Atwater City Council
June 22, 2026

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | 2021–2026 Page 11 ● Dam Incidents
● Earthquake
● Flood and Levee Failure
● Severe Weather: Extreme Temperatures/Extreme, Heat
● Wildfire
Severe weather (extreme temperatures/extreme heat) is not addressed in this vulnerability assessment as the exposure is similar to the overall County exposure, and the potential for losses are difficult to quantify specific to the City of Merced.

Other Hazards
Hazards assigned a significance rating of Low and which do not differ significantly from the County ranking (e.g., Low vs. High) are not addressed further in this plan and are not assessed individually for specific vulnerabilities in this section. In the City of Merced, those hazards include: drought, hazardous material incidents, severe weather (dense fog, heavy rain, high wind/tornado), subsidence, cyber attacks, agricultural pests and disease, and pandemics. A brief discussion on hazardous material incidents is profiled because this human-caused hazard was addressed in the City’s previous LHMP.

Additionally, the City’s committee members decided to rate landslides as Not Applicable (N/A) to the planning area due to a lack of exposure, vulnerability, and no probability of occurrence.

2.2 Assets at Risk
This section considers Merced’s assets at risk, including values at risk, critical facilities and infrastructure, historic assets, economic assets and growth and development trends.

2.2.1 Values at Risk
The following data on property exposure is derived from the Merced County 2020 Parcel and Assessor data. This data should only be used as a guideline to overall values in the City as the information has some limitations. The most significant limitation is created by Proposition 13. Instead of adjusting property values annually, the values are not adjusted or assessed at fair market value until a property transfer occurs. As a result, overall value information is likely low and does not reflect current market value of properties. It is also important to note that in the event of a disaster, it is generally the value of the infrastructure or improvements to the land that is of concern or at risk. Generally, the land itself is not a loss and is not included in the values below. Table 2-2 shows the exposure of properties (e.g., the values at risk) broken down by property type for the City of Merced.

Table 2-2 City of Merced Property Exposure by Type
Property Type
Parcel
Count Improved Value Content ValueEstimate Total Value
Agricultural 23 $1,112,724 $1,112,724 $2,225,448
Commercial 911 $1,045,871,699 $1,045,871,699 $2,091,743,398 Exempt 632 $48,779,381 $48,779,381 $97,558,762
Industrial 120 $167,440,322 $251,160,483 $418,600,805
Mixed Use 16 $259,279 $259,279 $518,558
Residential 20,611 $3,488,757,480 $1,744,378,740 $5,233,136,220 Vacant Land 49 $1,410,697 $1,410,697 $2,821,394
Total 22,362 $4,753,631,582 $3,092,973,003 $7,846,604,585

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | 2021–2026 Page 12 Source: Merced County Assessor, Wood analysis

2.2.2 Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
For the purposes of this plan, a critical facility is defined as one that is essential in providing utility or direction either during the response to an emergency or during the recovery operation. FEMA sorts critical facilities into seven lifeline categories as shown in Figure 4-1 in the Base Plan. The 2021 plan update process also involved the development of a web-based mapping application by the County in collaboration with Wood. This project webpage served multiple purposes: a planning process backgrounder for the HMPT and public with public survey links; a GIS map based –interactive storyboard (i.e., Experience Builder Application) to communicate the highlights of the risk assessment. The GIS application included interactive hazard maps; a web-based method for collecting, validating, updating and maintaining critical facilities for the plan; and a platform to make the Plan a “living document” moving forward. The City of Merced helped validate the critical facility GIS data collected to ensure accuracy and to align the data with the seven FEMA Lifelines framework classifications. More information on the webbased mapping application is detailed in Section 3.4.1 of the Base Plan.

Table 2-3 shows a summary of the critical facilities analysis for the City of Merced grouped by FEMA lifeline category. critical facilities and other community assets as important to protect in the event of a disaster. Within the City of Merced the following are considered key critical facilities and community assets:
● City of Merced Records – City Hall/Emergency Operations Center (678 W. 18th Street) ● Merced Fire Stations (Stations #51, #53, #54, #55, #81, #85) ● Merced Police Department – Central Station (611 West 22nd Street) ● Merced Police Department – South Station (470 West 11th Street) ● City of Merced Public Works Yard (1776 Grogan Avenue
● Merced Wastewater Treatment Facility (1961 Gove Road) ● McKee Water Tower (3362 McKee Road)
● Merced Medical Center Repeater
● Mercy Medical Center (3333 Mercy Avenue)
● St. Joseph’s Medical Center (3377 G Street)
● Valley Children’s Medical Center (1190 Olivewood Drive) ● Hylond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (3170 M Street) ● NICU Children’s Hospital (333 Mercy Avenue)
● Amie Marchini Senior Care (1450 E. 27th Street)
● Senior Community Center (755 W. 15th Street)
● Merced Coroner Facility (455 E 13th Street)
● Merced College (3600 M Street)
● Merced Regional Airport (324 W. 24th Street)
● Merced-Yosemite Regional Airport (20 MacReady Drive)
● Communications Tower
● Covalescent Facility (3170 M Street)
● Hobie House – Community Shelter
● Applegate Zoon (1045 W. 25th Street)
● Water supply lines and wells
● Pumping stations, and trunk lines
● Major electrical transmission lines and substations
● Major communication lines and microwave transmission facilities

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | 2021–2026 Page 13 ● Federal Prison and major railways
Critical infrastructure also include major roadways which may serve as principal evacuation routes. There are also several additional designated shelters in Merced for use in an emergency event including the Salvation Army Merced Corps Community Center, Merced United Way, Valley Crisis Center, recreation centers/parks, high school gyms and school cafeterias.

2.2.3 Historic, Cultural and Natural Resources
The following historical resources are located in the City of Merced ● Bank of Italy, Merced – National Register (listed 10/12/2004) ● Buhach Grammar School – National Register (listed 4/7/1983) ● Cook Maj. George Beecher House – National Register (listed 9/15/1983) ● Kaehler Rector House – National Register (listed 1/4/1982) ● Leggett House – National Register (listed 10/25/1979) ● Leggett Thomas H. House – National Register (listed 7/8/1982) ● Merced County Courthouse – National Register (listed 10/29/1975) ● Merced County High School – National Register (listed 5/31/1984) ● Merced Theatre – National Register (listed 5/1/2009)
● Tioga Hotel – National Register (listed 10/3/1980)
● U.S. Post Office – National Register (listed 2/10/1983) Natural resources are important to include in benefit-cost analyses for future projects and may be used to leverage additional funding for projects that also contribute to community goals for protecting sensitive natural resources. Awareness of natural assets can lead to opportunities for meeting multiple objectives.

For instance, protecting wetlands areas protects sensitive habitat as well as attenuates and stores floodwaters.

The City of Merced manages a well-developed network of parks and recreation facilities. From the incorporation of the City until the 1960’s, the City’s park system grew at a moderate rate. During the 1970’s the City’s park system expanded and there were 47 acres of developed park land as compared to 133 acres in 1980 (City of Merced 2004). During the 1980’s and early 1990’s, park development slowed but the City acquired additional park lands in the late 1990’s. By 2004, there were 310 acres of developed park land in the City and today the City owns approximately 330 acres of park and open space facilities (City of Merced 2016). These natural and recreational resources are summarized in the City’s 2004 Park and Open Space Master Plan.

The City also contains several important habitats, which could support sensitive plant and animal species.

Several creeks, including Fahrens, Cottonwood, Black Rascal, Bear, and Miles along with the Hartley Slough, provide habitat for native plants and animals (City of Merced 2016). These natural drainage courses have been preserved and protected in the City to create large tracts of open space and many of the City parks are oriented around regional surface water drainage features. The northern portions of the City contain seasonal wetlands and vernal pools in scattered locations, which provide potential habitat for several species of wildlife which are listed as threatened and endangered. The Merced Irrigation District (MID) irrigation canal system has also become an important open space feature in the area as has Lake Yosemite. The Merced National Wildlife Refuge is located outside the city limits to the southwest, and the extensive agricultural fields that surround the City also provide habitat for many wildlife species (City of Merced 2016).

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | 2021–2026 Page 14

2.3 Estimating Potential Losses

2.3.1 Dam Incidents
Protection from flood hazards created by dam failures is critical to the safety and well- being of Merced residents. Dam incidents can result from various natural or human caused events, such as earthquakes, erosion, improper siting, improper maintenance, rapidly rising flood waters and structural or design flaws.

The ability to provide warning for potential victims of flooding from dam failure is influenced by the type of dam constructed, the frequency of inspections for structural integrity, the flood wave arrival time, the ability to notify persons downstream and their ability to evacuate. Aside from loss of life, damage to property and displacement of people, hydroelectric facilities on dams that fail would suffer damage. This could have an impact on life support systems in communities outside the immediate hazard areas. A failure of one of the dams operated by the Merced Irrigation District (MID) that generate electricity could affect supply to the CAADC site, within which the Castle Medical Center is located. Should more of the City choose MID as its electricity supplier and distributor, those customers would likewise be affected.

A dam vulnerability assessment was completed during the 2021 update, following the methodology described in Section 4 of the Base Plan. Dam inundation areas from Yosemite dam with the City of Merced are shown in Figure 2-2 and Table 2-3 summarizes the values at risk within the inundation area. The Yosemite dam is rated as high significance. Yosemite dam is also rated as Extremely High by the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams. Extremely High rated dams are expected to cause considerable loss of human life or result in an inundation area with a population of 1,000 or more.

Areas of future development, located within the City’s Sphere of Influence are most vulnerable to dam inundation events. One critical facility, categorized as a Transportation Lifeline, is located within a dam inundation area.

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update | 2021–2026 Page 15 Figure 2-2 City of Merced Potential Dam Inundation Areas

2021 Merced County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 16 Table 2-3 Yosemite Dam Inundation
Property Type Improved Parcel County Building Count Population Agricultural 5 5 0
Commercial 24 30 0
Exempt 110 134 0
Industrial 22 38 0
Mixed Use 1 1 3
Residential 4,603 5,839 18,781
Vacant Land 3 3 0
Total 4,768 6,080 18,784
Source: California DSOS, National Inventory of Dams, Merced County Assessor’s Office Future Development
The results of the SOI and dam analysis are shown in and Table 2-4.

Table 2-4 Sphere of Influence Areas Exposed to Yosemite Dam Inundation Property
Type
Improved
Parcel Count
Building
Count Population
Agricultural 14 16 0
Commercial 7 8 0
Exempt 2 4 0
Industrial 4 8 0
Residential 100 110 365
Vacant 1 1 0
Total 128 147 365
Source: CAL FIRE, Merced County Assessor, Wood GIS analysis

2.3.2 Earthquake
The City of Merced and surrounding areas historical earthquake activity is below California’s state average.

No known faults are located in the Merced area. The nearest known fault is the Kings Canyon Lineament, approximately 5 miles south of Atwater, however geological evidence would show this fault is not active.

There is no record of any seismic activity originating within the City; however, the County of Merced has been shaken by earthquakes originating elsewhere. There is documented evidence of six earthquakes that shook the area, those of 1872, 1906, 1952, 1966, 1984, and 1989. Major damage occurred in Los Banos to the southwest associated with the 1906 event, with minor damage recorded throughout the County from other occurrences.

No damaging earthquakes greater than M 6.0 have been recorded in the City of Merced or Merced County in over 200 years, though several have been very close. The most recent large earthquake near Merced County, and the City of Merced, was 16 miles east north-east of King City at a magnitude of 5.3 on October 20, 2012. Several aftershocks followed the main earthquake, including a M3.1 aftershock. This earthquake was preceded by two earthquakes located approximately 100 miles from Merced County, the 1982 New Idria earthquake (M5.4) and the 1983 Coalinga quake (M6.5). There was low level ground shaking and low local magnitude reported. The City of Merced Planning Team also report a M3.4 earthquake on March 31, 2016 with an epicenter 21 miles southwest of Los Banos. No damage was noted

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 17 associated with this recent earthquake event, but the team agreed there is a likelihood of a similar earthquake occurring again in the future.

Based on the earthquake shaking potential mapped for Merced County and the City of Merced, due to the proximity to the San Andreas Fault, and the history of shaking with no surface rupture, means the probability of damaging seismic ground shaking in the City of Merced is considered as occasional. Other hazards associated with earthquake activity, such as lateral spreading, surface cracking or differential setting, are considered unlikely to occur, although no studies have been conducted to determine the likelihood of these hazards.

2.3.3 Extreme Heat
Extreme heat is identified as a priority hazard; this hazard was also identified as a priority for the City of Merced in their previous plan. The City of Merced collaboratively works with all agencies throughout the County to address extreme heat by following the State of California Contingency Plan for Excessive Heat Emergencies and the Merced Operational Area Excessive Heat Guideline. The City also opens cooling zones and centers to provide shelter for vulnerable populations in the City and to help mitigate the hazard and continues to open additional facilities.

2.3.4 Flood and Levee Failure
The primary types of flood events in Merced County that may impact the City of Merced are riverine and urban. Flooding could also occur as a result of levee failure. Regardless of the type of flood, the cause is often the result of severe weather and excessive rainfall, either in the flood area, upstream, or from winter snowmelt.

The floodplain of the Merced River is well defined from the eastern county boundary to approximately 10 miles above the mouth of the river. Downstream of this point, the floodplain is undifferentiated from the valley floor and major floods can spread out over large areas. During the 1950 flood event, approximately 19,600 acres of land along the Merced River were inundated, including the towns of Snelling and Merced Falls. A large portion of Merced County continues to be subject to inundation during flood events, as approximately 380,010 acres, including a large portion of the City of Merced, have been determined to be in the FEMA floodplain. The physical risks associated with potential flooding and the regulatory requirements for floodplain management are important considerations when decisions are being made regarding future land use throughout the City of Merced given the City is traversed by four creeks from east to west, including Bear Creek, Fahrens Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Black Rascal Creek. The flood hazards for three of these four creeks are further summarized below based on information from the City’s previous LHMP.

Bear Creek
Historically, flood flows in excess of the Bear Creek channel capacity spill over the left bank of Bear Creek approximately 6 miles east of the City Merced (City of Merced 2015). Due to topography and embankments, overflow from Bear Creek does not return to the channel. The natural slope is southwest from Bear Creek, but some of the overflow moves westward and northwestward into Merced along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway embankment. There are flood relief structures along the embankment that allow part of the overflow to proceed southwestward, but much of the floodwater flows into Merced, where it ponds and eventually overtops the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway embankment between R and V Streets. The floodwater then flows as shallow flooding southwestward through downtown Merced, ponds behind the Southern Pacific Railroad embankment, eventually overtops the railroad embankment, and finally continues as shallow flooding through southwest Merced.

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 18 Overflow from Bear Creek will also occur upstream of the West 16th Street bridges at several locations near the Daisy Park residential area. This floodwater will flow west through the Daisy Park area as shallow flooding, then over the Snelling Highway and into the Industrial Park area, where it will pond behind the U.S. Highway 99 embankment and the Black Rascal Creek levee. During the major flood events in 1969, 1997, 1998, and 2006, Bear Creek overflowed at the southwest end of the City of Merced in the vicinity of Thornton Avenue and State Highway 140.

Black Rascal Creek
Black Rascal Creek flood flows are diverted into Bear Creek approximately 3 miles east of Merced. Minor flooding from local runoff has occurred along Black Rascal Creek between G Street and Parsons Avenue.

Fahrens Creek
Fahrens Creek, which joins Black Rascal Creek near West Olive Avenue and State Highway 59 (Snelling Highway), flows through the northwestern part of Merced. Limited channel capacity, coupled with constricted bridge openings at State Highway 59, produces widespread ponding upstream from the bridges and road embankment.

A very large portion of the City of Merced is within the 100-year floodplain designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), particularly the southern portion of the City. Of the 14,954 acres within the City, 65.2% is within the floodplain: 60.7% (9,072 acres) is within the 100-year floodplain and

4.5% (668 acres) is within the 500-year floodplain. Based on the history of flooding in the County of Merced, the City of Merced and surrounding areas are considered to likely have the hazard potential for future flooding.

A flood vulnerability assessment was completed during the 2021 update, following the methodology described in Section 4 of the Base Plan. Flood hazards for the City of Merced are shown in Figure 2-3 and Table 2-5 summarizes the values at risk in the City’s 100-year floodplain, respectively. These tables also detail loss estimates for each flood.

2021 Merced County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 19 Figure 2-3 City of Merced 100-year Floodplain

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 20 Table 2-5 City of Merced FEMA 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard, by Property Type Property
Type
Improved
Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Estimated
Content Value Total Value Estimated Loss Population
Agricultural 17 19 $704,235 $704,235 $1,408,470 $352,118 0 Commercial 527 1,873 $339,551,353 $339,551,353 $679,102,706 169,775,677 0 Exempt 433 960 $9,185,588 $9,185,588 $18,371,176 $4,592,794 0 Industrial 118 218 $167,406,079 $251,109,119 $418,515,198 $104,628,799 0 Mixed Use 9 9 $185,869 $185,869 $371,738 $92,935 29
Residential 9,161 12,140 $1,218,507,813 $609,253,907 $1,827,761,720 $456,940,430 38,848 Vacant 30 38 $1,030,699 $1,030,699 $2,061,398 $515,350 0 Total 10,295 15,257 $1,736,571,636 $1,211,020,769 $2,947,592,405 $736,898,101 38,877 Source: Merced County Assessor’s Office; National Flood Hazard Layer reflecting FEMA FIRM Effective 12/2/2008; FEMA; Wood analysis
Based on this analysis, the City of Merced has 10,295 improved parcels located within the 100-year floodplain for a total value of over $736 million. Of the 22,362 parcels within the City of Merced, this means that almost half (46%) of the total parcels in the City have a potential risk to flooding. Population at risk was calculated for the 100-year based on the number of residential properties at risk and the average number of persons per household (3.32). There is an estimated 38,877 persons at risk to flooding in the City of Merced. Table 2-6 summarizes the values at risk in the City’s 500-year floodplain.

Table 2-6 City of Merced FEMA 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard, by Property Type Property
Type
Improved
Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Estimated
Content
Value
Total Value Estimated
Loss Population
Commercial 30 31 $62,378,180 $62,378,180 $124,756,360 $31,189,090 Exempt 33 69 $0 $0 $0 $0
Mixed Use 2 3 $41,361 $41,361 $82,722 $20,681 10
Residential 1,594 2,412 $337,480,454 $337,480,454 $674,960,908 $168,740,227 7,718 Total 1,659 2,515 $399,899,995 $399,899,995 $799,799,990 $199,949,998 7,728 1,659 parcels were found to be located in within the 500-year floodplain, which represents 7% of the total parcels in the City.

Critical Facilities at Risk
Critical facilities are those community components that are most needed to withstand the impacts of disaster as previously described. Specific information on critical facilities can be found in Section 3.4.1 of the Base Plan. Information on key critical facilities and community assets in the City of Merced is also included in the GIS Experience Builder Application developed by the County and Wood to communicate the highlights of the risk assessment and validate the critical facility GIS data collected during the MJHMP update process. Table 2-7 lists the critical facilities in the City’s 100-year floodplains and Figure 2-4 shows the location of the critical facilities. The impact to the community could be great if these facilities are damaged or destroyed during a flood event.

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 21 Table 2-7 Critical Facilities at risk of 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard, by FEMA Lifeline FEMA Lifeline Count
Communications 26
Energy 3
Food, Water, Shelter 30
Safety and Security 51
Transportation 25
Total 156
Source: HIFLD, FEMA NFHL

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 22 Figure 2-4 Critical Facilities at Risk of 1% Annual Flood Hazard

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 23 Insurance Coverage, Claims Paid, and Repetitive Losses
The City of Merced joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on November 1, 1979. NFIP Insurance data indicates that as of July 2021, there were 3,401 flood insurance policies in force in the City with $786,021,200 of coverage. Of the policies in place, there have been 152 claims for flood losses totaling $2,230,265 in total loss payments.

According to the FEMA Community Information System accessed August 11, 2021, the City has 12 Repetitive Loss properties that resulted in flood losses totaling $401,664 associated with building content losses. Of these losses, $392,643 of the payments were associated with building contents in Zones AE, A1- 30, AO, AH, and A. There were no Severe Repetitive Loss properties.

Future Development
The results of the SOI and flood analysis are shown in Table 2-8 and Table 2-9.

Table 2-8 Sphere of Influence Areas Exposed to 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Property
Type
Improved
Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Estimated
Content
Value
Total Value Estimated
Loss Population
Agricultural 114 156 $10,783,537 $10,783,537 $21,567,074 $5,391,769 0 Commercial 53 76 $12,078,814 $12,078,814 $24,157,628 $6,039,407 0 Exempt 19 25 $5,465,593 $5,465,593 $10,931,186 $2,732,797 0 Industrial 27 46 $20,347,558 $30,521,337 $50,868,895 $12,717,224 0 Mixed Use 4 5 $16,064 $8,032 $24,096 $6,024 17
Residential 679 800 $105,267,278 $52,633,639 $157,900,917 $39,475,229 2,656 Vacant Land 12 13 $54,242 $54,242 $108,484 $27,121 0
Total 908 1,121 $154,013,086 $111,545,194 $265,558,280 $66,389,570 2,673 Source: Wood Analysis 2021
Table 2-9 Sphere of Influence Areas Exposed to 0.5% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Property
Type
Improved
Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Estimated
Content
Value
Total Value Estimated
Loss Population
Agricultural 9 10 $2,130,727 $2,130,727 $4,261,454 $1,065,364 0 Exempt 1 1 $2,848,363 $2,848,363 $5,696,726 $1,424,182 0 Residential 70 75 $24,684,881 $12,342,411 $37,027,322 $9,256,830 3 Total 80 87 $29,745,815 $17,362,453 $47,108,268 $11,777,067 252 Source: Wood Analysis 2021

2.3.5 Hazardous Material Incidents
Hazardous material incidents were ranked by the City as a priority hazard in both their previous plan and the current plan. These human-caused hazards are currently minimized through past studies completed to understand commodity flows, as documented in the City of Merced Hazardous Materials Commodity Flow Study. The City’s Fire Department have also been trained to handle hazardous material incidents and currently have both a hazardous material technician and specialists on staff to respond to these incidents.

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 24 Further, the City established on Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County to establish, support, and train the Merced County Hazardous Material Response Team.

2.3.6 Wildfires
Weather components, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind, and lightning, also affect the potential for wildfire. High temperatures and low relative humidity dry out the fuels that feed the wildfire creating a situation where fuel will more readily ignite and burn more intensely. Both urban and wildland fires conditions exist in Merced County and its cities which increases the chances for damage to property, loss of life and/or injury. In most of Merced County, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal FIRE) ranks fuel loading as low. Fuels are mainly crops and grasses. In the southwest corner of the County, there are some brush, pine, and grass fuels, which are ranked as moderate fuel hazards, primarily in the area west of Interstate 5. Figure 2-5 shows the fire threat areas in the City of Merced and Table 2-10 summarizes the values at risk and detail loss estimates.

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 25 Table 2-3 Properties Exposed to Wildfire Threat Areas in the City of Merced Property Type Improved Parcel Count
Building
Count
High
Building
Count
Moderate
Building
Count Low
Total
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Estimated
Content Value Total Value
Agricultural 3 0 1 3 4 $179,357 $179,357 $358,714
Commercial 2 0 0 6 6 $5,765,341 $5,765,341 $11,530,682
Exempt 28 1 13 19 33 $0 $0 $0
Industrial 3 0 0 4 4 $18,412,738 $27,619,107 $46,031,845 Mixed Use 1 0 0 1 1 $14,280 $14,280 $28,560
Residential 561 0 243 330 573 $132,105,988 $66,052,994 $198,158,982 Vacant Land 1 0 1 1 $26,508 $26,508 $53,016 1
Total 599 1 257 364 622 $156,504,212 $99,657,587 $256,161,799 Source: CAL FIRE, Merced County Assessor, Wood GIS analysis

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 26 Figure 2-5 Wildfire Threat Areas in City of Merced

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 27 Table 2-11 shows the results of the critical facility analysis by fire threat area.

Table 2-4 Critical Facilities Exposed to Wildfire Threat Areas FEMA Lifeline Count
Moderate Wildfire Threat
Food, Water, Shelter 1
Safety and Security 1
Transportation 1
Low Wildfire Threat
Food, Water, Shelter 1
Hazardous Materials 2
Safety and Security 1
Transportation 4
Total 11
Source: Merced County, HIFLD, CAL FIRE, FRAP, Wood GIS Analysis Figure 2-6 shows the fire responsibility areas in the City of Merced. Based on the analysis there are 970 residential buildings located with the moderate hazard area, with a total value of $314,703,588. Six critical facilities, categorized as Food, Water, and Shelter and Transportation Lifelines are located within the local responsibility moderate fire hazard area. Refer to Section 4 of the Base Plan for methodology and results of the countywide analysis.

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 28 Figure 2-6 City of Merced Fire Responsibility Areas

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 29 Future Development
The results of the SOI and wildfire analysis are shown Table 2-12 and Table 2-13.

