware, and password crackers.
4.7.1.2 THREATS TO UTILITIES/CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Santa Clarita utilizes the services of Southern California Edison (SCE) to meet its electrical utility
itiative, SCE has implemented system-wide measures to
protect the exponentially large amounts of data from cyber-security threats. As part of its end-to-
-related efforts involve external engagement with technology
suppliers, standards organizations and policy makers, and internal engagement to address the
security requirements of SCE systems (Southern California Edison, 2010).
Cyber threats also have the potential to have a large impact on critical infrastructure, particularly
for systems that are at risk of becoming outdated. These include computer systems underpinning
everyday infrastructure such as Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Site Control Data
Acquisition (SCADA) Systems which are used to control key utility and police functions.
4.7.2 HISTORY OF CYBER-ATTACKS
While the City of Santa Clarita has not experienced a severe incident related to cyber-attack, from
2015 to 2020 the frequency of cyber-attacks on public and private sector organizations in general
have continued to increase. In July, 2019 CISA released a report urging state and local partners to take
steps toward resilience against ransomware following a string of attacks on state and local
governments. In October, 2019, CNN reported that 140 local governments, police stations and
hospitals had experienced ransomware attacks that year alone (Kim, 2019).
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4.7.3 CYBER-ATTACK PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4- 28: Cyber-Attack CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 3 x 0.45 = 1.35 Likely Severe
High
Magnitude/Severity 2 x 0.3 = 0.6 Limited
Moderate
Warning Time 4 x 0.15 = 0.9 Less than 6 hours
Low
Duration 2 x 0.1 = 0.2 Less than 24 hours
CPRI Rating 3.05 High
The CPRI rating for Cyber-
due to the large increase of cyber-attacks on public agencies over the last several years.
-attacks can target critical
facilities and infrastructure, these are rare occurrences that require a great deal of sophistication. The
majority of cyber-attacks against government agencies are ransomware attacks that would have
limited if any impact on critical facilities and infrastructure and are not likely to result in injury or
-attacks happen quickly
so the victim(s) does not have time to shore up their defenses prior to the attack. Duration has a score
-attacks can be dealt with quickly. Climate Change
will not have an impact on the probability/frequency or magnitude/severity of cyber-attacks.
With the introduction of more online systems and services being used to collect information such as
of when, not if, a major data breach will occur for the sake of obtaining this information. The theft of
personally identifiable information can also present monetary liabilities for the City of Santa Clarita;
as a result of numerous incidents involving public governments and agencies, there is a growing trend
toward public agencies facing fines and penalties for not implementing proper protocols.
A study published in January of 2018 was conducted by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in an effort
to predict the probability of a successful cyber-attack on an organization based on characteristics of
the organization including: a) the domain name system (DNS) traffic based on the top-level domains
similarity to educational
institution behavior, and its number of records on scholar.google.com (ROSG); and c) the number of
network security policy violations. The study determined that .net, .com, and .org TLDs are the most
susceptible to successful cyber-attacks because .mil, .edu, and .gov TLDs all require proof that the
organization is a military, educational, or government organization; such controls are not required for
commercial, non-profit, or network technology organization.
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4.7.4 TERRORISM INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND
Terrorism is a continuing threat throughout the world and within the United States. U.S. Code defines
"international terrorism" and "domestic terrorism" (18 U.S.C. § 2331, 2010):
International terrorism is characterized by the following:
o Involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law;
o Appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; to influence the policy
of a government by intimidation or coercion; or to affect the conduct of a government by
mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
o Occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the U.S., or transcend national
boundaries, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in
which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum.
Domestic terrorism is characterized by the following:
o Involve acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law;
o Appear intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy
of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government
by mass destruction, assassination. or kidnapping; and
o Occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the U.S.
Currently, there is no history of terrorist acts or organized political terrorist groups operating in the
Santa Clarita area. Consequently, the probability of a terrorist attack in the City is considered low,
although there are nearby sites that have a higher risk potential near Santa Clarita (Magic Mountain,
California Aqueduct, etc.). Terrorists often focus on high visibility targets and civilian populations, and
the potential consequences of an attack underscores the need to consider terrorism as a threat.
vulnerable populations resulting in loss of life and an intent to intimidate. While the risk of Active
Shooter incidents is still considered low, including all forms of terrorism is an important component
of a comprehensive mitigation plan.
4.7.5 TERRORISM LOCATION
The probability that an individual or location will be targeted by a terrorist or active shooter is a
function of several factors including the attractiveness of the target, the potential for success of the
event, and the potential for avoiding identification and capture. Categories of potential targets
include:
Bridges and Overpasses
California Aqueduct, Castaic Dam, and Bouquet Canyon Dam (out of the planning area for
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this document, but has an impact on the Santa Clarita area)
Churches, and Religious Centers (e.g., Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, and Temples)
Clinics and Hospitals
Controversial Businesses and Defense Industry Companies
Correctional Facilities (out of planning control for this document)
Electrical Facilities
Facilities that Store, Manufacture or Transport Hazardous Materials
Federal, State, County and City Offices
Highways and Freeways Law Enforcement Offices Mass Transit Facilities
Military Sites and Recruiting stations
Pipelines (Natural Gas, Petroleum, Water, Waste Water, and Other Hazardous Materials)
Public Buildings and Assembly Areas
Research Facilities Schools
Shopping Malls
Stadiums
Telecommunications Facilities
Water and Wastewater Facilities
Other Places where Large Groups of People Congregate (e.g., public events such as fairs,
marathons, etc.)
4.7.6 TERRORISM IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY: EXTENT
Following a terrorist attack, panic, intense media interest, and the convergence of injured and
possibly contaminated persons at local hospitals and urgent care centers can be expected. While local,
state, and federal agencies will be mobilized to respond to a terrorist event, it will take time for
assistance to arrive. Many specialized resources (such as military response teams) may need to be
airlifted to the area requiring local resources to manage the initial phases of an emergency, especially
in the case of a mass casualty event. The initial response phase may range from hours to a day or
more. Consequently, a rapid assessment of the scope of the incident and activation of local
emergency response resources will be critical to manage the situation.
Key issues include:
Activation of local and regional Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs)
Activation of local response teams and law enforcement (including SWAT teams), fire
suppression resources, paramedic units, and HazMat teams
Designation of casualty collection points and field triage / treatment sites
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Transportation (for personnel, equipment, and supplies to the impact location as well as
casualty and public evacuation)
Isolation (if needed to prevent further contamination)
Use of personal protection equipment (PPEs)
Communications (including internal communication, media response, and public bulletins)
Decontamination points (if required)
Activation and notification of Non-
The following table describes examples of the considerations expected during the initial stages of a
terrorist event.
Table 4 - 29: Terrorist Event Considerations
Condition Description
Down Wind
A large release may result in a lethal plume that may travel for miles.
Emergency agencies in neighboring jurisdictions must be advised of the
Evacuation
release and included in incident management activities.
Traffic Restrictions
Roads, freeways and transit systems may need to be closed to contain the
incident. Regardless of the need, panic may cause some persons to self-
and Congestion
evacuate, traffic congestion and gridlock conditions and confusion may
result. These factors will slow response by emergency agencies and
specialized resources to affected areas. Detailed traffic management plans
will need to be developed.
Self-Transport to
Injured and contaminated victims may leave the immediate site of the
incident and then go to hospitals. In most cases, the care provider will not be
Medical Providers
equipped to decontaminate victims or treat terrorist related casualties. This
can extend the scope of the incident, potentially lead to secondary
contamination and strain local medical and emergency response resources
Hospitals impacted by an influx of casualties who have not been
decontaminated will have to establish a decontamination area and may not
be able to continue providing treatment.
Panic Victims
In the immediate aftermath of a terrorist event, responders should anticipate
a number of people who think they have been exposed to or contaminated
by the agent(s) even though there has been no actual exposure. Provisions
must be made to manage these persons and provide supportive care as
necessary.
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Equipment and supplies needed to manage the consequences of a terrorist
Scarce Supplies
event will be scarce. Sufficient pharmacological supplies may not be available.
Antidotes and other drugs used to treat WMD victims are usually not
stockpiled in sufficient quantities for use in a mass casualty incident. Efforts
to secure additional supplies will be an immediate need. Personnel involved in
managing potential terrorist events must be aware of these concerns.
Measures to address these issues must be incorporated into the Incident
Action Plan and should be considered and assessed throughout the
management of the WMD incident.
4.7.7 HISTORY OF TERRORIST AND ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENTS
There have not been any Terrorist Acts Incidents in Santa Clarita. Nevertheless, the possibility cannot
be fully eliminated. Understanding the types and history of terrorism in the U.S. provides local
planners and public with an understanding of the ongoing threats to the community.
The examples below provide a summary of major terrorist events in the U.S. The list contains
summaries of the types of incidents that could occur in the area.
Table 4 - 30: Domestic Terrorism/Active Shooter Events (2001 2019)
Date Event /Location Description
9/11/2001 September 11 Attacks - Two hijacked planes crashed into World Trade Center
towers, causing fires and collapse. Hijacked plane crashed
New York, Virginia and
into the Pentagon. Hijacked plane crashed into a rural area
Pennsylvania
of Pennsylvania, following an attempt by passengers to
regain control of the aircraft. 8,900 injuries and 2,993
deaths.
3/21/2005 Red Lake Indian Student shooting at Red Lake Indian Reservation school. 7
Reservation school injuries and 10 deaths.
shooting - Minnesota
4/16/2007 Virginia Tech shooting Student shooting attack at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. 17
Virginia injuries and 33 deaths.
3/10/2009 Multiple shootings Multiple shootings at residences and businesses in Samson
Alabama and Geneva, AL. 6 injuries and 11 deaths.
4/3/2009 Immigrant Center attack Shooting attack at immigrant center. 4 injuries and 14
New York deaths.
11/5/2009 Fort Hood shooting - Shooting attack at Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood. 44
Texas injuries and 13 deaths.
7/20/2012 Aurora Movie Theater Shooting attack at movie theater; suspect was arrested
shooting Colorado afterwards; suspect had booby-trapped his nearby
apartment with explosives which were successfully disarmed
by police. 58 injuries and 12 deaths.
12/14/2012 Sandyhook Elementary Shooting attack at elementary school; shooter killed himself
school shooting and had killed his mother earlier that day. 3 injuries and 28
deaths.
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4/15/2013 Boston Marathon Two bombings at Boston Marathon kill 3 (including 1 child)
bombing and injured 264 (including 8 children).
Massachusetts
10/1/2015 Umpqua Community Shooting attack at Umpqua Community College. 9 injuries
College shooting and 10 deaths.
Oregon
12/2/2015 San Bernardino terrorist Two attackers at a county employee meeting and Christmas
attack California party; both attackers were killed hours later in a shootout
with police in which 2 police officers were injured. 23 injuries
and 16 deaths.
6/12/2016 Orlando Nightclub Shooting attack at nightclub. 53 injuries and 50 deaths.
shooting Florida
8/12/2017 Vehicular attack on crowd protesting the rally. 19 injuries
and 1 death.
attack - Virginia
10/1/2017 Las Vegas concert Sniper attack on concert. 527 injuries and 59 deaths.
shooting Nevada
11/5/2017 Sutherland Springs Shooting attack on church during worship service, attacker
Baptist church shooting was shot and later killed himself. 30 injuries and 27 deaths.
Texas
2/14/2018 Majory Stoneman A former student entered a high school, shooting and killing
Douglas high school 14 students and 3 staff; 25 others were injured.
shooting Florida
5/18/2018 Santa Fe high school Shooting attack by a student at a high school. 14 injuries and
shooting Texas 10 deaths.
10/27/2018 Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting attack on Jewish worshippers at a synagogue; 4
terrorist attack police officers among those injured; terrorist was shot and
Pennsylvania arrested. 7 injuries and 11 deaths.
11/7/2018 Thousand Oaks shooting Shooting attack at bar; attacker killed himself. 12 injuries and
California 13 deaths.
8/3/2019 El Paso shopping center Shooting attack at Walmart store. 24 injuries and 22 deaths.
shooting Texas
8/4/2019 Dayton Ohio shooting Shooting attack outside bar; attacker was shot and killed by
Ohio police. 27 injuries and 10 deaths.
8/31/2019 Odessa and Midland Multiple drive-by shootings by individual evading police; one
drive-by shootings teenager killed, one infant and 4 police officers among those
Texas injured; suspect was shot and killed. 19 injuries and 8 deaths.
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4.7.8 TERRORISM EVENT PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 31: Terrorism CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 1 x 0.45 = 0.45 Unlikely Severe
Magnitude/Severity 3 x 0.3 = 0.9 Critical High
Moderate
Warning Time 4 x 0.15 = 0.6 Less Than 6 Hours
Low
Duration 1 x 0.1 = 0.1 Less than 6 hours
CPRI Rating 2.05 Moderate
cally target critical facilities and infrastructure or
Climate Change will not likely have an impact on the probability/frequency or magnitude/severity of
terrorist attacks.
Santa Clarita has not experienced a terrorist act. However, the area does include a variety of pipelines,
public works projects, electrical facilities, large public gathering places, as well as other potential
targets that could attract the attention of terrorists.
The consequences of a terrorist act in the Santa Clarita Valley could impact the local area, e.g.,
disruption of Interstate 5, State Route 14, water pipelines, water supply contamination, natural gas
and petroleum pipelines, hazardous materials release.
Recent trends toward large scale incidents generating significant casualties make preparedness and
the mechanisms for effective response essential. In addition to large scale attacks, a full range of
assault styles must be considered. Related threats include bomb threats, which disrupt the normal
operations of business. Venues likely to suffer the impact of terrorism include facilities that store,
manufacture or transport hazardous materials, highways and freeways, telecommunications
facilities, federal, state, county and city offices, shopping malls, schools, houses of worship and
religious centers, research facilities, electrical facilities, water and wastewater facilities, dams,
bridges and overpasses.
If a terrorist act were to occur in or near Santa Clarita, the consequences or magnitude could range
from a localized impact to a widespread event depending on the nature and type of act committed.
Mass casualties could occur and local response and emergency resources could be quickly
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overwhelmed or become victims themselves. A terrorist act also has the potential to disrupt local
utility services, communications, and transportation systems that reach beyond the City. In fact,
coordination of mass evacuation could be required and quickly become a major concern for local
responders.
4.7.8.1 ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENTS
On November 14, 2019, a student shot five other students, wounding three and killing two, before
killing himself. This incident illustrated that active shooter events can happen anywhere, and at
any time. Local schools, college campuses, houses of worship, shopping malls, hotels, event
centers, theaters, large commercial facilities, and local businesses all have the potential for an
Active Shooter incident.
If another Active Shooter incident were to occur in Santa Clarita, the consequences or magnitude
could range from a few casualties to several dozen. Local street closures and government,
healthcare, business, school, and college shutdowns (depending on the location and type of
incident) could also last from one to multiple days. Secondarily, media coverage would be
extensive and cause ongoing disruptions in the area.
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4.8 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE
Hazardous materials are everywhere and are accidentally released or spilled many times during any given
day. The California State Warning Center receives approximately 10,000 hazardous material spill reports
per year on hazardous material incidents and potential hazardous material incidents. Of these incidents
most are minor but some do cause significant impacts like injuries, evacuation, and clean-up.
In Santa Clarita the vast majority of hazardous material incidents are handled prior to their becoming a
major disaster. Nevertheless, the emergency organization needs to be flexible and evolutionary in its
response to a developing incident.
The severity of hazmat releases are directly related to the type, volume, composition, characteristics, and
chemical state of the material(s) involved. Releases of highly hazardous, infectious, radioactive,
flammable, corrosive, or industrial chemicals, fuels, or wastes, can result in large, regional impacts if
gasses or vapors are formed, if surface water is impacted, or if they occur in populated areas. The
emergency response capabilities of the City are excellent; however, location and characteristics of a spill
can determine the amount of time necessary to stabilize a release, keep down costs, and minimize the
amount of damage that could result to people, assets, and resources.
4.8.1 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE: INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND
Hazardous materials include hundreds of substances that pose a significant risk to the general
population if released. These substances may be highly toxic, reactive, corrosive, flammable,
radioactive or infectious. They are present in nearly every community in the U.S., where they may be
Hazardous Materials Division (LACoFD HHMD) is responsible for maintaining information about the
types of hazardous materials handled, produced, or stored in Santa Clarita and administering the
The information required by the Fire Department includes but is not limited to location of hazardous
materials; emergency contacts; location of utility shut-offs; location of emergency medical assistance;
site diagrams; and type of hazardous material training received by employees. The City is also home
to a number of smaller chemical users such as school laboratories and stores with supplies of pool
chemicals, etc. A complete list of businesses with hazardous materials stored or used on site is
maintained by the LACoFD HHMD.
Facilities that store or handle hazardous materials above the threshold quantities of 55 gallons for
liquids, 200 cubic feet for gases, or 500 pounds for solids are required by the California Health and
Safety Code to submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (inventory statement) and an Emergency
Response/Contingency Plan to the LACoFD HHMD. The inventory statements include a list of the
information is maintained on a computerized data base. Emergency response vehicles maintained by
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the LACoFD HHMD carry this data base, which allows emergency responders to identify the types,
amounts, and locations of hazardous substances during an emergency at a fixed facility. LACoFD
HHMD is the lead agency in Santa Clarita in the event of a hazardous materials incident and maintains
an Emergency Operations Section (EOS) that is specifically trained and equipped to respond to
emergencies involving potentially hazardous materials.
There are four County fire stations that house apparatus and personnel trained to respond and
mitigate hazardous materials incidents. These are known as Hazardous Materials Taskforces and are
comprised of nine personnel specially trained at the minimum level of Hazardous Materials
Technician. Of these four stations, one (Fire Station 150) is located in Santa Clarita, and is home to
the Hazardous Materials Taskforce 150, which is certified by the Office of Emergency Services (OES),
State of California, as a Type 1 Hazardous Materials Taskforce.
4.8.1.1 CLEANUP SITES IN SANTA CLARITA
The California Department of Toxic Substance Control maintains a list of all contaminated sites in
the state for which it is providing oversight and enforcement of clean-up activities. The list is
maintained in the EnviroStor Data Management System. Table 45: Cleanup Sites in Santa Clarita
(EnviroStor) lists the sites in the City and the surrounding unincorporated county area. As of May
2020, there were 22 cleanup sites within the Santa Clarita city limits and no Superfund sites. The
Map below shows the location of active cleanup sites in Santa Clarita.
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Map 11: Cleanup Sites in Santa Clarita (EnviroStor)
4.8.2 COMMUNITY ASSETS VULNERABLE TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE
4.8.2.1 PIPELINES
Natural gas service to Santa Clarita is provided by the Southern California Gas Company (SCG).
SCG operates numerous natural gas pipelines in Santa Clarita. Natural gas service lines in the
Santa Clarita Valley range in size from 2 to 34 inch mains. In the eastern part of the Valley, a 30-
inch diameter gas line runs along the Santa Clara River. In the western portion of the Valley a 34
inch and 22 inch main cross the river. Fire and water contamination are potential threats if leaks
occur.
Natural gas, fuel and water pipelines are part of the critical infrastructure that provides lifelines
to communities. A disruption to these lifelines will impede the ability to provide potable water,
natural gas, and fuel that the public depends on to ensure its health and safety. Examples include:
Water pumping stations, wells, and sewage treatment plants are dependent on electrical
power. While pumping stations have backup generators in case of power outages, an
extended outage may affect the ability of the stations to provide or preserve the safety of
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water. This will have public health implications to children, the elderly, and those with
compromised immune systems, and affect the ability of some businesses to remain open.
The delivery of gasoline and fuel is necessary to ensure that transportation is not interrupted
and that first responders have the ability to use the correct vehicles and equipment necessary
to provide services.
Restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and any establishments that require fuel and hot water to wash
utensils and tools and to regulate temperature will not be able to operate at full capacity.
Map 12: Pipelines in Santa Clarita and Surrounding Areas
Dark Blue Transmission Lines:
Generally large diameter
pipelines that operate at
pressures above 200 psi and
transport gas from supply points
to the gas distribution system.
Light Blue High Pressure
Distribution Lines: Pipelines that
operate at pressure above 60 psi
and deliver gas in smaller
volumes to the lower pressure
distribution system.
4.8.2.2 - PEOPLE
There is a potential for injuries to industry employees, the public, and first responders who are in
close proximity to a pipeline if there is a pipeline failure (accidental or caused by a deliberate act).
If the accident results in an explosion or a large release of fumes from toxic chemicals, there is a
potential for deaths and the destruction of property.
4.8.2.3 - ECONOMY
The direct economic impacts due to hazardous materials releases include lost business output
and productivity, property damage, and the loss of product. In addition, transportation
disruptions can impact a widespread area including freeways and roads resulting in gridlock and
other indirect losses to the local economy.
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4.8.3 - HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE HISTORY
Laws governing hazardous materials were quickly adopted during the 1980s and 1990s, largely as a
result of high profile cases worldwide, including
no significant events have occurred in Santa Clarita, but there is always the risk of an accidental or
intentional release of hazardous materials wherever they are used, stored, or handled. A significant
event, for the purposes of this report, is defined as an evacuation of a neighborhood and or closure
of a residential or commercial area for a prolonged period of time.
4.8.3.1 - HISTORY OF OIL AND FUEL EVENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Pipelines (usually underground) are used throughout California to distribute natural gas, fuels,
and other potentially hazardous materials. In Santa Clarita, there are natural gas transmission
pipelines that run throughout the Santa Clarita area and a hazardous liquids pipeline that runs
north of the city through Edwards Air Force Base. The Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) provides reports on pipeline incidents in the U.S. and by State. From
2010 through 2019 there have been 20 fatalities and 89 injuries along with $936,955,735 in
property damage from significant and serious pipeline incidents in California (Pipeline &
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), U.S. Department of Transportation, 2020).
Significant Incidents are those incidents reported by pipeline operators when any of the
following conditions are met:
1. Fatality or injury requiring in-patient hospitalization
2. $50,000 or more in total costs, measured in 1984 dollars
3. Highly volatile liquid releases of 5 barrels or more or other liquid releases of 50
barrels or more
4. Liquid releases resulting in an unintentional fire or explosion
Serious Incidents, a subset of Significant Incidents, are incidents which involve a fatality or
injury requiring in-patient hospitalization but do n
incident.
4.8.3.2 HISTORIC LOSSES AND IMPACTS
Examination of past incidents provides an opportunity to assess the common causes and
impacts of hazardous materials spills on the areas.
October 13, 2007 the disastrous Interstate 5 tunnel fire occurred when a big rig crashed inside a
truck route tunnel spewing gas and oil that later ignited. The entire tunnel was ablaze. The result
was a 31-plus big rig and vehicle pileup that cost three lives and caused the closure of Interstate
freeway handles upwards of 250,000 cars per day. Due to the impact to local streets, the City
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activated the EOC, along with its state-of-the-art traffic monitoring and control technology, which
-time
changes to traffic signal timing lights as freeway detours emptied thousands of cars into the City.
Santa Clarita coordinated a traffic detour plan with Caltrans, LA County Sheriff and CHP where
traffic was diverted on the three detour routes through the City. Twenty four thousand vehicles
were detoured on each route, in addition to 4,750 trucks.
Since the freeway would not open for the Monday morning rush hour, the City worked with
Metrolink and coordinated a transportation plan to add additional commuter trains and parking
parking for commuters at nearby lots, but City transit staff were positioned at each Metrolink of
its three stations by 5 a.m., personally directing commuters to the newly expanded parking
Monday morning and providing shuttle service for quick access to the stations. The Governor
declared a State of Emergency that enabled Santa Clarita to submit claims for reimbursement
totaling $12,281.
The table below depicts the hazardous materials incidents in Santa Clarita that were reported to
Cal-OES for 2019-2020. In total, 11 incidents were reported in the Santa Clarita area. In general
the reported incidents consisted of relatively small quantities with waste water and sewage
representing the largest spill types.
Table 4 - 32: Hazardous Materials Incidents for Santa Clarita (2019-2020)
Location Date Cause Injuries Death Substance/
Quantity
Type
NB Hwy 5 to NB 5/18/20 Semi-truck accident None None Diesel/ 40 gallons
14, Santa Clarita Petroleum
25857 Mc bean 5/5/20 Root intrusion caused None None Sewage 1,000
Pkwy, Santa release from sewer gallons
Clarita manhole into
vegetated area.
25100 Magic 4/25/20 Power utility substation None None Mineral Oil/ 500 gallons
Mountain Pkwy, transformer Petroleum
Santa Clarita mechanical failure
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Quigley Canyon, 4/24/20 Corroded pipe leaked None None Produced 15 barrels
Santa Clarita into nearby creek bed Water 2% Oil/
and storm drains Petroleum
SB Hwy 5, south 2/20/20 Semi-truck fire None None Diesel/ 150 gallons
of Osito Canyon, Petroleum
Santa Clarita
NB 14 Newhall 10/29/20 Battery tied down in None None Battery Acid 12 cell
Ave off ramp, back of truck spilled 24 vault
Santa Clarita when truck hit curb
21380 Centre 10/3/20 Debris in sewer main None None Sewage 1,200
Pointe Pkwy, caused overflow into gallons
Santa Clarita storm drain
End of Keaton 9/30/19 Contractor moved None None Diesel/ 20-30
Ave, Santa portable generator and Petroleum gallons
Clarita caused spill onto
asphalt and nearby
storm drain
23430 5/18/19 Line blockage caused None None Grey Water/ 3,000
Riversbridge release Sewage gallons
Way, Santa
Clarita
25713 5/5/19 Line blockage caused None None Sewage Unknown
Hawthorne Pl, release
Santa Clarita
26214 Carroll Ln, 2/7/19 Line blockage caused None None Sewage 600 gallons
Santa Clarita release
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4.8.4 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND
MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 33: Hazardous Materials Release CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 3 x 0.45 = 1.35 Likely Severe
Magnitude/Severity 2 x 0.3 = 0.6 Limited High
Moderate
Warning Time 4 x 0.15 = 0.6 Less than 6 hours
Low
Duration 3 x 0.1 = 0.3 Less than 1 Week
CPRI Rating 2.85 Moderate
The CPRI rating for Hazardous Materials Release is 2.85 or
quickly contained
Materials Release event can occur at any time and there are no environmental factors that would act
because although most
Hazardous Materials are quickly contained, there is a fair amount of variability in duration due to the
type of material and size of the Release event. Climate Change is unlikely to have any impact on
Hazardous Materials Release events.
4.8.4.1 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE PROBABILITY AND FREQUENCY
A Hazardous Materials Release can occur at any time in Santa Clarita given the location of
transportation routes in the city, the presence of businesses that manufacture, handle or store
hazardous materials, and the potential for illegal dumping. Over the last year and a half, 11
incidents have occurred in Santa Clarita as demonstrated in Table ##: Hazardous Materials
Incidents for Santa Clarita (2019-2020).
4.8.4.2 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE MAGNITUDE: POTENTIAL DAMAGE
All persons and properties in Santa Clarita are susceptible to a hazardous material release or spill
with little or no warning. The magnitude and severity to which the population and properties
depend on factors multiplied by various conditions. These factors and conditions include the
material, the materials toxicity, the duration of the release and environmental conditions such as
the wind, water action, and geological terrain.
Material
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and transportation corridors that lie within a one-mile buffer zone from all major transportation
corridors and railroad tracks. All areas within the one-mile buffer zone are considered to be in a
Table 47: Hazardous Materials Building Count - identifies all structures by general occupancy type
that are in a high risk hazardous materials zone. Structural losses due to hazardous materials
incidents are usually minor and are primarily focused on clean-up and decontamination. No
readily available information exists for estimating loss-to-exposure ratios. Consequently a 1% loss
estimate was used for planning purposes.