Table 2-5 Sphere of Influence Areas Exposed Within Fire Severity Areas Property Type
Improved
Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Estimated
Content Value Total Value Population
SRA Moderate
Agricultural 12 14 $1,276,826 $1,276,826 $2,553,652 0
Commercial 9 10 $3,892,834 $3,892,834 $7,785,668 0
Exempt 3 4 $0 $0 $0 0
Industrial 3 6 $1,333,846 $2,000,769 $3,334,615 0
Residential 158 167 $51,380,141 $25,690,071 $77,070,212 554 Vacant Land 4 4 $12,352 $12,352 $24,704 0
Total 189 205 $57,895,999 $32,872,852 $90,768,851 554
Source: CAL FIRE, Merced County Assessor, Wood GIS analysis Table 2-6 Sphere of Influence Areas Exposed Within Fire Threat Areas Property
Type
Improved
Parcel
Count
Building
Count
High
Building
Count
Moderate
Building
Count
Low
Total
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Estimated
Content
Value
Total Value Population
Agricultural 70 5 16 71 92 $8,158,058 $8,158,058 $16,316,116 Commercial 9 0 0 9 9 $5,621,324 $5,621,324 $11,242,648
Exempt 6 2 0 5 7 $2,737,730 $2,737,730 $5,475,460
Industrial 1 0 0 2 2 $153,070 $229,605 $382,675
Mixed Use 2 0 2 1 3 $54,673 $54,673 $109,346 10
Residential 227 31 68 147 246 $47,501,282 $23,750,641 $71,251,923 817 Vacant 6 2 1 3 6 $24,757 $24,757 $49,514
Total 162 1 67 127 195 $30,390,581 $23,025,641 $53,416,222 359 Source: CAL FIRE, Merced County Assessor, Wood GIS analysis 3 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
Capabilities are the programs and policies currently in use to reduce hazard impacts or that could be used to implement hazard mitigation activities. This capabilities assessment is divided into five sections:
regulatory mitigation capabilities, administrative and technical mitigation capabilities, fiscal mitigation capabilities, mitigation outreach and partnerships, and other mitigation efforts. To develop this capability assessment, the jurisdictional planning representatives reviewed a matrix of common mitigation activities to inventory which of these policies or programs and shared any updates or changes through the Merced Data Collection Guide. The team then supplemented this inventory by reviewing additional existing policies, regulations, plans, and programs to determine if they contribute to reducing hazard-related losses.

During the plan update process, this inventory was reviewed by the jurisdictional planning representatives and Wood consultant team staff to update information where applicable and note ways in which these capabilities have improved or expanded. For the City of Merced, the team and planning representatives

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 30 also noted key capabilities accounted for in the City’s existing LHMP. Additionally, in summarizing current capabilities and identifying gaps, the jurisdictional planning representatives also considered their ability to expand or improve upon existing policies and programs as potential new mitigation strategies. The City of Merced’s capabilities are summarized below.

3.1 Regulatory Capability
The regulatory and planning capabilities table lists planning and land management tools typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities. The table below indicates those that are in place in the City of Merced.

Table 3-1 City of Merced —Regulatory and Planning Capabilities Regulatory Tool
(ordinances, codes, plans) Yes/No Comments
General Plan Yes Merced Vision 2030 General Plan, Adopted January 3, 2012
Zoning ordinance Yes Title 20 of the Merced Municipal Code Subdivision ordinance Yes Title 18 of the Merced Municipal Code Growth management ordinance No
Floodplain ordinance Yes Title 17 of the Merced Municipal Code Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Ordinance No.
1250)
Other special purpose ordinance
(stormwater, steep slope, wildfire)
No
Building code Yes 2019 California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 1 (California Administrative Code)
Title 17 Buildings and Construction
Fire department ISO rating Yes Rating: 2
Erosion or sediment control program Yes 1983 Merced Critical Area Flooding and Drainage Plan Stormwater management program Yes Phase II Small MS4 General Permit (Permit No. CA000004, Water Quality Order No. 2013-0001 DWQ)
Program Effectiveness Assessment and Improvement Plan
for the City of Merced, City of Atwater, and Merced
County
Title 15 of the Merced Municipal Code, Division III – Storm Water System, Chapter 15.50 – Storm Water Management
and Discharge Control
Storm Drain Master Plan
Site plan review requirements Yes Title 20 of the Merced Municipal Code Chapter 20.32.030 – Site Plan Review
Capital improvements plan Yes City of Merced 2018-2023 Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Economic development plan Yes Economic Development Department 2012 Economic Development Action Plan
Local emergency operations plan Yes City of Merced Emergency Operations Plan 2003 City of Merced Emergency Response/Disaster Plan
Other special plans No
Flood insurance study or other
engineering study for streams
Yes Flood Insurance Study (December 2, 2008)
Elevation certificates (for floodplain
development)
Yes Flood Elevation Certificates

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 31 Regulatory Tool
(ordinances, codes, plans) Yes/No Comments
Other No
Merced Vision 2030 General Plan, 2012 - The City of Merced adopted its first General Plan in 1950. The most recent update occurred in 2012 and resulted in the adoption of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan in January 2012, with an anticipated horizon year of 2030. This General Plan defines the City’s goals, objectives and policies that guide the physical growth, use and development of land under the jurisdictional authority of the City.

The purpose of the Safety Element is to reduce or eliminate long term risk to people and property from natural or human caused hazards. This element focuses on establishing policies and programs to protect the community from risks associated with seismically-induced ground shaking, ground failure, dam failure/seiche, flooding, and wildfire. The element also covers human-caused hazards such as airport safety, crime and policing, and hazardous materials and waste.

The City of Merced 2030 General Plan Safety Element (Chapter 11) includes Policy S-1.1 – Develop and Maintain Emergency Preparedness Procedures for the City, which includes an implementing action to adopt and update the City of Merced LHMP, as needed. As previously noted, the City developed a singlejurisdictional and stand-alone LHMP in 2015. The goals and policies in the City’s 2030 General Plan Safety Element support and are consistent with the mitigation strategy actions in the 2015 LHMP. The 2015 City of Merced LHMP was also incorporated by reference into the Safety Element following plan amendments in 2015 (March 16, 2015 Resolution #2015-09).

City of Merced Emergency Response/Disaster Plan, 2011 (Emergency Operations Plan) - The City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) addresses the planned response to emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, human caused events and national security emergencies in or affecting the City of Merced. The EOP, also referred to as the Emergency Response/Disaster Plan, was updated in 2011 to address mitigation, planning, response, and recovery activities from various emergency situations. The EOP is compliant with the requirements of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), the Incident Command System (ICS), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). It is regularly updated by the City to prepare the community for responding to an emergency situation in a highly organized and efficient manner. The EOP was revised and updated in 2017 to meet local, state and federal needs.

Merced Fire Department – The City of Merced Fire Department (MFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical response services within the City limits. The City of Merced was established in 1873 and provides fire, rescue, and emergency management services for the citizens and visitors of Merced.

The MFD operates out of five fire stations that on average respond to 11,230 calls per calendar year. As of 2020, the MFD employs 63 public safety members and three support personnel. The MFD has five engines, one truck, one battalion chief, six captains, six engineers, and six firefighters to provide a minimum daily staffing of 19 personnel to cover daily staffing needs within the City California Fire Code Chapter 17.32 – The City of Merced adopts by reference as its fire code, the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition and the California Fire Code, 2019 Edition, and including among Appendices, Appendix Chapter 4 (Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy); Appendix Chapter B (Fire Flow Requirements for Buildings); Appendix Chapter C (Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution); Appendix Chapter CC (Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution); Appendix D (Fire Apparatus Access Roads); Appendix F (Hazard Ranking); Appendix H (Hazardous Materials Management Plans and Hazardous Materials Inventory Statements); Appendix I (Fire Protection system-Noncompliance Conditions); and Appendix J (Emergency Responder Radio Coverage), based on the 2009 International Fire

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 32 Code as published by the International Code Council (ICC) and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in the California Building Standards Code Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.

Flood Damage Prevention Chapter 17.48.020 (Ordinance No. 2321) – It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
● To protect human life and health;
● To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects; ● To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
● To minimize prolonged business interruptions;
● To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard; ● To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future flood blight areas; ● To ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard; and ● To ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions.

3.2 Administrative and Technical Capability
The table below identifies City personnel with responsibilities for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in the City of Merced. Many positions are full time and/or filled by the same person. A summary of technical resources follows.

Table 3-2 City of Merced – Personnel Capabilities
Personnel Resources Yes/No Department/Position Comments Planner/engineer with knowledge of land
development/land management
practices
Yes City Planning
Department/Planning
Manager
Engineer/professional trained in
construction practices related to
buildings and/or infrastructure
Yes City Engineering
Department/City Engineer
Planner/engineer/scientist with an
understanding of natural hazards
No
Personnel skilled in GIS Yes GIS Coordinator
Full time building official Yes Inspection Services/Chief Building Official
Floodplain manager Yes City Engineer
Emergency manager No
Grant writer No
Other personnel NA
GIS Data Resources
(Hazard areas, critical facilities, land use,
building footprints, etc.)
Yes GIS Coordinator
Warning Systems/Services
(Reverse 9-11, cable override, outdoor
warning signals)
Yes Merced County Emergency
Alert System
Everbridge
Other NA

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 33 The City operates under a City Council/City Manager form of government. The City Council makes laws and sets policies, which are enforced and implemented by the City Manager, with the assistance of subordinate officers, department heads, and the City Clerk, City Treasurer and City Attorney. Municipal elections are held every two years in November of even-numbered years with City Council terms overlapping. The Mayor and two Council Members are elected at one election, and the other two Council Members, City Clerk and City Treasurer are elected at the next election.

The City of Merced provides water, sewer, and garbage services through their monthly utility services.

They also provide storm drainage, police, fire, and general government services.

The Merced City School District serves school-aged children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8). There are 14 elementary schools (K-6), four middle schools (7-8), and one school that serves preschool students (pre-school program). High school education is provided by the Merced Union High School District which has eight comprehensive high schools and one continuation school. The City also offers opportunities for post-secondary education with satellite campuses for Merced College, UC Merced and other graduate schools.

3.3 Fiscal Capability
The following table identifies financial tools or resources that the City could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities. There are currently no specific funding sources for hazard mitigation.

Table 3-3 City of Merced —Available Financial Tools and Resources Financial Resources Accessible/
Eligible to Use
Has This Been Used for
Mitigation in the Past? Comments
Community Development
Block Grants
Yes No
Capital improvements project
funding
Yes No The City Council needs to approve
and establish a CIP.

Authority to levy taxes for
specific purposes
Yes No The City Council needs to approve
authority to levy taxes; this must
also be voted on by the
community.

Fees for water, sewer, gas, or
electric services, new
development
Yes No
Incur debt through general
obligation bonds
Yes No
Incur debt through special tax
bonds
Yes No
Incur debt through private
activities
Yes No
Federal Grant Programs
(Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program)
Yes No

3.4 Outreach and Partnerships
The Merced County Office of Emergency Services provides education and outreach on Disaster Preparedness for all of the jurisdictions within the County. This education program is in coordination and

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 34 partnerships with county and the cities’ departments with education programs including the Sheriff’s Office, Police Departments, Fire Departments, Agricultural Commissioner, and the Department of Public Health.

During the 2021 planning process the following outreach efforts were identified:
● Ongoing newsletter
● Fire Prevention School Programs
● Presence and use of social media
Education and outreach efforts, as well as emergency response planning, will need to address the needs of low-income residents and the large Spanish-speaking population. In past emergencies, volunteers have organized spontaneously to help those with mobility issues.

3.4.1 Planning Commission
The Planning Commission reviews development proposals for compliance with the General Plan and makes recommendations to the City Council on long range plans and maps for the City and plans for public improvements, plans and development plans for proposed for property within the City, and zoning and rezoning of property within the City. The Commission develops and maintains a long range comprehensive General Plan of the Merced planning area.

3.4.2 City Fire Department
The City Fire Department has a public education program in place that annually visits all 2nd grade classrooms to present the Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH).

3.5 Other Mitigation Efforts
In addition to the project identified in the City’s Mitigation Action plan the City of Merced’s Fire Department conducts annual fire and life safety inspections for all businesses and SB 1205 mandates reporting compliance of state mandated inspections for Hotels, Motels, Apartments, Schools, Jails and various residential care facilities. As a result, the City of Merced Fire Department conducts annual fire and life safety inspections for all businesses mandated by California Health and Safety Code. Fire and life safety inspections are annually completed for mercantile, assemblies, factories, hazardous, and storage facilities. In addition, city-wide weed abatement is heavily enforced.

3.6 Opportunities for Enhancement
Based on the capabilities assessment, the City of Merced has several existing mechanisms in place that already help to mitigate hazards. There are also opportunities for the City to expand or improve on their policies, programs and fiscal capabilities and further protect the community. Future improvements may include providing training for staff members related to hazards or hazard mitigation grant funding in partnership with the County and Cal OES. Additional training opportunities will help to inform City staff members on how best to integrate hazard information and mitigation projects into their departments.

Continuing to train City staff on mitigation and the hazards that pose a risk to the City of Merced will lead to more informed staff members who can better communicate this information to the public. Given the City’s flood risk and number of flood insurance policies, joining the Community Rating System could be another capability enhancement that could benefit residents by lowering flood insurance premiums.

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 35 4 MITIGATION STRATEGY

4.1 Goals and Objectives
The City of Merced adopts the hazard mitigation goals and objectives developed by the Planning Team and described in Section 5 Mitigation Strategy of the Basin Plan.

4.2 Continued Compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program The City has been an NFIP participating community since 1974. In addition to the mitigation actions identified herein the City will continue to comply with the NFIP. Floodplain management is under the purview of the Inspection Services Department and the Chief Building Official. This includes ongoing activities such as enforcing local floodplain development regulations, including issuing permits for appropriate development in Special Flood Hazard Areas and ensuring that this development mitigated in accordance with the regulations. This will also include periodic reviews of the floodplain ordinance to ensure that it is clear and up to date and reflects new or revised flood hazard mapping.

4.3 Progress on 2014 Actions
During the 2021 planning process the City of Merced Planning Team reviewed all the mitigation actions from their 2015 plan. Of their nine mitigation actions from 2015, three (3) of the actions are continuing and are implemented annually, demonstrating ongoing progress and building the community’s resiliency to disasters. Six (56) were noted as being continuing not started.

4.4 Mitigation Actions
The Planning Team for the City identified and prioritized the following mitigation actions based on risk assessments, goals, and objectives. Background information as well as information on how the action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible office, partners, potential funding, estimated cost, and timeline also are described.

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 36 Table 4-1 City of Merced Mitigation Action Plan
ID
Goal(s)
and
Lifelines
Hazard(s)
Mitigated
Description/Background/
Benefits
Lead
Agency
and
Partners
Cost
Estimate
and
Potential
Funding
Priority Timeline Status/Implementation
Notes
1 3, 4, 5,
Energy
Flood and
Levee
Failure,
Earthquake,
Wildfire
Prepare an Energy Assurance Plan Public
Works
$100,000
Federal
Grants
High 3 years Continue Not Started
2 1, 2, 3, 5
Safety
and
Security
Flood and
Levee
Failure
Develop and enhance storm-water
drainage improvements to reduce
frequent flooding
Developme
nt Services
$5,000
General
Fund
High 3 years Continue In-Progress
3 1, 2, 3, 6
Safety
and
Security
Dam
Incidents,
Flood and
Levee
Failure,
Earthquake,
Wildfire
Create a Disaster Preparedness Program
Fire
Department
$100,000
Federal
Grants
High 3 years Continue Not Started
4 1, 2, 3, 5,
Safety
and
Security
Flood and
Levee
Failure
Support Merced County efforts to
construct the Haystack Alternative of
Black Rascal Creek
Developme
nt Services
$50,000 –
100,000
Federal
Grants
Medium 1 year Continue Not Started
5 1, 2, 3, 5,
Safety
and
Security
Flood and
Levee
Failure
Update the City’s Storm-water Drainage
Master Plan
Developme
nt Services
Staff time
Dept.

Budget
Medium 1 year Continue In-Progress

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 37 ID
Goal(s)
and
Lifelines
Hazard(s)
Mitigated
Description/Background/
Benefits
Lead
Agency
and
Partners
Cost
Estimate
and
Potential
Funding
Priority Timeline Status/Implementation
Notes
6 1, 2, 6, 7;
Safety
and
Security;
Food,
Water,
and
Shelter
Dam
Incidents,
Flood and
Levee
Failure,,
Earthquake,
Wildfire
Prepare a Shelter and EmergencyProvision Plan Fire
Department
$100,000
Federal
Grants
Medium 1 year Continue Not Started
7 1, 2, 3, 6;
Food
Water,
and
Shelter
Wildfire Prepare a Natural Area Fire Prevention
Plan
Fire
Department
$100,000
Federal
Grants
Low 3 to 5
years
Continue Not Started
8 1, 2, 3, 6,
7; Safety
and
Security
Earthquake
Perform building-specific, structural
seismic vulnerability assessment of Cityowned critical facilities Public
Works
$100,000 -
$200,000
FEMA
HMA
Grants
Low 3 years Continue Not Started
9 1, 2, 3, 6,
7; Safety
and
Security
Earthquake
Create a program to retrofit or upgrade
unreinforced masonry buildings in
Downtown Merced, or other buildings in
the Plan area.

Developme
nt Services
$100,000 -
$1,000,000
FEMA
HMA
Grants
Low 3 to 5
years
Continue Not Started

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021 – 2026 Update Page 38 ID
Goal(s)
and
Lifelines
Hazard(s)
Mitigated
Description/Background/
Benefits
Lead
Agency
and
Partners
Cost
Estimate
and
Potential
Funding
Priority Timeline Status/Implementation
Notes
10 1, 2, 3, 5,
Safety
and
Security
Flooding Consideration for enrolling in the NFIP
Community Rating System program
Engineering
Department
$75,000
Staff time
Dept.

Budget
Medium 3 to 5
years
New in 2021
11 1, 2, 3, 6;
Food
Water,
and
Shelter
Severe
Weather:

Extreme
Temperatur
es/Extreme
Heat
Identify and open additional cooling
zones and centers within the City of
Merced to provide additional capacity of
vulnerable populations
Police
Department
$25,000
Staff time
Dept.

Budget
Medium 3 to 5
years
New in 2021
12 1, 2, 3, 6;
Food
Water,
and
Shelter
Wildfire
Enhance the City Weed Abatement
Program to included mandatory debris
clean-up and vegetation clearing on
properties to mitigate wildfire risk. This
action includes utilizing surveys and GIS
tools to identify seasonal wildfire hazards
in the community, providing notice to
property owners, and clearing the
properties to reduce wildfire potential,
loss of property and injury, and improve
air quality.

Fire
Department
$75,000
Staff time
General
Fund
High 1 year New in 2021

2021 Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex F: City of Merced
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2021–2026 Update Page 39 5 IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE
Moving forward, the City will use the mitigation action table in the previous section to track progress on implementation of each project. Implementation of the plan overall is discussed in Section 6 in the Base Plan.

5.1 Incorporation into Existing Planning Mechanisms
The information contained within this plan, including results from the Vulnerability Assessment, and the Mitigation Strategy will be used by the City to help inform updates and the development of local plans, programs and policies. The Engineering or Planning Departments may utilize the hazard information when implementing the City’s Community Investment Program and the Planning Department may utilize the hazard information when reviewing a site plan or other type of development applications. The City will also incorporate the 2021 MJHMP into the Safety Element of their General Plan, as recommended by Assembly Bill (AB) 2140.

As noted in Section 6 of the Base Plan, the HMPT representatives from Merced will report on efforts to integrate the hazard mitigation plan into local plans, programs and policies and will report on these efforts at the annual HMPT plan review meeting.

5.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Updating the Plan
The City will follow the procedures to monitor, review, and update this plan in accordance with Merced County as outlined in Section 6 of the Base Plan. The City will continue to involve the public in mitigation, as described in Section 6.2.1 of the Base Plan. The Fire Department, Fire Chief or assigned designee will be responsible for representing the City of Merced in the County HMPT, and for coordination with City staff and departments during plan updates. The City realizes it is important to review the plan regularly and update it every five years in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act Requirements as well as other State of California requirements.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
B
Appendix B
Notices to Public
and Public Outreach Efforts

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
C
Appendix C
City Resolution Adopting WSCP

City of Atwater
2025 Urban Water Management Plan
June 2026
H
Appendix H
City of Atwater Municipal Code

City of Atwater
2025 Urban Water Management Plan
June 2026
I
Appendix I
Water and Wastewater Rate Study

í

CITY COUNCIL
OF THE

CITY OF ATWATER
RESOLUTION NO. 3067.19

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATWATER APPROVING

COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND WASTEWATER

COST OF SERVICE STUDY AND ADOPTING NEW

RATES FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER
SERVICES EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1 ,2019
WHEREAS, the City of Atwater ("Citv") provides water and wastewater services to residents and businesses of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City retained Raftelis Financial Consultants, lnc. ("Raftelis") to develop a model and study the rates and charges for both water and wastewater service, and WHEREAS, the study perlormed by Raftelis indicates that water service rates need to be increased for Fiscal Year End ("FYE') 2019 through 2023 to provide sufficient water system revenues from which to pay operation and maintenance expenses; and WHEREAS, the study performed by Raftelis also indicates that wastewater service rates may be decreased by 15 percentfor FYE 2019, with cost of living adjustment increases for FYE 2020 through 2023 to cover operation, maintenance, and debt expenses; and WHEREAS, all customers and property owners were mailed a notice of public hearing, compliant with Proposition 218, at least 45 days prior to January 28,2019: and WHEREAS, the report titled Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Cost of Service Study from Raftelis that has been reviewed in detail by City staff and sets forth the recommended increases in the water service rate from FYE2019 through 2023, decrease in wastewater rates for FYE 2019, and cost of living adjustment increases for wastewater rates for FYE 2020 through 2023', and
WHEREAS, on January 28,2019, pursuant to Proposition 218 (Cal. Const., art. XlllD, $ 6), the City Council heard and considered all oral testimony, written materials, and written protests concerning the rate increase; and

WHEREAS, the City has verified and counted the protests and determined that the City may proceed with the proposed water and wastewater rates.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Atwater ("Citv Council") does hereby resolve as follows.

The City Council does hereby find that the above recitations are true and correct, and accordingly, are incorporated as a material part of this resolution.

The City Council does hereby find that the water and wastewater increase/decrease is in the best interest of the City and its inhabitants and complies with current laws, including but not limited to, Proposition 218.

The City Council does hereby approve Raftelis' Comprehensive Water and Wastewater Cost of Service Study ("Rate Study") dated August 8, 2018, incorporated herein by reference and maintained in the Office of Finance Director.

4. The City Council does hereby approve the water rate increase and wastewater rate decrease as set forth in the Rate Study and authorizes and directs the City Manager to implement said rates as follows.

The following water rate increases will be effective on July 1 each year of the notice period, with the exception of the rate increase for FYE 2019, which will go into effect on February 1,2019.
5-Year Water Metered Fixed Gha $/Month
1 2
3 Meter Size FYE 2019
Fixed
Gharqe
FYE 2O2O
Fixed
Charqe
FYE 2021
Fixed
Charqe
FYE 2022
Fixed
Charqe
FYE 2023
Fixed
Charqe
3/4" and
less $39.1 0 $43.01 $47.31 $52.04 857.25
s49.14 $54.05 $5e.46 $65 40 tt
1 $44.67
1 1t2" $58.58 $64.44 $70.88 $77.97 $85.77
z $75.28 $82.81 $91 09 $100.20 $110.22
3" $128.17 $140.99 $155.09 $170.59 $187.65
4" $206.1 0 9226.71 $249.38 $274.32 $301.75
o $392.58 $431.84 $475.02 $522.52 $574.78
8" $810.08 $891.09 $980.20 $1,078.22 $1 ,186.04
Shared $44.67 $49.1 4 $54.05 $5e.46 $65.40
30x3 $134,01 $147.41 $162 15 $178.37 $196.20
32x4 $234.32 $257.75 $283.53 $31 1 88 $343.07

Frontage
Size
FYE 2019
Fixed
Charqe
FYE 2020
Fixed
Charqe
FYE 2021
Fixed
Charge
FYE 2022
Fixed
Charge
FYE 2023
Fixed
Charge
MultiFamilv $28 59 $31 45 $34 59 $38.0s $41.86
50'or Less $34 06 $37.47 $41.21 $45.33 $4e.87
51'- 100' $39 53 $43.48 $47.83 $52.61 $57.88
101' - 150' $50.46 $5s.51 $61.0s $67 16 $73.88
151',-200'. $61.39 $67.53 $74.28 $81 71 $89.88
200'or
Over $66.86 $73,55 $80 90 $88.99 $97 8s
Resolution No. 3067-19
S-Year Water Non-Metered Fixed Ch onth
S-Year Water Commodi Rates I above 19 T al Minimum
The 1 5 percent wastewater rate decrease for FYE 2019 will be effective February I ,2018.

Cost of living adjustments for FYE2O2O through 2023 will go into effect on July 1 of each year, beginning July 1,2019. The rates shown for FYE 2O2O through 2023 are the maximum for each year. The actual annual rate increase will be calculated according to the consumer price index ("CPl'), as provided by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. lf the CPI exceeds 3 percent in any year between 2019 to 2022, the rate increase for sewer services charged to City residents and businesses for that year will be capped at 3 percent.

S-Year Wastewater Fixed C es
FYE 2O2O
Fixed
Charqe
FYE 2021
Fixed
Charqe
FYE 2022
Fixed
Charqe
FYE 2023
Fixed
Charqe
Units FYE 2019
Fixed
Charqe
Billable
Units $1.3e $1 53 $1 68 $1 85 $2 04
Customer Class FYE 201 9 FYE 2O2O FYE 2021 FYE 2022 FYE 2023 Residential
Class 1 $62 33 $64 20 $66 13 $68.1 1 $70.1 5
Gommercial
Class 1 $50.23 $51.73 $53.29 $54.88 $56.53
Class 2 $64.86 $66.80 $68.80 $70.87 $72.99
Class 3 $192.78 $198.56 $204.52 $210.66 $216.98
Class 4 $87.47 $90 09 $e2.7e $95 58 $98.44
Class 5 $50 23 $51 73 $53.29 $54.88 $56.53
Class 6 $40.21 $41.41 $42.65 $43.93 $45.25
Class 7 $192.78 $198.56 8204.52 $21 0 66 $216 98
Class 8 $67.07 $69.08 $71 .1 5 $73.28 $75.48
lnstitutional
Class 1 $74.04 $76.26 $78.54 $80 e0 $83.33
Class 2 $65 96 $67 94 $6e 98 $72.08 $74.24
Class 3 $64.77 $66 71 $68.71 $70.78 $72.90
Other
Miscellaneous $51.26 $52.79 $54.38 $56.01 $57 69

Customer Class FYE 2019 FYE 2O2O FYE 2021 FYE 2022 FYE 2023 Commercial
Caruvashilaundry/Dry
Cleaners $6.49 $6.68 $6.88 $7 09 $7.30
Funeral Homes $19.28 $19.86 $20.45 921.07 $21.70
Bars $6 71 $6.91 $7.1 1 $7.33 $7.55
Beautv Shop $6 71 $6.91 $7.1 1 $7 33 $7.5s
Church/ lnst Class 3 $6 48 $6.67 $6 87 $7.08 $7.29
Hospital Rate/Actual $7.40 $7.63 $7.85 $8.09 $8.33
Beautv Salon/Actual $6 71 $6.91 $7 11 $7.33 $7.55
RestauranU Actual $19 23 $1e 80 $20.40 $21.01 $21.64
Misc./Actual $5 23 $s 38 $5.55 $s.71 $5.88
Misc. Sewer/ Actual $5 23 $5 38 $5.55 $5.71 $5.88
Funeral Home/ Actual $19 23 $19 80 $20.40 $21.01 921.64 lndustrial
Class 1 $10 88 $11.21 $11.54 $11.89 $12.25
Class 1 (per lb. of
biochemical oxygen
demand ("BOD"))
$1.03 $1.06 $1.09 $1.12 $1 16
Class 1 (per lb. of
suspended solids
("ss"))
$0.39 $0.40 $0.41 $0 43 $0.44
Class 2 $22.78 $23.46 $24.17 $24.89 $25.64
Class 2 (per lb. of
BOD) $1.03 $1.06 $1.09 sl.12 $1 .16
Class 2 (per lb. of SS) $0 39 $0.40 $0.41 $0.43 $0 44
S-Year Wastewater Flow Rates I above 10 T al minimum
The foregoing resolution is hereby adopted this 28th day of January 2019 AYES: Cale, Vierra, Ambriz, Creighton NOES: Raymond
ABSENT: None
APP

P L CREIG N, MAYOR
ATTEST:

L MSTRON CITY CLERK

City of Atwater
2025 Urban Water Management Plan
June 2026
J
Appendix J
UWMP Adoption Resolution

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
DRAFT
JUNE 2026
Prepared for:

CITY OF ATWATER
1350 Broadway Avenue
Atwater, CA 95301
(209) 357-6310
Prepared by:

BLACK WATER CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.
602 Lyell Drive
Modesto, CA 95356
(209) 322-1820

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Water Supply Reliability Analysis .......................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Seismic Risk Considerations .......................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Ongoing Reliability Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 4 3 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Procedures ............................................................... 5

3.1 Decision-Making Process .............................................................................................................. 6

3.2 Key Data Inputs and Methodologies ............................................................................................. 7

3.3 Evaluation Criteria ......................................................................................................................... 8

3.4 Water System ................................................................................................................................ 8

3.5 Unconstrained Customer Demand ............................................................................................... 8

3.6 Infrastructure Considerations ....................................................................................................... 9

3.7 Other Factors ................................................................................................................................ 9

3.8 Evaluation of Water Supply and Demands ................................................................................... 9 4 Six Standard Water Shortage Levels ................................................................................................... 10 5 Shortage Response Actions ................................................................................................................ 12

5.1 Supply Augmentation Actions ..................................................................................................... 13

5.2 Demand Reduction Actions ........................................................................................................ 15

5.3 Operational Changes ................................................................................................................... 23

5.4 Additional Mandatory Prohibitions ............................................................................................ 23

5.5 Emergency Response Plan .......................................................................................................... 24

5.6 Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan ............................................................................ 24

5.7 Shortage Response Action Effectiveness .................................................................................... 25 6 Communication Protocols .................................................................................................................. 27

6.1 Communication for Foreseeable Events ..................................................................................... 27

6.2 Communication for Unforeseeable Events ................................................................................. 28 7 Compliance and Enforcement ............................................................................................................ 29 8 Legal Authorities ................................................................................................................................. 30 9 Financial Consequences of WSCP ....................................................................................................... 31 10 Monitoring and Reporting .................................................................................................................. 32 11 WSCP Refinement Procedures ............................................................................................................ 33 12 Special Water Feature Distinction ...................................................................................................... 34 13 Plan Adoption, Submittal and Availability .......................................................................................... 35

LIST OF TABLES
Table 3-1 – AWSDA Key Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 6 Table 4-1 – WSCP Levels (DWR Table 8-1) .................................................................................................. 11 Table 5-1 – Supply Augmentation and Other Actions (DWR Table 8-2 Retail) ........................................... 14 Table 5-2 – Demand Reduction Actions (DWR Table 8-3) .......................................................................... 15 Table 5-3 – Historical Water Production Data ............................................................................................ 22 Table 5-4 – Shortage Gap Estimates ........................................................................................................... 22

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
ii

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3-1 – Example AWSDA and AWSAR Timeline .................................................................................... 7

APPENDICES
Appendix A – Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix B – Notices to Public and Public Outreach Efforts Appendix C – City Resolution adopting WSCP

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
iii

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AWSDA Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment
AWSAR Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report
City City of Atwater
AMC Atwater Municipal Code
CWC California Water Code
DWR Department of Water Resources
ERP Emergency Response Plan
FYE Fiscal Year End
gpcd gallons per capita per day
MG Million Gallons
MJHMP Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
SB Senate Bill
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
WSCP Water Shortage Contingency Plan

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
1 1 Introduction
Water agencies across California face increasing challenges in reliably meeting customer demands due to a combination of population growth, climate change, prolonged droughts, regulatory constraints, and the potential for catastrophic natural or human-caused events. A water shortage occurs when the available water supply is insufficient to meet normally expected customer water use at a given point in time. Recent history, including the severe statewide drought from 2012 through 2016, demonstrated the vulnerability of many water systems and underscored the importance of proactive planning and preparedness.

In response to these challenges, the California State Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606, collectively known as the 2018 Water Conservation Legislation. Among other requirements, this legislation mandates that Urban Water Management Plans (UWMPs) include a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) pursuant to California Water Code (CWC) Section 10632. The WSCP establishes a comprehensive, actionable framework for evaluating water supply reliability and implementing response actions during varying levels of water shortage. While the WSCP is submitted as part of the 2025 UWMP, it is structured as a stand-alone document that may be updated or amended independently, as needed, without requiring amendment of the UWMP itself.

Water shortage contingency planning is a strategic and forward-looking process intended to prepare for and respond to both foreseeable and unforeseeable water supply disruptions. Even where the probability of shortage appears low, a WSCP serves as an essential component of drought and emergency management policy by improving preparedness and reducing the severity of impacts should shortages occur. Drought, regulatory actions, infrastructure failures, seismic events, wildfires, floods, and other natural or man-made disasters may occur with little warning, making advanced planning critical.

The WSCP functions as the Supplier’s operational manual for managing water shortages. It enables near real-time assessment of water supply availability and provides structured, pre-planned response actions aligned with defined levels of shortage. During drought or emergency conditions, the WSCP serves as a roadmap for decision-makers, staff, and the public, allowing for predictable, transparent, and accountable implementation of water shortage response measures. Importantly, Water Code Section 10632.3 directs the State Water Resources Control Board, during a drought emergency, to defer to locally adopted WSCPs to the extent practicable, reinforcing the role of the WSCP in supporting local decision-making.

The WSCP is developed based on a thorough understanding of the Supplier’s water supply reliability, including existing and projected demands, hydrologic variability, regulatory constraints, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the availability of alternative or supplemental supplies. By anticipating both shortterm and long-term risks to supply, the WSCP identifies feasible and locally appropriate actions to manage shortages, minimize service disruptions, and protect public health and safety. In addition, the analysis and response framework documented in the WSCP may support justification for future projects, policies, and programs intended to reduce vulnerability to water shortages.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
2 Pursuant to CWC Section 10632, the WSCP is required to include the following elements:
• Key attributes of the water supply reliability analysis conducted pursuant to CWC Section 10632(a)(1), which evaluates the Supplier’s ability to meet demands under varying hydrologic and operational conditions.
• Six standard water shortage levels corresponding to progressive shortages of up to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 percent, and shortages greater than 50 percent. [CWC Section 10632(a)(3)(A)] • Locally appropriate shortage response actions for each shortage level, including supply augmentation, demand reduction, operational changes, and mandatory water-use prohibitions, along with estimates of the extent to which each action addresses the supply-demand gap. [CWC Section 10632(a)(4)]
• Procedures for conducting an Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment (AWSDA), including the data and methods used to evaluate supply reliability. Urban water suppliers are required to submit an Annual Water Shortage Assessment Report (AWSAR) to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) by July 1 of each year, beginning in the year following adoption of the 2020 UWMP. [CWC Sections 10632(a)(2) and 10632.1]
• Communication protocols and procedures to inform customers, the public, and government entities of current or anticipated water shortages and associated response actions. [CWC Section 10632(a)(5)]
• Customer compliance, enforcement, appeal, and exemption procedures for triggered shortage response actions. [CWC Section 10632(a)(6)]
• Legal authorities, including the authority to implement/enforce shortage response actions, the statement that the supplier shall declare a water shortage emergency under Water Code section 350 et seq., and coordination with cities/counties for possible local emergency proclamation.[CWC Section 10632(a)(7)]
• Financial consequences of and responses to drought conditions, including potential revenue reductions/expense increases, mitigation actions, and, the cost of compliance with Chapter 3.3 regarding excessive residential water use during drought[CWC Section 10632(a)(8)] • Monitoring and reporting procedures to ensure appropriate data collection, track customer compliance, evaluate the effectiveness of response actions, and meet applicable state reporting requirements. [CWC Section 10632(a)(9)]
• A re-evaluation and improvement process to periodically assess the performance and functionality of the WSCP and to make adjustments based on observed conditions, monitoring results, and evolving risks. [CWC Section 10632(a)(10)]

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
3 2 Water Supply Reliability Analysis
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632(a)(1)
The analysis of water supply reliability conducted pursuant to Section 10635.

Water Code Section 10632.5(a)
In addition to the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 10632, beginning January 1, 2020, the plan shall include a seismic risk assessment and mitigation plan to assess the vulnerability of each of the various facilities of a water system and mitigate those vulnerabilities.

In accordance with CWC Section 10632(a)(1), this section presents findings from the City of Atwater’s (City) water system reliability analysis and identifies the key factors that may contribute to future water shortage conditions. This evaluation incorporates projected water use trends from Chapter 4 of the UWMP, the inventory of current and planned water supply sources outlined in Chapter 6, and the water supply reliability and drought risk assessments presented in Chapter 7. The reliability assessment spans the years 2030 through 2050, while the drought risk assessment covers the five-year period from 2026 to 2030. Together, these elements provide a comprehensive understanding of the City’s water resource capacity and its preparedness to respond to potential shortage scenarios.

When water supply shortfalls are anticipated or observed, the City may declare a water shortage level in accordance with this WSCP, as described in Section 4. In response to identified reliability challenges, the City continues to evaluate additional supply, operational, and water management strategies, as documented in Chapter 7 of the City’s 2025 UWMP.

In addition to hydrologic variability, water supply reliability may be affected by factors beyond the City’s direct control, including statewide water supply conditions, actions taken by upstream or neighboring agencies, regulatory changes, and emergency events. A water shortage condition occurs when the available potable water supply is insufficient to meet ordinary water demands necessary to protect public health and safety. While some water shortages may be foreseeable through planning and monitoring, unforeseen or sudden emergency events, such as power outages, infrastructure failures, or seismic events, may also disrupt water supplies.

The City's sole source of drinking water is from the groundwater aquifer underlying the community. The City currently obtains groundwater from approximately nine (9) wells. The City’s wells pump from a nonadjudicated groundwater basin (Merced Subbasin) with no limits on pumping. However, the Merced Subbasin has been identified as being in a critical state of overdraft. Therefore, the future reliability of the groundwater supply will depend on the long-term balance of groundwater extraction and recharge for the Merced Subbasin as a whole.

The City’s 2025 UWMP evaluates the long-term (20-year) and near-term (5-year) supply reliability of the City’s water system, including consideration for a normal year, single dry year, and a 5-year dry period.

Constraints on the water supply reliability for the City are primarily water quantity, water quality, and climate change. The 2025 UWMP estimates that the reliability of the City’s water supply is sufficient to meet long-term and near-term demands based on available information for the groundwater and positive impacts from State requirements for sustainable groundwater management.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
4 2.1 Seismic Risk Considerations
The City relies on water supplies conveyed through the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, which is recognized as vulnerable to seismic events that could disrupt water conveyance, degrade water quality, or result in prolonged supply interruptions. Rather than duplicating a seismic risk assessment within this WSCP, the City satisfies the seismic risk assessment and mitigation requirements of CWC Section 10632.5 by reference to its adopted multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation planning documents.

The City participates in the Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), which evaluates regional seismic hazards, identifies vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure, and outlines mitigation strategies intended to reduce risk and improve system resilience. The MJHMP includes assessment of earthquake hazards applicable to the City and provides mitigation actions relevant to water supply and other essential infrastructure. The applicable hazard mitigation plan is included as Appendix A.

2.2 Ongoing Reliability Evaluation
Consistent with Water Code Section 10632(a)(2), the City will conduct an AWSDA to evaluate near-term water supply reliability under prevailing hydrologic, regulatory, and operational conditions. These AWSDAs will inform the need for implementation, adjustment, or escalation of water shortage response actions under this WSCP as discussed in Section 3. The analyses and response framework contained in this WSCP have been developed in the context of the City’s existing water supply portfolio and reliability evaluations.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
5 3 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Procedures Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632 (a)
Every urban water supplier shall prepare and adopt a water shortage contingency plan as part of its urban water management plan that consists of each of the following elements Water Code Section 10632(a)(2)
The procedures used in conducting an annual water supply and demand assessment that include, at a minimum, both of the following:
(A) The written decision-making process that an urban water supplier will use each year to determine its water supply reliability.
(B) The key data inputs and assessment methodology used to evaluate the urban water supplier’s water supply reliability for the current year and one dry year, including all of the following:
(i) Current year unconstrained demand, considering weather, growth, and other influencing factors, such as policies to manage current supplies to meet demand objectives in future years, as applicable. (ii) Current year available supply, considering hydrological and regulatory conditions in the current year and one dry year. The annual supply and demand assessment may consider more than one dry year solely at the discretion of the urban water supplier.
(iii) Existing infrastructure capabilities and plausible constraints. (iv) A defined set of locally applicable evaluation criteria that are consistently relied upon for each annual water supply and demand assessment.
(v) A description and quantification of each source of water supply.

Water Code Section 10632.1.

An urban water supplier shall conduct an annual water supply and demand assessment pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10632 and, on or before July 1 of each year, submit an annual water shortage assessment report to the department with information for anticipated shortage, triggered shortage response actions, compliance and enforcement actions, and communication actions consistent with the supplier’s water shortage contingency plan. An urban water supplier that relies on imported water from the State Water Project or the Bureau of Reclamation shall submit its annual water supply and demand assessment within 14 days of receiving its final allocations, or by July 1 of each year, whichever is later.

Beginning in 2022, CWC Section 10632.1 requires the City to conduct an AWSDA on or before July 1 of each year and to submit an AWSAR to the California DWR by July 1 annually. The purpose of the AWSDA and AWSAR is to evaluate near-term water supply reliability for the upcoming year and to ensure that appropriate water shortage response actions are identified and implemented in a timely manner, if warranted.

This section of the WSCP describes the procedures used by the City to prepare the AWSDA and AWSAR.

These procedures are intended to establish a clear, consistent process for the annual evaluation of water supply and demand conditions, including the timing, data sources, analytical steps, and decision-making framework used to determine water supply reliability and potential shortage conditions.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
6 The AWSAR will incorporate the results of the AWSDA and identify any recommended water shortage response actions for the current year, consistent with the shortage levels and response actions defined in this WSCP.

The AWSDA will include the following components:

1. Data and methodologies

2. Evaluation criteria

3. Description of the water system

4. Unconstrained customer demand

5. Infrastructure considerations

6. Other relevant factors

7. Water supply and demand evaluation
The specific information and analyses included within each of these components are described in this chapter. Based on the findings of the AWSDA, the AWSAR will document whether water shortage conditions are anticipated and will recommend any triggered shortage response actions in accordance with the WSCP.

3.1 Decision-Making Process
The City Department of Public Works will be responsible for preparation, obtaining formal approval, and submitting the AWSAR to the DWR. Key responsibilities for preparation of the AWSDA and AWSAR are listed in Table 3-1. Early in the process, the key team members will be selected and assigned responsibilities to ensure accurate and timely completion of the documents. Each AWSAR should include a summary of the key members involved and their roles and responsibilities.

Table 3-1 – AWSDA Key Responsibilities
# Activity
1 Convene AWSDA and AWSAR team
2 Information collection and review (see Section 3.2, Key Data Inputs and Methodologies) 3 Prepare draft AWSAR
4 Finalize AWSAR
5 Submit AWSAR to DWR
An example timeline for the decision-making process is provided in Figure 3-1. Actual dates for each activity may vary, however the AWSDA is required to be formally approved and submitted to DWR by July 1 each year.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
7 Figure 3-1 – Example AWSDA and AWSAR Timeline

3.2 Key Data Inputs and Methodologies
Planned water supplies will be used as inputs to the City, which may be used to evaluate the water system reliability for the current year, while considering that the year to follow will be a dry year. To be consistent with the most recently prepared 2025 UWMP, the current year is defined as the calendar year (January 1 – December 31) for the year in which the document is prepared and the year to follow is defined as the subsequent calendar year.

In evaluating available water supplies, the City will consider the following factors:
• Summary of active water supply sources and their capacities; • Monthly water production data for the previous calendar year; • Available weather data for the previous calendar year and current year; • Population data for the previous calendar year and current year; • Growth projections in terms of land use and/or population for the current year; • Recently completed documents and studies related to the water system and water supply sources;
• Recent regulatory documents;
• Water quality data for the previous calendar year;
• Water system improvements completed in the previous calendar year and planned for the next two years;
• Information on issues encountered in water system for the previous calendar year. Issues may include exceeding contaminant limits, breaks in pipeline, and decreased well production; • Current and projected hydrological conditions; and
• Other data which affects the water system.

Planned water supply sources and quantities will be described and will be reasonably consistent with the supply projections presented in Chapter 6 (Normal-Year Water Supply Characterization) of City’s most recent UWMP. If water supply sources or projected quantities differ significantly from those identified in the UWMP, the City will document and explain the basis for the differences.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
8 Planned unconstrained water demands will be used as inputs to the AWSDA for the current year and the subsequent dry year. Unconstrained water demand represents customer demand in the absence of water shortage response actions or conservation measures.

In evaluating water demand, the City will consider the following factors:
• Weather conditions;
• Water year type;
• Population changes, including those associated with development projects; • Anticipated new demands, such as changes in land use; • Pending policy changes that may affect water use; and • Infrastructure operations.

Planned water demand types and quantities will be described and will be reasonably consistent with the demand projections presented in Chapter 4 (Water Use Characterization) of the City’s most recent UWMP.

If projected demands differ significantly from those identified in the UWMP, the City will document and explain the reasons for the differences.

3.3 Evaluation Criteria
In preparing the AWSDA, the City will apply the assessment methodology and evaluation criteria described in this section to evaluate water supply reliability for the current year and one subsequent dry year.

Available water supplies and projected water demands will be compared to assess the reliability of the City’s water supply for the current year and the subsequent dry year. Water supply for a given year will be considered reliable if available supplies are equal to or greater than projected unconstrained water demands. If available supplies are insufficient to meet anticipated demands in either the current year or the subsequent dry year, the magnitude of the supply shortfall will be quantified and used to determine the applicable water shortage condition.

Based on the results of the AWSDA, the City will identify and evaluate appropriate water shortage response actions consistent with the water shortage levels and response actions established in this WSCP.

3.4 Water System
This section of the Annual Assessment should describe the water system, including the water supply facilities and distribution and storage facilities. Information on water quality and historical issues should be included.

3.5 Unconstrained Customer Demand
Unconstrained customer demand for the current year will be developed in this section. The methodology for the calculations should be described in detail. References for the sources and assumptions used should be provided. Unconstrained customer demands for subsequent years may be calculated and included.

Various methods could be used to calculate unconstrained customer demand. The method should be consistent with previous City documents, including the 2025 UWMP. If an alternative method is used, reasons for the change in approach shall be provided. The most common methods will either involve the

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
9 use of population projections and a per capita water demand or water demand factors for various types of land uses and estimates for developed areas, by land use type.

3.6 Infrastructure Considerations
This section should include an evaluation of how the City's infrastructure capabilities and constraints may affect its ability to deliver supplies to meet customer demand in the coming year. Anticipated capital projects that may influence capabilities, such as repairs that may constrain capabilities (e.g., planned treatment plant upgrades) or new projects that may add capacity (e.g., a new groundwater well or system intertie), should be described.

3.7 Other Factors
Other factors that can influence or disrupt the water supply, along with unique local considerations should be described in this portion of the Annual Assessment. These factors may include recent regulatory requirements, documents and studies related to the water system and water supply sources, and weather conditions.

3.8 Evaluation of Water Supply and Demands
This section of the assessment will summarize the projected available water supply for the current year based on the information provided in previous sections of the Annual Assessment. The evaluation criteria will be applied to determine if the available water supply is sufficient to meet unconstrained customer demands.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
10 4 Six Standard Water Shortage Levels
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632(a)(3)
(A) Six standard water shortage levels corresponding to progressive ranges of up to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 percent shortages and greater than 50 percent shortage. Urban water suppliers shall define these shortage levels based on the suppliers’ water supply conditions, including percentage reductions in water supply, changes in groundwater levels, changes in surface elevation or level of subsidence, or other changes in hydrological or other local conditions indicative of the water supply available for use.

Shortage levels shall also apply to catastrophic interruption of water supplies, including, but not limited to, a regional power outage, an earthquake, and other potential emergency events. (B) An urban water supplier with an existing water shortage contingency plan that uses different water shortage levels may comply with the requirement in subparagraph (A) by developing and including a cross-reference relating its existing categories to the six standard water shortage levels.

To provide a consistent regional and statewide framework for communicating the severity of water supply shortage conditions, the 2018 Water Conservation Legislation requires urban water suppliers to define six standard water shortage levels corresponding to progressive ranges of water supply shortages. CWC Section 10632(a)(3) requires these shortage levels to be based on the supplier’s water supply conditions and may consider factors such as percentage reductions in available water supply, changes in groundwater levels, changes in surface water elevations, land subsidence, or other hydrologic or local conditions indicative of the water supply available for use.

In accordance with these requirements, the City adopted the six standard water shortage levels established by the California DWR for inclusion in WSCPs in 2025. These standard shortage levels correspond to progressive water supply shortages of up to 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, and greater than 50 percent from normal reliability conditions. The standard water shortage levels used by the City are consistent with those presented in Table 4-1 (DWR Table 8-1). The water shortage levels and corresponding response actions adopted by the City apply to both foreseeable water supply shortages, such as drought or regulatory curtailments, and unforeseeable supply interruptions, including infrastructure failures or other emergency conditions.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
11 Table 4-1 – WSCP Levels (DWR Table 8-1)
Submittal Table 8-1: Cross-reference for Standard vs Supplier Shortage Levels Water Code Section 10632(a)(3)(B)
Check the box if the Supplier uses the Standard six levels of water shortage.

Proceed to the next table.

Standard Shortage
Levels
Percent Shortage
Range
Suppliers Shortage
Levels
Percent Shortage
Range
1 Up to 10%
2 Up to 20%
3 Up to 30%
4 Up to 40%
5 Up to 50%
6 >50%
NOTES: Shortage Response Level 1 includes prohibition of outdoor water wasting activities, timely leak repair requirements, and education campaigns.

Shortage Response Level 2 includes an increase in landscape irrigation limits.

Shortage Response Level 3 includes prohibition of the use of water which causes flooding, vehicle washing limitations, and no street cleaning.

Shortage Response Level 4 includes prohibition of landscape irrigation.

Shortage Response Level 5 includes a requirement of water served upon request at restaurants, commercial lodging establishment limitation, and decorative water feature limitations.

Each water shortage level provides the basis for implementing graduated water shortage response actions, as described in subsequent sections of this WSCP.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
12 5 Shortage Response Actions
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(4)
Shortage response actions that align with the defined shortage levels and include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(A) Locally appropriate supply augmentation actions.
(B) Locally appropriate demand reduction actions to adequately respond to shortages. (C) Locally appropriate operational changes.
(D) Additional, mandatory prohibitions against specific water use practices that are in addition to statemandated prohibitions and appropriate to the local conditions. (E) For each action, an estimate of the extent to which the gap between supplies and demand will be reduced by implementation of the action.

Water Code Section 10632.2
An urban water supplier shall follow, where feasible and appropriate, the prescribed procedures and implement determined shortage response actions in its water shortage contingency plan, as identified in subdivision (a) of Section 10632, or reasonable alternative actions, provided that descriptions of the alternative actions are submitted with the annual water shortage assessment report pursuant to Section 10632.1. Nothing in this section prohibits an urban water supplier from taking actions not specified in its water shortage contingency plan, if needed, without having to formally amend its urban water management plan or water shortage contingency plan.

CWC Section 10632(a)(4) requires shortage response actions that align with the shortage levels defined in Table 4-1 (DWR Table 8-1) and include locally appropriate supply augmentation actions, demand reduction actions, operational changes, and additional mandatory prohibitions against specific water use practices. An estimate of the extent to which the gap between supplies and demand will be reduced by implementation of the actions must be provided.