Table 4 - 34: Hazardous Materials Potential Building Count and Valuation by General Occupancy Type
Occupancy Type Number of Valuation of Number of Valuation of
Buildings in Buildings in High Buildings Buildings if 1 %
High Risk Risk Zone Damaged If a Loss Occurs
Zone 1% Loss Occurs
Commercial 1,068 $2,379,596,691 11 $23,795,967
Industrial 1,063 $1,994,032,328 11 $19,940,323
Mixed Use 625 $314,258,253 6 $3,142,583
Residential 29,569 $13,269,480,262 296 $132,694,803
Specific Plan 3,034 $2,143,223,771 30 $21,432,238
Open Space 262 $51,652,720 3 $516,527
Other (Public/Institutional) 708 $503,387,572 7 $5,033,876
TOTAL 36,329 $20,655,631,597 363 $206,556,316
The number of buildings is greater than the actual number of buildings. This is because of stacked
parcels with two different zones, essentially buildings are being double counted in some cases.
36,355 > 36,329 (# number of buildings from building layer.)
4.8.5 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE VULNERABILITIES
The primary vulnerabilities for hazardous materials releases in Santa Clarita are from commercial
vehicles and transport activities; releases at fixed facilities, pipeline breaks, and illegal clandestine
dumping.
Transportation: The greatest probability of a major hazmat incident is from a transportation
accident, including freeways, highways, roads, and rail freight. Historically, hazardous
material incidents frequently occur on the heaviest traveled streets and at major intersections
and freeway interchanges. Hazardous materials are transported to and through the City by
vehicles using I-5, SR-14, and SR-126, and the Union Pacific Railroad. The risk of hazardous
material spills during transport exists and may increase with continued industrial
development in the City.
Fixed Facility: The second most likely serious hazmat threat exists from an accidental spill
and/or incident at one of the facilities that manufacture, warehouse, and process toxic
chemicals and/or generate hazardous waste materials within or next to City boundaries.
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There are approximately 723 businesses and government facilities in Santa Clarita using
and/or storing materials which are classified as hazardous. The map below provides an
overview of where these hazardous material uses are located.
Map 13: Hazardous Materials Locations
Although there are numerous facilities involved with hazardous materials throughout the City, they
are less of a threat due to required plant inventory statements, emergency response/contingency
plan and evacuation plans. The LACoFD HHMD reviews these plans and makes sure they are in
compliance with current laws and regulations. The City will coordinate all hazardous materials
incidents with the LACoFD.
Pipeline Breaks: Pipeline breaks can disrupt roads, highways, lifelines, public services, and
the general health of local residents. An explosion or accident at a distribution or pipeline
center may cause injury or death, as well as threaten water and air quality. Businesses and
public services without gas and water will be forced to scale back operations or close. The
examples listed below provide brief descriptions of community assets that may be impacted
by a hazardous materials release.
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Illegal Clandestine Dumping: Clandestine dumping is the criminal act of disposing of toxic
materials and hazardous waste on public or private property. Acts of Illegal disposal of
hazardous materials/wastes have declined over the last several years, but high disposal costs
and restricted disposal options will likely result in the continuation of this environmental
crime.
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4.9 LANDSLIDE/MUDSLIDE/SUBSIDENCE
Because of the steep topography in Santa Clarita, combined with soil types and damage to vegetation
from wildfires (discussed elsewhere in this HMP), landslidesthe movement of surface materials down
a slopeare a hazard in the city.
Landslides can result in private property damage, and impacts to transportation corridors, fuel and energy
conduits, and communication facilities. They can also pose a serious threat to human life. Nationally,
landslides cause 25 to 50 deaths each year (Mileti, 1999) and (California Department of Public Health,
2015). The best estimate of direct and indirect costs of landslide damage in the United States range
between $1 billion and $2 billion annually (Harrod, 1989). Much of the land area within the Planning Area
consists of mountainous or hilly terrain with the presence of earthquake faults. As a result, large sections
of the Planning Area are susceptible to landslides.
Map 14: USGS US Landslide Inventory (Santa Clarita Valley)
4.9.1 LANDSLIDES, DEBRIS FLOWS, AND MUDSLIDES: THREAT DESCRIPTIONS
Landslides can be broken down into two categories: (1) rapidly moving (generally known as debris
flows and mudslides), and (2) slow moving. Rapidly moving landslides or debris flows present the
greatest risk to human life, and people living in or traveling through areas prone to rapidly moving
landslides are at increased risk of serious injury. Slow moving landslides can cause significant
property damage, but are less likely to result in serious human injuries. Environmental and geologic
events, and human activity are the primary triggers for landslides.
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Environmental and Geologic Landslide Triggers: Landslides are often triggered by periods of
heavy rainfall, earthquakes, subterranean water flow and excavations. Wildland fires in hills
covered with chaparral are often a precursor to debris flows in burned out canyons. The
extreme heat of a wildfire can create a soil condition in which the earth becomes impervious
to water by creating a waxy-like layer just below the ground surface. Since the water cannot
be absorbed into the soil, it rapidly accumulates on slopes, often gathering loose particles of
soil in to a sheet of mud and debris. Debris flows can often originate miles away from
unsuspecting persons, and approach them at a high rate of speed with little warning.
Human Activity Triggers: Human activities, including locating development near steep slopes,
can increase susceptibility to landslide events. Grading for road construction and
development can increase slope steepness. Grading and construction can decrease the
stability of a hill slope by adding weight to the top of the slope, removing support at the base
of the slope, and increasing water content. Other human activities affecting landslides
include: excavation, drainage and groundwater alterations, and changes in vegetation
(Department of Land Conservation and Development, 2000).
Table 4 - 35: Earth Movement Terms
EARTH
DEFINITION
MOVEMENT
TERMS
A debris flow or mud slide is a river of rock, earth and other materials, including
Debris
vegetation that is saturated with water. This high percentage of water gives the
Flow/Mudslide
debris flow a very rapid rate of movement down a slope.
Earthflows are slow moving landslides with plastic or liquid movements in
Earthflow
which a land mass (e.g. soil and rock) breaks up and flows during movement.
A landslide is the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.
Landslide
movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity and encompasses
events such as rock falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows. Landslides can be
initiated by rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, changes in groundwater,
disturbance and change of a slope by man-made construction activities, or any
combination of these factors.
Liquefaction is a phenomenon in which the strength and stiffness of a soil is
Liquefaction
reduced by earthquake shaking or other rapid loading and occurs in saturated
soils in which the space between individual particles is completely filled with
water. This water exerts a pressure on the soil particles that influences how
tightly the particles are pressed together. Prior to an earthquake, the water
pressure is relatively low. However, earthquake shaking can cause the water
pressure to increase to the point where the soil particles can readily move with
respect to each other. When liquefaction occurs, the strength of the soil
decreases and the ability of a soil deposit to support foundations for buildings
and bridges is reduced (University of Washington, 2000).
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Rock falls occur when blocks of material come loose on steep slopes. Weathering,
Rock Falls
erosion, or excavations, such as those along highways, can cause falls where the
road has been cut through bedrock. They are fast moving with the materials free
falling or bouncing down the slope. In falls, material is detached from a steep
slope or cliff. The volume of material involved is generally small, but large
boulders or blocks of rock can cause significant damage.
Sinkholes are formed when rain dissolves underground limestone or when
Sinkhole
surface materials collapse into underlying cavities in the rock. Abrupt collapse-
type sinkholes have become more common over the past twenty-five years,
primarily due to activities of humans such as withdrawal of groundwater,
diversion of surface water, or construction of ponds.
Land subsidence is a
Subsidence
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2015).
4.9.2 LANDSLIDE/MUDSLIDE/SUBSIDENCE HISTORY
As communities continue to modify the terrain and influence natural processes, it is important to be
aware of the physical properties of the underlying soils as they, along with climate, create landslide
hazards. Even with proper planning, landslides will continue to threaten the safety of people,
property, and infrastructure. The increasing scarcity of land available for development, particularly in
urban areas, increases the tendency to build on geologically marginal land. Hillside housing
developments in Southern California are prized for the view lots that they provide, but increase
landslide risks to the community.
Selected major landslides in the Los Angeles region and Santa Clarita in the recent past include:
4.9.2.1 1971 JUVENILE HALL, SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA
Landslides on February 9, 1971, caused by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake, known as the Sylmar
Earthquake, cost $266.6 million (2000 dollars). In addition to damaging the San Fernando Juvenile
Hall, this 1.2 km-long slide damaged trunk lines of the Southern Pacific Railroad, San Fernando
Boulevard, Interstate Highway 5, the Sylmar electrical converter station, and several pipelines and
canals (Schuster, n.d.).
4.9.2.2 1994 NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE LANDSLIDES
As a result of the magnitude 6.7 Northridge, California, earthquake, more than 11,000 landslides
occurred over an area of 10,000 square kilometers. Most were in the Santa Susana Mountains
and in mountains north of the Santa Clara River Valley. The earthquake destroyed dozens of
homes, blocked roads, and damaged oil-field infrastructure. This event also caused deaths from
Coccidioidomycosis (valley fever), the spore of which was released from the soil and blown
toward the coastal populated areas. The spore was released from the soil by the landslide activity
(Schuster, n.d.).
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4.9.2.3 2004-2005 MUDSLIDES
BetwThe
severe rains, in combination with dry soils and burned vegetation, caused several mud slides, the
most severe of which destroyed two homes and caused damage to 64 homes and/or buildings.
These severe storms caused the City of Santa Clarita to declare a state of emergency. The City
claimed $1.8 million in public damages and private damages totaled over $4 million.
4.9.3 LANDSLIDE/MUDSLIDE/SUBSIDENCE PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND
MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 36: Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 3 x 0.45 = 1.35 Likely Severe
Magnitude/Severity 2 x 0.3 = 0.6 Limited High
Moderate
Warning Time 4 x 0.15 = 0.6 Less than 6 hours
Low
Duration 3 x 0.1 = 0.3 Less than 1 Week
CPRI Rating 2.85 Moderate
-documented cyclical weather patterns that cause
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence events. Magnitude/Severity has a
only in rare, severe occurrences will Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence result in major damage to critical
dslide/Mudslide/Subsidence events happen quickly and without warning,
although the conditions under which these events typically occur are somewhat predictable. Duration
ypically occur
very quickly and only last for a few minutes to a few hours. Climate Change is very likely to impact the
frequency, and magnitude of Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence and the environmental factors that
cause these events.
According to the CDMG roughly 26% of the land in the Newhall Quadrangle lies within the landslide
hazard zone, and approximately 30-40% of the area is subject to liquefaction (California Department
of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, 1997). As a part of the geologic data compilation, an
inventory of existing landslides in the Newhall Quadrangle was prepared. For each landslide included
on the map a number of characteristics (attributes) were compiled. These characteristics include the
confidence of interpretation (definite, probable and questionable) and other properties, such as
activity, thickness, and associated geologic unit(s). Landslides rated as definite and probable were
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carried into the slope stability analysis. Historically, landslides have occurred within the City limits.
These landslides are depicted on the Newhall and Mint Canyon quadrangles. The majority of the
landslides are mapped within the Saugus and Mint Canyon formations.
to identify areas of earthquake induced
liquefaction and landslide hazard. In general areas underlain by unconsolidated alluvium, such as
along the Santa Clara River and tributary washes, are prone to liquefaction. Areas that are on
topographic highlands, such as hill slopes are subject to landslide. Map 30: Santa Clarita Seismic
Hazard Zones: Liquefaction and Landslide Areas identifies the areas subject to earthquake-induced
liquefaction and landslides. Seismic hazard maps differ from the geologic maps in the following way:
Seismic hazard maps show areas that have the potential to be affected by liquefaction and landslides,
whereas geologic maps show existing landslides. Potential hazard areas are not shown on geologic
maps.
Map 15: Seismic Hazard Zones Landslide and Liquefaction Hazards
Map 15: Landslide Overview Map of California on the next page depicts the United States Geological
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the Santa Clarita Valley as having a high landslide incidence and high susceptibility/low incidence.
Susceptibility to landslides was defined as the probable degree of response of \[the areal\] rocks and
soils to natural or artificial cutting or loading of slopes, or to anomalously high precipitation. High,
moderate, and low susceptibility are delimited by the same percentages used in classifying the
incidence of landslides.
Map 16: Landslide Overview Map of California
4.9.3.1 LANDSLIDE
VULNERABILITIES
The terrain of the City of Santa
Clarita is varied in topography and
has significant ridgelines. There is
high potential for landslide activity.
The City has liquefaction and
landslide zones as shown on the
Seismic Hazard Zones Map (see
Appendix D: Maps 14 and 15 -
Seismic Hazard Zones: Liquefaction
and Landslides, and Landslide
Overview Map of California).
The size of a landslide usually depends on the geology and the initial cause of the landslide.
Landslides vary greatly in their volume of rock and soil, the length, width, and depth of the area
affected, frequency of occurrence, and speed of movement. Some characteristics that
determine the type of landslide are slope of the hillside, moisture content, and the nature of the
underlying materials. Landslides are given different names, depending on the type of failure and
their composition and characteristics.
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Areas of risk include:
Areas where wildfires or construction have destroyed vegetation
Areas where landslides have occurred before
Steep slopes and areas at the bottom of slopes or canyons
Slopes that have been altered for construction of buildings and roads
Channels along a stream or river
Areas where surface runoff is directed
4.9.3.2 CRITICAL FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Landslides can affect utility services, transportation systems, and critical facilities and
infrastructure. Communities may suffer immediate damages and loss of service. Disruption of
infrastructure, roads, and critical facilities may also have a long-term effect on the economy.
Utilities, including potable water, wastewater, telecommunications, natural gas, and electric
power are all essential to service community needs. Loss of electricity has the most widespread
impact on other utilities and on the whole community. Natural gas pipes may also be at risk of
breakage from landslide movements as small as an inch or two.
Roads and Bridges: Losses incurred from landslide/sinkhole hazards in the City of Santa
responding to occurrences of earth movement events that inhibit the flow of traffic or are
damaging to a road or a bridge, but can usually only repair the road itself, as well as the
areas adjacent to the occurrence where the city has the right of way. The impact of closed
transportation arteries may be increased if the closed road or bridge is critical for
hospitals and other emergency facilities. Therefore, inspection and repair of critical
transportation facilities and routes is essential and should receive high priority. A list of
Critical roads and bridges can be found in Section 3 of this HMP.
Communication Lines, Utilities and Pipelines: Losses of power and phone service are also
potential consequences of landslide events. Due to heavy rains, soil erosion in hillside
areas can be accelerated, resulting in loss of soil support beneath high voltage
transmission towers in hillsides and remote areas. Flood events can also cause landslides,
debris flows, and mudslides, which can have serious impacts on natural gas and other
pipelines that are located in vulnerable soils.
4.9.4 POTENTIAL MAGNITUDE OF EARTHQUAKE INDUCED LANDSLIDES AND
LIQUEFACTION
hazard zones. It is understood that if a structure is identified in a landslide or liquefaction hazard area
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that it has a higher probability of being impacted by a landslide or liquefaction than a structure that
seismic
hazard zones.
Table 4 37: Landslide and Liquefaction Potential Building Count and Valuation by General Occupancy Type
Occupancy Type Number of Valuation of Number of Valuation of
Buildings in Buildings in Buildings in Buildings in
Landslide Landslide Hazard Liquefaction Liquefaction
Hazard Zone Zone Zone Zone
Commercial 29 $193,303,581 846 $2,312,412,870
Industrial 92 $542,865,377 959 $2,172,156,362
Mixed Use 4 $12,64,620 515 $257,733,524
Residential 6,340 $4,552,344,777 24,111 $11,810,888,617
Specific Plan 407 $301,766,041 2,763 $2,565,423,784
Open Space 34 $6,062,899 181 $59,648,439
Other 124 $265,655,615 557 $16,457,507
(Public/Institutional)
TOTAL 7,030 $5,874,639,910 29,932 $19,194,721,103
The number of buildings is greater than the actual number of buildings. This is because of stacked
parcels with two different zones, essentially buildings are being double counted in some cases.
7,922 + 23,783 = 31,705 > 31,697 (# of buildings from the building layer).
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4.10 FLOOD
Two types of flooding primarily affect the City of Santa Clarita: riverine flooding and urban flooding.
Riverine Flooding: Riverine flooding is the overbank flooding of rivers and streams. Flooding in large
river systems typically results from large-scale weather systems that generate prolonged rainfall
over a wide geographic area, causing flooding in hundreds of smaller streams, which then drain into
the major rivers. FEMA defines shallow flood hazards as areas that are inundated by the 100-year
flood with flood depths of only one to three feet. These areas are generally flooded by low velocity
sheet flows of water. Santa Clarita is host to numerous streams, two dams, and the Santa Clara
River, which could overflow during a severe storm event.
Urban Flooding: As land is converted from fields or woodlands to roads and parking lots, it loses its
ability to absorb rainfall. Urbanization of a watershed changes the hydrologic systems of the basin.
Heavy rainfall collects and flows faster on impervious concrete and asphalt surfaces. Adding these
elements to the hydrological systems can result in floodwaters that rise very rapidly and peak with
violent force. During periods of urban flooding, streets can become swift moving rivers and
basements can fill with water. Storm drains often back up with vegetative debris causing additional,
localized flooding.
Flooding in Santa Clarita could occur as a result of any of the following conditions: (1) heavy, prolonged
rainfall; (2) the collapse or leakage of a nearby dam; (3) a smaller precipitation event in a degraded
watershed or drainage system resulting from a recent fire or excessive grading; and (4) a sudden release
of water caused by the rupture of the California aqueduct. In the Santa Clarita Valley the primary flood
hazard areas occur in and along natural drainage channels, rivers, washes, and blue-line streams (a stream
that flows most or all of the year and is marked on topographic maps with a solid blue line FEMA).
Santa Clarita enjoys a mild Southern California Mediterranean climate. Winters are temperate and semi-
moist, typically in the 40° - 65° range. Santa Clarita receives an average of approximately 18 inches of
rain per year under normal conditions primarily between the months of November and March (Western
Regional Climate Center, 2015). However, flooding is most common October through March during El
Niño years which have the potential to bring intense rainfall to the area.
4.10.1 FLOOD HAZARD LOCATION AND EXTENT
The Santa Clara River originates in the watershed areas of the San Gabriel Mountain and flows
approximately 84 miles westward. It then empties into the Pacific Ocean near Ventura, California,
approximately 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It drains an area of approximately 1,634 square
miles. An estimated 90 percent of the drainage area is mountainous with steep, rocky ridges and
numerous canyons. The remaining 10 percent consist of narrow alluvial valleys and coastal plains.
Generally, the upper sub basins of various tributaries drain mountainous terrain at substantially
steeper slopes than the lower sub basins which traverse a relatively plain area. Three major mountain
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ridges border on or near the drainage area; namely, Coast Range on the west, Tehachapi Mountains
to the north, and San Gabriel Mountains to the south. Maximum elevation occurs within the subject
basin at Mount Pinos near the western end of the northern boundary, and is approximately 8,826
feet above Mean Sea Level. Gently sloping alluvial valleys are found along the Santa Clara River
downstream from the mouth of Soledad Canyon and along the downstream parts of some of the
principal tributaries.
Principal tributaries in the downstream order are:
Soledad Canyon
Live Oak Springs Canyon
Sand Canyon
Mint Canyon
Bouquet Canyon
South Fork of the Santa Clara River
San Francisquito Canyon
Castaic Creek
The South Fork, as the name implies, flows into the Santa Clara River from the south. Approximately
90 percent of the drainage area is on the north side of the river. Downstream from Soledad Canyon,
the riverbed becomes a wide sandy wash that extends to the ocean. Various other blueline streams
and drainage courses allow flow through the City. The flood hazard areas are identified in Appendix
D: Maps (see Map 17: Dam Inundation).
4.10.1.1 RESERVOIRS AND DAMS
There are 2 major reservoirs and dams that can impact Santa Clarita. A description of each is
provided below along with the potential inundation areas if one or both of these dams fail. It
should also be noted that the St. Francis Dam disaster in 1928 did have a catastrophic impact on
the area and greatly influenced design requirements and safety regulations for all future dams in
the U.S.
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Castaic Reservoir: Castaic
Figure 9: Castaic Reservoir
Reservoir inundation maps,
prepared by the California
Department of Water Resources,
indicate areas of potential
flooding in Castaic, Val Verde, and
Valencia in the event of a dam
failure. Under such conditions,
floodwaters would rapidly travel
southward, flooding Castaic, Val
Verde, and Valencia within 15
minutes. At the Castaic Junction,
the flow would cease at Magic
Mountain Parkway.
Bouquet Reservoir Inundation: In the event of a failure of the Bouquet Reservoir possible
flood areas include Saugus and Valencia. In such a situation, any structure situated north
of McBean Parkway in the Bouquet Canyon area at an elevation under 1,200 feet would
be exposed to flood waters within
Figure 10: Bouquet Reservoir
49 minutes of dam failure. This
area includes Rosedell Elementary
School and Saugus High School
and residential areas around King
Crest and Alaminos Drive. After
flooding down Bouquet Canyon,
the floodwaters would enter the
Santa Clara River. The water level
would rise and likely inundate
Newhall Ranch Road and parts of
Interstate 5 south of Castaic
Junction. (Kfasimpaur)
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Map 17: Dam Inundation Map
4.10.2 NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a Federal program created by Congress to mitigate
future flood losses nationwide through sound, community-enforced building and zoning ordinances
and to provide access to affordable, federally backed flood insurance protection for property owners.
The NFIP is designed to provide an insurance alternative to disaster assistance to meet the escalating
costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods.
The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In support of the NFIP, FEMA identifies flood hazard
areas throughout the United States and its territories. Most areas of flood hazard are commonly
identified on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). A FIRM is an official map of a community on which
FEMA has delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the
community.
Areas not yet identified by a FIRM may be mapped on Flood Hazard Boundary Maps (FHBMs). Several
areas of flood hazards are identified on these maps. One of these areas is the Special Flood Hazard
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Area (SFHA). The SFHA is a high-risk area defined as any land that would be inundated by a flood
having a 1- percent chance of occurring in a given year (also referred to as the base flood). The high-
risk- area standard constitutes a reasonable compromise between the need for building restrictions
to minimize potential loss of life and property and the economic benefits to be derived from floodplain
development. Development may take place within an SFHA, provided that development complies
with local floodplain management ordinances, which must meet the minimum Federal requirements.
Flood insurance is required for insurable structures within high- risk areas to protect Federal financial
investments and assistance used for acquisition and/or construction purposes within communities
participating in the NFIP.
Participation in the NFIP is based on an agreement between local communities and the Federal
Government that states that if a community will adopt and enforce a floodplain management
ordinance to reduce future flood risks to new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), the
Federal Government will make flood insurance available within the community as a financial
protection against flood losses.
The City of Santa Clarita participates in the National Flood Insurance Program as listed in the FEMA
Community Status Book Report (FEMA, 2020) and the ongoing eligibility requirements are specified
under 44CFR§59.21.
Table 4 38: FEMA Community Book Report: California
CID Community County Init FHBM Init FIRM Curr Eff Reg-Emer Tribal
Name Identified Identified Mad Date Date
SANTA LOS
060729 10/24/78 9/29/89 9/26/08 3/23/89 No
CLARITA ANGELES
4.10.2.1 FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS (FIRM)
A Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is an official map produced by FEMA that delineates
communities where NFIP regulations apply. FIRMs combine water surface elevations with
topographic data to illustrate areas that would be inundated during a 100-year flood, floodway
areas, and elevations marking the 100-year flood level. In some cases they also include base flood
elevations (BFEs) and areas located within the 500-year floodplain. Flood Insurance Studies and
FIRMs produced for the NFIP provide assessments of the probability of flooding at a given
location.
All Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are zones beginning with the letter A (A, AE, AO, AH) and
are considered the 100-year or high risk zones. The 500-year or X zones and the D zones are
considered low-to-medium risk zones.
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Map 18: Flood Zone Map - Santa Clarita
4.10.2.2 REPETITIVE LOSS PROPERTIES IN SANTA CLARITA
The Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) grant program was authorized to provide funding to reduce or
eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to severe repetitive loss (SRL) structures insured
under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The definition of severe repetitive loss as
applied to this program was established in section 1361A of the national Flood Insurance Act, as
amended (NFIA), 42 U.S.C. 4102a. An SRL property is defined as a residential property that is
covered under an NFIP flood insurance policy and:
A. That has at least four (4) NFIP claim payments (including building and contents) over
$5,000 each, and the cumulative amount of such claims payments exceeds $20,000;
OR
B. For which at least two separate claims payments (building payments only) have been
made with the cumulative amount of the building portion of such claims exceeding the
market value of the building.
For both (A) and (B) above, at least two of the referenced claims must have occurred within any
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ten-year period, and must be greater than ten (10) days apart.
Three properties within Santa Clarita have experienced repeated flooding and were considered
by FEMA as repetitive loss properties. Repetitive loss properties include every NFIP insured
property that, since 1978 and regardless of any change(s) of ownership during that period, has
experienced. In the case of all three properties, the
and have since been removed from the repetitive loss list by FEMA as of June 2011 (see summary
below). Consequently, as of September 2015, there are no listed repetitive loss properties in the
City of Santa Clarita.
One of the repetitive loss properties is located in the Newhall area of Santa Clarita. The
ter from
heavy rains. A storm drain channel was constructed directly adjacent to that property
draining stormwater from this, and all adjoining neighborhoods in this sub-basin of
Newhall, and drains into the South Fork of the Santa Clara River. The mitigation
information was received by FEMA and the property is no longer considered a repetitive
loss property as of March 1990.
The second property is located in the Canyon Country area of Santa Clarita. The flooding
was a result of improper grading and blockage of drainage paths. The owner of the
property re-graded the entire lot and installed drainage swales and area drains to convey
the stormwater directly to the storm drain system. The mitigation information was
received by FEMA and the property is no longer considered a repetitive loss property as
of January 2005.
The third property is located in the Valencia area of Santa Clarita. The flooding was a
result of improper grading and a lack of adequate drainage facilities in the rear yard of
the residence. The owner of the property re-graded the backyard, installed area drains,
and an underground pipe that conveys the water to the front connected to the storm
drain system. The mitigation information was received by FEMA and the property is no
longer considered a repetitive loss property as of June 2011.
4.10.3 SANTA CLARITA FLOOD EVENT HISTORY
Localized flooding has been experienced intermittently in some areas of the Santa Clarita Valley due
to local drainage conditions. During heavy rains some areas of Castaic, Newhall, Friendly Valley, and
Bouquet Canyon have experienced mudflows or flooding. Two areas of the City of Santa Clarita that
are known to experience intermittent flooding are portions of Placerita Canyon and Sand Canyon.
During storm events, transmission of storm flows within the street right-of-way may cause localized
flooding in these areas, rendering some roads impassable.
The following flood events had a direct impact on the City of Santa Clarita and nearby areas.
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1928 St. Francis Dam Disaster: On March 12, 1928, the dam failed, sending a 180-foot- high
wall of water crashing down San Francisquito Canyon, washing out the original Santa Clara
River Bridge and parts of Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Montalvo, Saticoy, and Ventura. An
estimated 470 people were dead by the time the floodwaters reached the Pacific Ocean south
of Ventura 5 1/2 hours later. It was the second-worst disaster in California history, after the
great San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906, in terms of lives lost. Damages were
estimated at $862.2 million (year 2010 dollars).
1983 El Nio: In January and February of 1983, the Sand Canyon Road Bridge was washed
out by El Nino floods.