The City intends to implement a balanced and flexible approach to water shortage response, integrating demand reduction, supply augmentation, and operational adjustments to address the identified water supply shortfall and the associated shortage level. Response actions will be selected and implemented to reduce the gap between available water supplies and projected demands and to achieve the water use reduction objectives associated with the declared water shortage level.

The City relies on system-wide water metering to monitor water production and customer water use and to evaluate the effectiveness of shortage response actions. The water system is nearly fully metered with over 90% of all services metered, allowing the City to compare current water use to historical use and to establish demand reduction targets.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
13 Water production and customer water use may be evaluated by customer sector or individual account and compared to prior periods to assess trends and compliance with demand reduction goals. This ongoing monitoring allows the City to adjust shortage response actions, as needed, to balance water demands with available supplies. For example, the City may increase public outreach efforts or enhance enforcement of water use restrictions if demand reduction targets are not being met. Conversely, outreach frequency or enforcement intensity may be reduced if demand reductions exceed established targets.

The shortage response actions described in subsequent sections are intended to provide the City with a range of tools to respond effectively to water shortage conditions. Response actions are initiated at the shortage levels identified and may continue or intensify at higher shortage levels. Because the City may continuously monitor conditions and adjust response actions over time, the extent to which individual actions reduce the gap between water supply and demand may be difficult to quantify precisely and is therefore provided as an estimate. Certain response actions, such as public outreach, education, and enforcement, support the effectiveness of other measures and may not have a directly quantifiable water savings when implemented independently.

5.1 Supply Augmentation Actions
The City solely relies on groundwater from wells to supply all water demand in the City and does not currently have alternate water sources for normal or emergency conditions. However, it is likely that in the future, certain groundwater wells will be inactive except during a water shortage event. Table 5-1 (DWR Table 8-2 Retail) lists the supply augmentation strategies that the City currently uses.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
14 Table 5-1 – Supply Augmentation and Other Actions (DWR Table 8-2 Retail) Submittal Table 8-2 Retail: Supply Augmentation and Other Actions Water Code Section 10632(a)(4)(A),(C) and (E)
Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Supply Augmentation
Methods and Other
Actions by Water
Supplier
Drop down list
These are the only categories
that will be accepted by the
WUEdata online submittal tool
How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional Explanation or
Reference
(OPTIONAL) Volume or
Percentage
Drop down
Shortage Gap
Reduction
Value
(May be a range)
(%)
Add additional rows as needed
1-6 Other Actions Percentage 1-10%
Decrease line flushing. The
City decreases the frequency
and duration of water system
flushing maintenance
activities.
1-6 Other Actions Percentage 1-10%
Reduce system water loss.

The City increases efforts to
correct water system losses,
including repairing leaks and
eliminating illicit connections.
1-6 Other Actions Percentage 1-10%
Increase water waste patrols.

The City conducts more
frequent patrols to
discourage water wasting and
correct water wasting
practices in the community.
1-6 Other Actions Percentage 1-10%
Increase frequency of meter
reading. The City may
increase frequency of meter
reading to better track
services that may have leaks
or usually high water
consumption.

DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.

NOTES: Shortage Levels 1-6 Supply Augmentation Actions are going to reduce the shortage gap up to the full shortage amount hence the Shortage Gap Reduction Value as a range. For example: If the City is mandating shortage level 3 demand reduction actions and are only reducing the amount of water usage by 27%, this supply augmentation actions will assist in reaching the specified reduction value.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
15 5.2 Demand Reduction Actions
During water shortage conditions, the City will reduce customer water demand through implementation of the demand reduction actions identified in Table 5-2 (DWR Table 8-3 Retail). Demand reduction actions are organized by water shortage level, and each action includes an estimate of the extent to which its implementation is expected to reduce the gap between available water supply and projected demand.

For each demand reduction action, Table 5-2 (DWR Table 8-3 Retail) also identifies whether compliance measures, such as penalties, charges, or other enforcement mechanisms, may be applied. Demand reduction actions are initiated at the water shortage levels identified and may continue to be implemented or intensified at higher shortage levels, as appropriate.

Table 5-2 – Demand Reduction Actions (DWR Table 8-3)
Submittal Table 8-3 Retail: Demand Reduction Actions
Water Code Section 10632(a)(4)(B) and (E)
Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only categories
that will be accepted by the
WUEdata online submittal
tool. Select those that apply.

How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional
Explanation or
Reference
(OPTIONAL)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
Volume or
Percentage
Drop down
Shortage
Gap
Reduction
Value
(May be a
range)
Add additional rows as needed
1 Expand Public Information
Campaign Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Increases
awareness of
water shortage
levels and
community's
responsibility in
abiding by set
reduction
actions from
the City. The
City distributes
public
information
regarding
water issues in
mass mailing to
all water
services
customers,
through the
No

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
16 Submittal Table 8-3 Retail: Demand Reduction Actions Water Code Section 10632(a)(4)(B) and (E)
Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only categories
that will be accepted by the
WUEdata online submittal
tool. Select those that apply.

How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional
Explanation or
Reference
(OPTIONAL)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
Volume or
Percentage
Drop down
Shortage
Gap
Reduction
Value
(May be a
range)
City's Internet
site, directly to
walk-in
customers at
City Hall, and at
the Public
Works
Department
and the City
Community
Center.
1 Improve Customer Billing Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
The City
encourages
water
conservation
through its
water and
sewer service
rate structure.

No
1 Other Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Offers water
use surveys.

Upon request,
the City
personnel will
perform an
interior and
exterior
inspection of a
customer's
residence or
facility in order
to ascertain
potential
No

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
17 Submittal Table 8-3 Retail: Demand Reduction Actions Water Code Section 10632(a)(4)(B) and (E)
Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only categories
that will be accepted by the
WUEdata online submittal
tool. Select those that apply.

How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional
Explanation or
Reference
(OPTIONAL)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
Volume or
Percentage
Drop down
Shortage
Gap
Reduction
Value
(May be a
range)
sources of
water waste.
1 Other - Customers must
repair leaks, breaks, and
malfunctions in a timely
manner
Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Repair all water
leaks within
five (5) days of
notification by
the City Public
Works
Department
unless other
arrangements
are made with
the City Public
Works Dept.

Yes
1 Other - Require automatic
shut of hoses Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Use a handheld hose
equipped with
a positive shutoff nozzle or
bucket to
water
landscaped
areas.

Yes
1 Other Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Wash vehicle
using a bucket,
not exceeding
5 gallons in
capacity. Avoid
washing during
hot conditions
when
Yes

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
18 Submittal Table 8-3 Retail: Demand Reduction Actions Water Code Section 10632(a)(4)(B) and (E)
Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only categories
that will be accepted by the
WUEdata online submittal
tool. Select those that apply.

How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional
Explanation or
Reference
(OPTIONAL)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
Volume or
Percentage
Drop down
Shortage
Gap
Reduction
Value
(May be a
range)
additional
water is
required due to
evaporation.
1 Other - Prohibit use of
potable water for washing
hard surfaces
Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Exception
allowed for
alleviating
safety or
sanitation
hazards, in
which case,
areas shall be
washed from
water
contained in a
bucket or
container not
exceeding 5
gallons in
capacity.

Yes
1 Other Volume 20 gpcd
Complete
installation of
water meters
to service
connections.

No
1 Other Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Moratorium or
net zero
demand
increase on
new
connections.

The City will
temporarily
Yes

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
19 Submittal Table 8-3 Retail: Demand Reduction Actions Water Code Section 10632(a)(4)(B) and (E)
Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only categories
that will be accepted by the
WUEdata online submittal
tool. Select those that apply.

How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional
Explanation or
Reference
(OPTIONAL)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
Volume or
Percentage
Drop down
Shortage
Gap
Reduction
Value
(May be a
range)
limit or ban
new water
service
connections
within the
service area.
2 Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation to
specific days
Volume 25 gpcd 3 days/week. Yes
2 Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation to
specific times
Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Customers shall
not irrigate any
lawn or
landscape area
between the
hours of 10:00
am and 5:00
pm on any day
of the week.

Yes
3 Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation to
specific days
Volume 30 gpcd 2 days/week Yes
4 Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation to
specific days
Volume 30 gpcd 1 day/week Yes
5-6
Landscape - Limit
landscape irrigation to
specific days
Volume 30 gpcd
Prohibit all
landscape
irrigation.

Yes
5-6
Water Features - Restrict
water use for decorative
water features, such as
fountains
Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Stop operating
ornamental
fountains or
similar
decorative
water features
Yes

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
20 Submittal Table 8-3 Retail: Demand Reduction Actions Water Code Section 10632(a)(4)(B) and (E)
Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only categories
that will be accepted by the
WUEdata online submittal
tool. Select those that apply.

How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional
Explanation or
Reference
(OPTIONAL)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
Volume or
Percentage
Drop down
Shortage
Gap
Reduction
Value
(May be a
range)
unless recycled
water is used.
5-6 CII - Restaurants may only
serve water upon request
Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Serve and refill
water in
restaurants and
other food
service
establishments
only upon
request.

Yes
5-6 Other water feature or
swimming pool restriction Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Initial filling of
swimming
pools or
otherwise of
the full
capacity of a
pool over 2,500
gallons is
prohibited.

Emptying and
refilling all
pools is
prohibited.

Yes
5-6
CII - Lodging establishment
must offer opt out of linen
service
Volume
Supports
other
demand
reduction
actions
Offers guests in
hotels, motels,
and other
commercial
lodging
establishments
the option of
not laundering
Yes

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
21 Submittal Table 8-3 Retail: Demand Reduction Actions Water Code Section 10632(a)(4)(B) and (E)
Yes Is the Supplier completing this table using the standard six levels? (yes/no) Shortage
Level
Demand Reduction
Actions
Drop down list
These are the only categories
that will be accepted by the
WUEdata online submittal
tool. Select those that apply.

How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional
Explanation or
Reference
(OPTIONAL)
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
For Retail
Suppliers Only
Drop Down List
Volume or
Percentage
Drop down
Shortage
Gap
Reduction
Value
(May be a
range)
towels and
linens daily.

DWR NOTES: Units of measure (AF, CCF, MG) must remain consistent throughout the UWMP as reported in Submittal Table 2-3.

NOTES: Shortage Gap Reduction Value units are in gpcd to effectively depict the volume of shortage on a per capita basis. For the first violation, the consumer shall be issued an administrative citation with a warning. For the second violation, the consumer shall be issued an administrative citation in the amount of $50. For the third violation, the consumer shall be issued an administrative citation in the amount of $75. For the fourth violation, the consumer shall be issued an administrative citation in the amount of $250.

Water use reductions for each demand reduction action included in Table 5-2 (DWR Table 8-3 Retail) were estimated based on information from water conservation studies and an analysis of historical per capita water production data for the City between 2021 and 2025. Most of the demand reduction is assumed to occur from restrictions on landscape irrigation.

Water use reduction associated with the demand reduction actions for shortage levels 1 and 2 was primarily assigned to limiting landscape irrigation to a three-day water schedule and estimated to be the difference between the 2020 target per capita gross water use of 254 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) from the Senate Bill (SB) X7-7 tables in the 2025 UWMP and the average per capita baseline water use of 203 gpcd, achieved between 2021 and 2025. SB X7-7 refers to the Water Conservation Act of 2009 which required that all California water suppliers increase their water use efficiency, including achieving a 20 percent reduction in urban in per capita water use by December 31, 2020.

Water use reduction associated with reducing landscape irrigation by one day was estimated by comparing the average water use for the three lowest months of each year with the annual average water use for the year on a per capita basis for 2021 – 2025, and assuming that outdoor water use was occurring three days per week. The overall difference between outdoor water use and baseline water use was divided by three to estimate landscape irrigation water use per day. Tables 5-3 and 5-4 summarize the calculations for estimating the impacts of the demand reduction actions.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
22 Table 5-3 – Historical Water Production Data
Water Pumped (Million Gallons (MG))
Year
Month # of days 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
January 31 120.6 71.5 110.8 106.0 111.6
February 28 146.2 133.4 97.9 96.4 98.5
March 31 160.6 181.1 109.9 123.1 109.3
April 30 236.3 199.9 169.9 159.5 170.8
May 31 280.3 269.1 226.9 214.0 238.0
June 30 289.9 304.5 284.1 274.0 268.3
July 31 339.1 311.6 332.3 298.1 280.9
August 31 324.1 290.3 310.1 227.1 285.2
September 30 284.1 230.7 233.5 239.3 251.5
October 31 195.3 128.4 185.1 225.2 182.2
November 30 134.4 155.3 133.1 144.4 120.0
December 31 114.4 119.0 127.1 109.1 103.4
Total 2,625.4 2,394.8 2,320.6 2,216.4 2,219.8
Population 31,996 31,735 31,592 31,921 31,862
Average water use, gpcd 225 207 201 190 191
5-year average water use, gpcd 203
Baseline water use(lowest 3 months), MG 369.4 318.9 318.5 311.5 311.3 Baseline, gpcd 125 108 112 108 109
5-year baseline water use, gpcd 113
Estimated outdoor water use, gpcd 99 99 89 82 82
5-year average outdoor water use, gpcd 90
Table 5-4 – Shortage Gap Estimates
# Description Value
(1) Average Water Use without Demand Reduction Actions, gpcd (SB X7-7 2020 Target)
254
(2) Average Water Use after Shortage Level 1 and 2 Actions, gpcd (Average water use, 2021-2025)
203
(3) Estimated Reduction in Shortage Gap from Level 1 and 2 Actions, gpcd 51 (4) Average outdoor water use (3-day watering schedule), gpcd 90 (5) Reduction in Shortage Gap by one day reduction in watering schedule, gpcd 30 Notes:
(2) Average Water Use after Shortage Level 1 and 2 Actions = Average water use from Table 5-3. (3) Estimated Reduction in Shortage Gap from Level 1 and 2 Actions = (1) Average Water Use without Demand Reduction Actions - (2) Average Water Use after Shortage Level 1 and 2 Actions. (4) Average outdoor water use (3-day watering schedule) = Average outdoor water use from Table 5-3. (5) Reduction in Shortage Gap by one day reduction in watering schedule = (4) ÷ 2, rounded.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
23 5.3 Operational Changes
During a water shortage at any declared level, the City may implement operational measures to support effective implementation of this WSCP. Operational changes may include, but are not limited to:
• Expand public information campaign.
• Implement or modify drought rate structure or surcharge. • Offer water use surveys.
• Decrease line flushing.
• Increase water waste patrols.

Operational measures may support a range of functions, including conducting water waste patrols, implementing communication and public outreach protocols, responding to customer service inquiries, scheduling and conducting site assessments and consultations, processing incentive or rebate applications, and carrying out compliance monitoring and enforcement activities.

In addition, the City may implement operational adjustments intended to reduce non-essential water use, such as limiting routine water main flushing activities where operationally feasible and restricting potable water use for fire department training drills, consistent with public health and safety requirements.

Operational changes will be evaluated at each water shortage level to determine the appropriateness, timing, and duration of implementation, based on prevailing water supply conditions, operational needs, and system reliability considerations.

5.4 Additional Mandatory Prohibitions
Chapter 13 Section 13.030 of the Atwater Municipal Code (AMC) includes the following mandatory prohibitions for all users:

1. Water abuse is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly or willingly cause or allow any water delivered by the City water system and received by such person to become water waste runoff and to flow away from property owned or occupied by such person in any gutter, ditch, or other manner over the surface of the ground. The definition of water abuse is excessive water flowing over the curb resulting in water running in the gutter a distance of 50 feet or directly into a catch basin.

2. Water waste runoff shall mean water flowing away from property caused by excessive application(s) of water delivered by the City water system beyond reasonable or practical flow rates, water volumes or duration of application.

3. Broken or defective plumbing, sprinklers, watering, or irrigation systems which permit the escape or leakage of water are prohibited. Repair all water leaks within five days of notification by the City Public Works Department unless other arrangements are made with the City Public Works Department.

4. The use of water in any manner which causes, allows, or permits the flooding of any premises, or any portion thereof, is prohibited.

5. All uses of non-potable water without the permission of the Public Works Department are prohibited.

6. Stop washing down paved surfaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, or patios, except when it is necessary to alleviate safety or sanitation hazards, in

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
24 which case, such areas shall be washed from water contained in a bucket or container not exceeding five gallons in capacity.

7. Use a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle or bucket to water landscaped areas, including trees and shrubs located on residential and commercial properties that are not irrigated by a landscape irrigation system.

8. Stop operating ornamental fountains or similar decorative water features unless recycled water is used.

9. Wash vehicles using a bucket, not exceeding five gallons in capacity, and a hand-held hose with positive shut-off nozzle, mobile high pressure/low volume wash system, or at a commercial site that re-circulates (reclaims) water on-site. Avoid washing during hot conditions when additional water is required due to evaporation.

10. Serve and refill water in restaurants and other food service establishments only upon request.

11. Offer guests in hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging establishments the option of not laundering towels and linens daily.

12. Initial filling of new swimming pools or otherwise of the full capacity of a pool is allowed with permit. Draining and refilling pools are allowed for maintenance and cleaning with permit.

13. The application of water from public water supply to outdoor landscapes during or within 48 hours after any measurable rainfall is prohibited.

Chapter 13.13.030 of the AMC also includes additional mandatory prohibitions applicable to gardens and landscaping and new plantings. While the AMC establishes enforceable water-waste prohibitions applicable at all times, formal water shortage levels and associated response actions are defined in this WSCP pursuant to CWC Section 10632.

5.5 Emergency Response Plan
The water shortage levels described in Section 4 apply to both foreseeable and unforeseeable water supply shortage conditions, including catastrophic water supply emergencies.

The City maintains an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to address catastrophic and unanticipated water supply disruptions. Emergency response activities related to water supply shortages are coordinated, as appropriate, with the Merced County Office of Emergency Services. The ERP outlines response procedures for a range of unforeseen incidents, including but not limited to water supply contamination, seismic events, major infrastructure failures, and other emergencies that may disrupt water system operations.

The ERP identifies actions to be implemented in advance of, during, and following emergency events to support continuity of service, protect public health and safety, and facilitate system recovery. For security and operational reasons, the ERP is maintained as a confidential document and is not included as an appendix to this WSCP.

5.6 Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632.5
(a) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 10632, beginning January 1, 2020, the plan shall include a seismic risk assessment and mitigation plan to assess the vulnerability of each of the various facilities of a water system and mitigate those vulnerabilities.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
25 (b) An urban water supplier shall update the seismic risk assessment and mitigation plan when updating its urban water management plan as required by Section 10621. (c) An urban water supplier may comply with this section by submitting, pursuant to Section 10644, a copy of the most recent adopted local hazard mitigation plan or multihazard mitigation plan under the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) if the local hazard mitigation plan or multihazard mitigation plan addresses seismic risk.

CWC Section 10632.5(a) requires UWMPs to include a seismic risk assessment and mitigation plan to evaluate and address a water system’s potential seismic vulnerabilities. This requirement may be satisfied by incorporating an adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan or a Risk and Resilience Assessment, provided the document addresses seismic risk.

The City is located within Merced County and is included within the 2021-2026 County’s MJHMP. A copy of the 2021-2026 MJHMP is included in Appendix A. The plan was prepared in coordination with the Health and Safety Element of the Merced County General Plan, as the planning effort covers common overlapping issues. The plan is a multi-jurisdictional plan that covers the City of Atwater, City of Livingston, City of Los Banos, and the unincorporated Merced County. The plan addresses seismic risk and satisfies the requirement of CWC Section 10632.5(a).

5.7 Shortage Response Action Effectiveness
The effectiveness of the City’s shortage response actions will be evaluated through ongoing monitoring of water supply conditions, customer water use, and compliance with adopted water use restrictions.

Because water shortage conditions may result from a variety of foreseeable and unforeseeable circumstances, the effectiveness of individual response actions may vary depending on the severity, duration, timing, and cause of the shortage.

The City will use water production and customer water use data collected through its metered water system to compare actual water use against projected demands and the demand reduction targets associated with each declared water shortage level.

Certain shortage response actions are expected to result in measurable reductions in water demand.

Other actions, including public outreach, education, and communication efforts, support the overall effectiveness of the City’s water shortage response but may not be independently quantifiable. These supporting actions are nonetheless essential to promoting public awareness, encouraging voluntary conservation, and reinforcing mandatory requirements.

The City will evaluate the effectiveness of shortage response actions using multiple indicators, including, but not limited to:
• Progress toward achieving the demand reduction targets associated with the declared water shortage level;
• Trends in total system water use and water use by customer sector; • The number and nature of reported or observed water waste violations; • Customer compliance rates and enforcement outcomes; and • Input and feedback from City staff and the public.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
26 If monitoring indicates that implemented shortage response actions are not sufficient to address the identified supply shortfall, the City may intensify existing actions, implement additional measures identified in this WSCP, or advance to a higher water shortage level, as appropriate. Conversely, if water supply conditions improve or demand reductions exceed targets, the City may modify or relax response actions while continuing to ensure water supply reliability.

The results of this evaluation will inform the City’s AWSDA, ongoing operational decision-making, and future refinements to the WSCP, consistent with the adaptive management approach described in Section

11.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
27 6 Communication Protocols
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(5)
Communication protocols and procedures to inform customers, the public, interested parties, and local, regional, and state governments, regarding, at a minimum, all of the following:
(A) Any current or predicted shortages as determined by the annual water supply and demand assessment described pursuant to Section 10632.1.
(B) Any shortage response actions triggered or anticipated to be triggered by the annual water supply and demand assessment described pursuant to Section 10632.1. (C) Any other relevant communications
In the event of a water shortage, the City will provide timely and effective communication to customers, the general public, interested parties, and relevant local, regional, and state agencies. Clear and consistent communication is essential to ensure appropriate response actions, public awareness, and regulatory coordination during both foreseeable and unforeseeable water shortage conditions.

This section describes City’s communication protocols for anticipated water shortages identified through planning and assessment activities, as well as for unanticipated emergency events.

6.1 Communication for Foreseeable Events
Water shortage conditions may be foreseeable when identified through the AWSDA, as described in Section 3. When the potential for a water shortage is identified, the City’s Council may determine and declare a water shortage emergency in accordance with the AMC.

The City will hold a duly noticed public meeting to present the current or projected water shortage conditions identified through the AWSDA. At the public meeting, the City Council will determine whether a water shortage emergency exists, the severity of the shortage, and the applicable water shortage level.

The City Council will also consider the shortage response actions triggered or anticipated to be triggered by the declared shortage level and may take action to adopt a resolution declaring a water shortage emergency, establishing the applicable shortage level, and authorizing implementation of response actions.

For foreseeable water shortage events, the City may implement one or more of the following communication actions at any water shortage level, as appropriate:

1. Coordinate internally and with regional water service providers and Merced County regarding the potential proclamation of a local emergency.

2. Issue public notice of City Council meetings at which AWSDA findings and recommendations related to water shortage conditions and response actions will be presented.

3. Communicate water shortage conditions, response actions, and customer responsibilities through a combination of bill inserts, newsletters, the City website, social media, press releases, and blog posts.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
28 4. Communicate with relevant local, regional, and state agencies and officials, primarily through email correspondence.

6.2 Communication for Unforeseeable Events
Water shortages may also result from unforeseeable events such as earthquakes, fires, infrastructure failures, civil unrest, or other catastrophic incidents. In these circumstances, communication protocols and procedures outlined in City’s ERP will guide notification and public information activities. Depending on the nature and severity of the event, the City may implement communication actions at any water shortage level.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
29 7 Compliance and Enforcement
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(6)
For an urban retail water supplier, customer compliance, enforcement, appeal, and exemption procedures for triggered shortage response actions as determined pursuant to Section 10632.2.

Chapter 13 Section 13.040 of the AMC describes enforcement, appeal, and exemption procedures for City water code violations which apply to violations of City shortage response actions. Violations are declared a public nuisance and may be subject to misdemeanor prosecution, administrative citations, and monetary penalties. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense. Administrative enforcement follows a progressive approach, beginning with a warning for a first violation and escalating penalties for repeated violations within a one-year period. For chronic violations, the City may require installation of a water meter at the property owner's expense where one does not already exist.

Any person receiving an administrative citation may appeal the action by submitting a written request to the City Clerk within ten days of service of the citation. Appeals are heard by a hearing officer appointed by the City Manager, whose decision constitutes the City's final administrative determination. Exemptions from shortage response actions may be granted by the City in accordance with applicable provisions of the AMC and this Water Shortage Contingency Plan.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
30 8 Legal Authorities
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632 (a)(7)
(A) A description of the legal authorities that empower the urban water supplier to implement and enforce its shortage response actions specified in paragraph (4) that may include, but are not limited to, statutory authorities, ordinances, resolutions, and contract provisions. (B) A statement that an urban water supplier shall declare a water shortage emergency in accordance with Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 350) of Division 1. [see below] (C) A statement that an urban water supplier shall coordinate with any city or county within which it provides water supply services for the possible proclamation of a local emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code.

Water Code Section Division 1, Section 350
Declaration of water shortage emergency condition. The governing body of a distributor of a public water supply, whether publicly or privately owned and including a mutual water company, shall declare a water shortage emergency condition to prevail within the area served by such distributor whenever it finds and determines that the ordinary demands and requirements of water consumers cannot be satisfied without depleting the water supply of the distributor to the extent that there would be insufficient water for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection.

Chapter 13 Section 13 of the AMC provides the City the authority to implement and enforce its shortage response actions. When the conditions deem it necessary, the City shall declare a water shortage emergency in accordance with Water Code Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 350) of Division 1 general provision regarding water shortage emergencies. Because the City is also the water supplier, City staff can coordinate the possible proclamation of a local emergency under California Government Code, California Emergency Services Act (Article 2, Section 8558).

CWC Division 1, Section 350 provides that:
“…The governing body of a distributor of a public water supply…shall declare a water shortage emergency condition to prevail within the area served by such distributor whenever it finds and determines that the ordinary demands and requirements of water consumers cannot be satisfied without depleting the water supply of the distributor to the extent that there would be insufficient water for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection.”
Declaration of a water shortage emergency under this authority triggers implementation of the communication protocols described in Section 6 and the compliance and enforcement procedures described in Section 7 of this WSCP.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
31 9 Financial Consequences of WSCP
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632(a)(8)
A description of the financial consequences of, and responses for, drought conditions, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A) A description of potential revenue reductions and expense increases associated with activated shortage response actions described in paragraph (4).
(B) A description of mitigation actions needed to address revenue reductions and expense increases associated with activated shortage response actions described in paragraph (4). (C) A description of the cost of compliance with Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 365) of Division

1. Revenues required to operate and maintain the City’s water system are generated through customer water rates. The City has adopted a water rate that was effective on February 1, 2019. Rate increases were increased on July 1st each year of the notice period from fiscal year end (FYE) 2019 to FYE 2023. The adopted water rate consists of fixed charges for metered and non-metered customers and water commodity rates.

During periods when water shortage response actions are implemented, overall water sales revenues are expected to decline as a result of reduced water consumption. However, the costs for operating the water system will not correspondingly decrease. There may also be additional costs associated with implementing the shortage response actions and enforcing compliance. The City annually adopts a budget for the upcoming fiscal year for the water enterprise funds. The budget summarizes the projected revenues and expenses for the City’s water production and distribution system for the upcoming fiscal year and the amended budget for the previous fiscal year. To mitigate reductions in revenue and increases in expenses associated with reduced consumption, the City may decide to use financial reserves, defer capital replacement projects or operations and maintenance activities, and/or re-evaluate the water rates to implement a drought rate structure or surcharge.

Compliance costs associated with Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 365) of Division 1 of the CWC are not anticipated to be significant. If necessary, the City may implement additional financial strategies to address potential revenue shortfalls resulting from reduced water sales. These strategies may include the use of financial reserves, deferral of capital improvement projects, reductions in current and future operation and maintenance expenditures, and completion of a future water rate study.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
32 10 Monitoring and Reporting
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632(a)(9)
For an urban retail water supplier, monitoring and reporting requirements and procedures that ensure appropriate data is collected, tracked, and analyzed for purposes of monitoring customer compliance and to meet state reporting requirements.

The City’s water system has over 90 percent of all services equipped with water meters through individual customer connections. Metering data are used as primary tools for monitoring water use, assessing compliance with water shortage response actions, and supporting reporting requirements associated with this WSCP.

Water use data will be evaluated regularly to determine whether demand reduction goals associated with declared water shortage levels are being achieved. If reduction targets are not met during implementation of the WSCP at any water shortage stage, the City Council will be notified and recommended additional or more aggressive response actions, as appropriate.

Monitoring results may also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of WSCP measures and to identify opportunities for improvement. If revisions to the WSCP are determined to be necessary to better achieve demand reduction objectives or address changing conditions, the City will update the WSCP in accordance with the procedures described in Section 11 and make the revised plan available as described in Section

13.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
33 11 WSCP Refinement Procedures
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632(a)(10)
Reevaluation and improvement procedures for systematically monitoring and evaluating the functionality of the water shortage contingency plan in order to ensure shortage risk tolerance is adequate and appropriate water shortage mitigation strategies are implemented as needed.

This WSCP is intended to function as an adaptive management document and may be refined as necessary to ensure that City’s shortage response actions and mitigation strategies remain effective and achieve the intended outcomes. Based on monitoring activities described in Section 10, and the compliance and enforcement results described in Section 7, the City may adjust response actions and revise this WSCP to address changing conditions, implementation challenges, or observed performance.

When revisions to the WSCP are proposed, the updated plan will undergo the adoption process described in Section 13, including consideration by the City Council and distribution to Merced County, City customers, and the general public, as applicable.

Feedback from the City staff and the public is an important component of the WSCP refinement process.

The City will seek input from staff who regularly interact with customers and implement water shortage response actions to assess the practicality and effectiveness of existing measures and to identify potential improvements or new actions.

Customer water use data may be evaluated by customer sector or by individual account to assess the effectiveness of demand reduction measures and compliance trends. The City will track water use violations and may evaluate their frequency and characteristics to identify restrictions that may be difficult for customers to comply with, as well as demand reduction actions that are particularly effective.

The City will also seek input from customers and the general public through its website and during regularly scheduled City Council meetings to inform future refinements to the WSCP.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
34 12 Special Water Feature Distinction
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632 (b)
For purposes of developing the water shortage contingency plan pursuant to subdivision (a), an urban water supplier shall analyze and define water features that are artificially supplied with water, including ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and fountains, separately from swimming pools and spas, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 115921 of the Health and Safety Code.

In accordance with Water Code Section 10632 (b), swimming pools and spas are considered different from other water features that are artificially supplied with water, including ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and fountains. The City follows the definition of a swimming pool found in the Swimming Pool Safety Act.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
35 13 Plan Adoption, Submittal and Availability
Legal Requirements:

Water Code Section 10632(c)
The urban water supplier shall make available the water shortage contingency plan prepared pursuant to this article to its customers and any city or county within which it provides water supplies no later than 30 days after adoption of the water shortage contingency plan.

Water Code Section 10642
…Prior to adopting either [UWMP and WSCP], the urban water supplier shall make both the plan [UWMP] and water shortage contingency plan available for public inspection and shall hold a public hearing or hearings thereon…After the hearing or hearings, the plan [UWMP] or water shortage contingency plan shall be adopted as prepared or as modified after the hearing or hearings.

Water Code Section 10640
(b) …The supplier shall likewise periodically review the water shortage contingency plan as required by paragraph (10) of subdivision (a) of Section 10632 and any amendments or changes required as a result of that review shall be adopted pursuant to this article [Article 3 Sections 10640 -10645] Water Code Section 10644(a)(2)(b)
If an urban water supplier revises its water shortage contingency plan the supplier shall submit to the department a copy of it water shortage contingency plan prepared pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 10632 [required elements of a WSCP] no later than 30 days after adoption, in accordance with protocols for submission and using electronic reporting tools developed by the department.

This WSCP is adopted concurrently with the City’s 2025 UWMP, by separate resolution. Prior to adoption, a duly noticed public hearing was conducted on June 22, 2026, at the City Council Chambers at 750 Bellevue Road, Atwater, California. During this hearing, City water users and members of the general public were given an opportunity to review the 2025 WSCP and ask questions. A hard copy and electronic copy of this WSCP will be submitted to DWR within 30 days of adoption. Refer to Appendix B for public notices and outreach efforts along with the notices’ submittal dates in accordance with CWC requirements.

No later than 30 days after submittal to DWR, copies of this WSCP will be available at the City’s offices. A copy will also be provided to Merced County. An electronic copy of this WSCP will also be available for public review and download on the City’s website. A copy of the City resolution is included in Appendix C.

City of Atwater
Water Shortage Contingency Plan
June 2026
A
Appendix A
Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL

HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
2021-2026

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents
2021-2026 Update Page i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................1-1

1.1 Purpose of Plan................................................................................................................................................1-1

1.2 State and Local Regulatory Framework .................................................................................................1-1

1.3 Background and Scope.................................................................................................................................1-1

1.4 Multi-Jurisdictional Planning......................................................................................................................1-3

1.5 Plan Organization............................................................................................................................................1-3 2 Community Profile and Capability Assessment...................................................................................................2-1

2.1 History .................................................................................................................................................................2-1

2.2 Geography and Climate................................................................................................................................2-3

2.3 Economy .............................................................................................................................................................2-3

2.4 Population..........................................................................................................................................................2-4

2.5 County’s Mitigation Capabilities ...............................................................................................................2-5

2.5.1 Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities ..........................................................................................2-6

2.5.2 Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities......................................................2-9

2.5.3 Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities .................................................................................................. 2-11

2.5.4 Other Mitigation Programs and Partnerships.................................................................. 2-11

2.5.5 Opportunities for Enhancement............................................................................................ 2-12 3 Planning Process ..............................................................................................................................................................3-1

3.1 Background on Mitigation Planning in Merced County..................................................................3-1

3.2 What’s New in the Plan Update ................................................................................................................3-1

3.2.1 Plan Section Review and Analysis – 2021 Update.............................................................3-2

3.3 Multi-Jurisdictional Participation ..............................................................................................................3-4

3.4 Planning Process .............................................................................................................................................3-5

3.4.1 Phase 1: Organize Resources.....................................................................................................3-6

3.4.2 Planning Step 3: Coordinate with Other Departments and Agencies .................... 3-12

3.4.3 Phase 2: Assess Risks.................................................................................................................. 3-15

3.4.4 Phase 3: Develop the Mitigation Plan ................................................................................. 3-16

3.4.5 Phase 4: Implement the Plan and Monitor Progress..................................................... 3-16 4 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment...........................................................................................................4-1

4.1 Hazard Identification .....................................................................................................................................4-2

4.1.1 Overall Hazard Significance Summary ...................................................................................4-3

4.1.2 Non-Profiled Hazards ...................................................................................................................4-4

4.1.3 Disaster Declaration History.......................................................................................................4-5

4.1.4 Climate Change Considerations Summary...........................................................................4-6

4.1.5 Overview of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment................................................4-7 Asset Summary .................................................................................................................................................................4-8

4.1.6 Assets Exposure...............................................................................................................................4-8

4.2 Hazard Analysis and Risk Summary...................................................................................................... 4-21

4.2.1 Dam Incidents............................................................................................................................... 4-21

4.2.2 Drought........................................................................................................................................... 4-35

4.2.3 Earthquake ..................................................................................................................................... 4-47

4.2.4 Flood & Levee Failure................................................................................................................ 4-67

4.2.5 Landslide......................................................................................................................................... 4-87

4.2.6 Severe Weather: General .......................................................................................................... 4-93

4.2.7 Severe Weather: Extreme Temperatures: Freeze and Extreme Heat....................... 4-94

4.2.8 Severe Weather: Dense Fog ..................................................................................................4-101

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4.2.9 Severe Weather: Heavy Rain .................................................................................................4-106

4.2.10 Severe Weather: High Wind/Tornado...............................................................................4-115

4.2.11 Subsidence...................................................................................................................................4-127

4.2.12 Wildfire ..........................................................................................................................................4-133

4.2.13 Hazardous Materials Incidents.............................................................................................4-151

4.2.14 Cyber Attack ................................................................................................................................4-160

4.2.15 Agricultural Pests and Disease .............................................................................................4-165

4.2.16 Pandemics/Epidemics..............................................................................................................4-171 5 Mitigation Strategy .........................................................................................................................................................5-1

5.1 Mitigation Goals and Objectives...............................................................................................................5-1

5.1.1 Continued Compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) ..........5-3

5.2 Identification and Analysis of Mitigation Actions ..............................................................................5-4

5.2.1 Prioritization Process.....................................................................................................................5-5

5.3 Mitigation Strategy Action Plan ................................................................................................................5-7

5.3.1 Progress on Previous Mitigation Actions..............................................................................5-7

5.3.2 Updated Action Plan .....................................................................................................................5-8 6 Plan Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance ...........................................................................................6-1

6.1 Adoption.............................................................................................................................................................6-1

6.2 Implementation ...............................................................................................................................................6-1

6.2.1 Role of the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team in Implementation and Maintenance .....................................................................................................................................................6-2

6.3 Maintenance .....................................................................................................................................................6-2

6.3.1 Maintenance Schedule.................................................................................................................6-2

6.3.2 Maintenance and Evaluation Process.....................................................................................6-3

6.3.3 Incorporation into Existing Planning Mechanisms............................................................6-4

6.3.4 Continued Public Involvement..................................................................................................6-5 7 Plan Adoption ...................................................................................................................................................................7-1

7.1 Element E.1 Formal Adoption Documentation....................................................................................7-1 8 References ..........................................................................................................................................................................8-1

LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A: Planning Team
Appendix B: Planning Process Documentation
Appendix C: Approval and Adoption
Appendix D: Mitigation Categories and Alternatives
Appendix E: Annual Progress Meeting Agenda and Report Template Appendix F: Outreach Strategy

LIST OF ANNEXES
Annex A: City of Atwater
Annex B: City of Dos Palos
Annex C: City of Gustine
Annex D: City of Livingston
Annex E: City of Los Banos
Annex F: City of Merced

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Introduction
2021-2026 Update Page 1-1
1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of Plan
Merced County including the participating jurisdictions of the have prepared this multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan (MJHMP) to guide hazard mitigation planning to better protect the people and property of the County from the effects of hazard events. This plan demonstrates the community’s commitment to reducing risks from hazards and serves as a tool to help decision makers direct mitigation activities and resources. This plan was also developed to make Merced County and the participating jurisdictions eligible for certain federal disaster assistance, specifically, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, as well as to make the County and jurisdictions more disaster resistant. This plan demonstrates the County’s commitment to reducing risks from hazards and serves as a tool to help decision makers direct mitigation activities and resources.

1.2 State and Local Regulatory Framework
The MJHMP was prepared consistent with the Health and Safety Element of the Merced County General Plan, as the planning effort covers common overlapping natural hazard issues and mutually reinforcing policies and implementation programs. The MJHMP and Health and Safety Element are considered complimentary documents that address natural hazards, and both planning documents contain goals, policies, and project actions or implementation programs to enhance the County’s mitigation efforts related to public safety.

California Government Code Section 65302.10, also referred to as Assembly Bill (AB) 2140 encourages California counties and cities to adopt their current, FEMA-approved LHMPs into the Safety Element of their General Plan. This adoption by reference or incorporation of the MJHMP into the Safety Element of the General Plan follows plan approval and makes Merced County and each participating jurisdiction eligible to be considered for part or all of its local share costs on eligible public assistance funding to be provided by the state through the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA). The CDAA allows the state to pay up to 18.75 percent of the non-federal share that would otherwise fall upon the county or city to pay for public assistance projects. The legislature passed AB 2140 to provide additional funding after a disaster occurs. The local share is 25 percent of the total project cost; therefore, the legislation allows city and counties that comply to be eligible for only the remaining local share (6.25 percent).

AB 2140 is an optional state incentive to help counties and cities become more resilient to natural hazards. Compliance with AB 2140 also expires when the MJHMP expires, and the County must re-adopt the plan into the Safety Element during update cycles to ensure continued compliance and funding eligibility. Additionally, each participating jurisdiction in Merced County must adopt their annex into their own General Plan Safety Element, as the annex jurisdictions are not covered under the County’s General Plan Safety Element adoption.

1.3 Background and Scope
Each year in the United States, disasters take the lives of hundreds of people and injure thousands more.

Nationwide, taxpayers pay billions of dollars annually to help communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals recover from disasters. These monies only partially reflect the true cost of disasters, because

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Introduction
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additional expenses to insurance companies and nongovernmental organizations are not reimbursed by tax dollars. Many disasters are predictable, and much of the damage caused by these events can be alleviated or even eliminated.

Hazard mitigation is defined by FEMA as “any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property from a hazard event.” The results of a three-year, congressionally mandated independent study to assess future savings from mitigation activities provides evidence that mitigation activities are highly cost-effective. On average, each dollar spent on mitigation saves society an average of $6 in avoided future losses in addition to saving lives and preventing injuries (Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report).

Hazard mitigation planning is the process through which hazards that threaten communities are identified; likely impacts are determined, prioritized and implemented. This plan continues the hazard mitigation planning process for Merced County, the unincorporated county, and the participating cities of Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, Los Banos, and Merced. The plan identifies natural and human caused hazards and risks within Merced County, and identifies the hazard mitigation strategy to reduce vulnerability and make the communities of Merced County more disaster resistant and sustainable.

Information in this plan can be used to help guide and coordinate mitigation activities and local land use decisions. Proactive mitigation planning will help reduce the cost of disaster response and recovery to the community and its property owners by protecting critical community facilities, reducing liability exposure, and minimizing overall community impacts and disruption. The Merced County planning area has been affected by hazards in the past and is thus committed to reducing future disaster impacts and maintaining eligibility for federal funding.

This plan underwent a comprehensive update in 2021 in fulfillment of the five-year update requirement.

Several factors underscore the need for this planning effort:
● Merced County is exposed to hazards that have caused past damage. ● Limited local resources make it difficult to be pre-emptive in reducing risk. Eligibility for federal financial assistance is paramount to promote successful hazard mitigation in the area. ● Merced County and its partners participating in this plan want to be proactive in preparing for the probable impacts of natural hazards.

This MJHMP was originally prepared in 2014, pursuant to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) and the implementing regulations set forth by the Interim Final Rule published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2002 (44 CFR §201.6) . Hereafter, these requirements and regulations will be referred to collectively as the Disaster Mitigation Act, or DMA. While the act emphasized the need for mitigation plans and more coordinated mitigation planning and implementation efforts, the regulations established the requirements that local hazard mitigation plans (LHMPs) must meet in order for a local jurisdiction to be eligible for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (Public Law 93-288).

Because the Merced County planning and response area is subject to many kinds of hazards, access to these programs is vital. As a result, the County and their participating jurisdictions completed a comprehensive plan update process in 2021 to bring the MJHMP into compliance with recent legislation related to climate change and to address new human health and natural hazards and emerging concerns.

Information in this plan will be used to help guide and coordinate mitigation activities and decisions for local land use policy in the future. Proactive mitigation planning will help reduce the cost of disaster response and recovery to the community and its property owners by protecting critical community facilities, reducing liability exposure, and minimizing overall community impacts and disruption. The Merced County planning area has been affected by hazards in the past and is thus committed to reducing future disaster impacts and maintaining eligibility for federal funding.

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Introduction
2021-2026 Update Page 1-3
This hazard mitigation plan identifies resources, information, and strategies for reducing risk from natural hazards. Elements and strategies in the plan were selected because they meet a program requirement and because they best meet the needs of the planning partners and their citizens. One of the benefits of multi-jurisdictional planning is the ability to pool resources and eliminate redundant activities within a planning area that has uniform risk exposure and vulnerabilities. FEMA encourages multi-jurisdictional planning under its guidance for the DMA. This plan will help guide and coordinate mitigation activities throughout the planning area. The plan was developed to meet the following objectives:
● Meet or exceed requirements of the DMA.
● Enable all planning partners to use federal grant funding to reduce risk through mitigation. ● Meet the needs of each planning partner as well as state and federal requirements. ● Create a risk assessment that focuses on Merced County hazards of concern. ● Create a single planning document that integrates all planning partners into a framework that supports partnerships within the County and puts all partners on the same planning cycle for future updates.
● Meet the planning requirements of FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS), allowing planning partners that may choose to participate in the CRS program to enhance their CRS classifications. ● Coordinate existing plans and programs so that high-priority initiatives and projects to mitigate possible disaster impacts are funded and implemented.

1.4 Multi-Jurisdictional Planning
All citizens and businesses of Merced County are the ultimate beneficiaries of this MJHMP. The plan reduces risk for those who live in, work in, and visit the County. It also provides a viable planning framework for all foreseeable natural hazards that may impact the County. Participation in development of the plan by key stakeholders in the County helps ensure that outcomes will be mutually beneficial. The resources and background information in the plan are applicable countywide, and the plan’s goals and recommendations can lay groundwork for the development and implementation of local mitigation activities and partnerships.

The Merced County MJHMP is a multi-jurisdictional plan that geographically covers everything within Merced County’s jurisdictional boundaries (hereinafter referred to as the planning area). Unincorporated Merced County and the following jurisdictions participated in the 2021 update planning process:
● Merced County
● City of Atwater
● City of Dos Palos
● City of Gustine
● City of Livingston
● City of Los Banos
● City of Merced
The cities of Dos Palos and Gustine are new participating jurisdictions as part of the 2021 MJHMP update process, and this is their first hazard mitigation plan. The City of Merced also prepared a stand-alone LHMP in 2015 and is now participating in the MJHMP update process.

1.5 Plan Organization
● Section 1: Introduction
● Section 2: Community Profile and Capability Assessment ● Section 3: Planning Process

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Introduction
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● Section 4: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) ● Section 5: Mitigation Strategy
● Section 6: Plan Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance ● Appendix A: Planning Team
● Appendix B: Planning Process Documentation
● Appendix C: Approval and Adoption
● Appendix D: Mitigation Categories and Alternatives
● Appendix E: Annual Progress Meeting Agenda and Report Template ● Appendix F: Outreach Strategy
● Appendix G: Annexes

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Community Profile and Capability Assessment
2021-2026 Update Page 2-1
2 COMMUNITY PROFILE AND CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT

2.1 History
An expedition led by Gabriel Moraga in 1806 came upon a river he named El Rio de Nuestra Señora de la Merced (River of Our Lady of Mercy), or Merced River in which derived the name of the County. During a period between 1841 and 1844, while California was a province of independent Mexico, four Mexican land grants were made which eventually became Merced County. The County was created by the Act of April 19, 1855 and included parts of Mariposa County. Parts of the territory were also given to Fresno County in 1856. Merced County’s current boundaries and its location within the State of California is shown in Figure 2-1 below.

The early economy of the County centered on ranching and farming. Settlement in Merced County remained modest throughout much of the county's first century. Merced County is considered to be located in the world’s most productive agricultural area, which, today, is a major source of employment, along with food processing, retailing, and light manufacturing.

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Community Profile and Capability Assessment
2021-2026 Update Page 2-2
Figure 2-1 County of Merced Planning Area

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Community Profile and Capability Assessment
2021-2026 Update Page 2-3

2.2 Geography and Climate
Merced County encompasses approximately 2,000 square miles, ranking it the 25th largest out of a total of 58 counties in California. It is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, north of Fresno and southeast of San Jose, and spans from the coastal ranges to the foothills of Yosemite National Park. The City of Merced is the County seat and offers a small community atmosphere, residential neighborhoods characterized by wide, tree-lined streets, and homes in a wide economic range.

The County of Merced is neighbored by the counties of Tuolumne County and Mariposa County to the northeast, Madera County to the south and east, Fresno County to the southeast, San Benito County to the southwest, Santa Clara County to the west, and Stanislaus County to the northwest.

Merced County is home to two national protected areas – Merced National Wildlife Refuge and San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. The former Castle Air Force Base and the United States Penitentiary-Atwater are located in an unincorporated area near Atwater. The Board of Supervisors is the governing body for Merced County.

Elevation in Merced County, according to data gathered by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ranges from 6 feet above mean sea level (msl) ranking it 20 in terms of lowest elevations when compared to a total of 58 counties in California, to 1,781 feet above msl ranking it 54 in terms of highest elevation when compared to a total of 58 counties in California. The rivers in this region include the Merced and Chowchilla, which are both tributaries of the San Joaquin River. On average, there are 263 sunny days per year in Merced County. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 49 with an average of approximately 12 inches of rain per year. The month of July is the warmest month with an average high around 96 degrees. The month of January is the coolest month with an average low of 37 degrees.

2.3 Economy
Merced County is located in the heart of California’s rapidly growing San Joaquin Valley, the richest agricultural area in the world. With that distinction also come the challenges of an economy which has historically been dependent on seasonal agriculture and low wages. Select 2019 economic characteristics estimated for Merced County by the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) are shown in Table 2-1.

Table 2-1 Merced County Economic Characteristics
Merced County
Families Below Poverty Level 17.2%
Individuals Below Poverty Level 21.2%
Median Home Value $252,700
Median Household Income $53,672
Per Capita Income $23,011
Population >16 Years Old in Labor Force 59.6%
Population Employed 52.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2015-2019 5-Year Data Profile Merced County provides a broad range of services to its residents, businesses, and visitors, and manages and operates its facilities to meet community needs. Agriculture is the foundation of Merced County’s economy, and the County consistently ranks as one of California’s top five producers of milk and cream,

Merced County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Planning Process
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chickens, almonds, alfalfa, cattle and calves, silage, and tomatoes. Merced County is home to four agricultural processing facilities that are among the largest of their kind in the world: Ernest and Julio Gallo winery, Hilmar Cheese production facility, Ingomar Packing Company tomato processing plant, and Foster Farms poultry processing facility. The ACS 5-Year data profiles also provide estimates for total employment by industry sector. These employment trends are shown below in Table 2-2.

Table 2-2 Merced County Employment by Industry Sector
Industry Sector Percent of Workforce
Educational services, and health care and social assistance 21.60% Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 12.90% Manufacturing 11.30%
Retail trade 11.20%
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services 7.80% Construction 7.10%
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services

6.20%
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 5.90%
Other services, except public administration 4.50%
Public administration 4.50%
Wholesale trade 3.20%
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing 2.90% Information 0.90%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2015-2019 5-Year Data Profile

2.4 Population
The total estimated population of Merced County in 2019 was 271,382 up from 255,793 people in 2010.

This constitutes an approximately 6% increase in population since the last census. Table 2-3 and Table 2-4 show several key demographic and social characteristics of Merced County, how those characteristics have changed over the last five years, and how those characteristics compare to the rest of the state and nation. Increases in population growth also increase exposure to severe weather-related hazards, pandemic/epidemics as well as earthquakes. This increase in growth also puts more demand on water resources and can increase vulnerability to drought.

Table 2-3 Merced County Demographic and Social Characteristics, 2015-2019 Merced County 2015 2019 % Change
Population 263,885 271,382 2.84%
Median Age 30.4 31.1 2.30%
Total Housing Units 84,063 85,251 1.41%
Housing Occupancy Rate 92.40% 93.80% 1.52%
% of Housing Units with no Vehicles
Available 7.50% 6.90% -8.00%
Median Home Value $161,200 $252,700 56.76%
Unemployment 9.70% 7.10% -26.80%
Mean Travel Time to Work (minutes) 26.1 28.6 9.58%
Median Household Income $42,462 $53,672 26.40%
Per Capita Income $18,204 $23,011 26.41%

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Merced County 2015 2019 % Change
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level 26.10% 21.20% -18.77% # of Households 77,692 80,008 2.98%
Average Household Size 3.32 3.32 0.00%
% of Population Over 25 with High School
Diploma 67.90% 69.10% 1.77%
% of Population Over 25 with Bachelor’s
Degree or Higher 13.10% 13.80% 5.34%
% with Disability 15.70% 13.00% -17.20%
% Speak English less than "Very Well" 22.80% 22.70% -0.44% Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, 2015-2019 Table 2-4 Demographic and Social Characteristics Compared to the State and Nation Demographic & Social Characteristics (as of 2019) County California U.S.