1992 Winter Storms/1992 Late Winter Storms: The winter storms in February of 1992
resulted in flooding, rainstorms, and mudslides in the City of Santa Clarita. FEMA declared
parts of Los Angeles County a disaster area on February 12, 1992 (FEMA 935-DR-CA). In
December of 1992, rain and high winds resulted in FEMA declaring Los Angeles County a
disaster area on February 19, 1993 (FEMA 979-DR-CA).
1995 Severe Winter Storms: In January of 1995, severe winter storms resulted in FEMA
declaring Los Angeles County a disaster area on January 6, 1995 (FEMA 1044-DR-CA). In
February of 1995, late winter storms resulted in FEMA declaring Los Angeles County a disaster
area on March 12, 1995 (FEMA 1046-DR-CA).
1998 El Nino: In February of 1998, the El Nino condition resulted in FEMA declaring Los Angeles
County a disaster on February 9, 1998 (FEMA 1203-DR-CA). Impacts from this storm event
included a washout of the Bouquet Canyon Bridge (a key arterial roadway within the City).
Water from the Santa Clara River beat against abutments of the bridge caused a sinkhole on
the bridge.
2005 Severe Storms: In January and February of 2005, severe storms resulted in a Federal
declaration of a disaster for Los Angeles County (FEMA 1577-DR-CA). Public damages were
approximately $1.8 million while residents suffered approximately $4 million. The winter
storms resulted in the loss of one mobile home on the Santa Clara River, and the loss of trails
and paths along the Santa Clara River and several tributaries. Significant damage and flooding
occurred to a mobile home park adjacent to Newhall Creek. Fast moving water gushed through
the Polynesian Mobile Home Park causing 150 residents to evacuate from the mobile home
park for several days. No serious injuries were reported (Jia-Rui Chong, Amanda Covarrubias
and Richard Fausset, Los Angeles Times, 2005).18 In all 38 mobile homes were red tagged, 15
mobile homes were destroyed, 5 residential homes were red tagged due to landslide potential.
Building and Safety surveyed 31 residential sites regarding debris flow, hillside slope
movement, landslides, culverts and property damage.
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2010 Severe Storms: In January and February of 2010, severe winter storms, flooding, and
debris and mud flows resulted in a Federal declaration of a disaster for Los Angeles County
(FEMA 1884-DR).
4.10.4 FLOOD PROBABILITY, FREQUENCY, AND MAGNITUDE
Table 4 - 39: Flood CPRI Rating
Category of Risk Score/Weight Description Level of Risk
Probability/Frequency 3 x 0.45 = 1.35 Likely Severe
Magnitude/Severity 2 x 0.3 = 0.6 Limited High
Moderate
Warning Time 1 x 0.15 = 0.15 More than 24 hours
Low
Duration 3 x 0.1 = 0.3 Less than 1 Week
CPRI Rating 2.40 Moderate
due to the fact that Santa Clarita has the topography and climate that are prone to seasonal flooding
with a recorded history of such events. Magnitud
flood events are relatively minor and do not severely impact critical facilities and infrastructure or
gh
most flood events are related to weather patterns, it is difficult to predict when whether will be severe
flooding is often related to weather patterns which may for a few days or more. Climate Change may
impact the frequency, magnitude, and duration of flood events, and the CPRI rating may reach a
4.10.4.1 100-YEAR AND 500-YEAR FLOOD PROBABILITY AND FREQUENCY
Some areas of the City of Santa Clarita are located in 100-year and 500-year floodplains as
indicated on Map 18: DFIRM Flood Zone Map for the City of Santa Clarita. Detailed Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are available directly from the FEMA Flood Map Service Center
(https://msc.fema.gov). The 100-year and 500-year recurrence intervals indicate a 0.01 and 0.002
annual probability of a flooding event, respectively. Although the recurrence interval represents
the long-term average period between floods of specific magnitude, significant floods could occur
at shorter intervals or even within the same year.
4.10.4.2 POTENTIAL MAGNITUDE OF FLOODS
The primary effect of flooding is the threat to life and property. People and animals may drown;
structures and their contents may be washed away or destroyed; roads, bridges, and railroad
tracks may be washed out; and crops may be destroyed. Furthermore, mudslides and sinkholes
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may occur causing the potential for further loss of life, infrastructure damage, and property
losses. Floods may also create health hazards due to the discharge of raw sewage from damaged
septic tank leach fields, sewer lines, and sewage treatment plants and due to flammable,
explosive, or toxic materials carried off by flood waters. In addition, vital public services may be
disrupted.
4.10.4.3 POTENTIAL FLOOD DAMAGES
GIS data to identify the structures that lie within the flood hazard zones. It is understood that if a
structure is identified in a flood hazard area that it has a higher probability of being impacted by
a flood than a structure that is not in the flood hazard area. The table below identifies these
Table 4 - 40: Building Count and Valuation in Flood Zones by General Occupancy Type
Occupancy Type Number of Valuation of Number of Valuation of
Buildings in Buildings in Buildings in Buildings in Low-
High Risk High Risk Flood Low-Medium Medium Risk
Flood Zone Zone Risk Flood Zone Flood Zone
Commercial 308 $189,451,909 29 $44,832,134
Industrial 268 $117,455,239 1 $7,243,829
Mixed Use 74 $61,365,128 91 $81,926,415
Residential 1,526 $686,054,910 1229 $340,850,843
Specific Plan 148 $89,313,952 235 $127,552,012
Open Space 60 $20,374,757 4 $151,140
Other 107 $16,354,565 14 $166,512
(Public/Institutional)
TOTAL 2,491 $1,180,370,460 1,603 $602,722,885
The number of buildings is less than the actual number of buildings. This is because some of the
buildings are not within the parcels layer that should be.
2,460 + 1,296 = 3,756 < 3,763 (# of buildings from the building layer).
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5.0 MITIGATION STRATEGIES
The Mitigation Strategy is the foundation of a Hazard Mitigation Plan and describes how the jurisdiction
intends to accomplish the mitigation of local hazards. There are three main components of the Mitigation
Strategy required by FEMA: Goals, Actions, and an Action Plan. Goals outline what the community wants
to achieve through mitigation. Actions detail what the community will do to mitigate specific hazards. The
Action Plan outlines how the actions will be prioritized and implemented. This section will outline
mitigation efforts that are already underway in Santa Clarita as well as identify new mitigation activities
determined by the Planning and Steering Committees.
5.1 GENERAL PLAN OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES RELATED TO SAFETY AND HAZARD
MITIGATION
of development guidelines for citizens, developers, neighboring jurisdictions and agencies, and provides
the community with an opportunity to participate in the planning process. In addition, the General Plan
is an important tool in addressing environmental challenges related to land use, transportation,
population growth and distribution, development, open space, resource preservation and utilization, air
and water quality, noise impacts, public safety, infrastructure, and other related physical, social, and
economic factors. The table below outlines objectives and policies that Santa Clarita has committed to
uphold when making land use decisions in order to mitigate potential hazards to the community.
Table 5 - 1: Santa Clarita General Plan Objectives and Policies
General Plan Objectives related to Hazard General Plan Policies supporting Hazard Mitigation
Mitigation Objectives
Land Use Element Objective LU 3.3: Ensure Policy LU 3.3.1: Identify areas subject to hazards from
that the design of residential neighborhoods seismic activity, unstable soils, excessive noise,
considers and includes measures to reduce unhealthful air quality, or flooding, and avoid designating
impacts from natural or man-made hazard. residential uses in these areas unless adequately
mitigated.
(Multi-Hazard)
Policy LU 3.3.2: In areas subject to wildland fire danger,
ensure that land uses have adequate setbacks, fuel
modification areas, and emergency access routes.
Policy LU 3.3.4: Evaluate service levels for law
enforcement and fire protection as needed to ensure
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that adequate response times are maintained as new
residential development is occupied.
Policy LU 3.3.5: Through the development review
process, ensure that all new residential development is
provided with adequate emergency access and that
subdivision and site designs permit ready access by
public safety personnel.
Land Use Element Objective 7.1: Achieve Policy LU 7.1.1: Require shade trees within parking lots
greater energy efficiency in building and site and adjacent to buildings to reduce the heat island effect,
design. in consideration of Fire Department fuel modification
restrictions.
(Severe Weather: Extreme Heat)
Policy LU 7.1.2: Promote the use of solar panels and
renewable energy sources in all projects.
Land Use Element Objective 7.2: Ensure an Policy LU 7.2.2: If water supplies are reduced from
adequate water supply to meet the demands projected levels due to drought, emergency, or other
of growth. unanticipated events, take appropriate steps to limit,
reduce, or otherwise modify growth permitted by the
(Drought)
General Plan in consultation with water districts to
ensure adequate long-term supply for existing
businesses and residents.
Land Use Element Objective 7.3: Protect Policy LU 7.3.4: Implement best management practices for
surface and ground water quality through erosion control throughout the construction and
design of development sites and drainage development process.
improvements.
Policy LU 7.3.5: Limit development within flood-prone
(Floods)
areas to minimize downstream impacts.
Policy LU 7.4.1: Require the use of drought tolerant
Land Use Element Objective 7.4: Promote
landscaping, native California plant materials, and
water conservation through building and site
evapotranspiration (smart) irrigation systems.
design.
(Drought)
Policy LU 7.4.2: Require the use of low-flow fixtures in all
non-residential development and residential development
with five or more dwelling units, which may include but are
not limited to water conserving shower heads, toilets,
waterless urinals and motion-sensor faucets, and
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encourage use of such fixtures in building retrofits as
appropriate.
Circulation Element Objective 2.5: Consider Policy C 2.5.1: Maintain a current evacuation plan as part
the needs for emergency access in of emergency response planning.
transportation planning.
Policy C 2.5.2: Ensure that new development is provided
(Multi-Hazard)
with adequate emergency and/or secondary access for
purposes of evacuation and emergency response; require
two points of ingress and egress for every subdivision or
phase thereof, except as otherwise approved for small
subdivisions where physical constraints preclude a second
access point.
Policy C 2.5.3: Require provision of visible street name
signs and addresses on all development to aid in
emergency response.
Policy C 2.5.4: Provide directional signage to Interstate 5
and State Route 14 at key intersections in the Valley, to
assist emergency evacuation operations.
Conservation and Open Space Element Policy CO 1.1.1: In making land use decisions, consider the
Objective 1.1: Protect the capacity of the complex, dynamic, and interrelated ways that natural and
human systems interact, such as the interactions between
break down pollutants, cleanse air and water, energy demand, water demand, air and water quality, and
and prevent flood and storm damage.
waste management.
(Multi-Hazard)
Conservation and Open Space Element Policy CO 1.4.1: In cooperation with other appropriate
Objective 1.4: Minimize the long-term agencies, identify pollution sources and adopt strategies to
impacts posed by harmful chemical and reduce emissions into air and water bodies.
biological materials on environmental
systems.
Policy CO 1.4.2: In cooperation with other appropriate
agencies, abate or remediate known areas of
(Hazardous Materials Release)
contamination and limit the effects of any such areas on
public health.
Policy CO 1.4.3: Encourage use of non-hazardous building
materials, and nonpolluting materials and industrial
processes, to the extent feasible.
Policy CO 1.4.4: In cooperation with other appropriate
agencies, continue to develop and implement effective
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methods of handling and disposing of hazardous materials
and waste.
Conservation and Open Space Element Policy CO 2.1.1: Review soil erosion and sedimentation
Objective 2.1: Control soil erosion, waterway control plans for development-related grading activities,
sedimentation, and airborne dust generation, where appropriate, to ensure mitigation of potential
and maintain the fertility of topsoil. erosion by water and air.
(Landslide/Subsidence/Mudslide)
Safety Element Objective 1.1: Identify and Policy S 1.1.1: Maintain maps of potentially active faults
map areas in the Santa Clarita Valley that are and fault zones, based on information available from the
susceptible to geological hazards, for use by Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zone maps, United States
the public and decision makers in considering Geological Survey, State Board of Geologists, State Mining
development plans. and Geology Board, and other appropriate sources.
(Earthquake, Multi-Hazard)
Policy S 1.1.2: Maintain maps of areas subject to
liquefaction and landslides, based on data provided by the
State and other appropriate source.
Policy S 1.1.3: In the event of significant incidents of soil
subsidence, compile data and prepare maps showing areas
with potential for this hazard.
Policy S 1.1.4: Maintain maps showing potential
inundation areas from dam failure.
Safety Element Objective 1.2: Regulate new Policy S 1.2.1: Implement requirements of the Alquist-
development in areas subject to geological Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act.
hazards to reduce risks to the public from
seismic events or geological instability.
Policy S 1.2.2: Restrict the land use type and intensity of
development in areas subject to fault rupture, landslides,
(Earthquake)
or liquefaction, in order to limit exposure of people to
seismic hazards.
Policy S 1.2.3: Require soils and geotechnical reports for
new construction in areas with potential hazards from
faulting, landslides, liquefaction, or subsidence, and
incorporate recommendations from these studies into the
site design as appropriate.
Policy S 1.2.4: Enforce seismic design and building
techniques in local building codes.
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Policy S 1.2.5: Consider the potential for inundation from
failure of the Castaic or Bouquet Canyon Reservoir dams
when reviewing development proposals within potential
inundation areas.
Safety Element Objective 1.3: Reduce risk of Policy S 1.3.1: Identify any remaining unreinforced
masonry buildings or other unstable structures, and
damage in developed areas from seismic
require remediation or seismic retrofitting as needed to
activity.
meet seismic safety requirements.
(Earthquake)
Policy S 1.3.2: Increase earthquake safety in all public
facilities through bracing of shelves, cabinets, equipment
and other measures as deemed appropriate.
Policy S 1.3.3: Provide informational materials to the
public on how to make their homes and businesses
earthquake safe.
Policy S 1.3.4: Cooperate with other agencies as needed to
ensure regular inspections of public infrastructure such as
bridges, dams, and other critical facilities, and require
repairs to these structures as needed to prevent failure in
the event of seismic activity.
Safety Element Objective 2.1: Plan for flood Policy S 2.1.1: On the Land Use Map, designate
protection as part of a multi-objective appropriate areas within the floodplain as open space for
watershed management approach for the multi-use purposes, including flood control, habitat
Santa Clara River and its tributaries. preservation, and recreational open space. Development
in the floodplain will require mitigation as deemed
(Flood)
necessary by the reviewing authority.
Policy S 2.1.2: Promote Low Impact Development
standards on development sites, including but not limited
to minimizing impervious surface area and promoting
infiltration, in order to reduce the flow and velocity of
stormwater runoff throughout the watershed.
Policy S 2.1.3: Promote the use of vegetated drainage
courses and soft-bottom channels for flood control
facilities to the extent feasible, in order to achieve water
quality and habitat objectives in addition to flood control.
Policy S 2.1.4: Cooperate with other agencies as
appropriate regarding the related issues of flood control,
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watershed management, water quality, and habitat
protection.
Policy S 2.1.5: Promote the joint use of flood control
facilities with other beneficial uses where feasible, such as
by incorporating detention basins into parks and extending
trails through floodplains.
Safety Element Objective 2.2: Identify areas in Policy S 2.2.1: Prepare and maintain maps of floodways
the Santa Clarita Valley that are subject to and floodplains based on information from the Federal
inundation from flooding. Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other
(Flood)
National Flood Insurance Program.
Policy S 2.2.2: Identify areas subject to localized short-
term flooding due to drainage deficiencies.
Safety Element Objective 2.3: Plan for and Policy S 2.3.1: Implement drainage master plans designed
construct adequate drainage and flood control to handle storm flows from the 100-year storm.
infrastructure to ensure flood protection.
Policy S 2.3.2: Include funding for drainage and flood
(Flood)
control improvements in the annual City budget.
Safety Element Objective 2.4: Implement Policy S 2.4.1: Require that new development comply with
FEMA floodplain management requirements.
flood safety measures in new development.
(Flood)
Policy S 2.4.2: On the Land Use Map, restrict the type and
intensity of land use in flood-prone areas, or require flood-
proof construction, as deemed appropriate.
Safety Element Objective 2.5: Limit risks to Policy S 2.5.1: Address drainage problems that cause
flooding on prominent transportation corridors by working
existing developed areas from flooding.
with multi-jurisdictional agencies and stakeholders to
(Flood)
construct needed drainage improvements.
Policy S 2.5.2: Provide for the maintenance of drainage
structures and flood control facilities to avoid system
malfunctions and overflows.
Safety Element Objective 3.1: Provide Policy S 3.1.1: Coordinate on planning for new fire stations
adequate fire protection infrastructure to to meet current and projected needs.
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maintain acceptable service levels as
Policy S 3.1.2: Program adequate funding for capital fire
established by the Los Angeles County Fire
protection costs, and explore all feasible funding options
Department.
to meet facility needs.
(Wildfire)
Policy S 3.1.3: Require adequate fire flow as a condition of
approval for all new development, which may include
installation of additional reservoir capacity and/or
distribution facilities.
Safety Element Objective 3.2: Provide for the Policy S 3.2.1: Identify areas of the Santa Clarita Valley that
specialized needs of fire protection services in are prone to wildland fire hazards, and address these areas
both urban and wildland interface areas. in fire safety plans.
(Wildfire)
Policy S 3.2.2: Enforce standards for maintaining
defensible space around structures through clearing of dry
brush and vegetation.
Policy S 3.2.3: Establish landscape guidelines for fire-prone
areas with recommended plant materials, and provide this
information to builders and members of the public.
Policy S 3.2.4: Require sprinkler systems, fire resistant
building materials, and other construction measures
deemed necessary to prevent loss of life and property
from wildland fires.
Policy S 3.2.5: Ensure adequate secondary and emergency
access for fire apparatus, which includes minimum
requirements for road width, surface material, grade, and
staging areas.
Policy S 3.2.6: For areas adjacent to the National Forest,
cooperate with the United States Forest Service regarding
land use and development issues.
Policy S 3.2.7: Continue to provide information and
training to the public on fire safety in wildland interface
areas.
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Safety Element Objective 4.1: Identify sites Policy S 4.1.2: Coordinate with other agencies to address
that are contaminated with chemicals and contamination of soil and groundwater from hazardous
other hazardous materials, and promote materials on various sites, and require that contamination
clean-up efforts. be cleaned up to the satisfaction of the City and other
responsible agencies prior to issuance of any permits for
(Hazardous Materials Release)
new development.
Safety Element Objective 4.2: Cooperate with Policy S 4.2.1: On the Land Use Map, restrict the areas in
other agencies to ensure proper handling, which activities that use or generate large amounts of
storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. hazardous materials may locate, to minimize impacts to
residents and other sensitive receptors in the event of a
(Hazardous Materials Release)
hazardous materials incident.
Policy S 4.2.2: Through the development review process,
ensure that any new development proposed in the vicinity
of a use that stores or generates large amounts of
hazardous materials provides adequate design features,
setbacks, and buffers to mitigate impacts to sensitive
receptors in the event of a hazardous materials incident.
Policy S 4.2.3: Require businesses to verify procedures for
storage, use, and disposal of hazardous materials.
Policy S 4.2.4: Cooperate with other agencies to hold
regular events to promote safe disposal of small amounts
of household hazardous waste, including e-waste, by Santa
Clarita Valley residents.
Safety Element Objective 6.1: Reduce damage Policy S 6.1.1: Continue tree trimming and maintenance
from high winds through effective urban programs for trees in the right-of-way and on public
forest management. property, to limit damage from falling limbs.
(Severe Weather: Extreme Wind)
Policy S 6.1.2: Promote the planting of tree types
appropriate to the local climate, to avoid breakage by
brittle, non-native trees.
Safety Element Objective 7.1: Maintain and Policy S 7.1.1: Regularly update emergency preparedness
implement plans and procedures to prepare and response plans that are consistent with State plans.
for disaster response and terrorist activities.
Policy S 7.1.2: Continue to provide regular training to
(Terrorism)
public officials and the public on emergency procedures.
Policy S 7.1.3: Ensure that evacuation routes are clearly
posted throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.
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Policy S 7.1.4: Strengthen communication and
cooperation between agencies, citizens and non-profit
groups to plan for disaster response.
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5.2 WILDFIRE - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES AND WILDFIRE SERVICES
5.2.1 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
Santa Clarita has adopted General Plan objectives and policies (as outlined in section 5.1, Table 5-1)
for land development to mitigate the impacts of wildfire on the community in addition to the adoption
of the California Fire Code (CFC) and local Building Codes discussed below. General Plan Policies S
3.2.1 S 3.2.7 under General Plan Safety Element Objective 3.2, and General Plan Policies C 2.5.1 C
2.5.4 under General Plan Circulation Element Objective 2.5 all relate directly to mitigation strategies
that the City requires of new developments related to wildfire management.
5.2.2 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
The City of Santa Clarita and the unincorporated parts of the Santa Clarita Valley receive urban and
wildland fire suppression service from the LACoFD. Mutual aid or assistance pacts are maintained with
several local, state, and federal agencies. As of 2020, there are eleven fire stations in Santa Clarita
with another 5 fire stations in the nearby area. These stations include engine companies, ladder
trucks, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) paramedic squads, a Hazardous Materials Task Force, Urban
Search and Rescue (USAR) services, several helicopters and other firefighting and emergency
transport aircraft, serving the Santa Clarita Valley.
5.2.2.1 FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES
Marshall include the following:
Codes and Ordinances Unit that participates in updating codes to the latest standards
Fire Prevention Engineering that assists in plan checking, particularly for fire sprinkler
installation and fire alarm plans
Inspections of occupancies (except one and two-family dwellings)
Forestry services that includes a Brush Clearance Compliance Program and a Fuel
modification program
Special Units Section that includes a Petroleum/Chemical Unit, Schools and Institutions
Unit, and Fire Investigation Unit
Water, Subdivision and Access Unit that reviews development impact issues
Area Sections Unit to inspect and plan check specific buildings/structures
Environmental Review
5.2.2.2 PRESCRIBED BURNING
The health and condition of a forest will determine the magnitude of wildfire. If fuels - dry or dead
vegetation, fallen limbs and branches - are allowed to accumulate over long periods of time
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without being methodically cleared, fire can move more quickly and destroy everything in its
path. The results are more catastrophic than if the fuels are periodically eliminated. Prescribed
burning is the most efficient method to get rid of these fuels.
5.2.2.3 READY! SET! GO!
The READY! SET! GO! Personal Wildfire Action Plan provides the tools and tips to successfully
prepare residents for wildfires or other disasters. The program provides guidance on retrofitting
homes with fire-resistive construction, helps the homeowner create the necessary defensible
space around their home, which will give firefighters a chance to fight the fire and protect homes
and surrounding neighborhoods. Most importantly, it helps protect lives by explaining why
families need to evacuate early, well ahead of a fast-approaching wildfire.
5.2.2.4 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS
In addition to fire suppression and fire prevention activities, one of the focal points of LACoFD
programs is emergency preparedness. Each year, LACoFD sponsors Fire Safety Day events
throughout the County to provide residents with the knowledge base for safe fire protection
strategies and tips on emergency preparedness. The LACoFD also provides programs to educate
youth about fire safety as well as helping to promote healthy communities.
5.2.2.5 SANTA CLARITA CERT AND SECURE PROGRAMS
The City of Santa Clarita currently offers two training programs on emergency preparedness for
its community. The Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Program, which is under the
leadership of the City and LACoFD, is designed to help families, neighborhoods, schools, and
businesses prepare for effective disaster/emergency response through training and pre-planning.
Emergency responders, emergency management personnel, and emergency trained volunteers
provide training on preparation and response to fires and other life-threatening situations.
The Santa Clarita Educated Communities United in Response to Emergencies (SECURE) Program
provides free emergency preparedness training for residents and businesses so they can be
prepared through the critical first 72 hours from when a disaster/emergency, such as a fire,
occurs. Over the past years, this program has been effective in training families, businesses,
seniors, and schools about basic emergency preparedness skills. Recently, training has been
expanded to also reach residents who speak Spanish as their primary language. Additionally, the
program now includes specific emergency preparedness information for senior citizens and
individuals with disabilities.
5.2.2.6 ADDITIONAL FIRE EDUCATION AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS
The City performs outreach to its community through the Internet and libraries. Materials
provided to community members include tips on emergency preparedness, such as information
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on how to prepare 72-Hour Emergency Financial Kits and Emergency Car Kits, how to get disaster
assistance, and how to locate emergency shelters. Other non-fire-related services provided by the
include information on bioterrorism preparedness and response, sand-bagging classes for El Nino
season, updates on epidemics, etc. An outreach event hosted by the City of Santa Clarita is the
annual Emergency Expo, which educates approximately 1,500-2,000 people per year on
emergency preparedness and safety, and on the emergency services available to them in the
Valley.
Fire protectio
to take measures to protect his or her own property. Therefore, public education and awareness
may play a greater role in interface areas, as well as citations for property owners who resist
maintaining the minimum brush clearances.
5.2.2.7 LOCAL FIRE CODES
City and County programs directed toward wildland fire prevention include the adoption of the
State Fire Code for regulations and standards to be applied toward new development in
access roads, adequate road widths, and clearance of brush around structures located in hillside
areas that are considered primary wildland fire risk areas. Compliance with County and City
Building Codes also requires that new development within high fire hazard areas show proof
through certification with the LACoFD that new development is located within a designated
distance of a water source such as water supply tanks or retention basins for emergency
firefighting purposes. Furthermore, the Water Code specifies that water storage facilities be
placed to ensure gravity emergency fire flow in the event that power lines are damaged.
5.2.3 FEDERAL PROGRAMS
The role of the federal land management agencies in the wildland/urban interface is reducing fuel
hazards on the lands they administer; cooperating in prevention and education programs; providing
technical and financial assistance; and developing agreements, partnerships and relationships with
property owners, local protection agencies, states and other stakeholders in wildland/urban interface
areas. These relationships focus on activities before a fire occurs, which render structures and
communities safer and better able to survive a fire occurrence. Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) Programs are responsible for providing fire suppression assistance grants and, in
certain cases, major disaster assistance and hazard mitigation grants in response to fires, encouraging
comprehensive disaster preparedness plans and programs, increasing the capability of state and local
governments, and providing for a greater understanding of FEMA programs at the federal, state, and
local levels.
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5.2.3.1 FIRE SUPPRESSION ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Fire Suppression Assistance Grants may be provided to a state with an approved hazard
mitigation plan for the suppression of a forest or grassland fire that threatens to become a major
disaster on public or private lands. These grants are provided to protect life and property and
encourage the development and implementation of viable multi-hazard mitigation measures and
provide training to clarify FEMA's programs. The grant may include funds for equipment, supplies,
and personnel. A Fire Suppression Assistance Grant is the form of assistance most often provided
by FEMA to a state for a fire. The grants are cost-
Administration (USFA) provides public education materials addressing wildland/urban interface
issues and the USFA's National Fire Academy provides training programs.
5.2.3.2 HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM
Following a major disaster declaration, the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides
funding for long-term hazard mitigation projects and activities to reduce the possibility of
damages from all future fire hazards and to reduce the costs to the nation for responding to and
recovering from the disaster.
5.2.3.3 NATIONAL WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE FIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM
Federal agencies can use the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Protection Program to focus
on wildland/urban interface fire protection issues and actions. The Western Governors'
Association (WGA) can act as a catalyst to involve state agencies, as well as local and private
stakeholders, with the objective of developing an implementation plan to achieve a uniform,
integrated national approach to hazard and risk assessment and fire prevention and protection in
the wildland/urban interface. The program helps states develop viable and comprehensive
wildland fire mitigation plans and performance-based partnerships.
5.2.3.4 U.S. FOREST SERVICE
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is involved in a fuel-loading program implemented to assess fuels
and reduce hazardous buildup on forest lands. The USFS is a cooperating agency and, while it has
little to no jurisdiction in the lower valleys, it has an interest in preventing fires in the interface,
as fires often burn up the hills and into the higher elevation of U.S. Forest lands.
5.2.3.5 FIREWISE
Firewise is a program developed within the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Protection
Program and it is the primary federal program addressing interface fire. It is administered through
the National Wildfire Coordinating Group whose extensive list of participants includes a wide
range of federal agencies. The program is intended to empower planners and decision makers at
the local level. Through conferences and information dissemination, Firewise increases support
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for interface wildfire mitigation by educating professionals and the general public about hazard
evaluation and policy implementation techniques and offers online resources and support.
5.2.4 WILDFIRE MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS
Table 5 -2: Wildfire Mitigation Goals and Action Items
GOAL WF001: Work with Los Angeles County Fire Department Division III, North Regional Operations
Bureau (LACFD Division III) to enhance emergency services to increase the efficiency of wildfire
response and recovery activities.
Wildfire Action No. 1:
Public Alert and Warning Notification System to quickly contact all at-risk urban/wildland interface
residents in the Santa Clarita Valley regarding evacuations. Incorporate the use of texting, mass
notification and social media, i.e., Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Action Item WF001-01: Urban Forestry provides handouts published by the LACFD to residents in high-
risk areas. They include "Homeowner's Guide to Fire and Watershed Safety at the Chaparral/Urban
Interface" and "Fire Hazard Reduction and Safety Guidelines." In the event of an emergency, the Streets
Division will place portable, changeable message boards (CMS) to alert local residents of an emergency.
The division possesses four CMS boards and additional CMS boards can be secured through local
vendors. Additionally, the City and its Fire Department coordinates with the Los Angeles County
Sheriff's Department to utilize ALERT LA for mass notifications for residents and businesses.
Timeline: Mass notification system (NIXLE) is already in place. Informational material is sent to
high-risk residential areas on an annual basis.
Responsible Party: City Technology Services and Urban Forestry
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Emergency Services
Priority: Low
GOAL WF002: Collaborate with LACFD Division III in educating City staff and fire personnel on federal
cost-share and grant programs, Fire Protection Agreements and other related federal programs so
the full array of assistance available to local agencies is understood.
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Wildfire Action No. 2: Emergency Management will pursue grants funding opportunities for individual
mitigation projects, and will regularly train City Departments on grant application procedures.
Action Item WF002-01: City will pursue funding for installation of water drop tower sites around the
City of Santa Clarita to increase response time for LACFD Wildfire response in partnership with LACFD
and SCV Water.
Timeline: Will pursue grants for water drop tower project starting in 2022-2023. Grant
education/training conducted annually
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management, Planning, and Public Works, and partnerships
with LACFD and Santa Clarita Valley Water for mitigation projects
Funding Source: General Fund, CIP, and Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation, and
Emergency Services
Priority: High
GOAL WF003:
relating to fire hazards to help educate and assist builders and homeowners in being engaged in
wildfire mitigation activities and to help guide emergency services during response.
Wildfire Action No. 3: Work with LACFD Division III to update wildland/urban interface maps.
Action Item WF003-01: State-generated fire zone maps were adopted by the City Council in April 2012
for the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Timeline: Maps ae updated every 3 5 years as determined by the State
Responsible Party: City GIS and Building & Safety Divisions
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
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Wildfire Action No. 4: Encourage LACFD Division III and USDA Forest Service to continue to conduct risk
analysis incorporating data and creating hazard maps using GIS technology to identify risk sites and
further assist in prioritizing mitigation activities.
Action Item WF003-02:
development in the City with input from the LACFD and approval through the CAL FIRE \[California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection\] Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP). City
Building and Safety staff worked with the LA County Fire Department to adopt the current Very High
Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps.
Timeline: Maps are updated every 3 5 years as determined by the State
Responsible Party: City GIS and Building & Safety Divisions
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
GOAL WF004:
aimed at mitigating wildfire hazards and reducing or preventing the exposure of citizens, public
agencies, private property owners, and businesses to natural and man-made hazards.
Wildfire Action No. 5: Work with LACFD Division III to conduct specific community-based demonstration
projects of fire prevention and mitigation in the urban interface.
Action Item WF004-01: Los Angeles County firefighters assigned to stations in Santa Clarita conduct
outreach efforts to mobile home park communities and distributed hundreds of smoke
detectors/batteries to homeowners. The LACFD Forestry Unit supports development of "Fire Safe
Councils;" The Sand Canyon Fire Safe Council within Santa Clarita is active and received support from
LACFD for its formation and growth.
Timeline: Annually and as needed or requested
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management, LA County Fire Department
Funding Source: Funded by LACFD and City General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
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Wildfire Action No. 6: Continue to work with LACFD Division Ill to organize public outreach and
information activities at fire stations. This allows the public to visit fire stations, see the equipment, and
discuss wildfire mitigation with the station crews.
Action Item WF004-02: The City's Communications division supports LACFD's fire awareness outreach
efforts through Wildfire Awareness Week each May, in addition to their annual Swim Safety Expo held
in the summertime, by sharing information on these events through social media and traditional media.
These events are planned and produced by LACFD.
Timeline: Each of the two events occurs annually
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management, and Communications Division in partnership
with LACFD
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
GOAL WF005: Work with LACFD Division III to encourage and increase communication, coordination,
and collaboration between wildland/urban interface property owners, County and officials to
address risks, existing mitigation measures and federal assistance programs.
Wildfire Action No. 7: Continue to encourage single-family residences to have fire plans and practice
evacuation routes.
Action Item WF005-01: This ongoing annual activity is promoted through the CERT program, various
Fire and City outreaches, Fire-sponsored open houses, and the Emergency Expo. Outreach is completed
by the City's Communications division and Emergency Services Analyst through advertisements and
editorials in the City's quarterly recreation publication that is mailed for free to every residence in the
City. This publication is produced using general funds.
Timeline: Annually
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management, and Communications Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation, Emergency Services
Priority: High
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Wildfire Action No. 8: Work with LACFD Division III to continue performing fire inspections on residential
property to increase awareness among homeowners and potential fire responders.
Action Item WF005-02: During routine inspections, residents are advised of the clearance required by
the LACFD for both their roof and around their structures. Pruning permits are issued to allow the
resident to bring their project into compliance.
Timeline: Ongoing service provided annually or reactive as needed
Responsible Party: LACFD Division III
Funding Source: Funded through LACFD
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Emergency Services
Priority: High
Wildfire Action No. 9: City and LACFD Division III continue working closely with landowners and/or
developers who choose to build in the wildland/urban interface to identify and mitigate conditions that
aggravate wildfire hazards in the wildland/urban interface.
Action Item WF005-03: This ongoing practice is a coordinated effort through the Building & Safety
Division, City Plan Check process, and LACFD prevention. Projects located in the VHFHSZ are required
to incorporate certain construction-
catching fire. These requirements are identified during building plan check and confirmed during the
building inspections.
Timeline: Information provided as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Building & Safety, Planning, and LACFD
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: High
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Wildfire Action No. 10: City to encourage all new homes and major remodels involving roof additions
that are located in the interface to have fire resistant roofs and residential sprinkler systems.
Action Item WF005-04: Per the California Residential Code, all new homes and additions to existing
homes are required to install a "class A" fire-retardant roof. All new homes are required to install a
sprinkler system. This requirement is consistent throughout California and is required in all states that
have adopted the International Residential Code.
Timeline: Information provided as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Building & Safety, and Planning
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: High
Wildfire Action No. 11: Continue working with LACFD Division III to encourage the public to evaluate
access routes to rural homes for fire-fighting vehicles and to develop passable routes if they do not exist.
Wildfire Action Item WF005-05: LACFD promotes these preparedness concepts through its "Ready, Set,
Go" program, which is significantly important for the rural and canyon communities in Santa Clarita.
This information is posted to the City and Fire Department websites.
Divisi
as directed by LACFD.
Timeline: Information provided as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Planning, Communications Division, Tech Services, and LACFD
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation, Emergency Services
Priority: High
GOAL WF006: o, prepare for and recover
from events that impact the more than 80,000 trees in the City.
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Wildfire Action No. 12: Maintain tree program in the City which includes routine inspections and review
of the tree maintenance cycle.
Wildfire Action Item WF006-01: All parkway trees located within the public right of way are part of the
Tree Inventory System (Arbor Access). Urban Forestry maintains a three to six-year pruning cycle, where
all city-maintained trees are pruned every three to six years depending on need. Trees identified as
hazards during routine inspections are removed and replaced. The Arbor Access system is used to track
and maintain all records of work performed on each individual tree; this system includes all trees on
city-owned property, special districts, public right of way and parks.
Timeline: Annually and as requested
Responsible Party: Urban Forestry Division, and Landscape Maintenance Department
Funding Source: General Fund, and Landscape Maintenance District fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems, Emergency Services
Priority: High
Wildfire Action No. 13: Mitigate tree hazards by addressing trees that pose a public safety hazard.
Action Item WF006-02: Hazard trees that are located within the public right of way are removed and
replaced with new trees. Trees that may be causing a visual hazard are raised and trimmed for
appropriate clearance and trees with hazardous branches or limbs are addressed through selective
pruning. Trees on City maintained slopes are inspected for hazardous conditions and pruned/removed
if necessary. The stumps and root systems are usually left in the slope to help slope stability and prevent
slope movement."
Timeline: Ongoing based on requests from the resident service center
Responsible Party: Urban Forestry, and Landscape Maintenance Division
Funding Source: General Fund, and Special Assessment fees for LMD trees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Natural Systems,
Participation and Implementation, Emergency Services
Priority: High
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Wildfire Action No. 14: Utilize full-size bucket truck for tree maintenance operations to enable city staff
to safely perform emergency limb removal.
Action Item WF006-03: Urban Forestry currently has a chipper truck, chipper and bucket truck that
allows for full-time staff to respond quickly and effectively to an emergency situation.
Timeline: Ongoing, or as requested
Responsible Party: Urban Forestry, and Landscape Maintenance Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems, Emergency Services
Priority: High
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5.3 EARTHQUAKE - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
In
the Applied Technology Council, the California Emergency Management Agency, United States Geological
Survey, Cal Tech, the California Geological Survey as well as a number of universities and private
foundations. These organizations, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, have undertaken
a rigorous program in California to identify seismic hazards and risks including active fault identification,
bedrock shaking, tsunami inundation zones (not applicable for the City of Santa Clarita), ground motion
amplification, liquefaction, and earthquake induced landslides. Seismic hazard maps have been published
and are available through the State Division of Mines and Geology.
5.3.1 CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE MITIGATION LEGISLATION
population continues to grow, and urban areas become even more densely built up, the risk continues
to increase. The following provides a sample of some of earthquake related codes:
Government Code Section 8870-8870.95: Creates Seismic Safety Commission
Government Code Section 8876.1-8876.10: Established the California Center for
Earthquake Engineering Research
Health and Safety Code Section 16100-16110: The Seismic Safety Commission and State
Architect, will develop a state policy on acceptable levels of earthquake risk for new and
existing state-owned building
Government Code Section 8871-8871.5: Established the California Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Act of 1986
Health and Safety Code Section 130000 130025: Defined earthquake performance
standards for hospitals
Public Resources Code Section 2805-2808: Established the California Earthquake Education
Project
Government Code Section 8899.10-8899.16: Established the Earthquake Research
Evaluation Conference
Public Resources Code Section 2621-2630 2621: Established the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake
Fault Zoning Act
Government Code Section 8878.50-8878.52 8878.50: Created the Earthquake Safety and
Public Buildings Rehabilitation Bond Act of 1990
Education Code Section 35295-35297 35295: Established emergency procedure systems in
K-12 public and private schools
Health and Safety Code Section 19160-19169: Established standards for seismic retrofitting
of unreinforced masonry buildings
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Health and Safety Code Section 1596.80 1596.879: Required all child day care facilities to
include an Earthquake Preparedness Checklist as an attachment to their disaster plan.
5.3.2 BUILDING CODES
In California, earthquakes are often followed by revisions and improvements in the State Building
Codes. 1933 Long Beach Earthquake resulted in the Field Act, affecting school construction. The 1971
Sylmar Earthquake brought another set of increased structural standards. Similar re-evaluations
occurred after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake and 1994 Northridge Earthquake. These code
changes have resulted in stronger and more earthquake resistant structures. The Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Act was passed in 1972 to mitigate the hazard of surface faulting to structures
for human occupancy. This state law was a direct result of the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, which
was associated with extensive surface fault ruptures that damaged numerous homes, commercial
buildings, and other structures. Surface rupture is the most easily avoided seismic hazard.
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, passed in 1990, addresses non-surface fault rupture earthquake
hazards, including liquefaction and seismically induced landslides. The State Department of
Conservation operates the Seismic Mapping Program for California. Extensive information is available
at their website: http://gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp/index.htm. Existing mitigation activities include
current mitigation programs and activities that are being implemented by county, regional, state, or
federal agencies or organizations.
The City of Santa Clarita adopts the California Code of Regulations, Title 24 (the California State
Building Codes), as the set of codes regulating construction within its jurisdiction, and also adopts
additional amendments to the State Codes based on local climatic, geological and/or topographical
conditions. These codes set the minimum design and construction standards for new buildings in the
jurisdiction. The Santa Clarita Department of Building and Safety enforces building codes
pertaining to earthquake hazards. These codes include:
2019 California Building Code
5.3.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The City of Santa Clarita also requires that site-specific seismic hazard investigations be performed for
new essential facilities, major structures, hazardous facilities, and special occupancy structures such
as schools, hospitals, and emergency response facilities. The City has required site specific soils and
geology investigations for projects such as these since its incorporation. The consultants preparing
these reports routinely include a section on many hazards such as seismic activity, liquefaction and
other hazards as appropriate. However, Santa Clarita does not plan check, inspect or approve
These are under the jurisdiction of the Department of the State Architect.
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The Santa Clarita Planning Department enforces the zoning and land use regulations relating to
earthquake hazards. As part of the City General Plan, specific reference is made to codes that seek to
discourage development in areas that could be prone to flooding, landslide, wildfire and/or seismic
hazards; and where development is permitted, that the applicable construction standards are met.
Developers in hazard-prone areas may be required to retain a qualified professional engineer to
evaluate level of risk on the site and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
5.3.4 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
Santa Clarita has also adopted General Plan objectives and policies (as outlined in section 5.1, Table
5-1) for land development to mitigate the impacts of earthquakes on the community. General Plan
Policy LU 3.3.1 under General Plan Land Use Element Objective 3.3, General Plan Policies C 2.5.1 C
2.5.4 under General Plan Circulation Element Objective 2.5, General Plan Policies S 1.1.1 1.1.4 under
General Plan Safety Element Objective 1.1, General Plan Policies S 1.2.1 1.2.5 under General Plan
Safety Element Objective 1.2, and General Plan Policies S 1.3.1 1.3.4 under General Plan Safety
Element Objective 1.3 all relate directly to mitigation strategies that the City requires of new
developments related to earthquake management.
5.3.5 HOSPITALS
the moderate Magnitude 6.6 Sylmar Earthquake in 1971, which caused severe damage to four major
hospital campuses, all of which were evacuated. Two hospital buildings collapsed as a result of the
Sylmar Earthquake, killing 47 people. In approving the Act, the Legislature noted that:
Hospitals, that house patients who have less than the capacity of normally
healthy persons to protect themselves, and that must be reasonably capable of
providing services to the public after a disaster, shall be designed and
constructed to resist, insofar as practical, the forces generated by earthquakes,
gravity and winds (Health and Safety Code Section 129680).
of the 1973 Hospital Act. Under SB 1953, all hospitals are required, as of January 1, 2008, to survive
earthquakes without collapsing or posing the threat of significant loss of life. The 1994 Act further
mandates that all existing hospitals be seismically evaluated, and retrofitted, if needed, by 2030, so
that they are in substantial compliance with the Act (which requires that the hospital buildings be
reasonably capable of providing services to the public after disasters). SB 1953 applies to all urgent
care facilities (including those built prior to the 1973 Hospital Act) and affects approximately 2,500
buildings on 475 campuses.
consultation with the Hospital Building Safety Board, to develop emergency regulations
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including:
-gradations for risk to life,
structural soundness, building contents, and nonstructural systems that are
critical to providing basic services to hospital inpatients and the public after a
(Health and Safety Code Section 130005).
In 2001, recognizing the continuing need to assess the adequacy of policies, and the application of
advances in technical knowledge and understanding, the California Seismic Safety Commission
created an Ad Hoc Committee to re-examine the compliance with the Alquist Hospital Seismic Safety
Act. The formation of the Committee was also prompted by the recent evaluations of hospital
ic Safety Commission, 2001).
5.3.6 UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Earthquake research and education activities are conducted at several major universities in the
Southern California region, including CalTech, USC, UCLA, UCSB, UCI, and UCSB. The local
clearinghouse for earthquake information is the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). The
Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) is a community of scientists and specialists who actively
coordinate research on earthquake hazards at nine core institutions, and communicate earthquake
information to the public. SCEC is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Center
and is co-funded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
5.3.7 LOS ANGELES COUNTY ESP
In addition, Los Angeles County along with other Southern California counties, sponsors the
Emergency Survival Program (ESP) http://www.lacoa.org/esp.htm. The ESP is an educational
resource for learning how to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters. Many school districts have
very active emergency preparedness programs that include earthquake drills and periodic disaster
response team exercises.
5.3.8 SANTA CLARITA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The City of Santa Clarita has implemented an aggressive Emergency Management Program that
includes education and public outreach to the residents and businesses within Santa Clarita. In
addition, the City, community, schools, hospitals and businesses actively particip
annual Great Shakeout exercise.
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5.3.9 EARTHQUAKE MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS
Table 5 3: Earthquake Mitigation Goals and Action Items
GOAL E001: Identify funding sources for structural and nonstructural retrofitting of structures that
are identified as seismically vulnerable.
Earthquake Action No. 1: Provide information for property owners, small businesses, and organizations
on sources of funds available to assist with post-earthquake recovery.
Action Item E001-01: The "Red Guide to Recovery" was secured by the City in 2013 through a grant.
These books will be given to people who experience a disaster to their property.
Timeline: Distributed to residents affected by a disaster as needed
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management, and Code Enforcement
Funding Source: General Fund, and Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Public Awareness
Priority: Low
Earthquake Action No. 2: Explore options for including seismic retrofitting in existing programs such as
low-income housing, insurance reimbursements, and pre and post disaster repairs.
Action Item E001-02: Certain building renovation and repair projects require retrofitting to
components of entire lateral force-resisting systems. The extent of the retro fitting depends upon the
scope of the renovation. Timeline and priority remain the same for this action item.
Timeline: Case-by-case; during plan check process for new developments or remodels
Responsible Party: Public Works
Funding Source: Permit Fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Low
GOAL E002: Seismically retrofit city-owned facilities to meet essential and critical building codes
and standards, as needed.
Earthquake Action No. 3: Evaluate and identify facility in the community for mass shelter and ensure
seismic retrofit is completed.
Action Item E002-01: Identify preferred location by 2022 and begin to seek grant for any necessary
retrofit projects.
Timeline: 2 5 years
Responsible Party: Building & Safety, CIP Division, Parks and Recreation
Funding: General Fund and Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: High
GOAL E003: Educate citizens about seismic risks, the potential impacts of earthquakes and
opportunities for mitigation actions.
Earthquake Action No. 4: Organize and hold an annual Earthquake Forum.
Action Item E003-01: 2013 Santa Clarita Emergency Expo, produced by KHTS AM 1220 radio and
supported in sponsorship with the City, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, utilities, and the private sector.
3,000 people ended the Expo. In addition to earthquake forums, Building and Safety conducts public
outreach meetings to inform the building industry of changes to the building code prior to each three-
year adoption cycle. The information includes changes to seismic design requirements.
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Timeline: Annual
Responsible Party: Various City departments in partnership with local non-profits
Funding Source: General Fund and non-profit organization funding
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
Earthquake Action No. 5: Distribute emergency preparedness information to the public.
Action Item E003-02:
Santa Clarita website, and the City e-Notify system to provide preparedness outreach, training
opportunities, and workshop information to community partners and residents. Updates are posted
and information is sent through social media on an as needed basis. Examples include the Great
Shakeout, National and Earthquake Preparedness Months. The Communication staff continues to
increase use of social media for preparedness and emergency response. Preparedness video
downloadable for social media. City E- Notification requests for emergency preparedness information
has increased by 12%.
Timeline: Annually and as needed
Responsible Party: Communication Division, and Emergency Management
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
Earthquake Action No. 6: Encourage residents to prepare an earthquake kit, an evacuation plan and
mitigate non-structural hazards.
Action Item E003-03: Outreach efforts are ongoing pertaining to earthquake preparedness were made
to homeowner associations, service organizations, senior apartments, parent-teacher associations, and
church groups. Additionally, a component in the CERT program offered each year addresses this
-Notify
system. The Emergency Management Analyst coordinates the CERT program with LACFD.
Timeline: Annually
Responsible Party: Communication Division, and Emergency Management
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
GOAL E004: Encourage seismic strength evaluations of critical facilities in the City of Santa Clarita to
identify vulnerabilities for mitigation of schools and universities, public infrastructure, and critical
facilities to meet current seismic standards.
Earthquake Action No. 7: Develop an inventory of City facilities that require seismic upgrades.
Action Item E004-01: The City is currently evaluating stress cracks in structural concrete tilt-up panels
at the Sports Complex Gymnasium building to assess risk/hazard and to propose a retrofit and/or
repair. Will evaluate if more detailed engineering for earthquake retrofitting is needed.
Timeline: Inventory will be complete by 2023
Responsible Party: Public Works
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: Moderate
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Earthquake Action No. 8: Encourage owners of non-retrofitted structures to upgrade them to meet
seismic standards.
Action Item E004-02: Provide Building Code related assistance to owners of structures that are
aware of the need to enforce seismic strengthening of existing older buildings when undergoing
significant alterations or change of use if significant hazards or deficiencies are noted during the plan
check process.
Timeline: Information provided as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Building & Safety
Funding Source: Permit Fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: Moderate
GOAL E005: Encourage reduction of nonstructural and structural earthquake hazards in homes,
schools, businesses, and government offices.
Earthquake Action No. 9: Provide information to City facilities on securing bookcases, filing cabinets,
light fixtures, and other objects that can cause injuries and block exits.
Action Item E005-01: Every two years, City Emergency Management will provide information to City
facilities on this topic.
Timeline: Every two years
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management and Facilities
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: Moderate
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5.4 ENERGY DISRUPTION - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
The City of Santa Clarita has adopted various California State codes and programs, and local
ordinances Building to mitigate power disruptions and to plan mitigation strategies. Building codes
can be used to ensure that minimum required construction standards are met to safeguard public
health and safety, and can also be used to increase a community's ability to deal with electrical
outages by requiring that facilities are adequately prepared for power disruptions. General Plan
policies and Zoning ordinances can specify the type of land use that is acceptable in various locations
in a community, and thus affect the electric power requirements of an area as areas zoned
"residential" will have a different electricity profile than areas zoned "commercial" or "industrial."
5.4.1 STATE BUILDING CODES
Effective January 1, 2020, the Building and Safety Division of the Department of Public Works
began enforcement of the 2019 State Building Codes for all new residential and non-residential
construction projects. Projects submitted after January 1, 2020, shall comply with the new codes.
Projects submitted prior to January 1, 2020, shall comply with the 2016 state building codes. A
http://www.santa- clarita.com/Index.aspx?page=554. Santa Clarita uses these codes as part of a
strategy to mitigate the potential for electrical and other energy outages as well as to ensure
public safety, under the guidance of the Electrical Power Disruption Toolkit for Local
Government (Cal-OES, 2020).
5.4.2 ELECTRIC UTILITY POLE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Per Southern California Edison, the Pole Loading, Intrusive Pole Inspection and Pole Remediation
programs are part of a 12-year plan to perform pole assessments and replacements of wood, light
duty steel, and fiberglass/composite poles in the electrical system and to bring poles into
compliance with new, regulated safety standards. Poles are inspected and replaced relative to
specified compliance due dates. The number of poles scheduled to be replaced in the system will
vary from year-to-year. Within the City of Santa Clarita, SCE has identified 965 projected
continue to communicate the scope of work and progress each year to the City as well as to joint
pole owners and renters. The map below provides an overview of pole replacement program
locations.
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Map 19: SCE Pole Replacement Map - Santa Clarita
5.4.3 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
The City of Santa Clarita is primarily urban and as such, is subject to multiple hazards that can result
in energy disruption. Santa Clarita has adopted General Plan objectives and policies (as outlined in
section 5.1, Table 5-1) for land development to mitigate the impacts of energy disruption on the
community. General Plan Policy CO 1.1.1 under the General Plan Conservation and Open Space
Element Objective 1.1, General Plan Policy S 1.1.4 under General Plan Safety Element Objective 1.1,
and General Plan Policies S 7.1.1 7.1.4 under the General Plan Safety Element Objective 7.1, all relate
directly to mitigation strategies that the City requires of new developments related to energy
disruption resulting from man-made or natural disasters.
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5.4.4 ENERGY DISRUPTION STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS
Table 5 4: Energy Disruption Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal ED001: Mitigate the impact of eletrical outages on special needs residents
Energy Disruption Action No. 1: Address the requirements of special needs residents and programs to
ensure ongoing power and mitigate the impact of power outages.
Action Item ED001-01: A) Work with CERT members to identify and assess the key vulnerabilities of
special needs residents in their communities.
B) Create a program with SCE to share the database of special needs customers with the City and assess
the feasibility of battery back-up program for special needs residents.
Timeline: Begin quarterly meetings w/SCE in early 2022
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management and SCE
Funding Source: General fund and SCE
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: Moderate
Goal ED002: Develop an Energy Assurance Plan in Accordance to the State of California Energy
Assurance Planning Framework
Energy Disruption Action No. 2: Develop and implement new energy assurance strategies for critical
City facilities.
Action item ED002-01: Partner with USACE to identify generator hook-up capabilities at key City
locations.
Timeline: Quarterly meetings with SCE and complete installation of generators at key city
facilities by 2023
Responsible Party: Emergency Management and Public Works
Funding Source: General fund and grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: Moderate
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5.5 DROUGHT - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
many of the mitigation measures outlined below were initiated during that period which had been
declared a State of Emergency. Southern California is not currently experiencing drought conditions, but
will likely experience extreme droughts like this with growing frequency due to climate change. Some of
the mitigation measures, such as the Santa Clarita Valley Water Division Ordinance 43 are not currently
enforced, but can be re-implemented at any time as necessary.
5.5.1 STATE AND FEDERAL WATER MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
On January 17, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown Jr. declared a state-wide drought State of Emergency.
Under the requirements issued by the Governor, specific water use restrictions were put into place
and goals were established for communities to decrease water use (State of California, California
Department of Water Resources, 2015). Key measures in the proclamation include:
Asking all Californians to reduce water consumption by 20 percent and referring residents
and water agencies to the Save Our Water campaign - www.saveourh2o.org - for practical
advice on how to do so
Directing local water suppliers to immediately implement local water shortage contingency
plans
Ordering the State Water Resources Control Board (state water board) to consider petitions
for consolidation of places of use for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project,
which could streamline water transfers and exchanges between water users
Directing the California Department of Water Resources and the state board to accelerate
funding for projects that could break ground this year and enhance water supplies
Ordering the state water board to put water rights holders across the state on notice that
they may be directed to cease or reduce water diversions based on water shortages
Asking the state water board to consider modifying requirements for releases of water from
reservoirs or diversion limitations so that water may be conserved in reservoirs to protect
cold water supplies for salmon, maintain water supplies and improve water quality
Although the drought ended in 2019, droughts are a common occurrence in Southern California and
are increasing in frequency, duration and severity. The measures listed above will most likely be
implemented in some form depending on the length and severity of the next drought.