Median Age 31.1 36.5 38.1
Housing Occupancy Rate 93.80% 92.00% 87.90%
% of Housing Units with no Vehicles Available 6.90% 7.10% 8.60% Median Home Value $252,700 $505,000 $217,500
Unemployment 7.10% 3.80% 3.40%
Mean Travel Time to Work (minutes) 28.6 29.8 26.9
Median Household Income $53,672 $106,916 $62,843
Per Capita Income $23,011 $36,955 $34,103
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level 21.20% 13.40% 13.40% Average Household Size 3.32 2.95 2.62
% of Population Over 25 with High School Diploma 69.10% 83.30% 88.00% % of Population Over 25 with bachelor’s degree or Higher 13.80% 33.90% 32.10% % with Disability 13.00% 10.60% 12.60%
% Speak English less than "Very Well" 22.70% 17.80% 8.40% Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, 2015-2019 Table 2-5 breaks down the demographics of the county by sex and race.

Table 2-5 Merced County Demographics by Race and Sex
Merced County Population %
Total Population 271,382 ---
Male 136,987 50.50%
Female 134,395 49.50%
Hispanic or Latino 161,814 59.6%
White alone 75,037 27.6%
Black alone 7,812 2.9%
Asian alone 19,650 7.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone 931 0.3%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 607 0.2% Some other race alone 226 0.1%
Two or more races alone 5,305 2.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, 2015-2019

2.5 County’s Mitigation Capabilities
The following section assesses the County’s and each participating jurisdictions’ existing capabilities to pursue hazard mitigation. The capability assessment analyzes Merced County’s capabilities that can be leveraged to mitigate hazards. Combining the risk assessment with the mitigation capability assessment

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results in the County’s “net vulnerability” to disasters, and more accurately focuses the goals, objectives, and proposed actions of this plan.

The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team (HMPT) used a two-step approach to conduct this assessment for the County and jurisdictions. First, an inventory of common mitigation activities was made through the use of a matrix. The purpose of this effort was to identify policies and programs that were either in place, needed improvement, or could be undertaken if deemed appropriate. Second, the HMPT conducted an inventory and review of existing policies, regulations, plans, and programs to determine if they contributed to reducing hazard-related losses or if they inadvertently contributed to increasing such losses.

This assessment is divided into four sections: regulatory mitigation capabilities; administrative and technical mitigation capabilities; fiscal mitigation capabilities; and mitigation outreach and partnerships.

Additional information on jurisdiction capabilities can also be found in the participating jurisdiction’s annexes.

2.5.1 Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
The regulatory and planning capabilities table lists planning and land management tools typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicate those that are in place in Merced County. Table 2-6 identifies the planning and land management tools typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicates those that are in place in Merced County.

Table 2-6 Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Regulatory Tool
(ordinances, codes,
plans)
Merced
County Atwater Dos Palos Gustine Livingston
Los Banos Merced
General Plan Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Zoning ordinance Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Subdivision ordinance Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Growth management
ordinance Yes No Yes No
Floodplain ordinance Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Other special purpose
ordinance (storm water,
steep slope, wildfire) Yes N/A N/A No
Yes, Fire
Protection
Ordinance
Yes, Storm
Water
Pollution
Plan
N/A
Building code Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Fire department ISO
rating Yes Yes, Rating 3
Yes Yes Yes, Rating
5 Yes, Rating
3 Yes, Rating
2 Erosion or sediment
control Yes N/A No No No Yes Yes
Storm water
management program
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Site plan review
requirements Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Capital improvements
plan Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Economic development
plan Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Local Emergency
Operations Plan Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Other special plans N/A N/A n/a No No Yes N/A

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Regulatory Tool
(ordinances, codes,
plans)
Merced
County Atwater Dos Palos Gustine Livingston
Los Banos Merced
Flood insurance study or
other engineering study
for streams
Yes Yes No -
NSFHA Yes Yes N/A Yes
Elevation certificates (for
floodplain development) Yes No No No No N/A Yes
Source: HMPT
Related Plans and Regulations
Merced County General Plan, 2013 - A comprehensive 2030 Merced County General Plan was adopted December 2010. This General Plan defines the County’s goals, objectives and policies that guide the physical growth, use and development of land under the jurisdictional authority of the County through the year 2030. The General Plan may address other topics that the community deems relevant to its development, such as economic development, historic preservation, and urban design. There are five principles highlighted as the core issues facing the Merced County community in the adoption of the General Plan: Agriculture, Economic Development, Environmental Quality, Public Facilities and Services, and Transportation. The County also promotes their public safety goals through the Health and Safety Element, among their ten other General Plan elements.

The purpose of the Public Health and Safety Element is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural or human caused hazards. Traditionally viewed as an element that focuses on planning for catastrophes, this element is now expanded to include community health and community safety related issues that are more commonly associated with the built environment as affecting the health and safety of residents living within the County. The Element also covers goals and policies focused on geologic and seismic hazards, flood hazards, fire hazards, airport safety, hazardous materials, climate adaptation, noise, and environmental justice.

Merced County Emergency Operations Plan, 2013 - The Emergency Operations Plan addresses the planned response to emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, human caused events and national security emergencies in or affecting Merced County. The plan establishes the emergency management organization required to mitigate any significant emergency or disaster affecting Merced County; identifies the policies, responsibilities, and procedures required to protect the health and safety of communities, public and private property, and the environmental effects of natural, human caused and technological emergencies and disasters; and establishes the operational concepts and policies for disaster response and recovery.

County of Merced Fire Management Plan –The County of Merced reorganized their Fire Department and entered into a Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for the provision of fire protection services. The contract began in 1988. The CAL FIRE agreement provides daily staffing at fire stations, dispatch, management, incident command, training, investigation and fire prevention activities. Through the Cooperative Agreement CAL FIRE also manages the Office of Emergency Services for the County. The County’s Fire Management Plan is a product of the implementation of the State Fire Plan. The State Fire Plan provides an analysis procedure utilizing, in part, computer based geographical information data that is validated by experienced fire managers to assess fire fuel hazards and risks in order to design and implement mitigating activities. The Fire Management Plan provides background information, fuels and fire data, proposed projects, and individual Battalion reports outlining mitigating activities commonly carried out each year.

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Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) 2020 Strategic Fire Plan – The MMU Strategic Fire Plan is an annual fire plan establishing goals and priorities that align with CAL FIRE’s Strategic Plan and the California Fire Plan, while also identifying goals and priorities specific to the Unit. The California Fire Plan is the road map for reducing the risk of wildfire in California, where as the MMU Strategic Fire Plan identifies strategic goals and objectives that target the anticipation and reduction of wildfire within the boundaries of the Unit. For the challenges facing the Unit, such as extreme heat, tree mortality, and drought conditions across the three counties, the plan addresses problem areas and risk. This plan also seeks to improve operational effectiveness, budgetary and fiscal circumstances, foster a healthy ecosystem, and improve firefighter safety by identifying working projects specific to each Battalion within the MMU.

Emergency Services Ordinance, Chapter 2.72 - The purposes of this ordinance are to provide for the preparation and implementation of plans for the protection of people and property within the County in the event of an emergency; the direction of the emergency organization; and the coordination of the emergency functions of the County with the cities in the County and with all other public agencies, corporations, organizations, and affected private persons. The ordinance establishes the Merced Operational Area Council and designates the membership of the council. The council’s powers include the development of emergency and mutual aid plans and agreements and the ordinances and resolutions to implement them.

Fire Mitigation Ordinance Chapter 9.24 – The purpose of this ordinance is to impose a fee on new buildings and improvement projects because they contribute to the increase for potential fire danger in Merced County, it is in the best interest of the citizens of the County and promotes and protects the health and welfare of the residents of Merced County. It is necessary that persons who carry out such projects within the County pay a reasonable fee to mitigate such fire danger.

Floodplain Management Ordinance Chapter 18.30 - It is the purpose of the ordinance to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by legally enforceable regulations applied uniformly throughout the community to all publicly and privately owned land within flood prone, mudslide [i.e. mudflow] or flood related erosion areas. These regulations are designed to:
● Protect human life and health;
● Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects; ● Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
● Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
● Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains; electric, telephone and sewer lines; and streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard; ● Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future blighted areas caused by flood damage; ● Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard; and ● Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions.

Merced Groundwater Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan – The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires the formation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to oversee the development and implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs). The goal of the GSPs is to achieve sustainable management of the State’s groundwater basins. The purpose of the Merced Groundwater Subbasin GSP is to bring the Merced Groundwater Basin (Merced Subbasin), a critically over drafted basin located within the San Joaquin Valley, into sustainable groundwater management by 2040.

This subbasin is heavily reliant on groundwater and the County water users recognize the basin has been in overdraft. This plan is the outcome of collaboration among the County of Merced and numerous water

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districts and cities within the Merced Subbasin. The 2019 GSP outlines how the GSAs will achieve sustainable groundwater management on a long-term basis by increasing recharge and reducing groundwater pumping through various implementation programs and projects.

Merced Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. The Merced Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) is the first IRWMP for the Merced Region. The plan was developed as a multistakeholder process that builds on the Region’s history of collaboration on water resource management issues. The IRWMP is a water resources planning document for the Region and serves as a blueprint for water resources management. It was developed based on Proposition 84 IRWM program guidelines and from input from a Regional Advisory Committee. Similar to the GSP, the IRWMP establishes several objectives and performance measures selected to provide long-term direction towards meeting project goals related to managing flood flows for public safety, water supply, recharge, and natural resource management; meeting water demands (agriculture, urban, and environmental needs); correcting groundwater overdraft conditions; and improving coordination of land use and water resource planning.

The IRWMP also includes objectives that address water use efficiency, water quality, natural resource management, water-related needs of disadvantaged communities, recreation opportunities, climate change adaptation and mitigation; and public outreach and enhancing communication among stakeholders in the Region.

2.5.2 Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities Table 2-7 below identifies the county personnel responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in Merced County and the unincorporated areas. Many positions are full time and/or filled by the same person. A summary of technical resources follows.

Table 2-7 Merced County Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities Personnel Resources Yes/No Department/Position
Planner/engineer with knowledge of land
development/land management practices
Yes Public works/ Deputy Director Roads
Engineer/professional trained in construction
practices related to buildings and/or infrastructure
Yes Public works/ Deputy Director Roads
Planner/engineer/scientist with an understanding
of natural hazards
Yes Public works/ Deputy Director Roads
Personnel skilled in Geographic information
systems (GIS)
No
Full time building official Yes Community and Economic development Building Division
Floodplain manager Yes Community and Economic development Building Division
Emergency manager No Office of Emergency Services (OES) Grant writer Yes
Other personnel N/A
GIS Data Resources
(Hazard areas, critical facilities, land use, building
footprints, etc.)
No
Warning Systems/Services
(Reverse 9-11, cable override, outdoor warning
signals)
Yes OES
Other N/A
Source: HMPT

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Office of Emergency Services
The Merced Office OES provides preparedness before, and coordination direction during, large-scale emergencies and disasters. Merced OES coordinates with partner agencies including the six incorporated cities within the county, special districts, and key private agencies in providing planning, response, recovery, and mitigation activities as a result of disaster related incidents.

Merced County, in conjunction with the cities of Merced, Los Banos, Livingston, Gustine, Dos Palos, emergency fire, law enforcement, health, and Emergency Medical Service agencies, launched the Emergency Notification System (ENS) – a technical capability service allowing residents throughout the entire county to be alerted of an emergency or an important community alert in their area. The improved Merced County ENS will allow residents throughout the County alternate ways of being contacted during an emergency, such as cell phones, business phones, home phones, emails, text messages or hearingimpaired receiving devices. More importantly, individuals can choose how they will be notified and in what preference order. When an emergency message is issued about a potential safety hazard or concern, messages will be sent to all standard voice and text communication devices registered in the system, including home phones, cell phones, email, and more. Residents and businesses with listed telephone numbers are already included in the system. Those residents having only a cell phone or wanting to be contacted through different methods can provide the information using the registration link at www.co.merced.ca.us/alert.

Merced County Fire Department
The primary mission of the Merced County Fire Department is to provide a range of programs aimed at protecting the lives and property of the people of Merced County from the adverse effects of fires, sudden medical emergencies, exposure to hazardous materials, or other dangerous conditions. The programs maintained by the department include:
● Comprehensive fire protection planning
● Fire prevention education
● Fire law and code enforcement
● Suppression and recovery
The Merced County Fire Department provides first responder-level Emergency Medical Services (EMS), including rescue and extrication, as well as control and mitigation of hazardous materials emergency incidents. The Merced County Fire Department personnel and equipment are also available to provide mutual aid fire/rescue/EMS services to cooperating agencies and participate in the statewide fire and rescue mutual aid system.

In addition, assistance and support are also provided for other non-fire emergencies such as floods, earthquakes, and other disasters.

Extreme Heat Preparedness
The County of Merced manages extreme heat events by providing cooling zones and centers for County residents. When the heat index is expected to exceed 105 degrees, various cooling centers in the County were opened to help residents cope with the extreme temperatures. Cooling centers were open during the summer months of 2021 in six of the participating jurisdictions, and at 12 Merced County libraries. In events of extreme heat, the County OES provides public notification alerts to residents with information on the location and hours of operations of cooling centers throughout the County. Transportation to these centers is also often provided free of charge. Additional information on health and safety measures for residents is also provided. Public notifications flyers distributed during the summer of 2021 are shown below.

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Figure 2-2 Public Notification for Extreme Heat and Safety Preparedness Source: Merced County Public Information Officer 2021

2.5.3 Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
The following table identifies financial tools or resources that the county could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities. There are currently no specific funding sources for hazard mitigation.

Table 2-8 Merced County Financial Capabilities
Financial Resources Accessible/
Eligible to Use
Comments/Has this been used for
mitigation in the past?
Community Development Block Grants Yes No
Capital improvements project funding Yes No
Authority to levy taxes for specific
purposes
Yes Has not been used. Must be approved by
voters.

Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric
services, new development
Yes Has not been used. Services provided through
cities or districts and levied through property
assessments
Incur debt through general obligation
bonds
Yes No
Incur debt through special tax bonds Yes Has not been used. Must be approved by twothirds voters.

Incur debt through private activities Yes Has not been used. Do not have any in place.

Federal Grant Programs (HMGP) Yes Has not been used. Various departments in Merced County are eligible.

Source: Planning Team

2.5.4 Other Mitigation Programs and Partnerships
Table 2-9 below summarizes some of the mitigation partnerships and education or outreach capabilities available to Merced County.

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Table 2-9 Merced County Education and Outreach Capabilities Education & Outreach Yes/No Comments
Local Citizen Groups That
Communicate Hazard Risks Yes See below
Firewise USA No 6 communities within the county are Firewise communities StormReady Yes UC Merced is a participant
Other
American Red Cross: The American Red Cross identified several capability enhancements through collaboration with the county, cities, and fire departments of Merced County. Programs such as outreach campaigns for preparedness education, continuing shelter inspections, and updating existing points of contact for shelter sites. These efforts will improve the American Red Cross’ ability to conduct mitigation, preparedness, and response efforts in Merced County.

2.5.5 Opportunities for Enhancement
The 2021 MJHMP update provided the County and the participating jurisdictions an opportunity to review and update the capabilities currently in place to mitigate hazards. This also provided an opportunity to identify where capabilities could be improved or enhanced. Specific opportunities could include:

Plan Updates: Merced County has identified several plans which could be updated, such as the County Emergency Operations Plan, Disabled, Access, and Functional Needs plans, and the Flood Annex to the EOP. During the update process of each of these plans there is an opportunity to reference the MJHMP and enhance the capabilities for implementation of goals and objectives of each plan. The City of Livingston has also identified potential updates to their Emergency Response and Disaster Plan. The City of Merced identified an update to the Water System Response Plan, which would meet the requirements of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act. As mentioned above, updates to related plans such as these provide an opportunity to both build resilience and enhance the cross-plan integration of the MJHMP.

Training: Provide training opportunities to help inform County staff on how best to integrate hazard information and mitigation projects into their departments. Merced County has identified a multi-year training and exercise plan which would cover all county departments. The City of Los Banos has identified an inter-departmental training effort to be undertaken. The City of Dos Palos has also identified providing opportunities for Incident Command System training for city staff.

Firewise: Firewise USA® is a voluntary program that provides a framework to help neighbors get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community. The program is co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters. As of June 2021, neither Merced County nor any of the incorporated jurisdictions in the county were participants in the program. In order to become a Firewise USA site, a neighborhood, community, city, or county must form a board or committee comprised of residents and stakeholders, obtain a written wildfire risk assessment, develop and maintain an action plan, and contact the applicable state liaison to the program.

Storm Ready: As of June 2021, neither Merced County nor any of the incorporated jurisdictions in the county are certified as Storm Ready communities. The UC Merced is certified Storm Ready. The National Weather Service’s Storm Ready program helps local governments handle extreme weather and improve the timeliness and effectiveness of hazardous weather-related warnings for the public. To be officially Storm Ready, a community must:
● Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center ● Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public

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● Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally ● Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars, and ● Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises
Community Rating System (CRS): An additional indicator of floodplain management capability is the active participation of local jurisdictions in the CRS. The CRS is an incentive-based program that encourages counties and municipalities to undertake defined flood mitigation activities that go beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP, adding extra local measures to provide protection from flooding.

All of the 18 creditable CRS mitigation activities are assigned a range of point values. As points are accumulated and reach identified thresholds, communities can apply for an improved CRS class. Class ratings, which run from 10 to 1, are tied to flood insurance premium reductions. As class ratings improve (decrease), the percent reduction in flood insurance premiums for NFIP policy holders in that community increases. These potential discounts in flood insurance premiums through CRS are summarized in Table 2-10 below. As of 2021 neither Merced County nor any of the incorporated jurisdictions in the county participate in the CRS. Should the City of Merced and Merced County decide to join the CRS, it would be an opportunity for enhancement of existing mitigation capabilities and help make flood insurance more affordable in the future.

Table 2-10 CRS Premium Discounts
Class Discount Class Discount SFHA (Zones A, AE, A1-A30, V, V1-V30, AO, and AH): Discount varies depending on class. SHFA (Zones A99, AR/A, AR/AE.

AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, and AR/AO): 10% discount for Classes 1-6; 5% discount for Classes 7-9. Non-SFHA (Zones B, C, X, D): 10% discount for Classes 1-6; 5% discount for Classes 7-9. In determining CRS premium discount, all AR and A99 Zones are treated as non-SFHAs.
1 45% 6 20%
2 40% 7 15%
3 35% 8 10%
4 30% 9 5%
5 25% 10 --
Source: FEMA CRS Coordinators Manual
Financial Capability Improvements: There are several financial resources listed in Table 2-8 that the County could leverage in the future for funding mitigation efforts. In particular, the LHMP provides eligibility for the FEMA HMA grants. County OES staff can attend workshops and trainings regarding the grant application process and how to develop successful grant applications under the HMGP. The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) periodically hosts related trainings and webinars.

Understanding the types of projects that can be funded, and the components of a successful application will enhance chances of a successful grant award.

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3 PLANNING PROCESS
Requirement §201.6(b) and §201.6(c)(1):

An open public involvement process is essential to the development of an effective plan. In order to develop a more comprehensive approach to reducing the effects of natural disasters, the planning process shall include:
(1) An opportunity for the public to comment on the plan during the drafting stage and prior to plan approval;
(2) An opportunity for neighboring communities, local and regional agencies involved in hazard mitigation activities, and agencies that have the authority to regulate development, as well as businesses, academia, and other private and nonprofit interests to be involved in the planning process; and
(3) Review and incorporation, if appropriate, of existing plans, studies, reports, and technical information.
[The plan shall document] the planning process used to develop the plan, including how it was prepared, who was involved in the process, and how the public was involved.

3.1 Background on Mitigation Planning in Merced County
The primary purpose of the Merced County MJHMP update is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects on the Merced County planning area. Merced County recognized the need and importance of a LHMP and initiated its development in 2013 after receiving a grant from FEMA, which also served as the primary funding source for this plan.

The plan underwent a comprehensive update in 2021. The planning process followed during the update was similar to what was used in the original plan development. This planning process utilized the input from a multi-jurisdictional HMPT. A significant change from the 2014 Plan is the inclusion of all of the incorporated communities within the planning area (six), versus three in the previous update. Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (Wood) was procured to assist with the update in 2021. The process is described further in this section and documented in Appendix B.

3.2 What’s New in the Plan Update
DMA Requirement §201.6(d)(3):

A local jurisdiction must review and revise its plan to reflect changes in development, progress in local mitigation efforts, and changes in priorities, and resubmit it for approval within 5 years in order to continue to be eligible for mitigation project grant funding.

The updated MJHMP complies with FEMA guidance and California Office of Emergency Services guidelines for LHMPs. The update followed the requirements noted in the DMA of 2000 and FEMA’s 2013 Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Handbook.

This MJHMP update involved a comprehensive review and update of each section of the 2014 plan and includes an assessment of the progress in evaluating, monitoring and implementing the mitigation strategy outlined in the initial plan. The planning process provided an opportunity to review jurisdictional priorities related to hazard significance and mitigation actions, and revisions were made where applicable

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to the plan and the municipal annexes. Another major change in priority was the desire to include all incorporated jurisdictions in the County, including new annexes for the municipalities of Dos Palos, Gustine and Merced. Only the information and data still valid from the 2014 plan was carried forward as applicable into this MJHMP update.

3.2.1 Plan Section Review and Analysis – 2021 Update
During the 2021 plan update, the HMPT updated each of the sections of the previously approved plan to include new information. Wood developed a summary of each section in the plan and guided the HMPT through the elements that needed updating during the kickoff webinar in December 2020. This included analyzing each section using FEMA’s local plan update guidance (2013) to ensure that the plan met the latest requirements. In addition, the FEMA Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool that was provided with the approval of the 2014 version of this plan was referenced, in particular the 2014 FEMA comments on opportunities for improvement were considered and addressed in the 2021 update. The HMPT and Wood determined that nearly every section of the plan would need revision to align the plan with the latest FEMA planning guidance and requirements and recent California legislation. A summary of the changes in this plan update is highlighted in the table below.

Table 3-1 Merced County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Highlights Plan Section Summary of Plan Review, Analysis, and Updates

1. Introduction Revised to reflect updated plan and 2021 planning process

2. County Profile and
Capability Assessment
Updated with recent census data and current economy description Updated land use and development trends

3. Planning Process
Describes and documents the planning process for the 2019 update, including coordination among agencies
Describes how 2014 plan was integrated with/into other planning efforts.

Removed 2014 planning process info.

Describes changes to jurisdictional participation
Describes 2021 public participation process
Describes the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee
Describes the 10-step process followed for the update

4. Hazard Identification
and Risk Assessment
Drought is now profiled as separate hazards and are no longer part of Severe Weather Discussion on levee failure has been added to Flood
Climate change information has been added to each hazard profile Updated list of disaster declarations to include recent data.

Updated tables to include recent National Center for Environmental Information data.

Updated past occurrences for each hazard to include recent data. 2014 Plan on Vulnerability Assessment is now included with the Risk Assessment section as subsections by hazard.

Updated critical facilities identified from the 2014 plan.

Updated growth and development trends to include recent census and local data sources.

Updated historic and cultural resources using local/state/national sources.

Updated property values for vulnerability and exposure analysis, using updated building information based on assessor’s data.

Updated estimate flood losses using the latest Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) and assessor’s data.

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Plan Section Summary of Plan Review, Analysis, and Updates Updated National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data and Repetitive Loss structure data from the previous plan.

Incorporated new hazard loss estimates since 2014, as applicable.

Used updated GIS inventory data to assess wildfire threat to the County Updated HAZUS-MH Level I earthquake vulnerability analysis data Updated information regarding specific vulnerabilities to hazards, including maps and tables of specific assets at risk, specific critical facilities at risk, and specific populations at risk.

Revisited and updated hazard significance/priority levels.

Updated maps in plan where appropriate.

5. Mitigation Strategy
Indicated what actions have been implemented that may reduce previously identified vulnerabilities.

Updated mitigation strategy based on the results of the updated risk assessment, completed mitigation actions, and implementation obstacles and opportunities since the completion of the 2014 plan.

Reviewed and updated goals and objectives based on HMPT input.

Included updated information on how actions are prioritized, or how priorities changed.

Reviewed mitigation actions from the 2014 plan and developed a status report for each; identified if actions have been completed, deleted, or deferred/carried forward.

Updated priorities on actions.

Identify examples of successful implementation to highlight positive movement on actions identified in 2014 plan.

Identified new mitigation actions proposed by the HMPT with more detail on implementation than the previous plan.

Developed a summary table of mitigation actions for all participating jurisdictions.

6. Plan Review,
Evaluation and
Implementation
Reviewed and updated procedures for monitoring, evaluating, and updating the plan.

Revised to reflect current methods.

Updated the system for monitoring progress of mitigation activities by identifying additional criteria for plan monitoring and maintenance.

Added a process for incorporation of the HMP into existing mechanisms

7. Plan Adoption Updated to reflect 2021 process.

Jurisdictional Annexes
*Developed annexes for new participating jurisdictions in 2021.

Updated previous participants’ annexes with recent census data.

Updated past event history and hazard loss estimates.

Added new maps and updated old maps as needed.

Updated mitigation actions from 2016 and added new mitigation actions.