5.5.2 SANTA CLARITA DROUGHT PROGRAMS
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Division (SCVWD) provides water services to the Santa Clarita Valley,
and provides conservation and drought information via its website which also includes rebate
program links and other water savings initiatives (https://yourscvwater.com/).
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On June 10, 2015, the Castaic Lake Water Agency Board of Directors approved the Santa Clarita Valley
Water Division Ordinance No. 43 establishing Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage
Restrictions and Regulations in compliance with the State Water Resources Control Board 32%
conservation mandate (Santa Clarita Water Division, 2015).
Ordinance No. 43 prohibited the following actions:
Irrigating outdoor lawns, turfs and landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that
water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways,
roadways, parking lots, and or/structures.
The application of potable water to driveways, sidewalks, and other hardscape.
Failure to repair a leak within 24 hours of detection or notification.
Irrigating outdoor lawns, turf, or vegetated area of landscape during and within 48 hours
following measurable precipitation.
The use of a hose to wash a motor vehicle without an automatic shut-off
nozzle. Non-recirculating fountains and decorative features.
Irrigating outdoor lawns, turf, landscape or other vegetated area during the hours of 9:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Irrigating outdoor lawns, turf, landscape, or other vegetated area using a landscape
irrigation system for more than ten (10) minutes per station per day.
Customers must adjust to the following water schedule based on the last digit of their
address.
These prohibited actions would constitute a violation, punishable by a fine of up to five hundred
dollars ($500) for each day in which the violation occurs.
Internal City drought and climate change efforts include the turning off of public fountains, replacing
water fixtures, and limiting outdoor watering at City-owned facilities. Furthermore, the City installed
Smart controllers at City facilities that save 330 million gallons of water annually, including an
irrigation controller modernization program that replaced more than 500 obsolete irrigation
controllers with Smart, weather-based irrigation controllers in water parks, medians, and
streetscaping. The result was a significant water savings per year.
As with the State Water Management Operations outlined above, the City may need to implement
the prohibitions of Ordinance 43 during the next drought cycle.
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5.5.3 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
Because California is prone to regular periods of drought, which have increased in severity and
longevity due to climate change, Santa Clarita has adopted General Plan objectives and policies (as
outlined in section 5.1, Table 5-1) for land development to mitigate the impacts of drought on the
community. General Plan Policy LU 7.2.2 under General Plan Land Use Element Objective 7.2, and
General Plan Policies LU 7.4.1 LU 7.4.2 under General Plan Land Use Element Objective 7.4 all relate
directly to mitigation strategies that the City requires of new developments related to drought
management.
5.5.4 DROUGHT MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS
Table 5 5: Drought Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal D001: Work with local Water agencies to develop new drought mitigation strategies
Drought Action No. 1: Partner with SCV Water to provide educational material to be released to the
public on drought condition and conservation action.
Action Item D001-01: During the last major drought cycle in 2014, City officials in coordination with
Castaic Lake Water Agency, presented an update on the severe drought conditions, weather
probabilities, public information, outreach, and legislation on water conservation. Updates to this
information is ongoing and provided to residents in annual water report and Drought Ready SCV.
Timeline: Continued discussions with SCVWA and internal quarterly drought team meetings
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management, Parks and Recreation, Landscape
Maintenance Division, and Communications Division
Funding Source: General fund and LMD
Plan Goals Addressed: Public Awareness, Participation and Implementation
Priority: Moderate
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5.6 SEVERE WEATHER: EXTREME HEAT/EXTREME WIND - EXISTING MITIGATION
ACTIVITIES
5.6.1 SANTA CLARITA HEAT EMERGENCY PLAN
The City of Santa Clarita has a Heat Emergency Plan to provide direction and guidance to the City for
responding to a Heat Emergency Advisory. An Excessive Heat Warning will be issued by the Oxnard
NWS office when heat index values are expected to be higher than the following thresholds for any
length of time:
Table 5 - 6: Excessive Heat Temperature Thresholds
Location Excessive Heat Warning Temperature Threshold
Mountains 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
Coastal Areas 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
Valleys 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
When the City becomes aware that the NWS has initiated an Excessive Heat Warning, the city will
implement its heat emergency standard operating procedures and consider activating Cooling
Centers. City libraries have been designated by LA County Public Health as Cooling Centers in Santa
Clarita, but any City-owned may be designated as a Cooling Center as necessary. The general public
air-
conditioned area. If you do not have air-conditioning in your home, visit public facilities such as
5.6.2 SEVERE WIND EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND VOLUNTEER WEATHER SPOTTERS
emergency response personnel. In addition, to
assist Santa Clarita and the National Weather Service with maintaining situational awareness during
high wind events, weather spotter volunteers are used to provide real-time information all around
the city. In all, there are 81 volunteer weather spotters in the City that have been trained by the
National Weather Service about severe weather hazards.
5.6.3 PARTNERSHIPS
Santa Clarita continually works with Southern California Edison to mitigate the damage to the
electrical infrastructure due to wind events. This includes the installation of underground utility lines
and an active tree removal program to eliminate dead trees in the area.
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5.6.4 HAZARDOUS TREE MAPPING AND REMOVAL PROGRAM
Santa Clarita works with Urban Forestry to coordinate efforts for mapping potentially hazardous trees.
In addition, the City has a portal for the public to report the locations of trees that may pose a risk.
The City also has an ongoing tree removal program to mitigate the damage caused by falling trees
during a wind event.
5.6.5 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
Because Southern California is prone to extreme heat and extreme wind events, Santa Clarita has
adopted General Plan objectives and policies (as outlined in section 5.1, Table 5-1) for land
development to mitigate the impacts of severe weather: extreme heat/extreme wind on the
community. General Plan Policies LU 7.1.1 7.1.2 under the General Plan Land Use Element Objective
7.1, and General Plan Policies S 6.1.1 6.1.2 under General Plan Safety Element Objective 6.1 all relate
directly to mitigation strategies that the City requires of new developments related to severe weather:
extreme heat/extreme wind management.
5.6.6 SEVERE WEATHER: EXTREME HEAT/EXTREME WIND STRATEGIES AND ACTION
PLANS
Table 5 7: Severe Weather Extreme Heat/Extreme Wind Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal SW-EH001:
system operator notification procedure process for rolling blackouts.
Severe Weather Action No. 1 (Extreme Heat):
inform the community of impending rolling blackouts.
Action Item SW-EH001-01: Annual notification tests conducted by Southern California Edison in
preparation for power outages and rolling blackouts.
Timeline: Flash Drills conducted quarterly
Responsible Party: City Emergency Management, Communications Division, and SCE
Funding Source: SCE
Plan Goals Addressed: Public Awareness, Participation and Implementation, and Emergency
Services
Priority: Moderate
Goal SW-EW001: Enhance programs to keep trees from threatening lives, property, and public
infrastructure during windstorm events.
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Severe Weather Action No.2 (Extreme Wind): Partner with responsible agencies and organization to
make information electronically available to property owners to reduce risk from tree failure to life,
property, and utility systems.
Action Item SW-EW001-01: Urban Forestry distributes informational brochures published by the
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to residents during special events and routine field work.
This information includes "How to Recognize Hazardous Trees." The Urban Forestry Division is also
active in professional tree organizations, which are comprised of both municipal and private tree
professionals. Specifically, the City is involved with Street Tree Seminar (STS), where 85% of
members/attendees are from other municipal agencies. Through seminars and meetings at STS, City
staff are able to network with other agencies on different methods used for emergency response.
Timeline: Ongoing; information distributed upon request
Responsible Party: Urban Forestry
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
Severe Weather Action No. 3 (Extreme Wind): Develop partnerships between utility providers and
City/County Public Works agencies to document known hazard areas.
Action Item SW-EW001-02: Urban Forestry has a positive working relationship with Southern California
Edison (SCE). In a cooperative effort, Urban Forestry and SCE provide residents with informational
brochures to guide them in selecting an appropriate tree for situations where power lines exist. Both
agencies provide ISA's "Right Tree, Right Place" brochure as a guideline for homeowners. The City has
partnered with SCE to remove inappropriate trees located under power lines and replace those trees
with trees that will not interfere with those lines; the program removes potentially hazardous trees
(when grid pruning is performed) at no cost to residents.
Timeline: Ongoing; updates to known hazard areas submitted as necessary
Responsible Party: Urban Forestry
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
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Severe Weather Action No. 4 (Extreme Wind): Identify and track potentially hazardous trees.
Action Item SW-EW001-03: Urban Forestry uses a tree inventory program (Arbor Access) that allows it
to track, monitor, and address potentially hazardous trees in its inventory. In addition, Urban Forestry
participates in the City's eService system (CRM) that residents can use to report hazardous trees to
officials. All concerns that are submitted are then inspected by Urban Forestry staff and any corrective
actions needed are identified. Additionally, Urban Forestry staff respond to reports of fallen tree limbs,
performs routine inspections on major thoroughfares and City maintained landscape, and continues to
identify dead trees in neighborhoods across the City. In the event of a hazardous condition arising from
severe weather in city maintained landscape, contracts are in place to immediately have the area closed
off to the public and made safe.
Timeline: Ongoing; updates to inventory program submitted as necessary
Responsible Party: Urban Forestry, and Landscape Maintenance Division
Funding Source: General Fund and Special Assessment fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Moderate
Goal SW-EW002: Enhance strategies for debris management for windstorm events.
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Severe Weather Action No. 5 (Extreme Wind): Develop coordinated management strategies for
clearing debris from roads of fallen trees and clearing debris from public and private property.
Action Item SW-EW002-01: Santa Clarita's Debris Management Plan includes:
- Debris is moved to allow for movement of emergency vehicles for emergency response
purposes.
- A coordinated debris removal from the public right of way initiated. Determination of
whether additional contractors/agencies are needed is based on the severity of the event.
Debris monitoring also takes place to measure truck capacities, identification of hazardous waste, and
identify recyclable materials within debris. Urban Forestry and the landscape maintenance division
receives emergency calls and responds to each location to resolve issues by securing the public right of
ways. Outside contractors may be called in for severe conditions. The Streets Division will respond and
will also contract out to private contractors in severe situations. Both Urban Forestry and Street
Maintenance have a standard out-call procedure for emergencies. Designated employees are on-call at
all times and on weekends in the event an emergency occurs, and a 30-minute response time is
standard. The City works with AAMCOM to allow residents 24 hour access to report emergencies. A
contracted landscape monitor is available 24 hours to inspect, assess and report emergency situations.
Contracts are in place to allow contractors to respond immediately to hazard locations to address fallen
trees, debris, and make safe city maintained public and private property.
Urban Forestry is working with other departments to actively monitor the overall health of forests,
focusing efforts on removing dead trees, and proactively pruning/deep watering trees along major
thoroughfares and City maintained landscape in an effort to minimize limb and complete tree failures
as a result of drought.
Timeline: Following an extreme wind event
Responsible Party: General Services, Engineering Services, and Landscape Maintenance
Division
Funding Source: General fund, emergency funding, or emergency reserves depending on
nature of the event
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: Moderate
Goal SW-EW003: Support/encourage electrical utilities to use underground construction methods
where possible to reduce power outages from windstorms.
Severe Weather Action No. 6 (Extreme Wind): Increase use of underground utilities or covered
conductors where possible and participate in Underground Utilities Program.
Action Item SW-EW003-01: Zoning Code requires undergrounding of utilities with powerlines that
handle voltage amounts in excess of 34KV. The City conditions eligible development and
redevelopment projects to underground utilities as necessary.
Timeline: Case-by-case basis as development and redevelopment projects are submitted to
the City
Responsible Party: Public Works
Funding Source: SCE
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: Moderate
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5.7 PANDEMICS - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
The World Health Organization has urged countries, including the United States to scale up the testing,
isolation of infected persons, and contact tracing in order to combat the spread of a pandemic viral
outbreak. By adopting these practices, infected persons can be located, isolated and treated, and traced
to the close contacts with whom they might have infected, and isolate them too.
By separating infected persons from the rest of the general population/public, the spread of a virus can
be slowed, slowing the speed of the epidemic. This strategy has been used extensively in the past, for
example to stop epidemics of smallpox and Ebola. Using testing and tracing helps to avoid having a nation
or region from having to proceed with mandatory lockdown measures, or may decrease the length of time
lockdown measures may be necessary.
5.7.1 CDC GUIDANCE FOR REDUCING COVID-19 TRANSMISSION
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has outlined a framework for states and local municipalities to
consider as they decide what mitigation efforts to implement in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
This framework for considering mitigation strategies that are tailored to each community is broken
into three sections:
5.7.1.1 LEVEL OF MITIGATION NEEDED BY LEVEL OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION AND
COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS
Table 5 - 8: COVID-19 Community Transmission Mitigation
Community Characteristics & Description Level of
Level of Community
Mitigation
Transmission
Large scale, uncontrolled community Shelter in place
Substantial, uncontrolled
transmission, including communal settings
transmission
(e.g., schools, workplaces)
Large scale, controlled transmission, Significant
Substantial, controlled
including communal settings (e.g., schools, mitigation
transmission
workplaces)
Sustained transmission with high likelihood Moderate
Minimal to moderate
or confirmed exposure within communal mitigation
community transmission
settings and potential for rapid increase in
cases
Evidence of isolated cases or limited Low mitigation
No to minimal community
community transmission, case
transmission
investigations underway; no evidence of
exposure in large communal settings
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5.7.1.2 FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR DETERMINING MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Epidemiology: Consists of accounting for a) extensive mitigation where community
transmission is high, b) number and type of outbreaks in vulnerable populations such as
nursing homes and correctional facilities, c) severity of the disease, d) impact on
healthcare systems and other critical infrastructure/services, and e) epidemiology in
surrounding communities.
Community Characteristics: Consists of determining a) size of community/population
density, b) level of community engagement/support, c) size and characteristics of
vulnerable populations, d) access to healthcare, e) transportation infrastructure, f) type
of business/industry, g) congregate living facilities, h) planned events/gatherings, and i)
relationship with surrounding communities.
Healthcare Capacity: Considers a) healthcare workforce, b) number of healthcare
facilities, c) testing activity, d) intensive care capacity, and e) availability of personal
protective equipment (PPE).
Public Health Capacity: Takes into account a) public health workforce and availability of
resources to implement strategies such as testing and contact tracing, and b) available
support from other state/local government agencies and partner organizations.
5.7.1.3 OVERVIEW OF POSSIBLE MITIGATION STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER IN COMMUNITIES
WITH LOCAL COVID-19 TRANSMISSION ACROSS SETTINGS AND SECTORS
Promote Behavior that Prevents Spread: Emphasizes educating the community about
staying home when sick or exposed to COVID-19, proper hand hygiene and respiratory
etiquette, use of face coverings, and ensuring adequate availability of cleaning supplies,
and posting messages that promote prevention behaviors.
Maintain Healthy Environments: Promotes intensifying cleaning/disinfection of
frequently touched surfaces, ensuring adequate ventilation, and safety of water systems,
modifying layouts and installation of physical barriers in indoor spaces to promote social
distancing, closure or staggering use of communal spaces and intensified
cleaning/disinfection, and limit or clean/disinfect shared objects between uses.
Maintain Healthy Operations: Focuses on protecting vulnerable populations, promoting
physical and mental health, maintaining awareness of local and state regulations,
ps and avoid mixing groups,
promoting virtual events and social distancing at small in-person events, limiting on-
essential visits and activities, encourage work from home strategies, limiting non-
essential travel, designating a COVID-19 point of contact, implementing flexible non-
punitive leave policies, create back-up staffing, train staff on safety protocols, consider
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daily health checks (temperature/symptom screening), implementing communication
system for reporting and notification of exposure, and notification of facility closures.
Prepare for When Someone Gets Sick: Focuses on safely transporting and isolating
infected individuals to their home or healthcare facility, encouraging infected persons to
follow CDC guidance caring for oneself while sick, notifying local health officials of new
cases while maintaining confidentiality, notifying persons exposed to COVID-19 and
advise to self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms, advise people who have contracted
COVID-19 when they may return based on CDC criteria, and closing off areas used by
infected individuals then disinfecting after 24 hours.
5.7.2 SANTA CLARITA COVID-19 RESPONSE AND MITIGATION
Santa Clarita has been tracking developments in the COVID-19 pandemic since early March 2020. A
web page has been created that features almost daily press releases covering the latest
developments, local organization updates, event cancellations, resources, information on COVID-19
testing, and City News related to COVID-19. In addition to the webpage, the City has followed State
and County Public Health Department guidelines throughout the pandemic and regularly posts
guidance updates as they change.
5.7.2.1 SANTA CLARITA SAFER BUSINESS COMMITMENT SHOP LOCAL INITIATIVE
The City of Santa Clarita announced the
a part of the Shop Local initiative! The program is intended to let the community know that after months
of being shut down due to the COVID pandemic, many local businesses have reopened and want
customers to know it is safe to Shop Local. The intent is to promote the success of local businesses and
build community confidence.
Santa Clarita Valley businesses can make the commitment by abiding to a set of safety guidelines and best
practices, as issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and completing a short online form.
view this list online at VisitSantaClarita.com/SaferBusinessCommitment to know which local businesses
are committing to safety precautions for the safety of patrons and employees alike.
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5.7.3 PANDEMIC STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS
Table 5 9: Pandemic Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal P001: Take action to prepare for a pandemic.
Pandemic Action No. 1: Establish stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply for City
employees.
Action Item P001-01: Work with local, state, and federal agencies to determine the community need
for PPE in the event of a pandemic. Emergency Services Analyst will continue to evaluate the need for
PPE for City staff.
Timeline: Inventory taken annually
Responsible Party: Emergency Management
Funding Source: General fund, Emergency Management fund, and Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Pandemic Action No. 2: Development workplace safety protocols to ensure continuity of City services
and alternative programming.
Action Item P001-02: Implement strategies to ensure safe work environment for all staff at each City
facility.
Timeline: Updated as necessary to be compliant with most current County Public Health
Orders
Responsible Party: Technology Services, and Human Resources
Funding Source: General fund, and Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Pandemic Action No. 3: Routine audit technology to work efficiently under pandemic conditions.
Action Item P001-03: Provide VPN access and additional computers with video conferencing and
establish means for electronic submittal of applications and city forms. Establish protocols for remote
work by City employees where possible.
Timeline: Completed and provided on a case-by-case basis
Responsible Party: Technology Services, human Resources
Funding Source: General fund, and Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property
Priority: High
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Pandemic Action No. 4: Develop plan to provide assistance to support local economy.
Action Item P001-04: Help local businesses to develop strategies to continue operations safely,
including waiving or reducing business license fees, and an expedited process for temporarily moving
operations outdoors.
Timeline: Policies already created and implemented as necessary
Responsible Party: Community Development
Funding Source: General fund, and Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: High
Goal P002: Develop methods for reducing the impacts of a pandemic during an event.
Pandemic Action No. 5: Conduct a public awareness and educational campaign to raise awareness
about proper hygiene, and social distancing.
Action Item P002-01: The City will post informational flyers with proper hand washing, social distancing
and disinfecting guidelines at all public facilities. This message will provide phone numbers and links to
Public Health Organization websites and will be created when Public Health agencies with jurisdiction
over Santa Clarita issue pandemic related health orders.
Timeline: Evaluate and implement as needed for compliance
Responsible Party: Communications, Human Resources, Risk Management, and Emergency
Management
Funding Source: General Fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: High
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5.8 MAN-MADE HAZARDS: CYBER-ATTACK/TERRORISM - EXISTING MITIGATION
ACTIVITIES
5.8.1 CYBER-ATTACK MITIGATION
In the 2003 National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security
Agency (CISA) division of the Department of Homeland Security identified major actions and initiatives
Clarita and can be considered the strategic goals of any efforts to mitigate cyber threats.
Continuously assess threats and vulnerabilities to Santa Clarita cyber systems;
Authenticate and maintain authorized users of Santa Clarita cyber systems;
Improve security in city government outsourcing and procurement; and
Establishment of information technology security programs and participation in
information sharing and analysis efforts with other state and local government agencies.
5.8.2 TERRORISM MITIGATION
The following examples provide a summary of mitigation and prevention activities that support Santa
Clarita and the County of Los Angeles.
5.8.2.1 SANTA CLARITA TERRORISM MITIGATION EFFORTS
The City of Santa Clarita publishes emergency preparedness information, downloads, and videos
on its Web site, including the LA County Emergency Survival Guide that includes a section on
terrorism. The City has an active CERT program with volunteers trained to assist in disasters. Santa
Clarita has also implemented the eNotify System that allows the City to E-mail residents that sign-
up i
addresses emergency response actions that the EOC Center will take in the event of any
catastrophic event including acts of terrorism.
Santa Clarita also has an active Emergency Communications Team (Santa Clarita Emergency
Communications Team - SCECT) comprised of amateur radio operators that are trained in disaster
communication operations. In addition the City utilizes the Nixle system for emergency
notifications (texting and E-mail). Nixle supplements the E notify system as a communications
tool.
5.8.2.2
in the event of a terrorist event. Individual cities will be responsible for consequence
management. The following are practices or projects that are currently active in the Region.
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Canine Unit: The Los Angeles County Sheriff maintains five (5) specially training canines
to detect explosives as part of the Arson/Explosive Detail and one chemical/biological
threat K-9 as part of the Hazardous Materials Detail.
ALERT LA: The Los Angeles County has made ALERT LA, a reverse 911 system for mass
notification and communication, available to Santa Clarita.
Terrorism Early Warning Group: In 1996, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department
established the Terrorism Early Warning (TEW) Group (Terrorism Early Warning Group,
2008) to act as an interdisciplinary group in which local, state, and federal agencies work
together, share information, combine resources, enhancing the ability to identify and
respond to acts and threats of terrorism. This group is a significant resource for identifying
and assessing potential threats, making appropriate notifications and recommendations,
and aiding in mission planning and the efficient allocation of resources.
Emergency Response Actions: The Los Angeles County Department is the lead
agency for crisis management, perimeter security, access control, traffic/crowd control,
evacuations, notifications, and safeguarding evidence. Crisis management activities may
include: a) investigation, tracking, and maintaining scene integrity, b) coordinating
coroner issues with the Los Angeles County Coroner
Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) or Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) units, and d) assisting with
damage assessment and fatalities management.
5.8.2.3 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is the lead agency for fire response, hazardous materials
events, and medical/rescue operations. The County Fire Department provides support as
necessary to the Sheriff for Crisis Management activities. Existing procedures, such as the Fire
Department assists with:
Fire and rescue operations
Emergency medical services coordination
Perimeter and access control
Evacuation operations
Notifications
Safeguarding evidence
Damage assessment
Fatalities management
Addressing environmental needs
Obtaining personnel with radiological training
Ensuring decontamination procedures (radiological and chemical) are in place
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Ensuring biological agents are contained
5.8.2.4 JOINT REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER
The Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC) was established in 2006 as a cooperative effort
between federal, state, and local law enforcement and public safety agencies to centralize the
intake, analysis, synthesis, and appropriate dissemination of terrorism-related threat intelligence
for the greater Los Angeles region, which includes the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, San
Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura. The JRIC provides essential support and
training to a region-wide network of public safety officials, including law enforcement, fire safety,
and public health agencies, as well as private sector partners, and designated community groups.
The JRIC also supports regional critical infrastructure protection initiatives, including:
FBI-coordinated InfraGard Program
Regional Public & Private Infrastructure Collaboration System
County-level Critical Infrastructure Working Groups
Department of Homeland Security Protective Security Advisors
5.8.3 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
The City of Santa Clarita is primarily urban and as such, is subject to the man-made hazards of the
built environment, including cyber-attack, and terrorism. Santa Clarita has adopted General Plan
objectives and policies (as outlined in section 5.1, Table 5-1) for land development to mitigate the
impacts of man-made hazards: cyber-attack/terrorism on the community. General Plan Policies LU
3.3.4 3.3.5 under the General Plan Land Use Element Objective 3.3, General Plan Policies C 2.5.1
2.5.4 under the General Plan Circulation Element Object 2.5, General Plan Policy S 1.1.4 under General
Plan Safety Element Objective 1.1, and General Plan Policies S 7.1.1 7.1.4 under the General Plan
Safety Element Objective 7.1, all relate directly to mitigation strategies that the City requires of new
developments related to man-made hazards: cyber-attack/terrorism management.
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5.8.4 MAN-MADE HAZARDS: CYBER ATTACK/TERRORISM STRATEGIES AND ACTION
PLANS
Table 5 10: Man-Made Hazards Cyber-Attack/Terrorism Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal MM-CA001: Ensure that every physical and virtual computing infrastructure currently utilized
by the City are secure. Revise current standard IT operating procedures to meet industry best
practices.
Man-made Action No. 1 (Cyber Attack): Ensure that all hardware and software currently utilized by
city staff are updated including anti-virus, spyware, and malware mitigation measures.
Action Item MM-CA001-01: Hardware / Software security controls in place. Monitoring ongoing.
Timeline: Monthly
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 2 (Cyber Attack): Conduct updates of cyber threat management tools.
Action Item MM-CA001-02: Tools in place. Monitoring and updates ongoing.
Timeline: Daily antivirus definitions, monthly Windows updates, server updates every other
month
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 3 (Cyber Attack): Review ways to increase bandwidth on Local Area Networks
and Wi-Fi networks used by the city to ensure capability to handle sudden, increased data usage.
Action Item MM-CA001-03: Bandwidth to City Network increased ten-fold in 2020 with the ability to
expand further as necessary.
Timeline: Annual evaluation
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 4 (Cyber Attack): Implement controls of access ports used for City services and
take action to reduce the threat of cyber threats.
Action Item MM-CA001-04: Controls in place. Monitoring and updates ongoing.
Timeline: Daily
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
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Goal MM-CA002: Adopt and comply with all relevant United States Computer Emergency Readiness
Team (US-CERT) and other national requirements for local governments and utilize existing
resources and programs made available by US-CERT and other federal agencies for system resilience
and security testing.
Man-made Action No. 5 (Cyber Attack): Integrate incident notification requirements into existing IT
department policies.
Action Item MM-CA002-01: Incident notification included in IT department policies.
Timeline: Daily
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 6 (Cyber Attack): Conduct a Cyber Resilience Review.
Action Item MM-CA002-02: Reviews conducted on a scheduled basis.
Timeline: Daily
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 7 (Cyber Attack):
Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity.
Action Item MM-CA002-03: Additional policies and standards such as the NIST Framework under
review for incorporation into IT department policies and procedures.
Timeline: Annually
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 8 (Cyber Attack): Include National Cybersecurity and Communications
Integration Center (NCCIC) into IT Department policies and procedures.
Action Item MM-CA002-04: Inclusion of NCCIC under review for incorporation into IT department
policies and procedures.
Timeline: Review to be conducted in 2021 to determine applicability
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 9 (Cyber Attack): Consider participation in DHS C3 Voluntary Program, which
provides resources to help State, local, tribal, and territorial governments address their cybersecurity
needs.
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Action Item MM-CA002-05: Participation in DHS C3 under review.
Timeline: Review to be conducted in 2021 to determine applicability
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 10 (Cyber Attack): Consider having DHS Cyber Security Advisors/Protective
Security Advisors conduct assessments of Santa Clarita cyber and critical infrastructure resources.
Action Item MM-CA002-06: Conducting security evaluations by DHS under review.
Timeline: Technology Services applied in 2020 and is awaiting a response from DHS
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Goal MM-CA003: Review IT Department staff credentials, policies, and procedures and update them
to meet industry best practices for software security, access management, and cybersecurity
mitigation.
Man-made Action No. 11 (Cyber Attack): Conduct regular updates to ensure security.
Action Item MM-CA003-01: Conduct regular updates to IT department policies to incorporate the
latest cyber security best practices.
Timeline: ronic Communication Policy
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 12 (Cyber Attack): Password maintenance.
Action Item MM-CA003-02: Review and strengthen internal IT administrator password and credential
controls.
Timeline: Biannually
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 13 (Cyber Attack): Password maintenance.
Action Item MM-CA003-03: Review current password management practices and controls.
Timeline: Biannually
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
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Man-made Action No. 14 (Cyber Attack): Perform regular testing to ensure security.
Action Item MM-CA003-04: Perform regular testing to confirm that critical systems are not subject to
compromise.
Timeline: Monthly vulnerability assessments with annual penetration tests
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 15 (Cyber Attack): Maintain procedures for ensuring security of City
smartphones or tablet computers.
Action Item MM-CA003-05:
smartphones or tablet computers.
Timeline: Case-by-case basis
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 16 (Cyber Attack): Insurance procedures.
Action Item MM-CA003-06: Assess the need for cyber-insurance coverage.
Timeline: Under review for renewal in summer 2021
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 17 (Cyber Attack): Cyber incident response.
Action Item MM-CA003-07: Periodically test IT cyber incident response plans.
Timeline: Biannually (coincides with EOC and disaster recovery testing)
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 18 (Cyber Attack): Cyber security risk assessment.
Action Item MM-CA003-08: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential cybersecurity
threats.
Timeline: Monthly vulnerability assessments with annual penetration tests
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 19 (Cyber Attack): Elimination of old data.
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Action Item MM-CA003-09: Proactively and systematically archive or delete obsolete data and users.
Timeline: Every 90 days
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 20 (Cyber Attack): Evaluate third party risk.
Action Item MM-CA003-10: Evaluate third-party/vendor risk and indemnification provisions to ensure
they cover the full costs of a data breach, including notification costs and credit monitoring.
Timeline: Contract-by-contract basis
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Goal MM-CA004: Ensure that existing Santa Clarita training protocols reflect current and industry
best practices in the fields of cyber, information, and critical infrastructure security. Where
necessary or applicable, include cyber-security training requirements towards staff professional
training/development goals and/or performance reviews.
Man-made Action No. 21 (Cyber Attack): Cybersecurity training.
Action Item MM-CA004-01: Conduct cybersecurity training to help IT staff maintain expertise and
foster operational readiness.
Timeline: Monthly new employee trainings, annual LASD training, as needed email diligence
reminders, and ongoing training videos and tests
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Man-made Action No. 22 (Cyber Attack): Cybersecurity training.
Action Item MM-CA004-02: Conduct periodic employee training on privacy and security policies and
incident response procedures.
Timeline: Monthly new employee trainings, annual LASD training, as needed email diligence
reminders, and ongoing training videos and tests
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Goal MM-CA005: Partner with the California Office of Emergency Services and the California
Cybersecurity Integration Center.
Man-made Action No. 23 (Cyber Attack): Outreach to Cal-OES and the California Cybersecurity
Integration Center.
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Action Item MM-CA005-01: Partner with the California Office of Emergency Services and the California
information technology networks, enable cross-sector coordination and sharing of recommended best
practices and security measures, and support.
Timeline: Technology Services will review to determine applicability in 2021
Responsible Party: Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Goal MM-T001: Partner with the California Office of Emergency Services and the California
Cybersecurity Integration Center to
information technology networks, enable cross-sector coordination and sharing of recommended
best practices and security measures, and support.
Man-made Action No. 24 (Terrorism): Active Shooter included in CERT training.
Action Item MM-T001-01: Conduct CERT training to mitigate the number of casualties during an Active
Shooter incident and improve response capabilities.
Timeline: One class per season
Responsible Party: Emergency Management and LACFD
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: Moderate
Goal MM-T002: Identify City-owned potential terrorist targets and take action to harden vulnerable
sites.
Man-made Action No. 25 (Terrorism): Identification of site vulnerabilities and capabilities.
Action Item MM-T002-01: Work with the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a review of
City-owned and operated facilities. The review to include access controls and security for each site.
Timeline: Complete walkthrough by 2022
Responsible Party: Emergency Management and Risk Management
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: Moderate
Man-made Action No. 26 (Terrorism): Increase site resilience.
Action Item MM-T002-01: Based on the results of the site review, take actions to increase resilience
critical City-owned sites.
Timeline: Complete by 2023 or as funds are available
Responsible Party: Emergency Management, Public Works, and Planning
Funding Source: General fund, and Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: Moderate
Goal MM-T003: Work with critical infrastructure partners to identify potential terrorist targets and
take action to harden vulnerable sites.
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Man-made Action No. 27 (Terrorism): Harden vulnerable infrastructure sites.
Action Item MM-T002-01: Continue to work with Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource (CIKR)
partners including healthcare facilities, utility providers, event centers, and other major public venues.
This includes working with LASD on developing the site list.
Timeline: Quarterly meetings with Santa Clarita Emergency Preparedness Working Group
Responsible Party: Emergency Management
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: Moderate
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5.9 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
The following hazardous materials release mitigation activities are performed on an ongoing basis:
The Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce and other key facilities, such as the Henry Mayo Newhall
Hospital and the County of Los Angeles have created brochures on the risks of toxic substances
and their control.
Santa Clarita public outreach programs continue to include information on handling hazardous
materials and informing residents on what they should avoid and how to respond in case of a
catastrophic release.
Annually, at the beginning of the calendar year, the LACoFD Hazardous Materials Division (HMD)
mails each permitted hazardous materials user business a Hazardous Materials Business Plan
(HMBP) Certification Form requiring the business owner/operator to certify that their HMBP is
current and up to date. Beyond this annually required recertification, hazardous materials
handling businesses are inspected every third year.
5.9.1 DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCE CONTROL
The role of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), a Division of the California
Environmental Protection Agency, is to protect against exposures to hazardous wastes through
regulation, contamination clean-up, and looking for ways to reduce the hazardous waste produced in
California. The DTSC regulates hazardous waste in California primarily under the authority of the
federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976, and the California Health and Safety
Code. Under RCRA, DTSC has the authority to implement permitting, inspection, compliance and
corrective action programs to ensure proper handling procedures compliant with state and federal
requirements. As such, the management of hazardous sites in Santa Clarita is under the regulatory
authority of the DTSC.
5.9.2 SENATE BILL 1082
Senate Bill 1082 (1993) established the "Unified Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials
Management Regulatory Program". The Unified Program consolidates, coordinates, and makes
consistent the following hazardous materials and hazardous waste programs:
Hazardous Waste Generation (including onsite treatment under Tiered Permitting)
Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks (only the Spill Prevention Control and
Countermeasure Plan or "SPCC")
Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
Hazardous Material Release Response Plans and Inventories
California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP)
Uniform Fire Code Hazardous Material Management Plans and Inventories
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The LACoFD HHMD regulates generation and onsite treatment of hazardous waste throughout the
Los Angeles County Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA).
5.9.3 BUSINESS REPORTING
Businesses are required to disclose all hazardous materials and wastes above certain designated
quantities which are used, stored, or handled at their facility. Any significant changes must be
reported to LACoFD HHMD within 15 days on an ongoing basis, and updated annually. Businesses
must also prepare safety and hazard mitigation plans, review the plans regularly, and provide annual
training. Any releases or threatened releases of hazardous materials must be reported to the LACoFD
HHMD and to the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) Warning Center. Those businesses
using certain Regulated Substances (a list of substances comprises about 260 specific flammable or
toxic chemicals) must also develop a Risk Management Plan (RMP) upon request by LACoFD HHMD.
The RMP includes analysis of operations on-site, and projection of off-site consequences with
accompanying mitigation plans.
5.9.4 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
Because the industrial nature of our economy creates circumstances in which hazardous materials
releases routinely occur, Santa Clarita has adopted General Plan objectives and policies (as outlined
in section 5.1, Table 5-1) for land development to mitigate the impacts of hazardous materials release
on the community. General Plan Policy CO 1.4.1 1.4.4 under General Plan Conservation and Open
Space Element Objective 1.4, General Plan Policy S 4.1.2 under General Plan Safety Element Objective
4.1, and General Plan Policies S 4.2.1 4.2.4 under General Plan Safety Element Objective 4.2 all relate
directly to mitigation strategies that the City requires of new developments related to hazardous
materials release management.
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5.9.5 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RELEASE MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND ACTION
PLANS
Table 5 -11: Hazardous Materials Release Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal HM001: Increase public awareness about hazardous and toxic materials.
Hazardous Materials Release Action No. 1:
emergency information on hazardous materials. Include phone numbers for contacting the proper
agencies.
Action Item HM001-01: Provide emergency contract numbers to the public on the City's websites,
publications, and at preparedness outreach events. Maintain and update community and partner
agency contact information in the Emergency Operations Center and for the Emergency Operations
Plan.
Timeline: Ongoing; update when any information changes
Responsible Party: Emergency Management, Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: Low
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5.10 LANDSLIDE/MUDSLIDE/SUBSIDENCE - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
Landslide mitigation activities include current mitigation programs and activities that are being
implemented by local or city organizations.
5.10.1 STATE GUIDELINES
The California Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG) has developed Special Publication 117,
Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, 1997. This document provides
recommendations to effectively reduce seismic hazards to acceptable levels as defined in California
Information System (GIS) Division has analyzed the data and developed various hazard maps for use
in planning and mitigation hazards.
5.10.2 CITY CODES AND GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
The City of Santa Clarita Unified Development Code (UDC) addresses development on steep slopes in
subsection 17.080.040. This section outlines standards for steep slope hazard areas on slopes of 10
percent or more. Generally, the ordinance requires soils and engineering geologic studies for
developments proposed on slopes of 10 percent or greater. More detailed surface and subsurface
investigations shall be warranted if indicated by engineering and geologic studies to sufficiently
describe existing conditions. This may include soils, vegetation, geologic formations, and drainage
patterns. Site evaluations may also occur where stability might be lessened by proposed grading/filling
or land clearing.
Because much of the City is located in hillside areas with steep slopes, Santa Clarita has adopted
General Plan objectives and policies (as outlined in section 5.1, Table 5-1) for land development to
mitigate the impacts of landslide/mudslide/subsidence on the community. General Plan Policies C
2.5.1 2.5.4 under the General Plan Circulation Element Objective 2.5, General Plan Policy CO 2.1.1
under General Plan Conservation and Open Space Element Objective 2.1, General Plan Policies S 1.1.1
1.1.3 under General Plan Safety Element Objective 1.1, and General Plan Policy S 1.2.2 under General
Plan Safety Element Objective 1.2 all relate directly to mitigation strategies that the City requires of
new developments related to landslide/mudslide/subsidence management.
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5.10.3 LANDSLIDE/MUDSLIDE/SUBSIDENCE STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS
Table 5 12: Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal L001: Increase knowledge of landslide hazard areas and understanding of vulnerability and risk
to life and property in hazard-prone areas.
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 1: Develop public information to emphasize risks when
building on potential or historical landslide areas.
Action Item L001-01: A development prerequisite requires the mitigation of landslides as
recommended by geological studies.
Timeline: Case-by-case during permit plan check review
Responsible Party: Engineering Services
Funding Source: General fund, permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: High
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 2: Continue to map new earth movement hazards and
make information available to staff, developers, and residents so that soil types, slope percentage,
drainage, or other critical factors are used to identify landslide prone areas.
Action Item L001-02: Maps are available from the CA Department of Conservation's Division of Mine
and Geology for earthquake-induced landslide and liquefaction hazard zones. Hazard zone information
mapped-out and available for public dissemination.
Timeline: Case-by-case
Responsible Party: Public Works
Funding Source: General fund, permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: High
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 3: Placement of utilities outside of landslide areas.
Action Item L001-03: Encourage design and placement of utilities outside of landslide areas to decrease
the risk of service disruption.
Timeline: Case-by-case as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Building & Safety, Planning
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: High
Goal L002: Continue public education information program that includes material for residents with
information on how to protect their property from landslides and debris flows.
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 4: Provide information on plant ground cover for slopes and
building of retaining walls.
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Action Item L002-01: Community Development's Planning Division addresses this issue in Santa
Clarita's Unified Development Code for required landscaping on hillsides, including both cut and fill
slopes. In addition, the Urban Forestry division provides information pertaining to proper planting
selections to residents as requested, to include how to select proper ground cover, shrubs, and trees
suitable for slope stabilization.
Timeline: Case-by-case as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Urban Forestry, Planning
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: High
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 5: Provide information for mudflow areas, including
information on building channels or deflection walls to direct the flow around buildings (be
Action Item L002-02: An information booklet available through the County of Los Angeles Public Works
Department and through their Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort (CARE) website. This is a multi-
agency public outreach program to disseminate information about recovery efforts and potential storm
impacts. www.dpw.lacounty.gov/care. The LADPW also utilizes an e-notification alert system for mud
and debris flow; residents can register to receive updates from this system.
Timeline: Case-by-case as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Public Works, Planning
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: High
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 6: Provide information on installation of flexible pipe
fittings to avoid gas or water leaks.
Action Item L002-03: This information is available on the Southern California Gas website. Collateral
materials have been requested from SCG.
Timeline: Case-by-case as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Public Works, Planning
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation
Priority: High
Goal L003: Limit activities in identified potential and historical landslide areas through regulation and
public outreach.
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Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 7: Analyze existing regulations regarding development in
landslide prone areas.
Action Item L003-01: The City's General Plan (June 2011) includes policies to preserve open space to
meet the community's multiple objectives for resource protection for long-term community benefit.
The general plan also included a land use map that contained land uses/residential densities in known
areas prone to landslides. The plan proposed 27,000 acres of permanently-secured open space and an
additional 147,000 acres of open space for National Forest areas.
Timeline: Complete as part of 2021 2029 General Plan update
Responsible Party: Community Development
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems
Priority: High
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 8: Continue the open space designation efforts. Open space
designations keep landslide prone areas undeveloped.
Action Item L003-02: The City's General Plan that was adopted in 2013 proposed zoning maps designate
appropriate open space parcels in addition to policies for the pursuit of additional open space. The
City's Open Space District will allow for the continued acquisition and designation of open space areas
and will increase the City's ability to keep landslide-prone areas undeveloped.
Timeline: Case-by-case as land becomes available
Responsible Party: Parks and Recreation, Community Services
Funding Source: City OSPD funds
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems
Priority: High
Goal L004: Identify and potentially improve if feasible landslide prone areas.
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 9: Consider vegetation management on landslide prone
property.
Action Item L004-01: In coordination with LACFD fuel modification guidelines, the City will consider
best management practices for vegetation management on landslide-prone property.
Timeline: Annually in the Spring
Responsible Party: Special Districts
Funding Source: LMD funds
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems
Priority: High
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Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 10: Encourage public/private partnerships that educate
and encourage homeowners to mitigate landslide potential.
Action Item L004-02: Homeowners work with the City to mitigate landslide potential by either building
slopes in landscaped maintenance districts or by requiring Homeowner Associations to submit
landscape plans for common areas to the City for review and approval. On City maintained slopes on
private property, vegetation is used to mitigate landslide potential through a combination of planting
shrubs, groundcover, hydroseed mix, and trees.
Timeline: Case-by-case as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Special Districts, Planning
Funding Source: General fund, permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems
Priority: High
Goal L004: Review, monitor and update codes, regulations, and local ordinances.
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 11: Study ordinances including Zoning, Grading, Hillside,
Subdivision, etc. and make recommendations to mitigate landslide prone areas.
Action Item L004-01: In response to the adoption of the General Plan in 2011, the City's entire Unified
Development Code is being rewritten and updated to reflect these goals and subject areas. Specifically,
the update includes a review and modification of the City's hillside development ordinances in an effort
to reduce development-related impacts upon hillsides throughout the City (UDC adopted June 11,
2013).
Timeline: 2021: The City is currently updating the General Plan with the updated 2021 2029
Safety Element due by end of 2021
Responsible Party: Planning
Funding Source: SB2 Planning grant
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness, Natural Systems
Priority: High
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 12: Continue to review and enforce building codes for
construction standards, including minimum foundation requirements, in landslide prone areas.
Action Item L004-02: Foundation recommendations are derived from geological reports and
distributed to Building and Safety for inclusion on plans.
Timeline: Case-by-case as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Building & Safety
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems
Priority: High
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Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence Action No. 13: Continue to r eview drainage control regulations to
control drainage and reduce the risk of landslides resulting from saturated soils.
Action Item L004-03: Grading and drainage plans are required and include recommendations from
geological reports, e.g. planting of native vegetation, minimizing landscape watering, and inclusion of
back drains.
Timeline: Case-by-case as development projects are submitted
Responsible Party: Engineering Services
Funding Source: Developer fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems
Priority: High
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5.11 FLOOD - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
The City has adopted measures which govern development in the floodplain areas. The following table
provides a summary of applicable codes and ordinances.
Table 5 - 13: Flood Mitigation Codes and Ordinances
References Description
Chapter 18.01 of Chapter 18.01 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code includes Flood Resistant
the Santa Clarita Construction requirements (effective on all new building permit applications
Municipal Code received by the City on or after January 1, 2014) and is current through
Ordinance 15-5 passed June 23, 2015.
Ordinance No. Ordinance No. 08-
08-11 adopted in compliance with FEMA and the National Flood Insurance
Program. City Resolution No. 88-93 establishes and assures compliance with
Section 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations and other floodplain
management requirements.
Chapter 11.60 of The City has adopted Chapter 11.60 of the Los Angeles County Code by
the Los Angeles reference. This chapter adopts floodway maps, governs construction within
County Code floodways, and establishes water surface elevations. The floodway maps are
more precise and more restrictive than the Flood Insurance Rate Maps
(FIRMs). The maps designate floodway areas in which no construction is
allowed and flood fringe areas where construction is allowed upon complying
with all applicable flood-proofing requirements. The ordinance and maps
provide greater control over new developments and assures more adequate
protection from flood hazards. FEMA is undergoing new Flood Insurance
Studies (FIS) for the Santa Clara River and its major tributaries and these
studies will be used to develop new FIRMs with regulatory floodways to be
adopted in 2017. These maps will supersede the Los Angeles County floodway
maps but the Los Angeles County floodway maps will still be used in
floodplain areas not restudied by FEMA.
Uniform Building The City has also adopted the Uniform Building Code (UBC), which has
Code (UBC) provisions for flood hazard areas. Section 308(a) of the UBC requires the
proposed buildings and walls to comply with Title 44 of the Code of
Federal Regulations and the floodway ordinance prior to issuance of
permits.
Building Code
Building Code Section 308(b) addresses geologic hazards. It prohibits the
Section 308(b)
construction of buildings in areas, which are subject to hazard from landslide,
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settlement, or slippage from loose debris, slope wash, and mud flows. It
requires all proposed structures to be reviewed and to be determined to be
geologically safe. Where the applicant cannot demonstrate that the building
will be safe, the Building Official may deny issuance of a permit.
Chapter 10.06 of Chapter 10.06 of the Municipal Code is the Floodplain Management
the Municipal Ordinance. This chapter prohibits any obstructions, alterations, and
Code encroachments within channels, rivers, and washes.
5.11.1 SANTA CLARITA FLOODPLAIN MAINTENANCE AND FLOOD MITIGATION
PLANS
Santa Clarita has implemented the following plans and mitigation strategies to manage potential flood
and storm waters for the health and safety of the community.
5.11.1.1 SANTA CLARA RIVER PLAN
character, yet provide
adequate safety through the use of appropriate non- structural flood/erosion control measures
when necessary.
Objectives:
Prohibit human-made structures within the floodway and adjacent riparian and wetland
areas, unless it can be de
and welfare.
Maintain the natural character of the river.
Utilize recreational features that are compatible with the floodplain storage needs.
5.11.1.2 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COORDINATOR
Duties also include coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies during response and
recovery operations, and providing education and training to City officials and staff.
5.11.1.3 COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM
Santa Clarita has participated in the Community Rating System (CRS) since 2001. The CRS is a
voluntary program for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participating communities. The
goals of the CRS are to reduce flood damages to insurable property, strengthen and support the
insurance aspects of the NFIP, and encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain
management. The CRS has been developed to provide incentives in the form of premium
discounts for communities to go beyond the minimum floodplain management requirements to
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according to outreach conducted and flood protection provided for residents in floodplains. Since
program in 2001, the City maintained a class 9 rating, giving
community members a 5 percent reduction in federal flood insurance premiums.
5.11.1.4 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIVISION: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The Development Services Division of the Public Works
Figure 11: Storm Drain Debris Mitigation
Department reviews all development proposals for
compliance with flood regulations. Any project within
a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) must meet
floodplain management regulations and comply with
applicable flood ordinances and policies. Structures
cannot be located inside of the floodway. Structures
proposed to be built in the flood fringe area must be
elevated and/or adequately protected and must
comply with FEMA and City design standards.
Structures finished floors must be elevated a minimum
of one foot above the Base Flood Elevation. Required
elevation certificates are issued and kept on file in the
Development Services Division.
The Public Works Department is also responsible for
storm drain construction management within the City, which must be constructed per Los Angeles
County Flood Control Design Standards and will be submitted to the County for review and
approval and subsequently transferred to the Los Angeles County Flood Control District for
- Storm Water Group maintains a small percentage of City
storm drains.
5.11.2 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
The topography of Santa Clarita consists primarily of the Santa Clara River Valley situated between
the Santa Susana and San Gabriel Mountain ranges, which makes the City susceptible to flooding.
Santa Clarita has adopted General Plan objectives and policies (as outlined in section 5.1, Table 5-1)
for land development to mitigate the impacts of flooding on the community. General Plan Policies LU
7.3.4 7.3.5 under the General Plan Land Use Element Objective 7.3, and General Plan Policies S 2.1.1
2.1.6, S 2.2.1 2.2.2, S 2.3.1 2.3.2, S 2.4.1 2.4.2, and S 2.5.1 2.5.2 under General Plan Safety
Element Objectives 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5, all relate directly to mitigation strategies that the City
requires of new developments related to flood management.
5.11.3 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
Many existing storm drains and drainage facilities are located within the City. The Los Angeles County
Flood Control District (LACFCD) is responsible for regular maintenance and routine inspections of
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these facilities and systems. The City entered into an agreement with the LACFCD on March 14, 1989,
to allow the transfer and maintenance of all new storm drains constructed within the City. The
agreement states that the Flood Control District is authorized by the Flood Control Act to accept the
transfer and conveyance of flood control facilities for the operation maintenance and repair. The City
requires that all new drains and facilities be constructed to LACFCD flood control improvement
standards. The new facilities are routinely transferred over to the Flood Control District upon
completion.
5.11.4 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES REVIEW
The California Department of Water Resources reviewed the City policies and procedures regarding
implementation of the local floodplain management regulations on April 30, 1992. A report was
issued on May 11, 1992, which commended the City and staff on the excellent work in implementing
the National Flood Insurance Program. The findings of the report indicated that there were no
problems with the regulations, enforcement, programs, or data currently being used by the City. Santa
Clarita undergoes a review of the program approximately every five years and has continued to meet
the requirements and remain in compliance.
5.11.5 FEDERAL RESOURCES - NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP)
Nearly 20,000 communities across the United States and its territories participate in the NFIP by
adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In
exchange, the NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and
business owners in these communities. Flood damage is reduced by nearly $1 billion a year through
communities implementing sound floodplain management requirements and property owners
purchasing flood insurance. Additionally, buildings constructed in compliance with NFIP building
standards suffer approximately 80 percent less damage annually than those not built in compliance.
NFIP is discussed
in detail in Section 4 of this HMP.
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5.11.6 FLOOD STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS
Table 5 14: Flood Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal F001: Continue participation in flood programs.
Flood Action No. 1: . Continue the participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the
Community Rating System (CRS). This program consists of additional "activities" which are all defined
by FEMA and have points associated with each activity.
Action Item F001-01: Santa Clarita is good member in-standing in NFIP and received updated April 2015
information on NFIP program changes. FEMA conducted a five-year audit in May 2018 and the City
remains in good standing.
Timeline: Next 5 year audit to occur in 2023
Responsible Party: Emergency Management, Engineering Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation
Priority: High
Goal F002: Minimize damage and hazards to development in areas subject to risk resulting from
flooding conditions.
Flood Action No. 2: Continued clearance of the Santa Clara River of non-native plant species that may
impede flood flow.
Action Item F002-01: The City spends between $100,000 and $200,000 each year to remove non- native
plant species from the Santa Clara River. City staff's efforts to find grant funds resulted in securing over
$400,000 for 2012. Staff expects approximately 100 acres of non-native species Arundo and Tamarisk
to be removed in the demonstration area.
Timeline: Annual review
Responsible Party: Environmental Services, CIP
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems
Priority: High
Flood Action No. 2: Continue to review all permits for development in designated flood hazard areas to
meet the requirements of the NFIP and reduce damages and loss of life during flooding events.
Action Item F002-02: The City has added a new development review process to address construction
that does not require a building permit and continues to regulate all development in floodplains. All
new developments must go through a multi-division review and must meet all regulations of the NFIP
and CRS programs prior to issuance of any permits.
Timeline: During plan check for new developments and remodels
Responsible Party: Planning, Engineering Services, Building & Safety
Funding Source: Permit fees
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Natural Systems
Priority: High
Goal F003: Update existing 30-yr old Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to provide most current
flood data to regulate development standards. Training/development goals and/or performance
reviews.
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Flood Action No. 3: Coordinate review and implementation of new Flood Insurance Study.
Action Item F003-01: In 2012, City contracted with FEMA's engineering consultant to conduct a more
detailed FIS in downtown Newhall than previously performed by FEMA. This FIS was intended to
address the decertified levee which created a new flood zone in downtown Newhall. The FIS was
completed on June 2, 2021 to modify the 100-year flood data for the Santa Clara River and eight
tributaries within the City.
Timeline: Completed 2021
Responsible Party: Engineering Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Public Awareness
Priority: High
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5.12 MULTI-HAZARD - EXISTING MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
Multi-Hazard Mitigation strategies are necessary in the event of large scale disasters that result in trigger
events or multiple disasters occurring simultaneously. An example would be an earthquake that triggers
any combination of landslides, fires, hazardous materials release, energy and communication disruption,
and damage to critical transportation infrastructure. In addition to the strategies and action plans Santa
Clarita has adopted and implemented for individual hazards, the City has also developed plans for multi-
hazard events.
5.12.1 GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
The location, topography and built environment of Santa Clarita makes the City susceptible to multi-
hazard events. Santa Clarita has adopted General Plan objectives and policies (as outlined in section
5.1, Table 5-1) for land development to mitigate the impacts of multi-hazard events on the
community. General Plan Policies LU 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.4, and 3.3.5 under the General Plan Land Use
Element Objective 3.3, General Plan Policies C 2.5.1 2.1.4 under the General Plan Circulation Element
Objective 2.5, General Plan Policy CO 1.1.1 under the General Plan Conservation and Open Space
Element Objective CO 1.1, and General Plan Policies S 1.1.1 1.1.4 under General Plan Safety Element
Objective 1.1, all relate directly to mitigation strategies that the City requires of new developments
related to multi-hazard events.
5.12.2 MULTI-HAZARD STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS
Table 5 15: Multi-Hazard Mitigation Goals and Action Items
Goal MH001: Construct/enhance major transportation infrastructure to provide the necessary
additional roads and mobility.
Multi-Hazard Action No. 1: Complete the restriping of the Cross Valley Connector Golden Valley
segment between Centre Pointe Parkway and Sierra Highway to provide additional travel lanes.
Action Item MH001-01: Design is complete. City is seeking grant funding to construct this project. 3-
11-20: No additional information is available at this time.
Timeline: TBD when grant funding is available
Responsible Party: Public Works
Funding Source: Grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation,
Emergency Services
Priority: High
Multi-Hazard Action No. 2: Bridge Widening Copper Hill Drive, San Francisquito Bridge.