Updated and integrated the following existing and new annexes:

A City of Atwater
B City of Dos Palos*
C City of Gustine*
D City of Livingston
E City of Los Banos
F City of Merced*
Appendices Appendix A: Planning Team

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Plan Section Summary of Plan Review, Analysis, and Updates Appendix B: Planning Process Documentation
Appendix C: Approval and Adoption
Appendix D: Mitigation Categories and Alternatives
Appendix E: Annual Progress Meeting Agenda and Report Template Appendix F: Outreach Strategy

3.3 Multi-Jurisdictional Participation
In the 2021 MJHMP update, the following jurisdictions participated in the planning process and will be adopting the updated plan following FEMA approval. All incorporated cities in the County participated in this planning process. As noted previously, the cities of Dos Palos, Gustine, and Merced are new to the multi-jurisdictional planning process.

Lead Jurisdiction:
● Merced County
Municipalities:
● City of Atwater
● City of Dos Palos
● City of Gustine
● City of Livingston
● City of Los Banos
● City of Merced
The DMA planning regulations and guidance stress that each local government seeking FEMA approval of their mitigation plan must participate in the planning effort in the following ways:
● Participate in the process as part of the HMPT
● Detail areas within the planning area where the risk differs from that facing the entire area ● Identify potential mitigation actions
● Formally adopt the plan
For the Merced County planning area’s HMPT, “participation” meant the following:
● Providing facilities for meetings
● Attending and participating in the HMPT meetings
● Completing and returning Wood Plan Update Guide worksheets ● Collecting and providing other requested data (as available) ● Identifying mitigation actions for the plan
● Reviewing and providing comments on plan drafts and jurisdictional annexes ● Informing the public, local officials, and other interested parties about the planning process and providing opportunity for them to comment on the plan
● Coordinating, and participating in the public input process ● Coordinating the formal adoption of the plan by the governing boards The County and all jurisdictions with annexes to this plan and seeking FEMA approval met all of these participation requirements. In most cases one or more representatives for each jurisdiction attended the multi-jurisdictional webinars/meetings described in Table 3-3 Schedule of Planning Meetings and brought together a local planning team to help collect data, identify mitigation actions and implementation

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strategies, and review and provide data on annex drafts. In some cases, the jurisdictions had limited capacity to attend or had conflicts with HMPT meetings; in these cases, alternative forms of communication were used to provide input into the process, and some instances a representative from a different jurisdiction’s department attended the HMPT meeting on behalf of the main representative.

Appendix B provides additional information and documentation of the planning process.

3.4 Planning Process
Wood established the planning process for the Merced County MJHMP using the DMA planning requirements and FEMA’s associated guidance. The original FEMA planning guidance is structured around a four-phase process:
● Organize Resources
● Assess Risks
● Develop the Mitigation Plan
● Implement the Plan and Monitor Progress
Into this process, Wood integrated a more detailed 10-step planning process used for FEMA’s CRS and FMA programs. Thus, the modified 10-step process used for this plan meets the requirements of major grant programs including: FEMA’s HMGP, PDM program, FMA Program, and flood control projects authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In 2013, FEMA released the Local Mitigation Planning Handbook that has become the official guide for local governments to develop, update and implement local mitigation plans. While the requirements under §201.6 have not changed, the Handbook provides guidance to local governments on developing or updating hazard mitigation plans to meet the requirements under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 44 – Emergency Management and Assistance §201.6, Local Mitigation Plans for FEMA approval and eligibility to apply for FEMA HMA grant programs. It also offers practical approaches, tools, worksheets and local mitigation planning examples for how communities can engage in effective planning to reduce long-term risk from natural hazards and disasters. The Handbook complements and liberally references the Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide (October 1, 2011), which is the official guidance for federal and state officials responsible for reviewing local mitigation plans in a fair and consistent manner.

Table 3-2 shows how the modified 10-step process fits into FEMA’s four-phase process, and how these elements correspond to the tasks in the FEMA Mitigation Planning Handbook.

Table 3-2 Merced County Hazard Mitigation Planning Process FEMA’s 4-Phase DMA Process Modified 10-Step CRS Process FEMA Local Mitigation Planning
Handbook Tasks
1) Organize Resources
201.6(c)(1) 1) Organize the Planning Effort 1: Determine the planning area and resources
201.6(b)(1) 2) Involve the Public 2: Build the planning team - 44 CFR 201.6 (C)(1)
201.6(b)(2) and (3) 3) Coordinate with Other
Departments and Agencies
3: Create an outreach strategy - 44 CFR
201.6(b)(1)
4: Review community capabilities - 44
CFR 201.6 (b)(2)&(3)
2) Assess Risks
201.6(c)(2)(i) 4) Identify the Hazards

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FEMA’s 4-Phase DMA Process Modified 10-Step CRS Process FEMA Local Mitigation Planning
Handbook Tasks
201.6(c)(2)(ii) 5) Assess the Risks
5: Conduct a risk assessment - 44 CFR
201.6 (C)(2)(i) 44 CFR
201.6(C)(2)(ii)&(iii)
3) Develop the Mitigation Plan
201.6(c)(3)(i) 6) Set Goals 6: Develop a mitigation strategy - 44 CFR 201.6(c)(3)(i); 44 CFR 201(c)(3)(ii)
and 44 CFR 201.6(c)(3)(iii)
201.6(c)(3)(ii) 7) Review Possible Activities
201.6(c)(3)(iii) 8) Draft an Action Plan
4) Implement the Plan and Monitor Progress
201.6(c)(5) 9) Adopt the Plan 7: Review and adopt the plan 201.6(c)(4)
10) Implement, Evaluate, and
Revise the Plan
8: Keep the plan current
9: Create a safe and resilient
community - 44 CFR 201.6(c)(4)

3.4.1 Phase 1: Organize Resources
Planning Step 1: Organize the Planning Effort
The 2021 planning process and update of the LHMP had its roots in the development of a grant application. The County Office OES wrote the grant and in the process solicited commitments from local government jurisdictions that were interested in participating. With an understanding of the number of jurisdictions and their commitment to participate, the grant application was approved and awarded to the County in 2019.

Wood worked with the County to get organized for the plan update. Organizational efforts were initiated with the County and participating jurisdictions in December 2020 to inform and educate the plan participants of the purpose and need for updating the countywide hazard mitigation plan. An initial meeting between Wood and County OEM was held to discuss the organizational aspects of this plan update process. Invitations to the kickoff meeting for this plan update were extended to key County departments, the six incorporated communities, and representatives from special districts for the County and municipalities, as well as to other federal, state, and local stakeholders that might have an interest in participating in the planning process. Representatives from participating jurisdictions and HMPT members to the 2014 plan were used as a starting point for the invite list, with additional invitations extended as appropriate throughout the planning process. The list of initial invitees is included in Appendix A.

Representatives from the following County and municipal departments participated on the HMPT and the development of the plan update. A list of specific HMPT representatives is included in Appendix A. Other local, state, federal, and private stakeholders invited to participate in the HMPT are discussed under Planning Step 3.

Merced County
● Office of Emergency Management
● GIS
● Office of Education
● Division of Environmental Health
● County Counsel
● Community and Economic Development
● Fire Department
● Executive Office

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● IT Department
● Public Works Department
● Agriculture Commissioner
● Food Bank
City of Atwater
● City Manager
● Police Department
● Fire Department
City of Dos Palos
● Police Department
City of Gustine
● Police Department
City of Livingston
● Public Works
City of Los Banos
● Community and Economic Development
● Fire Department
City of Merced
● Fire Department
Planning Meetings
The planning process officially began with a kickoff meeting on December 16, 2020. The meeting covered the scope of work and an introduction to the DMA requirements. Participants were provided with a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Workbook, which included worksheets to facilitate the collection of information necessary to support update of the plan. Using FEMA guidance, Wood designed these worksheets to capture information on past hazard events, identify hazards of concern to each of the participating jurisdictions, quantify values at risk to identified hazards, inventory existing capabilities, and record possible mitigation actions. A copy of Wood’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Guide for this project is included in Appendix B. The County and each jurisdiction seeking FEMA approval of their plan completed and returned the worksheets in either the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Workbook or shared their most recent Local Hazard Mitigation Plan for incorporation into the plan document.

During the planning process, the HMPT communicated through face-to-face meetings, email, and telephone conversations. A majority of the meetings (3 out of the 4) were held virtually due to social distancing requirements associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Draft documents were posted on a Google Drive and in some cases emailed so that the HMPT members could easily access and review them. The HMPT formally met four times during the planning period (December 16, 2020 – June 29, 2021). The purposes of these meetings are described in Table 3-3. The planning consultant sent meeting handouts ahead of time to the participating jurisdictions to review and provide feedback before or at the meeting. In addition to these meetings some jurisdictions held meetings with subcommittees to discuss the needed input for the plan update. In a couple cases some municipalities were not able to attend the planning workshops due to scheduling conflicts or limited staff capacity. Fire Captain and Assistant Director of County OES and the planning consultant worked with the jurisdictions individually in those cases to obtain necessary information and input into the planning process. This was done through direct

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emails from the planning consultant and follow-up phone conversations with the consultant and County OES where necessary.

Table 3-3 Summary of Planning Meetings
Meeting
Number
Meeting Topic Date Location
1 Kickoff/Planning Team Roles and Expectations December 16, 2020 Virtual/Webinar
– Microsoft
Teams
2 Hazard identification and Risk Assessment March 24, 2021 Virtual/Webinar
– Microsoft
Teams
3 Mitigation Strategy and Goals Update May 13, 2021
Virtual/Webinar
– Microsoft
Teams
4 Mitigation Strategy Refinement June 29, 2021 County EOC – Atwater
Meeting #1 – Kickoff Meeting
On December 16, 2020, the Planning Team convened virtually to discuss the process for completing the update of this plan. The kickoff meeting was well attended with 23 individuals present. The audience was a mix of county departments, local governments, special districts and stakeholders. A complete list of those in attendance at the kickoff meeting can be found in the sign-in sheets in Appendix B.

Following introductions, Wood reviewed the DMA requirements and the suggested planning process to follow to meet the requirements as well as the expected schedule of the process. The roles of the HMPT and stakeholder was discussed including the participation requirements for the different roles.

During the kickoff meeting the Planning Team validated the identified hazards within the 2014 plan with minor revisions and collaboratively prioritized the hazards for the purpose of identifying which are “of most concern” to the County. More details are included in Section 4: Risk Assessment.

The group also discussed other agencies that should be part of this planning process, as well as related planning efforts to be coordinated with and recent studies to be incorporated. Part of this discussion was also related to creating a public outreach strategy to involve the public throughout the planning process.

This outreach strategy is included in Appendix F.

The kickoff meeting ended with Wood sharing handouts to assist in the planning process. These handouts included the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Workbook which outlined data collection needs for each participating jurisdiction.

Meeting #2 – Risk and Goals
On March 24, 2021, the HMPT convened virtually to discuss the results of the risk and vulnerability assessment. Forty-one (41) members of the HMPT were present for the discussion. Wood began the meeting with a presentation on the results the risk assessment for natural hazards, results for hazardous material incidents were presented at the next meeting. The group went through each hazard together and discussed the results as well as shared any local insight to inform the HIRA update. Refer to the meeting summary in Appendix B for notes related to each hazard discussed. Part of this discussion was also related to development trends.

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Following the discussion on the results of the risk assessment, Wood explained this update process provides an opportunity to review the previous plan’s goals to determine if they are still valid, comprehensive, and reflect current priorities and updated risk assessment. The group was also encouraged to share their jurisdiction’s goal statements with their local planning teams prior to the next meeting to discuss if changes are necessary.

Wood shared with group that the online public survey had been opened and already received 30 responses at that time. A link was shared with the HMPT to easily distribute by email and for posting on each of the participating jurisdiction’s websites and MJHMP webpages. The meeting ended with a review of the next steps and planning process schedule.

Meeting #3 – Mitigation Strategy and Goals Update
The HMPT convened virtually on May 13, 2021 with 28 people participating to update the plan’s mitigation strategy. The group finalized the plan’s goals and objectives (Step 6) and discussed the criteria for mitigation action selection and prioritization using a worksheet provided by Wood. The group reviewed each possible new mitigation action and additional details were provided by the Planning Team (Step 7). The meeting ended with a review of the next steps and planning process schedule. Wood provided the Planning Team with a link to an online form to submit new mitigation actions. During the Planning Team review of the full plan, each member was provided a handout on prioritizing new mitigation actions and asked to focus on prioritizing each new mitigation action for their jurisdiction.

Meeting #4 – Mitigation Strategy Refinement
On June 29, 2021, the HMPT convened in person to identify new mitigation actions to include in the updated plan. This encompassed a review of possible mitigation activities, alternatives, and related climate adaptation strategies. The group also discussed criteria for mitigation action selection and prioritization.

This was followed by a brainstorming session to elicit the development of new mitigation actions. Entities responsible for new mitigation action implementation were identified. The HMPT completed a sticky dot exercise to prioritize the new mitigation actions. Mitigation action worksheets were also re-distributed to allow additional details to be added following the workshop.

Planning Step 2: Involve the Public
Involving the public assures support from the community at large and is a required part of the planning process per the DMA 2000. Early discussions with Merced County and input received in the first HMPT meeting established the initial plan for public involvement in the plan update. Public outreach began with the creation of an online public survey that was shared with each participating jurisdiction to post on their websites and disseminate via email to local stakeholders. The public outreach activities described here were conducted with participation from and on behalf of all jurisdictions participating in this plan.

Throughout the planning process public workshops were held to inform the public of the purpose of the DMA and the hazard mitigation planning process for the Merced County planning area. At each workshop the public in attendance were provided comment cards to leave any comments related to the County’s MJHMP as well as provide their contact information if they would like to receive ongoing updates and information related to the planning process.

At the kickoff meeting, the HMPT discussed additional options for public involvement and agreed to an approach using established public information mechanisms and resources within the community.

Additional public involvement activities included press releases, website postings, flyer development and distribution, two public workshops, and the collection of public comments on the draft plan. Details on the outreach methods and approach are also summarized in the Community Outreach Strategy included in Appendix F.

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Online Public Survey
During the plan update’s initial drafting stage, an online public survey was used to gather public input to the Planning Team. The survey provided an opportunity for public input during the planning process, prior to finalization of the plan update. The survey gathered public feedback on concerns about hazards and input on mitigation strategies to reduce their impacts. The survey was released on May 3, 2021 and closed on June 2, 2021. The Planning Team provided links to the public survey by distributing it using social media, email, and posting the link on websites. A link to the survey was also posted on some of the participating jurisdictions’ websites as well as through social media posts; screenshots from both can be found in Appendix B. A total of 290 people filled out the survey online. Results showed that the public perceives the most significant hazards to be drought, extreme temperatures, pandemic/epidemic, and climate change. Figure 3-1 shows the results of question 4 of the survey which asked the public’s opinion on what mitigation actions that should have the highest priority in the updated hazard mitigation plan.

Wildfire fuels treatment projects, forest health/watershed protection, water conservation, evacuation route development and public health incident preparedness were cited as the most popular mitigation actions.

This information was shared with the HMPT during the update of the mitigation strategy to consider when evaluating hazard rankings and as a source of potential mitigation ideas. A summary of all the survey data and documentation of the public feedback can be found in Appendix B.

Figure 3-1 Results from Question 4: The following types of mitigation actions may be considered in Merced County. Please indicate the types of mitigation actions that you think should have the highest priority in the Merced County MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

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Online Public Workshops
Two online public workshop was held during the planning process to inform the public, receive input to integrate into the plan update, and keep the public updated on the progress being made in the planning process. Both workshops were held virtually as webinars due to social distancing requirements associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The first workshop took place on May 12, 2021 through Facebook Live. The workshop introduced the public to the hazard mitigation planning process for the County’s Plan Update and answered any questions and gather public input to be integrated into the plan update. In addition, it was an opportunity to help staff identify risks, hazards and vulnerabilities from the public’s perspective. At the end of the first workshop over 300 individuals participated in the virtual workshop by either logging on and briefly viewing the live workshop. Members of the public were able to submit comments verbally or via the chat function. The HMPT received four comments from the meeting that helped to inform the group on the public initial thoughts on hazard mitigation and hazards in their community. The recording of the meeting was subsequently posted on the County’s Facebook Webpage, where it has had an additional 1,985 views as of June 2, 2021, of which 1,020 views were 3-second video views of the workshop recording.

The second public workshop took place on September 22, 2021 while the draft plan was out for public review. The workshop was noticed with a press release and social media postings. The workshop was online using MS Teams and was simultaneously broadcasted as a Facebook Live event by the County. The second virtual public workshop was an opportunity to learn more about the updated draft MJHMP including the planning process, the hazards assessed, and the mitigation actions proposed in the MJHMP.

Following the public workshop was an opportunity for the public to comment on the draft MJHMP. Nine persons attended the Teams session. There were no comments received during the workshop. The recording of the meeting was subsequently posted on the County’s Facebook Webpage. The County encourages participation and feedback by attending the public workshop, visiting the County’s Project Webpage, and/or commenting on the Public Review Draft MJHMP Critical Facilities Database Website and Coordination
A unique aspect of the 2021 plan update process was the development of a web-based mapping application by the County in collaboration with Wood. This project webpage served multiple purposes: a planning process backgrounder for the HMPT and public with public survey links; a GIS/map based – interactive storyboard (i.e., Experience Builder Application) to communicate the highlights of the risk assessment, including interactive hazard maps; a web-based method for collecting, validating, updating and maintaining critical facilities for the plan; and finally a platform to make the Plan a “living document” moving forward, providing a basis for the plan maintenance and continuous updating of critical facility data. A screenshot of the project webpage is shown in Figure 3-2 below. The website and critical facilities database was completed with assistance from a professor and students at California State University, Stanislaus.

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Figure 3-2 Merced County’s MJHMP Webpage and Information Resource Portal Source: Merced County 2021
Each participating jurisdiction’s assistance was requested to validate the critical facility GIS data that has been collected. There were two primary aspects of this: data completeness/correctness and alignment/classification with FEMA Lifelines framework. Through a password protected interface built with the ArcGIS Online Experience Builder application jurisdictions were able to browse map based critical facility data, edit descriptive attributes, and add new point data. This process further engaged participating jurisdictions who saw the value of the MJHMP and long-term use and maintenance of the critical facility data moving forward.

Public Review Period
On September 15-October 6, 2021, a public review draft of this plan was released for comment and made available for download via the County OES website. The draft plan was advertised through social media, mass emailing, and an advertisement through the media mechanisms noted previously. An electronic comment form through Microsoft Forms was provided with the draft plan. Two comments were received, one from a member of the public expressing that the plan was well done, and the other from a representative of the Lower San Joaquin Levee District, who did not have any specific things to note.

Comments received were shared with the HMPT but did not result in changes to the plan. Both comments are documented in Appendix B.

3.4.2 Planning Step 3: Coordinate with Other Departments and Agencies Early in the planning process, state and local agencies and organizations were invited to participate as stakeholders in the process through email. Stakeholders include local and regional agencies involved in hazard mitigation activities or those beyond the County and local government that have the authority to regulate development. The Merced County Cooperator’s List provided the basis for a contact list, which was maintained on a Google Drive by County OES and the planning consultant. Stakeholders could participate in various ways, either by contributing input at HMPT meetings, being aware of planning activities through an email group, providing information to support the effort, or reviewing and commenting on the draft plan. Based on their involvement in other hazard mitigation planning efforts, and status in the County, representatives from the following agencies and organizations were invited to participate as stakeholders in the process by email; an asterisk indicates they participated in HMPT

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meetings. Involvement of local academic institutions include students with California State University, Stanislaus who were tasked to assist with the web-based GIS application for critical facility mapping noted previously. The University of California, Merced was also represented at HMPT meetings. More specific on stakeholder agency representatives can be found in Appendix A and documentation in Appendix B.

Neighboring Counties
● County of Fresno
● County of Kings
● County of Madera*
● County of Mariposa*
State and Federal Agencies
● California Office of Emergency Services Region V*
● California Department of Water Resources*
● California Department of Parks and Recreation*
● National Weather Service*
Businesses, Academia, and Private and Non-Profits
● American Red Cross*
● University of California, Merced*
● California State University, Stanislaus*
● Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) *
● Mercy Medical Center*
● Merced Irrigation District*
● Turlock Irrigation District*
● Merced County Food Bank*
Incorporation or Existing Plans and Other Information
The coordination and synchronization with other community planning mechanisms and efforts are vital to the success of this plan. To have a thorough evaluation of hazard mitigation practices already in place, appropriate planning procedures should also involve identifying and reviewing existing plans, policies, regulations, codes, tools, and other actions are designed to reduce a community’s risk and vulnerability from natural hazards. Merced County uses a variety of mechanisms to guide growth and development.

Integrating existing planning efforts, mitigation policies, and action strategies into this plan establishes a credible, comprehensive document that weaves the common threads of a community’s values together.

The development and update of this plan involved a comprehensive review of existing plans, studies, reports, and initiatives from Merced County and each participating municipality that relate to hazards or hazard mitigation. A high level summary of the key plans, studies and reports is summarized in the table below. Information on how they informed the update are noted and incorporated where applicable.

Table 3-4 Summary of Review of Key Plans, Studies and Reports Plan, Study, Report Name How Plan informed LHMP
Merced County General Plan Provided background information on the county including some information related to jurisdictions. The elements were used to provide information on risk and
vulnerabilities to hazards and the existing policies the County has in place related to hazards and mitigation.

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Plan, Study, Report Name How Plan informed LHMP
Municipal General Plans (including Safety Elements,
Land Use Elements, and Housing Elements)
Informed the municipal annexes and in some cases the
community service district annexes on past hazard
events, mitigation policies, combining designations and existing and projected development
City of Merced 2015 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Informed the HIRA sections, mitigation action plans and capability assessments for the City of Merced
Merced County Flood Insurance Study Reviewed for information on past floods and flood problems to inform risk assessment (Section 4)
Utilized Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps effective
2018 State of California Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Reviewed information on climate change and hazard assessment data to ensure consistency with this plan
update
Reviewed list of hazards to inform risk assessment
(Section 4)
Reviewed goals for consistency
Turlock Irrigation District Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020
Reviewed risk assessment chapter in TLD plan to help
inform the Merced County LHMP update
NOAA National Centers for Environmental InformationState Climate SummariesReviewed information on climate change to inform risk assessment (Section 4)
California Department of Finance/U.S. Census Bureau,
American Community Survey, 2015-2019
Informed the background on the community including
demographic trends
USDA Risk Management Agency Crop Indemnity
Reports, 2007-2020
Informed the adverse weather section vulnerability
assessment on how crops have been impacted by
weather events in the past. Also informed the Drought
and Agricultural Pests and Disease sections of the HIRA California Climate Adaptation Strategy, 2018 and
California OES Contingency Plan for Excessive Heat
Emergencies (2014)
Informed the Extreme Heat profile and climate change
considerations
Other technical data, reports and studies were reviewed and considered, as appropriate, during the collection of data to support Planning Steps 4 and 5, which include the hazard identification, vulnerability assessment, and capability assessment. Information from the following agencies and groups in were reviewed in the development and update of this plan. Specific references relied on in the development of this plan are also sourced throughout the document as appropriate. ● California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ● California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Historic Preservation ● California Department of Transportation
● California Department of Public Health
● California Natural Resources Agency
● California Department of Water Resources
● California Geological Survey
● Merced County Agricultural Department
● Merced Office of Emergency Services
● California Water Foundation
● National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Climatic Data Center ● National Register of Historic Places
● Natural Resource Conservation Service

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● National Weather Service
● U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
● U.S. Geological Survey
● Western Regional Climate Center
● Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes
Integration of 2014 Plan into Other Plans and Planning Mechanisms While the 2014 MJHMP including jurisdictional annexes for Atwater, Livingston, or Los Banos, or the City of Merced 2015 LHMP, were not specifically incorporated or referenced in county or municipal plans and planning mechanisms, a process to do so with the 2021-2026 plan is outlined in subsection 6.3.3.

Specifically, there is a process noted in both subsection 6.3.3 and corresponding mitigation actions in subsection 5.3 that outline how the County and municipalities can achieve Assembly Bill (AB) 2140 compliance, which recommends adoption by reference or incorporation of the LHMP into the Safety Element of the General Plan. The County was actively coordinating an amendment of the General Plan Safety Element to accommodate this during the finalization of this LHMP in late 2021.

3.4.3 Phase 2: Assess Risks
Planning Step 4: Identify the Hazards
Wood led the HMPT in an effort to review the list of hazards identified in the 2014 plan and document all the hazards that have, or could, impact the planning area, including documenting recent drought, flood, wildfire and winter storm events. Data collection worksheets were used in this effort to aid in determining hazards and vulnerabilities and where risk varies across the planning area. The profile of each of these hazards was then updated in 2019 with information from the HMPT and additional sources. Web resources, existing reports and plans, and existing GIS layers were used to compile information about past hazard events and determine the location, previous occurrences, probability of future occurrences, and magnitude/severity of each hazard. GIS were used to display, analyze, and quantify hazards and vulnerabilities where data permitted. The potential for climate change to affect the frequency and intensity of the hazards was summarized based on latest available science, where applicable. A more detailed description of the HIRA process and the results are included in Section 4: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.

Planning Step 5: Assess the Risks
After updating the profiles of the hazards that could affect the County, the HMPT collected information to describe the likely impacts of future hazard events on the participating jurisdictions. This step included two parts: a vulnerability assessment and a capability assessment.

Vulnerability Assessment – Participating jurisdictions updated their assets at risk to natural hazards— overall and in identified hazard areas. These assets included total number and value of structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; natural, historic, and cultural assets; and economic assets. The HMPT also analyzed development trends in hazard areas. The latest DFIRM was used to refine the estimate flood losses during the update, where available for the NFIP participating communities.

Capability Assessment – The HMPT also conducted a capability assessment update to review and document the planning area’s current capabilities to mitigate risk and vulnerability from natural hazards.

By collecting information about existing government programs, policies, regulations, ordinances, and emergency plans, the HMPT can assess those activities and measures already in place that contribute to mitigating some of the risks and vulnerabilities identified. This information for the County is included in Section 6 and in the respective jurisdictional annexes. This addressed FEMA planning task 4: Review community capabilities - 44 CFR 201.6 (b)(2) & (3).