Action Item MH001-02: City received $17,706 of Caltrans grant funding for planning study for Highway
Bridge Program. Project complete.
Timeline: Project is conditions of Tesoro Phase 2
Responsible Party: Public Works
Funding Source: CalTrans grants, LMD and County Bridge and Thoroughfare funds
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Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation,
Emergency Services
Priority: High
Goal MH002: Implement technologies to enhance public notification and support in the event of an
emergency.
Multi-Hazard Action No. 3: Design is complete. City is seeking grant funding to construct this project.
3-11-20: No additional information is available at this time.
Action Item MH002-01: In 2012-2013 the maintenance program upgraded all batteries with backup
systems. Cost: $70,000. All but 5 of the 201 signalized intersections in the City have Battery Backup
Systems (BBS).
Timeline: Project completed and batteries will be replaced as needed
Responsible Party: Public Works
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: High
Multi-Hazard Action No. 4: Consider new technology for mass emergency notifications.
Action Item MH002-02: In 2011-2012, the City began using the Nixle text alert system. Community
members are encouraged to register to receive texts; the City conducted a campaign to promote
registration at its annual Emergency Expo. Ongoing promotion continues on the City's website, CERT
program, and during community outreach events. Santa Clarita Transit has recently installed LED signs
and plasma screens at bus stops and transit centers and content-controlled television in our buses. This
equipment is intended to distribute city messages, including emergency notifications. New technology
is under review.
Timeline: Currently under review
Responsible Party: Emergency Management, Technology Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: High
Goal MH003: Enhance School Emergency Communications Plan
Multi-Hazard Action No. 5: Enhance Communications Plan by incorporating private schools and child-
care facilities.
Action Item MH003-01: City staff continues to conduct ongoing outreach events and workshops with
private schools and daycare providers as part of SC emergency Preparedness working group.
Timeline: As needed
Responsible Party: Emergency Management
Funding Source: General fund, grants
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: High
Multi-Hazard Action No. 6: Work with special needs communities and groups to identify alternate
modes of communications.
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Action Item MH003-02: The City, in coordination with the Community and Law Enforcement Awareness
Response Committee (CLEAR), the LACSD, and the Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging, contributed
to the development of a special needs registry. Continuously maintained by the City and the Santa
Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, the registry assists law enforcement to identify individuals who cannot
identify themselves due to a disability or special need, such as Alzheimer's, autism, or a speech disorder.
Law enforcement personnel can view updates to the Registry in real-time. This registry has improved
the effectiveness of search and rescue operations involving persons with disabilities or special needs.
Santa Clarita Transit meets on a monthly basis with its Accessibility Advisory Group. Information is
routinely distributed at these meetings. The AAC was established by the City of Santa Clarita Transit for
the purpose of providing guidance on the quality of its programs and services for seniors and persons
with disabilities. Staff also works closely with the Special Education program at the William S. Hart
Union High School District.
Timeline: Quarterly meetings to discuss, revise, and update the Special Needs Registry
Responsible Party: Emergency Management,
Funding Source: General fund, and LACSD
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, , Public Awareness, Participation and
Implementation, Emergency Services
Priority: High
Multi-Hazard Action No. 7: Participate annually in communications exercises with school districts.
Action Item MH003-03: Ongoing coordination occurs during the annual October Great Shakeout drill.
Amateur radio capabilities, cell phone, and landline coordination is/are tested.
Timeline:
agencies, including school districts
Responsible Party: Communications, and local school districts
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation,
Emergency Services
Priority: High
Multi-Hazard Action No. 8: Encourage schools to send annual letters to parents regarding emergency
procedures.
Action Item MH003-04: City staff are regularly invited to Parent-Teacher Association meetings to
conduct outreach and provide materials on emergency preparedness as well as detailing how the City
coordinates with community partners (i.e. schools) during emergencies.
Timeline: Annually
Responsible Party: Emergency Management
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Participation and Implementation,
Emergency Services
Priority: High
Goal MH004: Establish a permanent Department Operations Center at the Transportation
Maintenance Facility for Public Works. The facility serves as an alternate Emergency Operations
Center.
Multi-Hazard Action No. 9: the physical
requirements for a DOC., i.e. space, layout, technology, etc.
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Action Item MH004-01: Original configuration of a DOC was completed during the initial design of the
Transit Maintenance Facility. However, capabilities continue to be assessed and upgraded.
Timeline: Annual review
Responsible Party: Emergency Management, Risk Management, Planning
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: High
Goal MH005: Identify safe evacuation routes in high-risk natural disaster areas.
Multi-Hazard Action No. 10: Identify potential debris removal resources.
Action Item MH004-01: Streets Division purchased a front loader to deal with mass bulk items. In
addition, a road blade scraper was also purchased to deal with mud and debris that block public right-
of-ways. Streets' fleet includes: 7-yard dump truck, 10 - yard dump truck, and backhoe with loader
bucket, bobcat skid steer with bucket and sweeper attachment, and a 3-yard front loader.
Timeline: Seasonally as necessary
Responsible Party: General Services
Funding Source: General fund
Plan Goals Addressed: Protect Life and Property, Emergency Services
Priority: High
5.13 PRIORITIZATION OF MITIGATION PROJECTS
The Planning Committee identified which plan goals were addressed by each action item and then ranked
the strategies to determine the priorities for the City of Santa Clarita. The HMP Plan goals are:
Protect Life and Property
Enhance Natural Systems
Augment Emergency Services
Encourage Partnerships and Implementation
Promote Public Awareness
Each goal was given a score of one point to five points, with five points going to the highest priority. The
prioritized plan goals are as follows:
Table 5 16: Prioritized Plan Goals
Points Category
5 Protect Life and Property
4 Enhance Natural Systems
3 Augment Emergency Services
2 Encourage Partnerships and Implementation
1 Promote Public Awareness
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Mitigation strategies were further rated in terms of
plan goals were then totaled for each action item. The following scoring system reflect the High, Moderate
and Low rating:
Table 5 17: Mitigation Rating
Rating Rating Description
10 - 15 High
5 - 10 Moderate
0 - 5 Low/None
5.13.1 STAPLEE EVALUATION
In addition to the internal scoring system implemented to prioritize each mitigation activity, the
qualitative STAPLEE method was used to further refine the prioritization of the mitigation activities.
The STAPLEE method takes into account the S ocial, T echnical, A dministrative, P olitical, L egal,
E conomic, and E nvironmental (STAPLEE) opportunities and constraints of implementation. The
evaluation criteria are summarized below in terms of situations that present opportunities for
implementation success:
Social criteria: The public must support the overall implementation strategy and specific
mitigation activities; therefore, community acceptance of the proposed mitigation activities must
be considered.
Technical criteria: Such factors as technical feasibility of the proposed mitigation activity to
reduce losses in the long term, with minimal secondary impact, must be considered.
Administrative criteria: Anticipated staffing, funding, and maintenance for each mitigation
activity must be considered.
Political criteria: The political leadership of the communities must support the overall
implementation strategy and specific mitigation activities; therefore, decision-maker acceptance
of the proposed mitigation activities must be considered.
Legal criteria: Whether the communities have legal authority to implement the proposed
mitigation activities must be considered.
Economic criteria: Budget constraints must be considered.
Environmental criteria: Environmental impacts caused by implementing specific mitigation
activities must be considered.
5.13.2 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND ACTION ITEMS
FEMA's approaches to identify the benefits and costs associated with hazard mitigation strategies,
measures, or projects include a Benefit/Cost Review and more detailed Benefit-Cost Analyses (BCA).
Conducting an economic analysis for a mitigation activity can assist in determining whether a project
is worth undertaking now in order to avoid disaster-related damages later.
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5.13.2.1 BENEFIT-COST REVIEW
The Benefit-Cost Review process includes monetary as well as non-monetary costs and benefits
associated with each action. Some projects can be extremely cost-effective but not as beneficial
for the community at large. The Planning Committee considered a wide variety of questions, such
as:
How many people will benefit from the action?
How large an area is impacted?
How critical are the facilities that benefit from the action (e.g., is it more beneficial to protect
the swim center than an administrative building, even though it costs more)?
Environmentally, does it make sense to do this project for the overall community?
5.13.2.2 BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS (BCA)
The Benefit-Cost Analysis is used to determine if the cost of investing in a specific mitigation project, i.e.,
justifies the expenditure of funds for the project. If the benefit is greater than the cost, then the project
is cost effective; if the benefit is less than the cost, then the project is not cost effective.
The Benefit-Cost Analysis is essentially the same for each type of hazard and associated mitigation project.
The only differences are the types of data that are used (e.g., if the project is for earthquake, flood, wind,
fire, or other hazard mitigation). To determine the Benefit-Cost, the project cost is compared to the
anticipated dollar loss that will be prevented by the mitigation project. For example, if the project cost is
$100,000 and the expected loss averted is $1,000,000, then the benefit exceeds the cost and is therefore
cost effective. The ratio of the benefit versus the cost is 10:1 ($1,000,000 divided by $100,000). Priority is
given to those projects with the highest Benefit-Cost Ratio or those projects with the greatest benefit to
the community.
Benefit-Cost Analysis Exemptions:
The following categories of mitigation measures are exempt from the FEMA policy on Benefit- Cost
analysis:
5% Initiative Projects: States, which receive a Presidential declaration, are eligible to use up to
5% of available HMGP funding at their discretion.
Tornado Initiative: States, which receive a Presidential declaration, are eligible to use up to an
additional 5% of available HMGP funding at their discretion.
Substantial Damage Waivers for acquisition of substantially damaged structures in 100- year
floodplain.
Mitigation planning related grants.
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5.13.2.3 BENEFIT-COST METHODOLOGY UTILIZED
a Benefit-Cost Review approach is used for the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Future projects will be evaluated
using a similar process.
Specific projects and future actions involving federal grants requiring a more detailed Benefit- Cost
Analysis are managed on a case-by-
City has submitted detailed BCA documentation (e.g., the McBean Bridge Project).
For the 2015 HMP, mitigation strategies and action items were reviewed and prioritized by the HMP
Planning Committee which considered:
The expected benefit to the community according to the following categories, ranked high,
moderate, low or none based on the cost factor, and resource, funding and time constraints:
- Protect Life and Property
- Increase Public Awareness
- Preserve Natural Systems
- Strengthen Partnerships and Encourage Implementation
- Maintain and Improve Emergency Services
- Scope of Impact (i.e., the degree to which the project benefits the community)
Costs: total estimated expense including ongoing maintenance requirements
Constraints: the availability of resources, if funds were already budgeted or if additional budget
funding was required, and the timeline for completion (if known)
Other considerations included whether projects were already in progress or part of another effort
(e.g., part of a County-wide program or existing city initiative)
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6.0 PLAN REVIEW, EVALUATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND
MAINTENANCE
The Plan Maintenance Section of this document details the formal process which will ensure that the City
. The plan maintenance
process includes a schedule for monitoring and evaluating the HMP annually and producing a plan
revision every five years. This section describes how the City has and will continue to integrate public
participation throughout the plan maintenance process. Finally, this section includes an explanation of
how the City of Santa Clarita government intends to implement the mitigation strategies outlined in this
Plan in conjunction with Zoning Code,
Capital Improvement Projects, , Water Conservation projects, and
Building and Safety Codes.
6.1 CHANGES IN PRIORITIES
The hazards have been prioritized in part using the results of a public survey at which 380 community
members provided feedback in relation to hazards facing the community based on level of concern from
not concerned, not very concerned, neutral, somewhat concerned, and very concerned. The weighted
average of the results ranked hazards as follows:
Wildfire weighted average = 3.58
Earthquake weighted average = 3.47
Energy Disruption: Gas/Electric Power weighted average = 3.28
Pandemic/Epidemic weighted average = 3.23
Severe Weather: Wind weighted average = 3.09
Severe Weather: Heat weighted average = 2.96
Drought weighted average = 2.87
Utility Failure: Water weighted average = 2.74
Telecommunications (IT) Failure weighted average = 2.60
Climate Change weighted average = 2.49
Cyber Attack weighted average = 2.27
Civil Disturbance weighted average = 2.24
Terrorism weighted average = 2.11
Hazardous Materials Release weighted average = 2.08
Severe Storm/Rain weighted average= 2.06
Landslide/Mudslide weighted average = 1.64
Liquefaction weighted average = 1.59
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Sinkholes weighted average = 1.55
Flood weighted average = 1.48
Other (unspecified) weighted average = 1.48
Dam Failure weighted average = 1.36
During the Risk Assessment analysis, some of the related categories were analyzed together based on
causation, impact, and/or weighted average of level of community concern:
Severe Weather: Extreme Wind and Extreme Heat are analyzed together
Cyber Attack and Terrorism are analyzed together as Man-Made hazards
Landslide/Mudslide, Severe Storm/Rain, Liquefaction, and Sinkholes are analyzed as
Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence
Flood and Dam Failure are analyzed together
Additionally, noting that the weighted average level of community concern regarding
Pandemic/Epidemics may be artificially elevated due to the review of this Plan update and public outreach
coinciding with the COVID-19 Pandemic, the ranking was moved from the fourth place ranking to sixth
place ranking. Although Pandemics have the potential to cause severe impacts to human life, occurrence
is relatively low and acknowledging that this Plan is established as a five-year guidance tool, Pandemics
were moved to more accurately reflect the overall long term hazards impacting the City.
Other factors impacting the ranking include 1) the increased frequency of occurrence due to climate
change when considering wildfire, energy disruption, severe weather, and drought; 2) the potential for
multiple event types to result in energy disruption and; 3) the
Insurance Program and success in completing mitigation efforts related to floods and dam failure.
Weighing these factors, the Risk Assessment ranking results are as follows:
1. Wildfire
2. Earthquake
3. Energy Disruption
4. Drought
5. Severe Weather: Extreme Heat & Extreme Wind
6. Pandemic
7. Man-Made Hazards: Cyber Attack & Terrorism
8. Hazardous Materials Release
9. Landslide/Mudslide/Subsidence
10. Flood
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6.2 MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Hazard Mitigation Plan will be monitored and updated by the City of Santa Clarita emergency
management team, which includes the City Management Analyst, Emergency Operations Analyst, and the
Interim Director of Neighborhood Services and/or appropriate City departments in coordination with the
Planning and Steering Committees. convener to
facilitate the Hazard Mitigation Plan activities such as monitoring and evaluating the progress of
mitigation projects, and presenting Plan updates to the Steering Committee. City Council is responsible
for the adoption of the Plan and any substantive changes to the Plan.
6.3 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATES AND ONGOING FORMAL REVIEW
PROCESS
of programs, and to reflect changes in land development, land use, environmental changes, or programs
that may affect mitigation priorities. The evaluation process includes a fixed schedule and identifies the
participating responsible agencies and organizations. The convener will be responsible for contacting the
Steering Committee members and organizing the annual meeting. The Steering Committee will review the
goals and action items to determine relevance to changing situations in the city, or in State or Federal
policy to ensure current and expected conditions are addressed. The Steering Committee will also review
the risk assessments presented in the Plan to determine if this information should be updated to reflect
newly available data. The coordinating agencies and organizations responsible for the various action items
will report on the status of their projects, the success of implementation and coordination efforts,
difficulties encountered, suggested strategy revisions.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan will be updated every five years and submitted to the Cal-OES Hazard
Mitigation Officer and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in compliance with FEMA
requirements. The five-year update shall include revisions to the Community Profile (changes in local
population, demographics, and new development), an update to the Risk Assessments, mitigation project
updates, and a description of how the City integrated public participation throughout the plan
maintenance process. All Plan updates will be submitted to the Steering Committee members for review
prior to presentation to the City Council.
6.4 CONTINUED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Santa Clarita is committed to involving the public in reviews and updates to the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
works with the Planning and Steering Committees to coordinate
public workshops. Current and draft revisions are made available
(https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/departments/recreation-community-services-and-open-
space/emergency-management/hazard-mitigation-plan) and includes contact information for directing
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public comments and concerns to the emergency management team and/or the appropriate city
departments. Copies of the Plan are also catalogued and kept with various departments in the City.
Public meetings are held after each annual evaluation or as deemed necessary by the Management
Analyst, Emergency Operations Analyst, Interim Director of Neighborhood Services and/or Hazard
Mitigation Planning or Steering Committees. The meetings provide a public forum to provide input,
express concerns and comments related to the Hazard Mitigation Plan. These meetings are advertised on
access channel, web page, social media accounts, CERT programs, and area
newspapers.
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7.0 PLAN ADOPTION
requirements for approval of the plan. The City Council is responsible for adopting the City of Santa
. The local agency governing body has the responsibility and authority to
promote sound public policy regarding natural and man-made hazards. The City Council will periodically
need to re-adopt the plan as it is revised to meet changes in the natural and man-made hazard risks and
exposures in the community, additional mitigation strategies are added, and at least every five years to
comply with federal requirements (44 CFR 201 and 206). The approved Hazard Mitigation Plan will be
significant in the future growth and development of the community. See Appendix F for Plan Adoption
documents.
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APPENDIX A: BIBLIOGRAPHY & RESOURCES
COMMUNITY PROFILE RESOURCES
LOCAL RESOURCES
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 259-2489
https://www.santa-clarita.com/home
Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society
24101 Newhall Ave.
P.O. Box 221925
Newhall, CA 91322
(661) 254-1275
https://scvhs.org/wp/
Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation
26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Suite 263
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 288-4400
scvedc@scvedc.org
NATIONAL RESOURCES
United States Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Rd.
Washington, DC 20233
(301) 763-4636
https://www.census.gov/en.html
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WILDFIRE RESOURCE DIRECTORY
LOCAL AND REGIONAL RESOURCES
Los Angeles County Fire Department Division III, North Regional Operations Bureau
19190 Golden Valley Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91387
(661) 298-5280
Los Angeles County Fire Department
1320 N. Eastern Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90063
(323) 881-2411
https://fire.lacounty.gov/
STATE RESOURCES
California Division of Forestry & Fire Protection
1416 9th Street
PO Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
(916) 653-5123
https://www.fire.ca.gov/
CAL FIRE
1416 9th Street
PO Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
(916)653-5123
https://www.fire.ca.gov/
Office of the State Fire Marshal (Osfm)
1131 "S" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
PO Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
Tel. (916) 445-8200
FEDERAL RESOURCES
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
National Weather Service and Office of Aircraft National Interagency Fire Center.
3833 S. Development Ave.
Boise, Idaho 83705
(208) 387-5512
https://www.nifc.gov/
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United States Fire Administration (USFA) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
USFA, Planning Branch, Mitigation Directorate
16825 S. Seton Ave.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 447-1000
http://www.fema.gov/hazards/fires/wildfires.shtm - Wildfire Mitigation
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/index.htm - U.S. Fire Administration
InciWeb
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Firewise - The National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire program
Firewise
1 Battery March Park.
P.O. Box 9101
Quincy, MA 02269-9101
Phone: (617) 770-3000
http://www.firewise.org/
Fire Tracker
Southern California Public Radio
474 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA, Public Fire Protection Division
1 Battery March Park.
P.O. Box 9101
Quincy, MA 02269-9101
Phone: (617) 770-3000
https://www.nfpa.org/
PUBLICATIONS
An International Collection of Wildland- Urban Interface Resource Materials, (Information Report NOR-
344). Hirsch, K., Pinedo, M., & Greenlee, J. (1996). Edmonton, Alberta: Canadian Forest Service.
Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, I-Zone Series
Phone: (780) 435-7210
http://www.prefire.ucfpl.ucop.edu/uwibib.htm
Federal Wildland Fire Policy, Wildland/Urban Interface Protection
U.S. Forest Service
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-1111
(800) 832-1355
http://www.fs.usda.gov
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
EARTHQUAKE RESOURCE DIRECTORY
LOCAL AND REGIONAL RESOURCES
Los Angeles County, Office of Emergency Management
County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Office
(323) 980-2260
https://ceo.lacounty.gov/emergency-management/
Los Angeles County Public Works Department
900 S. Fremont Ave.
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 458-5100
http://ladpw.org
Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC)
3651 Trousdale Parkway, Suite 169
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0742
(213) 740-5843
www.scec.org
Southern California Earthquake Data Center (SCEDC)
California Institute of Technology
252 S. Mud
Pasadena, CA 91125
STATE RESOURCES
California Department of Conservation: Southern California Regional Office
655 S. Hope Street, #700
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2321
(213) 239-0878
www.consrv.ca.gov
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
120 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 897-3656
www.dot.ca.gov/
California Division of Mines and Geology (DMG)
801 K Street, MS 12-30
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-1825
www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/index.htm
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES)
3650 Schriever Avenue
Mather, California 95655-4203
(916) 845-8510
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2021 Santa Clarita Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
http://www.caloes.ca.gov/
California Planning Information Network
1400 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 322-2318
www.calpin.ca.gov
California Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-5656
http://resources.ca.gov/
California Seismic Safety Commission
1755 Creekside Oaks Dr. # 100
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-5506
http://www.seismic.ca.gov
California State Legislature
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/
South Carolina Earthquake Education and Preparedness (SCEEP)
College of Charleston
66 George Street
Charleston, South Carolina 29424
(843) 805-5507
http://scearthquakes.cofc.ed
NATIONAL RESOURCES
Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC)
1090 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 289-7800
www.bssconline.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hazus - MH
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
(202) 646-2500
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mitigation Division
500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472
(202) 566-1600
www.fema.gov/fima/planhowto.shtm
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Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IX
1111 Broadway, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 627-7100
www.fema.gov
The Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place
Boulder, CO 80301-1806
303-357-1000
http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org
Institute for Business & Home Safety
4775 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33617
(813) 286-3400
www.ibhs.org
United States Geological Survey
345 Middlefield Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 853-8300
www.usgs.gov/
Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC)
125 California Avenue, Suite D201, #1
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 330-1101
www.wsspc.org/home.html
PUBLICATIONS
Burby, R,
(1998), Joseph Henry Press
FEMA, (July 2000).
Jones, L: Bernknopf, R: Cox, D; Goltz, J: Hudnut, K; Mileti, D; Perry,S; Ponti, D; Porter, K; Reichle, M;
Seligson, H; Shoaf, K; Treiman, J; and Wein, A., (2008), USGS Open File Report
2008-1150
www.scvhistory.com,
Wolfe, Myer R. et. al.,
(1986), University of Colorado, Institute of Behavioral Science, National Science Foundation.
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ENERGY DISRUPTION RESOURCES
STATE RESOURCES
Southern California Edison
2244 Walnut Grove
Rosemead, CA 91770
https://www.sce.com/
Southern California Gas
P.O. Box 3150
San Dimas, CA 91773
https://www.socalgas.com/
NATIONAL RESOURCES
American Journal of Public Health
American Public Health Association
800 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Electricity Consumers Resource Council
1101 K Street, NW Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 682-1390
https://elcon.org/
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
(888) 225-5322
https://www.fcc.gov/
Injury, International Journal of the Care of the Injured
245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Suite1900
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 669-9400
National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 850
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 299-8800
http://www.naseo.org
National University System Institute for Policy Research
11355 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037-1011
(858) 642-8498
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http://www.nusinstitute.org/
DROUGHT RESOURCE DIRECTORY
LOCAL RESOURCES
Santa Clarita Valley Water
27234 Bouquet Canyon Rd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 297-1600
https://yourscvwater.com/
Santa Clarita Valley Signal
24000 Creekside Road
Valencia CA 91355
(661) 259-1234
https://signalscv.com/
STATE RESOURCES
State of California, California Department of Water Resources
Department of Water Resources
1416 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-5791
http://www.water.ca.gov
California-Nevada Climate Applications Program (CNAP)
Climate Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California - San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0224
(858) 534-4507
http://meteora.ucsd.edu/cnap/
NATIONAL RESOURCES
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/future.html
National Centers for Environmental Information
Federal Building
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
(828) 271-4800
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov
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National Centers for Environmental Prediction
Climate Prediction Center
5830 University Research Court
College Park, Maryland 20740
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
The National Drought Mitigation Center
3310 Holdrege Street
P.O. Box 830988
Lincoln, NE 685830988
(402) 4726707
USGS California Water Science Center
6000 J Street, Placer Hall
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 278-3000
http://ca.water.usgs.gov/data/drought/
PUBLICATIONS
Global Change Research Program
Farr,T., Jones,C., Liu,Z., "Progress Report: Subsidence in the Central Valley, California" (2015) Jet
Propulsion Laboratory / California Institute of Technology
Climate Change in Los Angeles
Theobald, D. M., W. R. Travis, M. A. Drummond, and E. S. Gordon, "Ch. 3: The Changing Southwest.
Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States: A Report Prepared for the National
Climate Assessment", pp. 37-55 (2013), Island Pre
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SEVERE WEATHER: EXTREME HEAT & WIND RESOURCE DIRECTORY
STATE RESOURCES
California Division of Forestry & Fire Protection
1416 9th Street
PO Box 944246
Sacramento California 94244-2460
916-653-5123
http://www.fire.ca.gov/php/index.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
National Weather Service
Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Forecast Office
520 North Elevar Street
Oxnard, CA 93030
Forecast and weather info: 805-988-6610
Administrative issues: 805-988-6615
E-mail: Webmaster.LOX@noaa.gov
http://weather.noaa.gov/
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
International Society of Arboriculture
P.O. Box 3129
Champaign, IL 61826-3129
Phone: 217.355.9411
Fax: 217.355.9516
Web: www.isa-arbor.com
E-mail: isa@isa-arbor.com
PUBLICATIONS
Windstorm Top Local News Story of 2011, December 29, 2011
Juliette Funes
Pasadena Star News
911 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91106
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PANDEMIC RESOURCE DIRECTORY
COUNTY RESOURCES
County of Los Angeles Public Health Acute Communicable Disease Control
313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 240-7941
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ACD/
Los Angeles County Health Services Emergency Medical Services Agency
10100 Pioneer Blvd, Suite 200
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 378-1500
https://dhs.lacounty.gov/more-dhs/departments/ems/
STATE RESOURCES
California Department of Public Health
P.O. Box 997377, MS 0500
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
(916) 558-1784
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
NATIONAL RESOURCES
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
200 Independence Avenue, S. W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-877-696-6775
https://www.hhs.gov/
Department of Homeland Security
650 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 282-8000
https://www.dhs.gov/
INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
World Health Organization (WHO)
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva
Phone: +41-22-7912111
https://www.who.int/
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PUBLICATIONS
Children's
Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 23 Mar. 2020
-
Resource Center, 26 Apr. 2020, coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html.
Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 23 Mar. 2020
9093
715.
www.who.int/health-
topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3.
-
clarita.com/Home/Components/News/News/9326/1230.
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CYBER ATTACK RESOURCES
STATE RESOURCES
California Office of Emergency Services, California Cybersecurity Integration Center
3650 Schriever Avenue
Mather, CA 95655
http://www.oes.ca.gov
NATIONAL RESOURCES
The White House, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20528
(240) 492-2420
https://www.dhs.gov/
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
245 Murray Lane
Washington, DC 20528
(888) 282-0870
https://www.cisa.gov/
National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC)
https://www.cybersecurityintelligence.com/
United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT)
245 Murray Lane SW, Building 410
Washington, DC 20598
(888) 282-0870
https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/computer-emergency-readiness-team
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
(301) 975-2000
https://www.nist.gov/
PUBLICATIONS
-ISAC, NGA & NASCIO Recommend Immediate Action to Safeguard Against Ransomware
Department of Homeland Security, 8 Nov. 2019, www.dhs.gov/news/2019/07/29/cisa-ms-
isac-nga-nascio-recommend-immediate-action-safeguard-against-ransomware.
Kim, Allen.
CNN, Cable News Network, 8 Oct. 2019,
edition.cnn.com/2019/10/08/business/ransomware-attacks-trnd/index.html.
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Romanow, Mateusz Cybersecurity Magazine, 2
April, 2020, https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/92056-years-of-data-breaches-mark-
vulnerable-businesses
TERRORISM AND ACTIVE SHOOTER RESOURCES
FEDERAL RESOURCES
Department of Homeland Security
12th & C Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 282-8000
https://www.dhs.gov/
Federal Bureau of Investigations
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20535-0001
(202) 324-3000
www.fbi.gov
Office of U.S. Attorneys
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 2242
Washington, DC 20530-0001
(202) 514-2000
https://www.justice.gov/usao
U.S. Department of State
2201 C St. NW
Washington DC 20520
(202) 647-4000
https://www.state.gov/
PUBLICATIONS
Blair, J. Pete, and Schweit, Katherine W. (2014). "A Study of Active Shooter Incidents, 2000 - 2013", Texas State
University and Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington D.C.
FBI, "Domestic Terrorism in the Post 9/11 Era" (2009), Federal Bureau of Investigations, Washington D.C.
Murphy, K., "Is Homeland Security Spending Paying Off?" (2011), Los Angeles Times.
Terrorism Early Warning Group, "Terrorism Early Warning, 10 Years of Achievement in Fighting Terrorism and
Crime" (2008), Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
United States Code, 18 U.S.C. § 2331 (2010), Government Publishing Office, Washington D.C.
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESOURCE DIRECTORY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY RESOURCES
Los Angeles County Fire Department, Health Hazardous Materials Division
5825 Rickenbacker Road
Commerce, CA 90040
Phone: (323) 890-4045
fire.co.la.ca.us
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division
900 S. Fremont Ave, 3rd Floor Annex Alhambra, CA 91803- 1331
ADA Information: (626) 458-4081 / TDD: (626) 282-7829
http://ladpw.org
County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
(Wastewater Treatment, Solid Waste Facilities, Water Reuse, Industrial Waste, and Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Events)
1-800-238-0172
www.lacsd.org
Los Angeles County Environmental Hotline
(Hazardous Waste Collection Programs)
1 (888) CLEAN-LA / 1 (888) 253-2652
www.888cleanla.com
STATE RESOURCES
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814-2828
https://dtsc.ca.gov/
California Environmental Protection Agency (CAL/EPA)
(916) 323-2514
www.calepa.ca.gov
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Information on waste reduction programs, recycling centers, composting and grass cycling.
(916) 255-2200
www.ciwmb.ca.gov
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES)
3650 Schriever Avenue
Mather, CA 95655
(916) 845-8510
http://www.oes.ca.gov
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FEDERAL RESOURCES
Hazardous Materials Information Center
Washington, D.C.
1-800-HMR-4922 (1-800-467-4922)
(202) 366-4488
National Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
51 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20410
1-800-HUDS-FHA (1-800-483-7342)
www.hud.gov/hhchild.html
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
U.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)
400 7th Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
East Building, 2nd Floor
1200 New Jersey Ave.,
SE Washington, DC 20590
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Earth's 911
Information on environmental programs nationwide.
1-800-CLEAN-UP (1-800-253-2687)
www.1800cleanup.org
Los Angeles Regional Drug & Poison Information Center
1-800-8-POISON (1-800-876-4766)
www.calpoison.org
National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (NIPC)
Information on toxic products that are used as inhalants. 1-800-269-4273
www.inhalants.org
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
1-800-638-2772
www.cpsc.gov
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LANDSLIDE RESOURCE DIRECTORY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY RESOURCES
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
900 S. Fremont Ave.
Alhambra, CA 91803
Telephone: (626) 458-5100
https://dpw.lacounty.gov/
STATE RESOURCES
Department of Conservation Headquarters
801 K Street, MS 24-01
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 322-1080
https://www.conservation.ca.gov/
Department of Water Resources
th
1416 9 Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-5791
https://water.ca.gov/
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES)
3650 Schriever Avenue
Mather, CA 95655
(916) 845-8510
http://www.oes.ca.gov
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
120 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 897-3656
www.dot.ca.gov/
PUBLICATIONS
Barrows, A. and Smith, T., (No Date), California Department of Conservation, California
Geological Survey.
Brabb, E.E., and B.L Harrod. (Eds) (1989) Proceedings of
the 28th International Geological Congress Symposium on Landslides, Washington D.C., Rotterdam:
Balkema.
California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology,
the Newhall 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, (1997).
California Department of Public Health (No Date),
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City of Santa Clarita, (2011).
Department of Land Conservation and Development (2000), nning For Natural Hazards: The Oregon
Federal Emergency Management Agency (2000),
Highland, L.M., Schuster, R.I. (No Date), USGS.
Joseph Henry Press, Washington D.C.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (Revised 2015
Olshansky, Robert B., (1996) American Planning Association.
Ecology Law Quarterly.
Oregon Department of Geology, (1 Joint Interim Task Force on Landslides and Public Safety Report
Oregon Office of Emergency Management,
(2000).
G(2010).
Scheingross, J., Minchew, B., Mackey, B., Simons, M., Lamb, M., Hensley, S., -
Magnitude Earthquakes And Fault Zone Damage on the Spatial Distribution of Slow- Moving Landslides
(2013), Keck Institute for Space Studies and the National Science Foundation.
National Landslide Information Center (NLIC), United States
Geologic Survey.
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FLOOD RESOURCES
LOCAL AND REGIONAL RESOURCES
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 259-2489
https://www.santa-clarita.com/home
City Council Approved Plans, Policies, and Codes
City of Santa Clarita Ordinance No. 08-11 Floodplain Ordinance
City of Santa Clarita Resolution No. 88-93 Flood Insurance Resolution City of Santa Clarita
Resolution 90-142 Adoption of Emergency Plan City of Santa Clarita Code, Chapter 10.06
Floodplain Management
City of Santa Clarita Building Code, Section 308 Flood and Geologic Hazards City of Santa Clarita
General Plan
City of Santa Clarita Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan
NATIONAL RESOURCES
National Weather Service
Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Forecast Office
520 North Elevar Street
Oxnard, CA 93030
Forecast and weather info: 805-988-6610
Administrative issues: 805-988-6615
E-mail: Webmaster.LOX@noaa.gov
http://weather.noaa.gov/
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472
(202) 566-1600
http://www.fema.gov/fima/nfip.shtm
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APPENDIX B: ACRONYMS
BFE: Base Flood Elevation
Cal-ARP: California Accidental Release Prevention Program
Cal-EMA: California Emergency Management Agency
Cal-OES: California Office of Emergency Services
CBC: California Building Code
CDC: Centers for Disease Control
CDMG: California Division of Mines and Geology
CDPH: California Department of Public Health
CEQA: California Environmental Quality Act
CERT: Community Emergency Response Team
CFC: California Fire Code
CGS: California Geologic Survey
CIP: Capital Improvement Plan
CISA: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
CNG: Compressed Natural Gas
CPG: Comprehensive Preparedness Guide
CPRI: Calculated Priority Risk Index
CRS: Community Rating System
CSIS: Center for Strategic and International Studies
CUPA: Certified Unified Program Agency
DCS: Distributed Control System
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DHS: Department of Homeland Security
DFIRM: Detailed Flood Insurance Rate Maps
DMA: Disaster Mitigation Act
DNS: Domain Name System
DTSC: Department of Toxic Substances Control
DWR: Department of Water Resources
DOT: Department of Transportation
EMS: Emergency Medical Service
ENSO: El Niño Southern Oscillation
EOC: Emergency Operation Center
ESP: Emergency Survival Program
FCC: Federal Communications Commission
FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHBM: Flood Hazard Boundary Maps
FIRM: Flood Insurance Rate Maps
GIS: Geographic Information Systems
HMBP: Hazardous Materials Business Plan
HMD: Hazardous Materials Division
HMP: Hazard Mitigation Plan
HPL: High Potential Loss
JRIC: Joint Regional Intelligence Center
LACFCD: Los Angeles County Flood Control District
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MPH: Miles per hour
NASEO: National Association of State Energy Officials
NGO: Non-Governmental Organization
NFIP: National Flood Insurance Program
NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NSF: National Science Foundation
NWS: National Weather Service
OSHPD: Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
PGA: Peak Ground Acceleration
PHMSA: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RDF: Rapid Deployment Force
RMP: Risk Management Plan
SCADA: Site Control and Data Acquisition
SCAG: Southern California Association of Governments
SCE: Southern California Edison
SCEC: Southern California Earthquake Center
SCECT: Santa Clarita Emergency Communications Team
SCV: Santa Clarita Valley
SCVWD: Santa Clarita Valley Water Division
SECURE: Santa Clarita Educated Communities United in Response to Emergencies
SFHA: Special Flood Hazard Area
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SPCC: Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan
SRL: Severe Repetitive Loss
SWAT: Special Weapons and Tactics
TEW: Terrorism Early Warning Group
TLD: Top Level Domain
UDC: Unified Development Code
USACE: United States Army Corps of Engineers
USAR: Urban Search and Rescue
USCB: United States Census Bureau
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture
USFA: United States Fire Administration
USFS: United States Forest Service
USGS: United States Geological Survey
UST: Underground Storage Tanks
VHFHSZ: Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
WGA: Western Governors Association
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APPENDIX C: GLOSSARY
100 Year Flood: The 100-year flooding event is the flooding level that has a one percent chance of being
equaled or exceeded in magnitude in any given year. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a flood occurring
once every 100 years. The 100-year floodplain is the area adjoining a river, stream, or watercourse
covered by water in the event of a 100-year flood. Other similar terms include 50 Year Flood and 500 Year
Flood.
Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity with respect to time. Acceleration due to gravity at the earth's
surface is 9.8 meters per second squared. That means that every second that something falls toward the
surface of earth, its velocity increases by 9.8 meters per second.
Acclimatization: The climatic adaptation of an organism to be accustomed to a new environment. The
adjustment of sweat-salt concentrations to help an organism lose water to regulate temperature.
Asset: Any manmade or natural feature that has value, including, but not limited to people; buildings;
infrastructure like bridges, roads, and sewer and water systems; lifelines like electricity and
communication resources; or environmental, cultural, or recreational features like parks, dunes,
wetlands, or landmarks.
Base Flood: Flood that has a 1 percent probability of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Also
known as the 100-year flood.
Base Flood Elevation:
above sea level) that the base flood is expected to reach. Base flood elevations can be set at levels other
than the 100-year flood. Some communities choose to use higher frequency flood events as their base
flood elevation for certain activities, while using lower frequency events for others. For example, for the
purpose of storm water management, a 25-year flood event might serve as the base flood elevation, while
the 500-year flood event may serve as base flood elevation for the tie down of mobile homes. The
regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program focus on development in the 100-year floodplain.
Beaufort Scale: One of the first scales to estimate wind speeds and the effects was created by Britain's
Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857). He developed the scale in 1805 to help sailors estimate the
winds via visual observations. The scale starts with 0 and goes to a force of 12. The Beaufort scale is still
used today to estimate wind strengths.
Bedrock: The solid rock that underlies loose material, such as soil, sand, clay, or gravel.
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Building: A structure that is walled and roofed, principally above ground and permanently affixed to a
site. The term includes a manufactured home on a permanent foundation on which the wheels and axles
carry no weight.
Community Rating System (CRS): An NFIP program that provides incentives for NFIP communities to
complete activities that reduce flood hazard risk. When the community completes specified activities, the
insurance premiums of policyholders in these communities are reduced.
Contour: A line of equal ground elevation on a topographic (contour) map.
Critical Facility: Facilities that are critical to the health and welfare of the population and that are
especially important following hazard events. Critical facilities include, but are not limited to, shelters,
police and fire stations, and hospitals.
Debris: The scattered remains of assets broken or destroyed in a hazard event. Debris caused by a wind
or water hazard event can cause additional damage to other assets.
Debris Flow: A landslide in which a mass of coarse-grained soil flows downslope as a slurry. Material
involved is commonly a loose combination of surficial despots, rock fragments, and vegetation.
Debris Slide: A slide of coarse grained soil, commonly consisting of a loose combination of surficial
deposits, rock fragments, and vegetation. Strength of the material is low, but there may be a very low
strength zone at the base of the soil or within the weathered bedrock.
Duration: How long a hazard event lasts.
Earthquake: A sudden motion or trembling that is caused by a release of strain accumulated within or
along the edge of earth's tectonic plates.
El Nio and La Nia: El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of what is known as the El Niño- Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. The ENSO cycle is a scientific term that describes the fluctuations in temperature
between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central Equatorial Pacific (approximately between the
International Date Line and 120 degrees West).
El Niño means The Little Boy, or Christ Child in Spanish. El Niño was originally recognized by
fishermen off the coast of South America in the 1600s, with the appearance of unusually warm
water in the Pacific Ocean. The name was chosen based on the time of year (around December)
during which these warm waters events tended to occur.
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El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last nine to 12 months, but some prolonged events may
last for years. While their frequency can be quite irregular, El Niño and La Niña events occur on
average every two to seven years. Typically, El Niño occurs more frequently than La Niña.
Typical El Niño effects are likely to develop over North America during the upcoming winter
season. Those include warmer-than-average temperatures over western and central Canada,
and over the western and northern United States. Wetter-than-average conditions are likely
over portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida, while drier-than-average conditions can be
expected in the Ohio Valley and the Pacific Northwest.
La Niña means The Little Girl in Spanish. La Niña is also sometimes called El Viejo, anti-El Niño, or
simply "a cold event." La Niña is the cold phase of ENSO. La Niña episodes represent periods of
below-average sea surface temperatures across the east-central Equatorial Pacific. Global
climate La Niña impacts tend to be opposite those of El Niño impacts. In the tropics, ocean
temperature variations in La Niña also tend to be opposite those of El Niño.
During a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the Southeast and cooler
than normal in the Northwest.
Erosion: Wearing away of the land surface by detachment and movement of soil and rock fragments,
during a flood or storm or over a period of years, through the action of wind, water, or other geologic
processes.
Essential Facility: Elements that are important to ensure a full recovery of a community or state following
a hazard event. These would include: government functions, major employers, banks, schools, and certain
commercial establishments, such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and gas stations.
Extent: The size of an area affected by a hazard or hazard event.
Fault: A fracture in the continuity of a rock formation caused by a shifting or dislodging of the earth's
crust, in which adjacent surfaces are differentially displaced parallel to the plane of fracture.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Independent agency created in 1978 to provide a single
point of accountability for all Federal activities related to disaster mitigation and emergency
preparedness, response and recovery.
Flash Flood: A flood event occurring with little or no warning where water levels rise at an extremely fast
rate.
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Flood: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas
from (1) the overflow of inland or tidal waters, (2) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface
waters from any source, or (3) mudflows or the sudden collapse of shoreline land.
Flood Depth: Height of the flood water surface above the ground surface.
Flood Fringe: The flood fringe refers to the outer portions of the floodplain, beginning at the edge of the
floodway and continuing outward. This is the area where development is most likely to occur, and where
precautions to protect life and property per the NFIP regulations must be met.
Flood Hazard Area: The area shown to be inundated by a flood of a given magnitude on a map.
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM): Map of a community, prepared by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency that shows both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones
applicable to the community.
Flood Insurance Study (FIS): A study that provides an examination, evaluation, and determination of flood
hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations in a community or communities.
Floodplain: A floodplain is a land area adjacent to a river, stream, lake, estuary, or other water body that
is subject to flooding. This area, if left undisturbed, acts to store excess floodwater. The floodplain is made
up of two sections: the floodway and the flood fringe.
Floodway: The floodway is one of two main sections that make up the floodplain. Floodways are defined
for regulatory purposes. Unlike floodplains, floodways do not reflect a recognizable geologic feature. For
NFIP purposes, floodways are defined as the channel of a river or stream, and the overbank areas adjacent
to the channel. The floodway carries the bulk of the floodwater downstream and is usually the area where
water velocities and forces are the greatest. NFIP regulations require that the floodway be kept open and
free from development or other structures that would obstruct or divert flood flows onto other
or other watercourse and adjacent land
areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the
water surface elevation more than one foot. Floodways are not mapped for all rivers and streams but are
generally mapped in developed areas.
Frequency: A measure of how often events of a particular magnitude are expected to occur. Frequency
describes how often a hazard of a specific magnitude, duration, and/or extent typically occurs, on average.
Statistically, a hazard with a 100- year recurrence interval is expected to occur once every 100 years on
average, and would have a 1 percent chance its probability of happening in any given year. The
reliability of this information varies depending on the kind of hazard being considered.
Fuel: The material that feeds a fire, it is the key factor in wildfire behavior.
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Fuel Loading: The volume or amount of available vegetative fuel.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): A computer software application that relates physical features on
the earth to a database to be used for mapping and analysis.
Ground Motion: The vibration or shaking of the ground during an earthquake. When a fault ruptures,
seismic waves radiate, causing the ground to vibrate. The severity of the vibration increases with the
amount of energy released and decreases with distance from the causative fault or epicenter, but soft
soils can further amplify ground motions.
Hazard: A source of potential danger or adverse condition. Hazards in this plan include naturally occurring
events such as floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunami, coastal storms, landslides, and wildfires that
strike populated areas. A natural event is a hazard when it has the potential to harm people or property.
Hazard Event: A specific occurrence of a particular type of hazard.
Hazard Identification: The process of identifying hazards that threaten an area.
Hazard Mitigation: Sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk from hazards and their
effects.
HAZUS (Hazards U.S.): A GIS-based nationally standardized earthquake loss estimation tool developed by
FEMA.
Hydrology: The science of dealing with the waters of the earth. A flood discharge is developed by a
hydrologic study.
Infrastructure: Refers to the public services of a community that have a direct impact on the quality of
life. Infrastructure includes communication technology such as phone lines or Internet access, vital
services such as public water supplies and sewer treatment facilities, and includes an area's transportation
system such as airports, heliports, highways, bridges, tunnels, roadbeds, overpasses, railways, bridges, rail
yards, depots; and waterways, canals, locks, seaports, ferries, harbors, drydocks, piers, and regional dams.
Intensity: A measure of the effects of a hazard event at a particular place.
Interface: The expansion of populations into the hills and mountains and forest lands.
Landslide: Downward movement of a slope and materials under the force of gravity.
Lateral Spreads: Develop on gentle slopes and entail the sidelong movement of large masses of soil as an
underlying layer liquefies in a seismic event. The phenomenon that occurs when ground shaking causes
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loose soils to lose strength and act like viscous fluid. Liquefaction causes two types of ground failure:
lateral spread and loss of bearing strength.
Liquefaction: Results when the soil supporting structures liquefies. This can cause structures to tip and
topple.
Magnitude: A measure of the strength of a hazard event. The magnitude (also referred to as severity) of
a given hazard event is usually determined using technical measures specific to the hazard.
Mercalli Scale: This scale, composed of increasing levels of intensity that range from imperceptible
shaking to catastrophic destruction, is designated by Roman numerals. It does not have a mathematical
basis; instead it is an arbitrary ranking based on observed effects. It was developed in 1931 by the
American seismologists Harry Wood and Frank Neumann.
Mitigation Plan: A systematic evaluation of the nature and extent of vulnerability to the effects of natural
hazards typically present in the state and includes a description of actions to minimize future vulnerability
to hazards.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Federal program created by Congress in 1968 that makes flood
insurance available in communities that enact minimum floodplain management regulations in 44 CFR
§60.3.
National Weather Service (NWS): Prepares and issues flood, severe weather, and coastal storm warnings
and can provide technical assistance to Federal and state entities in preparing weather and flood warning
plans.
Pandemic: A pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease.
Planning: The act or process of making or carrying out plans; the establishment of goals, policies, and
procedures for a social or economic unit.
Probability: A statistical measure of the likelihood that a hazard event will occur.
Recurrence Interval: The time between hazard events of similar size in a given location. It is based on the
probability that the given event will be equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Relative Humidity: The amount of water vapor in the air at any given time is usually less than required to
saturate the air. The relative humidity is the percent of saturation humidity, generally calculated in
relation to saturated vapor density.
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Repetitive Loss Property (RLP): A property that is currently insured for which two or more National Flood
Insurance Program losses (occurring more than 10 days apart) of at least $1,000 each have been paid
within any 10-year period since 1978.
Richter Scale: A numerical scale of earthquake magnitude devised by seismologist C.F. Richter in 1935.
Risk: The estimated impact that a hazard would have on people, services, facilities, and structures in a
community; the likelihood of a hazard event resulting in an adverse condition that causes injury or
damage. Risk is often expressed in relative terms such as a high, moderate, or low likelihood of sustaining
damage above a particular threshold due to a specific type of hazard event. It also can be expressed in
terms of potential monetary losses associated with the intensity of the hazard.
Riverine: Of or produced by a river.
Santa Ana Winds: Warm, dry winds that blow from the east or northeast (offshore). These winds occur
below the passes and canyons of the coastal ranges of Southern California and in the Los Angeles Basin.
Scale: A proportion used in determining a dimensional relationship; the ratio of the distance between two
points on a map and the actual distance between the two points on the earth's surface.
Seismicity: Describes the likelihood of an area being subject to earthquakes.
Special Flood Hazard Area (SPHA): An area within a floodplain having a 1 percent or greater chance of
flood occurrence in any given year (100-year floodplain); represented on Flood Insurance Rate Maps by
darkly shaded areas with zone designations that include the letter A or V.
Stafford Act: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, PL 100- 107, was signed
into law November 23, 1988, and amended the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, PL 93-288. The Stafford Act is
the statutory authority for most Federal disaster response activities, especially as they pertain to FEMA
and its programs.
Substantial Damage: Damage of any origin sustained by a structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area,
whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50
percent of the market value of the structure before the damage.
Surface Faulting: The differential movement of two sides of a fracture in other words, the location where
the ground breaks apart. The length, width, and displacement of the ground characterize surface faults.
Tectonic Plate: Torsionally rigid, thin segments of the earth's lithosphere that may be assumed to move
horizontally and adjoin other plates. It is the friction between plate boundaries that cause seismic activity.
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Topographic: Characterizes maps that show natural features and indicate the physical shape of the land
using contour lines. These maps may also include manmade features.
Vulnerability: Describes how exposed or susceptible to damage an asset is. Vulnerability depends on an
asset's construction, contents, and the economic value of its functions. Like indirect damages, the
vulnerability of one element of the community is often related to the vulnerability of another. For
example, many businesses depend on uninterrupted electrical power if an electric substation is flooded,
it will affect not only the substation itself, but a number of businesses as well. Often, indirect effects can
be much more widespread and damaging than direct ones.
Wildfire: An uncontrolled fire spreading through vegetative fuels, exposing and possibly consuming
structures.
Zone: A geographical area shown on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) that reflects the severity or type
of flooding in the area.
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APPENDIX D: PUBLIC OUTREACH SURVEY & RESULTS
1. Zip Code _____________ and Community Name or Location ___________________
2. Do you: Live or Work in Santa Clarita?
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3. If you live in Santa Clarita, do you: Own or Rent?
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4. If you live in Santa Clarita, how many years? ___________________
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5. If you have lived in Santa Clarita for 5 years or more, have you or someone in your household directly
experienced a natural disaster such as an earthquake, severe windstorm, flood, wildfire, or other type of
natural disaster while in Santa Clarita?
Yes No (IF NO, skip to question 7)
6. , which of these natural disasters have you or someone in your household experienced in the
past five years? (Please check all that apply)
Drought Hazardous Materials Release
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat Telecommunications (IT) Failure
Severe Weather: Extreme Wind Civil Disturbance
Flood Terrorism
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Landslide/Mudslide Cyber Attack
Dam Failure Energy Disruption: Gas/Electric Power
Severe Storm/Rain Utility Failure: Water
Pandemic/Epidemic Climate Change
Earthquake Sinkholes
Wildfire Liquefaction
Other: _______________________ Other: ____________________________
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7. What is the most effective way for you to receive information? (Please check up to three)
Newspapers, Television, Radio: Other Methods:
Newspaper stories/ads Mail/Utility Bill
!Television news/ads Fire Department
Radio News/ads Fact sheet/Brochure
Internet: Library
Email newsletters!! Public workshops/Meetings
Online news outlets
City website College/University/Schools
Social media (e.g. Facebook, Outdoor advertisements (billboards, etc.)
Twitter, Instagram, etc.) Other: _____________________________
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8. How concerned are you about the following hazards?
Very Somewhat Neutral Not Very Not
Natural Disaster
Concerned Concerned Concerned Concerned
Drought
Severe Weather: Heat
Severe Weather: Wind
Flood
Landslide/Mudslide
Dam Failure
Severe Storm/Rain
Pandemic/Epidemic
Earthquake
Wildfire
Hazardous Materials Release
Telecommunications (IT) Failure
Civil Disturbance
Terrorism
Cyber Attack
Energy Disruption: Gas/Electric
Power
Utility Failure: Water
Climate Change
Sinkholes
Liquefaction
Other:
Other:
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9. Planning ahead for responding to disasters can help lessen their impact. To help the City prioritize its
disaster preparedness efforts, please tell us how important each of the following goals is to you.
Very Somewhat Neutral Not Very Not
Goal
Important Important Important Important
Protecting private property
Protecting critical facilities
(hospitals, fire stations, etc.)
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Preventing development in hazard
areas
Protecting natural environment
Protecting historical/cultural
landmarks/museums
Promoting cooperation among
public and private organizations,
and citizens
Protecting and reducing damage to
utilities
Strengthening emergency services
(police, fire, ambulance)
Protecting major employers
Protecting small businesses
Protecting K-12 schools
Protecting Colleges/Universities
Other:
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10. Community assets are features, characteristics, or resources that either make a community unique
or allow the community to function. In your opinion, how important is it to protect the following
community assets?
Community Assets: Potential Very Somewhat Neutral Not Very Not
Disaster Impact Important Important Important Important
Human: Loss of life and/or injuries
Economic: Business closures and/or
job losses
Infrastructure: Damage or loss of
bridges, utilities, schools, etc.
Cultural Historic: Damage or loss of
libraries, museums, fairgrounds,
etc.
Environmental: Damage or loss of
forests, rangeland, waterways, etc.
Governance: Ability to maintain
order and/or provide public
amenities and services
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11. What actions have you taken to prepare for your household from potential disasters? Check all that
apply.
Purchased homeowners/Renters insurance Attended meetings or received written
information on natural disasters or emergency
Purchased flood insurance
preparedness
Floodproofing (elevating furnace, water Talked with family members about what to do
heaters, electric panels in case of a disaster or emergency
Installed retrofits such as high impact windows
or doors to withstand high winds; fire resistant
siding roofing or window screens, etc. in the event of a disaster
Installed/maintained firebreaks around the
home water, batteries, medications, first aid, etc.)
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12. In order to help local government agencies prioritize the mitigation project types to reduce
disruptions of services and to strengthen the community. Please let us know how you rank the following
strategies to address pre- and post-disaster damage.
Very Somewhat Neutral Not Very Not
Strategy
Important Important Important Important
Retrofit and strengthen essential
facilities such as police, fire,
emergency medical services,
hospitals, schools, etc.
Replace inadequate or vulnerable
bridges and causeways
Install or improve protective
structures, such as floodwalls or
levees
Government buys flood-prone
properties and returns them to a
natural condition
Assist property owners with
securing funding to mitigate
impacts to their property caused by
disasters
Work on improving the damage
resistance of utilities (electricity,
communications,
water/wastewater facilities, etc.
Strengthen City codes, ordinances,
and plans to require high risk
management standards
Provide better information about
hazard risk and high-hazard areas
Inform property owners of ways
they can mitigate damage to their
properties
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13. Please feel free to provide any additional comments: Comments were provided directly to the City to
address any immediate resident concerns.
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APPENDIX E: HAZUS REPORT
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APPENDIX F: PLAN ADOPTION DOCUMENTS
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