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Results of the risk assessment was presented, and comments discussed at the second HMPT meeting in March 2021. A more detailed description of the risk assessment process and the results are included in Section 4: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.

3.4.4 Phase 3: Develop the Mitigation Plan
Planning Step 6: Set Goals
Wood facilitated a discussion session with the HMPT to review the 2014 plan’s goals and objectives. The HMPT discussed definitions and examples of goals, objectives, and actions and considered the goals of the state hazard mitigation plan and other relevant local plans when reviewing and revising the goals and objectives. The resulting updated goals and objectives are presented in Section 5: Mitigation Strategy.

Planning Step 7: Review Possible Activities
Wood facilitated a discussion at an HMPT meeting to review the alternatives for mitigating hazards. This included a brainstorming session with the HMPT to identify a comprehensive range of mitigation actions for each identified hazard, and a method of selecting and defending recommended mitigation actions using a series of selection criteria. More specifics on the process and the results of this collaborative process are captured in Section 5: Mitigation Strategy.

As part of the review of mitigation options long-term climate change adaptation strategies were also discussed. HMPT members were encouraged to incorporate climate change adaptation measures into the mitigation strategy of their respective jurisdictions utilizing resources and guidance available on the CalAdapt website.

Planning Step 8: Draft an Action Plan
Based on input from the HMPT regarding the draft risk assessment and the goals and activities identified in Planning Steps 6 and 7, Wood produced a complete first draft of the plan. This complete was shared electronically with the HMPT for review and comment. Other agencies were invited to comment on this draft as well. HMPT and agency comments were integrated into the second draft, which was advertised and distributed to collect public input and comments. Neighboring county emergency managers and interested stakeholders identified under Step 3 were also solicited to provide comments on the draft plan; no comments were received. Wood integrated comments and issues from the public, as appropriate, along with additional internal review comments and produced a final draft for the California Office of Emergency Services and FEMA Region IX to review and approve, contingent upon final adoption by the governing boards of each participating jurisdiction.

3.4.5 Phase 4: Implement the Plan and Monitor Progress
Planning Step 9: Adopt the Plan
In order to secure buy-in and officially implement the plan, the plan was adopted by the governing boards of each participating jurisdiction on the dates included in the adoption resolutions in Appendix C:

Approval and Adoption. The final plan will be included in the Safety Element of the County General Plan and result in the County’s eligibility for Assembly Bill (AB) 2140. This adoption makes the jurisdiction eligible for consideration for part or all of its local costs on eligible public assistance to be provided by State share funding through the CDAA.

Planning Step 10: Implement, Evaluate, and Revise the Plan The true worth of any mitigation plan is in the effectiveness of its implementation. Up to this point in the plan update process, all of the HMPT’s efforts have been directed at researching data, coordinating input

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from participating entities, and updating and developing appropriate mitigation actions. Each recommended action includes key descriptors, such as hazard(s) addressed, lead manager and priority, to help initiate implementation. An overall implementation strategy is described in Section 6: Plan Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance.

Finally, there are numerous organizations within the Merced County planning area whose goals and interests’ interface with hazard mitigation. Coordination with these other planning efforts, as addressed in Planning Step 3, is paramount to the ongoing success of this plan and of mitigation in Merced County and is addressed further in Section 6. A plan update and maintenance schedule and a strategy for continued public involvement are also included in Section 6.

Implementation and Maintenance Process: 2014 Plan
The 2014 LHMP included a process for implementation and maintenance which was generally followed, with some variation. Implementation of the plan including the status of mitigation actions is captured in Section 5 and the jurisdictional annexes. In general, the County and participating jurisdictions have made progress in the implementation of the plan. Successes of note are detailed in the mitigation strategy in Section 5. An updated implementation and maintenance section can be referenced in Section 6..

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4 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT
Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(i):
[The risk assessment shall include a] description of the type, location and extent of all natural hazards that can affect the jurisdiction. The plan shall include information on previous occurrences of hazard events and on the probability of future hazard events.
§201.6(c)(2)(ii):
[The risk assessment shall include a] description of the jurisdiction’s vulnerability to the hazards described in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section. This description shall include an overall summary of each hazard and its impact on the community. All plans approved after October 1, 2008 must also address NFIP insured structures that have been repetitively damaged by floods. The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of:
§201.6(c)(2)(ii)(A):

The types and numbers of existing and future buildings, infrastructure, and critical facilities located in the identified hazard areas;
§201.6(c)(2)(ii)(B):

An estimate of the potential dollar losses to vulnerable structures identified in ... this section and a description of the methodology used to prepare the estimate.
§201.6(c)(2)(ii)(C):

Providing a general description of land uses and development trends within the community so that mitigation options can be considered in future land use decisions.

Risk to natural hazards is a combination of hazard, vulnerability and capability. This section of the MHMP will look at both hazards and vulnerability. The risk assessment process identifies and profiles relevant hazards and assesses the exposure to lives, property and infrastructure to these hazards. The goal of the risk assessment is to estimate the potential losses in Merced County from a hazard event. This process also allows communities in Merced County to better understand their potential risk to natural hazards and provides a framework for developing and prioritizing mitigation actions to reduce the risks from future hazard events in Merced County.

The risk assessment process identifies and profiles relevant hazards and assesses the exposure of lives, property, and infrastructure to these hazards. The process allows for a better understanding of a jurisdiction’s potential risk to hazards and provides a framework for developing and prioritizing mitigation actions to reduce risk from future hazard events.

This risk assessment builds upon the methodology described in the 2013 FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Handbook, which recommends a four-step process for conducting a risk assessment:

1. Describe Hazards

2. Identify Community Assets

3. Analyze Risks

4. Summarize Vulnerability

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In essence, the risk assessment evaluates potential loss from hazards by assessing the vulnerability of the county’s population, build environment, critical facilities, and other assets. Data collected through this process has been incorporated into the following sections of this section:

Subsection 4.1: Hazard Identification - identifies the hazards that threaten the Planning Area and describes why some hazards have been omitted from further consideration.

Subsection 4.2: Asset Summary - describes the methodology for inventorying assets as the basis for determining vulnerability of the planning area to the identified hazards.

Subsection 4.3: Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment - discusses the threat to the Planning Area and describes previous occurrences of hazard events and the likelihood of future occurrences (2013 FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Handbook Risk Assessment Step 1). It also includes a vulnerability assessment considering assets at risk, critical facilities, and development trends (2013 FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Handbook Risk Assessment Steps 2, 3 and 4).

This risk assessment covers the entire geographical area of Merced County. Since this plan is a multijurisdictional plan, the HMPC was required to evaluate how the hazards and risks vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. While these differences are noted in this section, they are expanded upon in the annexes of the participating jurisdictions. If no additional data is provided in an annex, it should be assumed that the risk and potential impacts to the affected jurisdiction are similar to those described here for the entire Merced County planning area.

4.1 Hazard Identification
The San Joaquin Valley region and Merced County is susceptible to a number of hazards. This MHMP profiles the most significant of these hazards. In the early meetings with Merced County and the Planning Team, data was reviewed from the following sources on hazards affecting the county, those sources were:

Federal and State Disaster Declaration History, the State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan (2018), the Health Safety Element of the Merced County 2035 General Plan (2012), and interviews of staff that live and work in Merced County.

Using existing natural hazards data and input gained through planning meetings during both the 2014 HMP and 2021 update, the HMPC agreed upon a list of hazards that could affect Merced County. The following table explains the changes in the hazards profiled in 2014 and the 2021 update.

Table 4-1 Updates to Hazards Profiled, 2014 Plan and 2021 Update 2014 Hazards 2021 Hazards Comments
Earthquake Earthquake No Changes.

Floods (including dam failures) Flooding and Levee Failure Broke out dam failures as its own sections:
“dam incidents”. Added levee failure to
section due to the large number of levees
in the County.

Severe Weather (including Drought,
Extreme Heat, Freeze)
Severe Weather: Dense Fog,
Extreme Heat, Freeze, Heavy
Rain and Wind
Broke out drought into its own section.

Added dense fog, wind and heavy rain to
severe weather.

Wildfire Wildfire No Changes.

Agriculture Pest and Disease New in 2021. Added due to significant agricultural industry in the County and the
impacts to the local economy.

Cyber Attacks New in 2021. Added due to worldwide
uptick in number and extent of attacks.

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2014 Hazards 2021 Hazards Comments
Dam Incidents Identified in General Plan Safety Element.

Includes flooding from excess releases.

Drought Previously part of severe weather section.

Profiled separately due to the unique
nature of the hazard and different
consequences.

Hazardous Materials New in 2021. Added due to potential for fixed facility and transportation incidents.

Landslide New in 2021. Added due to presence of
landslide susceptible terrain in the
western county.

Pandemic/Epidemic New in 2021. Included due to extent of impacts associated with 2020 COVID 19
Pandemic.

Subsidence New in 2021. Included due to history of
subsidence related to groundwater
withdrawals and impacts to canal and
levee infrastructure.

The 2021 HMP update included a significant re-evaluation of the hazards with the latest, best available data. Hazards data from Merced County, California Governor’s OES, FEMA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and many other sources were examined to assess the significance of these hazards to the planning area. The update process included a comprehensive, parcel-level risk analysis with GIS where available data permitted. Many new maps and tables were added that capture the potential losses.

4.1.1 Overall Hazard Significance Summary
Overall hazard significance was based on a combination of Geographic Area, Probability of Future Occurrence and Potential Magnitude/Severity as defined below. The individual ratings are based on or interpolated from the analysis of the hazards in the sections that follow. During the 2021 Merced County HMP update the individual ratings and significance of the hazards was revisited and updated. Public concern was also considered via input at public webinars and an online survey.

Table 4-2 Merced County Hazard Significance
Hazard Geographic Area
Probability of
Future
Occurrence
Magnitude/Severity
(Extent)
Overall
Significance
Agriculture Pest and
Disease Extensive Likely Critical Medium
Cyber Attack Significant Likely Critical Medium
Dam Incidents Significant Occasional Catastrophic Medium Drought Extensive Likely Critical High
Earthquake Significant Unlikely Critical Medium
Flood and Levee
Failure Extensive Likely Catastrophic High
Hazardous Materials Limited Highly Likely Negligible Low Landslide Limited Occasional Limited Low
Pandemic/Epidemic Extensive Occasional Catastrophic High

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Hazard Geographic Area
Probability of
Future
Occurrence
Magnitude/Severity
(Extent)
Overall
Significance
Severe Weather:

Dense Fog Extensive Highly Likely Critical High
Severe Weather:

Freeze Extensive Highly Likely Critical High
Severe Weather: Heat Extensive Highly Likely Critical High Severe Weather:

Heavy Rain Extensive Highly Likely Critical High
Severe Weather: High
Wind/Tornado Extensive Highly Likely Critical High
Subsidence Extensive Likely Negligible Low
Wildfire Significant Likely Limited Medium
Geographic Area
Limited: Less than 10% of planning area
Significant: 10-50% of planning area
Extensive: 50-100% of planning area
Probability of Future Occurrences
Highly Likely: Near 100% chance of occurrence
in next year or happens every year.

Likely: Between 10 and 100% chance of
occurrence in next year or has a recurrence
interval of 10 years or less.

Occasional: Between 1 and 10% chance of
occurrence in the next year or has a recurrence
interval of 11 to 100 years.

Unlikely: Less than 1% chance of occurrence in
next 100 years or has a recurrence interval of
greater than every 100 years.

Magnitude/Severity (Extent)
Catastrophic—More than 50 percent of property severely
damaged; shutdown of facilities for more than 30 days; and/or multiple deaths
Critical—25-50 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for at least two weeks; and/or injuries and/or illnesses result in permanent disability
Limited—10-25 percent of property severely damaged;
shutdown of facilities for more than a week; and/or
injuries/illnesses treatable do not result in permanent disability Negligible—Less than 10 percent of property severely damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for less than 24 hours; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable with first aid
Significance
Low: minimal potential impact
Medium: moderate potential impact
High: widespread potential impact

4.1.2 Non-Profiled Hazards
The Planning Team reviewed data and discussed several other hazards, which were eliminated from further discussion because they occur rarely and/or their impacts are not significant. The list below details these hazards and provides a brief explanation for their omission from further profiling. ● Avalanche - Snowfall is extremely rare to nonexistent across the planning area. ● Coastal Erosion/Storm - Hazard does not occur due to distance from coasts and ocean. ● Hailstorm - Severe thunderstorms during which hail normally occurs are rare. ● Hurricane - Hazard does not occur due to distance from ocean. ● Tsunami - Hazard does not occur due to distance from ocean. ● Volcano - The U.S. Geological Survey does not include Merced County in their map of areas identified as subject to hazards from potential eruptions in California.

The Planning Team acknowledges there are other human caused hazards that can affect the County. They are recognized here, with notes below how they are considered as consequences of other hazards or addressed in other planning mechanisms:
● Civil Unrest and Terrorism – More commonly addressed in the local emergency operations plans; an uptick in social equity-related incidents and far-right extremism has been noted in recent years. ● Power outages/Utility Failure – This is addressed as a consequence of other hazards such as severe weather, earthquakes, and wildfires.

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● Transportation Hazards – Transportation safety is typically addressed in other planning mechanisms.

Noted as a consequence of other hazards where applicable, e.g. Severe Weather: Fog, earthquakes, floods.

4.1.3 Disaster Declaration History
One method to identify hazards is to look at the events that have triggered federal and/or state disaster declaration that included Merced County. Federal and state disaster declarations may be granted when the severity and magnitude of an event surpasses the ability of the local government to respond and recover. Disaster assistance is supplemental and sequential. When the local government’s capacity has been surpassed, a state disaster declaration may be issued, allowing for the provision of state assistance.

Should the disaster be so severe that both the local and state governments’ capacities are exceeded, a federal emergency or disaster declaration may be issued allowing for the provision of federal assistance.

In other words, a presidential disaster declaration puts federal recovery programs in place to help disaster victims, business, and public agencies.

The federal government may issue a disaster declaration through FEMA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or the Small Business Administration. FEMA also issues emergency declarations, which are more limited in scope and without the long-term federal recovery programs of major disaster declarations (Farm Service Agency 2018). The quantity and types of damage are the determining factors.

This section focuses on state and federal disaster and emergency declarations.

The communities throughout Merced are among the many in California that are susceptible to disaster.

Details on federal and state disaster declarations were obtained by the HMPC, FEMA, and the California OES and compiled in chronological order in Table 4-3. A review of state and federal declared disasters indicates that Merced County received 18 proclamations between 1950 and March 2020. Of the 18 state declarations, seven were associated with flooding; two were for drought (not including declaration issued by the USDA); three were for freeze; and two were for the COVID-19 pandemic.

This disaster history (combined federal and state) suggests that Merced County experiences a major event worthy of a disaster declaration about every 4 years. The County has a 26 percent chance of receiving a disaster declaration in any given year. With the exception of the declarations for drought and the COVID19 pandemic, every declaration resulted directly or indirectly from severe weather. Further, a review of these events helps Merced County, and its jurisdictions identify risk reduction targets and ways to improve capabilities to avoid large-scale hazard events in the future.

The following table lists the declarations where Merced County was included in federal and/or state disaster declarations from 1950 to the present.

Table 4-3 Merced County Disaster Declaration History 1950-present Hazard Type Disaster Name Disaster Number
Flood 1950 Floods (Statewide) OCD50-01
Flood 1955 Floods (Statewide) DR-47
Flood 1969 Storms, Flooding DR-253
Freeze 1972 Freeze
Drought California Drought January 1976-77 3023
Severe Storms 1983 Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides, &
Tornadoes DR-677
Freeze 1990 Freeze DR-894
Flood 1995 Late Winter Storms DR-1046
Flood 1997 January Floods DR-1155
Flood 1998 El Niño Floods DR-1203

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Hazard Type Disaster Name Disaster Number
Freeze 1998 Freeze DR-1267
Hurricane Katrina Evacuation California Hurricane Katrina Evacuees September 2005 EM-3248
Flood 2006 June Storms DR-1646
Freeze 2007 Severe Freeze DR-1689
Drought Central Valley Drought 2008 GP 2008-03
Drought Drought State of Emergency Statewide 2014 B-17-2014 Flooding and Mudslides January 2017 Storms DR-4301
Pandemic California COVID-19 EM-3428
Pandemic California COVID-19 Pandemic DR-4482
Source: Merced OES, Cal OES and FEMA
Since 2012, there have been 18 disaster designations issued by the Secretary of Agriculture in Merced County, 15 of which were for drought and three were for hail, excess rain, cold temperatures, and high winds. Of the drought designations, 11 are classified as “Drought-Fast Track” Secretarial disaster designations. According to the Secretary of Agriculture, a Fast Track designation is for a severe drought and provides an automatic designation when during the growing season any portion of the county meets the severe drought intensity value for eight consecutive weeks. Refer to the drought hazard profile for more information of disaster declarations from the Secretary of Agriculture related to drought events.

Table 4-4 USDA Agricultural Declarations in Merced County, 2012-2020 Year Hazard Designation
Number Approval Date
2012
Drought-Fast Track S3268 7/12/2012
Hail, rain, cold temperatures S3320 8/3/2012
Drought S3379 9/5/2012
Drought S3452 12/19/2012
2013
Drought-Fast Track S3491 2/27/2013
Drought-Fast Track S3511 4/24/2013
Drought-Fast Track S3547 7/3/2013
Drought-Fast Track S3558 7/31/2013
2014 Drought-Fast Track S3626 1/15/2014
Drought S3743 9/17/2014
2015 Drought-Fast Track S3784 2/4/2015
Drought S3943 12/23/2015
2016
Drought-Fast Track S3952 2/17/2016
Severe weather including excessive
rainfall and high winds S4164 3/31/2017
2017 Drought-Fast Track S4144 2/23/2017
2019 Excessive rain and hail S4657 3/11/2020
2020 Drought-Fast Track S4697 6/16/2020
Source: USDA Secretary of Agriculture

4.1.4 Climate Change Considerations Summary
Merced County is part of the San Joaquin Valley part of California’s Central Valley. The region is known as one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions and is also vulnerable to the impacts on climate change. The following are highlights from California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, San Joaquin Valley Region Report (Preview), of projected impacts to the State of California and the Central Valley due to climate change:
● Acceleration of higher temperatures across California.

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● More intense and frequent heat waves.
● Increasing evapotranspiration.
● More intense and frequent droughts.
● More intense rainstorms.
● Higher frequency of catastrophic floods.
● More severe and frequent wildfires.
● Declining and change in timing of snowmelt.
● Increased susceptibility to rain-on-snow events from atmospheric rivers. ● Increased stream temperatures resulting in decreased water quality.

The important consideration for hazard mitigation is that climate change is exacerbating the hazards which are already identified and profiled. Additional specifics associated with the hazards are discussed in the Climate Change Considerations portion of each hazard profile.

4.1.5 Overview of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Subsection 4.3 contains detailed hazard profiles for the identified hazards. Each hazard profile includes the following subsections:
● Hazard/Problem Definition—This section gives a description of the hazard and associated issues followed by details on the hazard specific to the Merced County planning area. ● Geographic Area – This section gives a spatial description of the potential location or areas of Merced County where the hazard expected to impact.
● Extent (Magnitude/Severity)– This section gives a description of the potential strength or magnitude of the hazard as it pertains to Merced County.
● Previous Occurrences—This section contains information on historical incidents, including impacts where known. Historical incident worksheets were used to capture information from participating jurisdictions on past occurrences.
● Probability of Future Occurrence—The frequency of past events is used in this section to gauge the likelihood of future occurrences. Where possible, frequency was calculated based on existing data. It was determined by dividing the number of events observed by the number of years on record and multiplying by 100. This gives the percent chance of an event happening in any given year (e.g., three droughts over a 30-year period equates to a 10 percent chance of a drought in any given year). The likelihood of future occurrences is categorized into one of the following classifications:
- Highly Likely — Near 100 percent chance of occurrence in next year or happens every year. - Likely — Between 10 and 100 percent chance of occurrence in next year or has a recurrence interval of 10 years or less.
- Occasional — Between 1 and 10 percent chance of occurrence in the next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years.
- Unlikely — Less than 1 percent chance of occurrence in next 100 years or has a recurrence interval of greater than every 100 years.
● Climate Change Considerations - This describes the potential for climate change to affect the frequency and intensity of the hazard in the future.
● Vulnerability - Following the hazard profiles is a vulnerability assessment for each identified hazard.

The assessment was conducted through the study of potential impacts to the following specific sectors:
- General Property
- People
- Critical Facilities and Infrastructure

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- Economy
- Historic, Cultural, and Natural Resources
- Future Development
- Risk Summary - Each vulnerability assessment includes a risk summary of the key issues/problems based on threat, vulnerability and consequence to the planning area and jurisdictions from the specific hazard.

Data used to support this assessment included the following:
● County GIS data (hazards, base layers, and assessor’s data); ● Statewide GIS datasets to support mitigation planning; ● State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan 2018;
● Merced County Hazard Mitigation 2014;
● Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plans;
● CAL FIRE datasets;
● California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment
● Written descriptions of inventory and risks provided by the jurisdictions; ● Online data sources (cited where applicable);
● Data and information from existing plans and studies; and ● Input from planning team members and staff from the County and local, state, and federal agencies.

Asset Summary

4.1.6 Assets Exposure
As a starting point for analyzing the Planning Area’s vulnerability to identified hazards, the HMPC used a variety of data to define a baseline against which all disaster impacts could be compared. If a catastrophic disaster was to occur in the Planning Area, this section describes significant assets exposed or at risk in the Planning Area. Data used in this baseline assessment included:
● Total assets at risk;
● Critical facility inventory;
● Cultural, historical, and natural resources; and
● Population growth and land use/development trends.

Total Assets at Risk
Building value assessments in this plan are based on data from the Merced County’s Assessor’s Office.

This data provided the baseline for an inventory of the total exposure of developed properties within the county and helps to ensure that the updated HMP reflects changes in development. It is important to note that depending on the nature and type of hazard event or disaster, it is generally the value of the infrastructure or improvements to the parcels that are of concern or at risk. Generally, the land itself is not a total loss, but may see a reduction in value. Thus, the parcel analysis excludes land value.

Parcel Exposure and Preparations for Analysis
Merced County Assessor data was used to inventory the total number and types of parcels with improvements, defined as parcels with an improvement value greater than zero, in the County. Building content values were estimated based on the following formulas based on FEMA/Hazus methods: a) Residential properties received content values worth 50% of the improved values; b) Agricultural, Commercial, Exempt, and Mixed Use related properties received content values worth 100% of the improved values; and c) Industrial properties received content values worth 150% of the improved values.

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Adding up these content and original improved values yields the Total Value of Improved Parcels, which is an estimation of the total property exposure within the County. Building counts were based on an address point database to further refine the number of structures, as one parcel may have multiple buildings.

Table 4-6 summarizes the property inventory for the County and each participating jurisdiction with detail by property type. Table 4-5 shows the total property inventory from the Assessor’s Office.

Table 4-5 Total Exposure Summary by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Improved
Parcel Count
Building
Count Improved Value Estimated Content Value Total Value Atwater 7,634 9,654 $1,391,376,798 $826,122,017 $2,217,498,815 Dos Palos 1,774 2,001 $202,169,557 $111,638,513 $313,808,070 Gustine 1,874 2,109 $290,346,103 $174,766,468 $465,112,571 Livingston 3,344 4,007 $708,187,135 $500,444,666 $1,208,631,801 Los Banos 12,253 13,111 $2,492,207,313 $1,427,441,289 $3,919,648,602 Merced 22,362 31,744 $4,753,631,582 $3,092,973,003 $7,846,604,585 Unincorporated 28,343 35,327 $5,628,897,061 $4,421,594,611 $10,050,491,672 Total 77,584 97,953 $15,466,815,549 $10,554,980,566 $26,021,796,115 Source: Merced County Assessor’s Office, Wood Analysis
Table 4-6 Total Exposure by Jurisdiction and Property Type Jurisdiction
Property
Type
Improved
Parcel
Count
Building
Count Improved Value Estimated Content Value Total Value Atwater
Agricultural 4 4 $294,019 $294,019 $588,038
Commercial 254 941 $187,232,236 $187,232,236 $374,464,472 Exempt 77 150 $14,001,651 $14,001,651 $28,003,302
Industrial 48 48 $28,819,757 $43,229,636 $72,049,393
Mixed Use 6 6 $236,330 $236,330 $472,660
Residential 7,229 8,489 $1,159,329,319 $579,664,660 $1,738,993,979 Vacant
Land 16 16 $1,463,486 $1,463,486 $2,926,972
Total 7,634 9,654 $1,391,376,798 $826,122,017 $2,217,498,815 Dos Palos
Commercial 104 154 $16,913,918 $16,913,918 $33,827,836
Exempt 39 94 $1,962,673 $1,962,673 $3,925,346
Industrial 9 9 $1,043,139 $1,564,709 $2,607,848
Mixed Use 5 5 $104,170 $104,170 $208,340
Residential 1,611 1,733 $182,105,228 $91,052,614 $273,157,842 Vacant
Land 6 6 $40,429 $40,429 $80,858
Total 1,774 2,001 $202,169,557 $111,638,513 $313,808,070 Gustine
Agricultural 3 3 $249,806 $249,806 $499,612
Commercial 86 212 $13,841,697 $13,841,697 $27,683,394
Exempt 21 22 $1,947,230 $1,947,230 $3,894,460
Industrial 8 8 $21,456,333 $32,184,500 $53,640,833
Mixed Use 3 3 $55,055 $55,055 $110,110
Residential 1,749 1,857 $252,615,603 $126,307,802 $378,923,405 Vacant
Land 4 4 $180,379 $180,379 $360,758
Total 1,874 2,109 $290,346,103 $174,766,468 $465,112,571